Rrrring, Rrrrring...

... Uhm, hello Oregon State Defense? Yeah, its your fans. They're wondering if you forgot you are one of the top ten in the nation?

So, Civil War should have been huge last night. In one respect I guess it was. For the Ducks. We set records, oh boy did we set records! We set a new school record for most points allowed in a Civil War game. We also set a new school record for most yardage allowed - almost 700 - in a Civil War game. Just in case you're reading this - and don't know anything about football (Gasp!!!) these are NOT good things.

Not only were we completely embarrassed at Reeser in this game, we killed our hopes of Going to the Rose Bowl this year. Lame.

I will give a bit of credit to the beavs, and say that the refs made two very, very awful calls that - if they had not been made would have made for a VERY different game. The first being the pass interference on an un-catchable ball. ergh. The second being the ref calling the play dead before the player hit the ground - thereby rendering our fumble recovery and subsequent touchdown dead as well. Ergh ergh.

So, it was a depressing game. Not a good way to start a week away from my husband.
Where were you beavers?

Ye Old Christmas Tree...

So, now that all the turducken has been eaten, the mandatory maimings for black friday sales have happened - we can put up our christmas tree. And we did. Because of the high price of real ones, our tree is fake - but you can't tell unless you look closely. (We spent a bit more the first year, so we wouldn't have to give away a son every year to be able to buy one.) So we pulled it out of the garage, and assembled it (still looks pretty fabulous for its third year in a row!). And then had the boys "help" us decorate. Yes, they helped about as much as anyone could imagine a one year old and a three year old helping decorate a christmas tree. But, its the spirit of things and all that. This is the end result:

Ok, so you can't see the ornaments... but this is pretty cool. Especially, when I think about the fact that we screwed in every single one of those durn light bulbs... No joke, we really did. For the third year in a row!

And no tree topper. We're still looking for "the one". A Benny the Beaver one would be stupendous. If anyone comes across one - please help me out!!! You'll be my hero for like - ever!

27 days until christmas - as of November 28, 2008

Happy Turkey Day!

So, for the most part our thanksgiving was fairly low key. We stayed in pj's, watched the parade on TV, then when the boys took a nap Mark played video games, and I did some quilting. Go us. At dinner time, after we had said grace, we were discussing what we are thankful for. So, after we helped Braxton understand what that means (we phrased it - what are you happy for?) we reasked the question. It went as follows.

Me: "Braxton, what are you happy for?"
Braxton: "My birthday and Christmas".

Oh yeah. This boy knows how to be thankful.

On a more serious note, some of the things I am thankful I have been blessed with.

First off, the wonderful man God sent into my life, who happened to be the catalyst for the second and third things I feel most blessed to have in my life - my children. Those three boys complete me. They make getting up in the morning worthwhile for me ( this is saying something - since I am NOT a morning person... 9 am often feels too early).
Of course I am thankful that we have been blessed with many comforts that not all have. We have a wonderful place to live - in a safe neighborhood, where many of our neighbors have become friends. We have a car that is safe and reliable (and easy on the gas). I am also thankful for Marks job. It often frustrates me dealing with the difficult and trying beauracratic system that is the Navy, but truly - it provides us with all we need and many things we just want. It also allows me to stay home with our kids. Something I - most of the time - feel very priveleged to be able to do. Lastly - modern technology - for which if I did not have, I would not be able to talk to those who mean the most to me (and are about four million miles away) on a regular basis.
Thank You God, for the truly wonderful life you have blessed me with.

Boys never ever ever grow up.

So, boys never stop being boys. And no I don't mean in a physical sense... we've seen surgeons switch that... Ok, back on track. What I mean is boys never really grow up. There is always that little kid inside of them that allows them to be goofs. Here is a dedication to the inner child of men.

Rock band!!!!!

Fun times...

Ok, more birthday stuff!

