Jetty Island

Way back on July 3rd, we went to Jetty Island (a man-made island off the Everett waterfront) with a group of friends from church.  The weather started out pretty cold and dreary, but by lunchtime it was sunny and quite enjoyable.  In fact, up until our family reunion this last week it was the most fun we have had as a family in way too long.

While on the island we saw about 5 bald eagles sitting in the trees and even diving down to get fish and then fighting over who got to eat the fish.  It was amazing!

Trevor had a lot of fun playing in the sand and especially in the fort and tunnel the dads made.

Later in the day, the dads decided to make the cave and the fort connect with a tunnel.  It was very dangerous.  Even after one dad got caved in and the other dads had to dig him out, they still insisted on finishing the tunnel and then all crawling through.

After the tunnel was complete, the sun came out, and the tide was way out the dads and older boys decided that a race to the water was in order followed by some male bonding in the frigid water.

After their swim we were all standing in the sand out by the tide and wiggling our toes causing us to sink slowly into the sand.  Darren did it too, but he sank very quickly and became stuck.  Really stuck.  It took 3 guys nearly 15 minutes to get him out.  It was hilarious watching them dig Darren out.

We played hard, laughed a lot and had a great day!  As icing on the cake, on the way home we stopped by Dick's.  :)

Before & After: The Kitchen

We now return to a series I like to call "Before & After".  Today's episode is called "The Kitchen".  For a long time I have wanted to re-do the kitchen, meaning I want a color scheme and cute curtains.  So about a month go I saw this tutorial on on of my favorite blogs, Crap I've Made.  After a quick trip to Joann's and a couple nap times spent sewing and crafting, here's is what I came up with.

Before:

After:

I just covered the picture with scrapbook paper and glued a flower in the center.  Total Cost: $1.50


Before:

After:

The teal fabric is actually a book cover that I found in the clearance section of Joann's for $1 each.  The silverware is plastic that I spray painted.  Total cost: $3.50

Years ago I purchased some hair mousse and it came in a cool pump bottle and once it ran out we started using it for dish soap.  It used to be all blue with writing all over and people would always wonder why it said mousse on the bottle, but not any more!

I put stickers on the solid blue spots that had no writing, spray painted in red, removed the stickers, and ta-da!!  Total cost: $.25

And last but not least here are the curtains I made to match it all.  I had no pattern.  I just made it up as I went along and I think they turned out great!!

They are even cuter in person.  Total cost: $15 in supplies and two naps (which are priceless, so it's a good thing I love the curtains!!!)

Stay tuned for more posts about the 4th, Darren's 2nd place finish, Austin's blessing & cake and our family reunion.

A Call to 9-1-1

I'm a nosy neighbor and a concerned citizen.  Because of this I average a call to 9-1-1 about once every two months or so.  Prior to my call at 4:00 am this morning my last call was right before Austin was born to report four teens smoking pot in the wooded area at my local park.  (It's a popular pot smoking hangout and this wasn't the first time I have called.)

So this morning I was nursing Austin and I heard some yelling outside and then a consistent sound that I couldn't understand.  After I was done nursing I opened my bedroom window so that I could hear what was going on and I hear a man groaning "Owwww" like he was in awful pain.  I put on some shoes and went outside to hear better where the sound was coming from and it was coming from my backyard neighbors house.  I went back inside and called 9-1-1.

I told them everything about what I had heard, where it was coming from, etc.  About this time Darren got up with me and we were watching out Austin's bedroom window waiting for the police to show up.  At one point I hear another awful "Owwwww" and before I could stop myself I was shouting out the window, "Sir, Are you OK?"  I got no answer but there were some banging sounds and lights were turning on and off in the house and curtains were being closed.

At this point my mind started racing...  What is going on?   Is he just passing a kidney stone?  OR  Did someone come into his home kill his wife and leave him for dead?  (It was at this point I went downstairs to make sure the front door was locked.)

After talking to the responding officer on the phone and making sure he had the right house I saw him come around to the back of the house with his huge flashlight and look around to see if anyone was outside.  He even turned his light on me sitting in my upstairs window watching him.  I heard him knock on their door and I could hear talking but I couldn't make out what they were saying.  Shortly after that they all got in their cars and left.

The officer called me back and told me what happened...

The wife went to get her husband who was very drunk.  He refused to come inside the house and instead was sitting on the front lawn puking and moaning because of how awful he felt.  When the wife heard me yell to ask if he was OK, she drug him inside the house.

So I didn't save any one's life, but I'm glad that I called anyway although it might be awkward the next time I see them since I'm pretty sure they know it was me who called 9-1-1.

Two Months Already?!?

I can't hardly believe it, but Austin is two months old today.  Here are some pics to celebrate.

Austin is always such a happy, easy going kid.  The only time he ever cries is when he is over-tired or if he decides I'm not providing milk as fast as he would like it.

He's also very strong and likes to do big boy things.  (Note: shortly after I took this picture he flopped over, but I was surprised how well he did.)

 
I'm totally biased, but I think he is so handsome...

Even when he's sad.

Happy 2 Months Austin!  We love you bunches.

My Clothes Line

 This picture makes me happy for so many reasons.

1. I love cloth diapers and all the fun colors they come in.
2. It's warm enough today to dry them outside which saves electricity.
3. I finally have a real clothes line and not just a rope bungee corded to a tree.
4. My new clothes pins are bamboo which is a more sustainable material than wood.
5. My lawn looks awesome!

(Oh and in case you were wondering...this is a little less than 3 days worth of diapers.)

More Conversations with Trevor

It's been a while since I posted some of the hilarious, insightful and matter-of-fact things Trevor says.  And it's a good thing he's funny because some days it is his humor that keeps me from locking him in a closet until Darren gets home.  Kidding....kinda.

This morning as he was playing with a car and I was nursing Austin...

Trevor:  That's gr... (the word sounded like great, but I wasn't sure, so I said)
me:  What?
Trevor:  That's gr... (same word, still no idea what he said)
me:  What?
Trevor:  That's awesome.


Then later after I told him for the 10th time at least to turn off the water.

Trevor:  Sometimes Mommy says, Trevor!
Trevor:  Sometimes TREVOR!
Trevor:  Sometimes TREVOR!!!
me:  *laughing* That's right sometimes I say that.
Trevor:  Yea, sometimes you yell.
me:  Yea.  How does that make you feel?
Trevor:  I feel sad.
me:  Really?  I'm sorry.  What makes you feel happy?
Trevor:  You say, "I love you Trevor."
me:  I love you Trevor.
Trevor:  Yea.  I feel happy good.


Just now I overheard him outside playing with a truck and he told the truck...

Trevor:  You get the string Right Now!!       I mean...Please get the string right now.



And lastly, several weeks ago while I was nursing Austin he pulled away right as my milk let down and true to Trevor's character of telling it like it is...

Trevor:  Oh mom.  You're leakin'.

Just Checking In

I know I have been MIA for a while, but I'm just checking in to let my faithful readers know that I am alive and well.  We had a great trip to Utah last weekend and I came home even more sleep deprived than I was when I left which is how I know that we maximized the short amount of time we had to be with family.  Also, both boys did amazing during the long car ride, both going down and coming back.

Even though I am tired almost all the time and my house is a miserable mess (compared to the very high standard I expect from myself), I am so lucky to be the mom of these adorable boys.  They make the sleep deprivation and unorganized house worth it.

Notice the Mohawk?  Nice huh.

Check out those adorable dimples in his cheeks!!!