Alright all you folks who were too cool to be at the party this afternoon, here is the synopsis of our riotous time today. Since neither of my boys were planned, I was not able to make their birthdays in a more birthdayish time such as the summer. We weep at this - ok not really - but, right here in the middle of holiday hubbub is not the greatest. So, for Kieran's party we decided to have people decorate sugar cookies and take home. It turned out to be quite the success! We're freakin geniuses! Kieran's person cookie and name cookies. He was the birthday boy so he got stars with his name. Kieran "decorating" his cookie. yeah... he kinda just ate all the frosting and decorations. None of the cookie.

Braxton's cookie creation... yeah...

Brendan thinking it was absolutely hilarious to have shoved a handful of the star decorations in his mouth. We thought it was hilarious when the drool turned green!

While waiting for the pizza, Braxton managed to rope everybody and their brother into reading to him.

Then presents. The rocking horse from Gramma and Pa hat! A big ol' hit.

Braxton realizing that there is present action going on, and coming over to check out the Helicopter from Grammy and Poppy and Uncle Chad. This was a big hit with the adults. We were mesmerized by the fact it recognized what color the balls you drop into it were... Yeah....

Cake time!!!!!

Step one...

Step done....

Thanks for helping us celebrate keeping Kenny alive a whole year everybody!

One Year Young!

My baby turned one year old yesterday. He survived a whole year. Pat on the back for Mark and I!
In true navy family fashion we found a dog bowl hat that says "I'm One". Oh yeah, the hat lasted about that many seconds.

*Ahhhh* big sigh with a side of bliss.

This post is for you bob, because I think you might be the only one who cares. Well, maybe my mom... but she's my mom - she totally has to!

But, so that if you aren't bob, and decide to read this - I got my hair cut today. Normally this is a big deal for me because it only happens a couple of times a year. I love going to the salon and being pampered. Love getting my hair washed, love having my hair brushed, combed then blown out. The men at Salon Jon David are fabulous! Seriously. Love them. Anyway, tonight my man of choice was Kristian. Ok, by choice I mean the other two men I go to were booked. Anyway, Kristian was running waaaaaay behind. So, the salon offered me a complimentary deep conditioning treatment along with the shampoo and scalp massage that comes with the cost of the cut. So, I finally get into the chair and Kristian worked his magic. I said - I want a bob thing, and I want the front to be at least this long. That is about all the direction I give these guys when I go in. Cuz, well they're professionals, and my hair grows about an inch a month - so give it a bit and I could start over if I want to. (I usually do because like I said, don't get to do it too often...) Anyway, after a 20% discount I was finished for the night. Oh, SO fabulous. Thanks Kristian!

Not the best pictures... but they are a tad bit better than emo shots.

Happy my dear?

wOOt WooT!!!!

Even though this might make me a "woo girl" I'm currently letting out a big one. You see both of my sons slept ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!!!! I got 8 hours of un-interrupted sleep. They are SO getting cookies today. Big ones. For breakfast.

brrr...

Today the boys and I tried to go out to the new toys... but it was damn cold. Pardon the language. I think I got about 30 shots off before the boys were finished. Done. So back into the car we scurried, came home and had hot chocolate.

Braxton's shirt says "I'm small But I rock!" With the exception of the shirt that says "My parents are exhausted" There has never been a truer expression tee made for my kid!

Oh, and to everybody who feels the need to judge me based on my boys hair. I like their hair that way. So Get over it. Especially You - lady from American Eagle!

A Mother's Prayer...

I came across this in my "Toddler's Busy Book" the other day. Looking for something to -obviously - keep my toddler busy.

Dear Lord,
So far today I've done alright. I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper, I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or very indulgent. I'm very grateful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on, I'm going to need a lot more help. Amen.

Does anybody else have moments like that?

Art ala McDaniel Family

So, a cousin of mine blogged about how her girls painted with pudding. I thought it was genius -even though I think pudding is gross. (Thanks for the idea Lindsay!) So this afternoon we mixed up a batch of vanilla instant pudding. Then food colored some in different bowls. The boys loved it. I loved that both of them got to do an art project, and I didn't have to worry about when Kieran would inevitably put the medium in his mouth. As you can tell it was a huge hit.

This is braxton's masterpiece. It took him an entire hour to get this done. Mostly because he was trying to get every last bit of pudding off of the paper rather than painting. These are kieran's. My favorite is the top one. Cuz it has orange. Duh.

Great great fun. Even bigger mess. Good times.

Super Fabulous!

Yesterday the boys and I went up to visit our cousins Jill and Joey. We had an awesome time. Braxton and Joey get along so well, they play it up - big time. Last night after we got home, when we were getting the B-rox ready for bed he told me "mom, I need to go to sleep because JoJo played with me so hard." He woke up this morning if we could go back and play with them again today. Sorry kid. Today is a jammie day. Anyway, Jill and I have a good time together. Or at least I have a good time with Jill. It's awesome to go shopping with someone who loves just being in the mall as much as I do. Well, yesterday our trip to the mall (to let the kids play on the indoor play ground) netted me a fabulous pair of shoes. Yes, I know I'm crazy for blogging about shoes. But these shoes were just meant to be mine. They were the last pair in the store, marked down like a bajillion dollars, and are polka dots. My favorite pattern ever. Here they are:

Fabulous right?

Thanks for such a great day Jill and Joey!

Silly...

I'm not going to go into what we were doing. But here's my oldest - goofy as usual.
excuse the red eyes. I wasn't much up to dealing with any editing... sick mommy and a long day.

I want that...

Braxton, like most other children in this world has become fascinated with toy advertisements. Anything he sees that he thinks is remotely cool becomes "I want that birthday present." Today's birthday present is a baby sister. My guess is that it came from a barbie advertisement. Regardless of where it came from, I had to break his little heart when I told him no baby sisters. None.

Pumpkins are Orange...

A couple of weeks ago we went to the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin that B-rox chose was one of those funky ones that are white with green and yellow on them. Well, instead of carving the pumpkins (anybody who has met Braxton should agree that he shouldn't be in the vincinity of sharp stuff until he's 21...) we paint them. Yesterday, (yes I know its not halloween anymore - but he doesn't care) Braxton got to paint his pumpkin. Guess what color he chose? Orange. This is what he told me.

B: "Mom, this just isn't workin'"

Me: "what isn't working?"

B: "the pumpkin is supposed to be orange! Not white!"

Me: "oh, well maybe this one is a new kind of pumpkin?"

B: "no, its not workin' . Don't worry, I'll make it better."

Such a good little pumpkin samaritan...

Our new library...

Something that I have learned in my relatively short life is that men find the bathroom a great place to read. Honestly, I don't see how sitting around in your own stench lends itself to a good book - but I'm not a guy. Anyway, I'm pretty sure this is genetic. I think it might be an effect of the missing leg on the Y chromosome. Whatever. Genetics aren't my thing either. What is my thing - or at least has been lately, is getting Braxton to use the potty. I was SO not ready to start this process yet. But Braxton decided he didn't like diapers anymore and Mark was more than happy to oblige him. Its not going so well. Braxton loves wearing his roos, but for the most part - doesn't like to take the time to go potty while he's playing. Its maddening. But I digress...
I told you - it's gotta be a genetic thing.

Our election evening...

So, today was the big day. The new prez will be announced sometime after I've gone to bed. At this point, I don't even know who is in the lead. I'm not paying attention. I figure the decision has been made by all those who went out there and voted (Don't worry, I voted a week ago!) and I can find out in the morning. So, the boys built a fort this afternoon. Mark had to take the afternoon off to deal with the water heater repair guy. (I have no voice due to my tendency to lose my voice whenever I get the sniffles - so Mark had to do the talking.) Anyway, it was a perfect day for fort building. Nothing but election coverage on TV - no three year old wants to watch that - lots of wind and rain outside and a sick mommy. Perfect time for the boys to have at it.
Its a pretty kickin' fort eh? Private Kenny on his recon mission to "stop the monkey from taking pictures". "Sgt. Army" was played by Braxton and "Army Daddy" was played by Mark. It looks like we need to teach him a lesson in the military services. I think we'll start with "Go Navy - Beat Army".