A day at the river

Today was a perfect day for walking to the river... the catch was Colin was at work. That means that I had to pull the wagon and walk the dogs. It wouldn't be bad if the dogs were trained to walk on their leashes a little better.... Have I ever mentioned that we live about as far away from the river as you can if you live within the city limits. It isn't so bad going down to the river with the herd, it is the walk up the hill.

The craziness started right away.... On the way to the state park, Jake dropped the camera, I didn't notice and a nice man chased me down in his pickup catching me 15 blocks down holding my camera... thank goodness for nice people. If he hadn't given me the camera back I wouldn't have gotten these great pics.

It was a blast.... we had so much fun that on the way back the kids were tired, I was tired (More tired than I get from an intense 1 hour workout at the gym) and the dogs were tired. The problem was that the dogs were so tired that Moe tried to lay down on the sidewalk part way home... we still had a long ways to go. I thought about tossing her in the wagon with the boys but decided that would just cause a lot of crying (the kids and Moe) so pulled her up the hill and back to the house... I really had to drag her. We made it home in one piece and the kids instantly perked up and it was time to play with the toys in the back yard again... needless to say we are all tired tonight. We are hoping that the rain showers hold off until the afternoon tomorrow so that we can go on another long adventure... Have a great week.

Easter fun

Playing Trucks

Jason loves his dump truck

Pushing Jason's tricycle

This past weekend has been so much fun, it would be difficult to top. We spent a lot of time playing outside and walking. Saturday we went to the state park, played in the river and in the sand on the beach. Then we went home to play in the back yard and barbecue... YUMMY! After dinner it was time to dye eggs. As you can see in the pictures it was a lot of fun.

We began our Easter with the realization that the Easter Bunny had come while we were sleeping. He ate part of a carrot, hid some eggs, and was nice enough to leave the boys each a basket full of goodies (Jammies, books, and squirt guns). After a good breakfast we were off to Meeteetse for lunch at my parents. Mom made a ham which was beyond good. We just love all food. Once we visited and ate it was back to Thermopolis to go to the towns 85th annual Easter egg hunt..... Colin took Jason on his quest for eggs while Jake and I went on our own little search. Some of the eggs had tickets for prizes and boy did our kids make out like bandits. Jason won a very cool water bottle and Jake must be the super lucky one of all of us walking away with a new trike. Yes, he won new wheels. He was just mad we had to put it in the trunk to get it back home.

Jacob with his new jams

Look at Jason's cool basket

The boys with their loot

Jason holding baskets full of eggs and Jake with his new trike

When we returned to the house we played in the back yard with the new toys and grilled some brats. Now we are relaxing and prepping for what we hope will be a good nights sleep. Happy Easter!!!

I have included some pictures I took off of my phone from last weekends visit to the dino museum and from the egg hunt at story time on Wednesday. Enjoy and I will have some more soon................

And they were off!!


Once Jake had two eggs in hand... it was difficult to get him to put them in his basket.

Jason picking up eggs.

The boys were ready to eat some of the candy they had collected by the time they were done.

Hanging out in front of the triceratops

They have some really cool dino rocker for the kids to play

Jason getting a birds eye view of the big dinosaurs

Health Check

Before I get to today's report... I have to tell you about our story time adventure yesterday. Every Wednesday we go to the library for story time. They usually read some books, sing some songs, dance, and do an art project. The kids have a blast. This week there was an extra special theme... EASTER!!! Miss Tracey read the kids a few books and then it was outside for the great Easter egg hunt. Before the ribbon blocking off the area was cut I explained to Jason that he was supposed to pick up the eggs and put them in the basket... he replied, "I know mom... don't worry." Before I could respond the ribbon was cut and Jason was off on his own. He wanted to do it himself so I let him. I helped Jake get around the library lawn and he picked up his own eggs. He got six all by himself. I had to help him put them in his basket, but he did the rest. When I caught up with Jason I was surprised to see his basket was completely full. Boy was that boy proud. They had so much fun and we can't wait for the big egg hunt on Sunday in the state park. It should be a lot of fun. I did take pictures yesterday, but once again I am having a difficult time uploading them.... I will try again later.

Today the boys and I went down to the clinic for Jacobs 1 year checkup. It was so cool and my boys are amazingly wonderful. Jason was my helper this morning. He made his brother laugh and kept him happy through most of the appointment. After Jake got his shots he was really upset so I held him close and Jason came over and kissed his boo boos... it was sweet. Jacob is doing very well. He is 20.75 pounds and 29.5 in tall. It is official... he is off of formula and can eat anything we put in front of him.... WOOO!!!HOOOO!!!!!! Our little man is extra healthy. We know that our little man is extraordinary, but it is always wonderful to hear his doc say the same.

As I said, I will try to get those pics up soon. If I don't post again before Easter... Happy Easter everyone. Take care and have safe travels.........................

The Big #1

Jake running around very excited that people were arriving for his party..... little did he know what was to come.

Last weekend was a pretty important one for the books. Our little Jacob turned 1. We began Saturday by making a lot of chili. It was very good you should really try it sometime. Everyone began showing up around 12. As soon as the whole crowd arrived (Aaron and Chris weren't able to make it due to bad roads and a small patch of ice.... Glad all of you are ok and your car is too.) We were very fortunate that the bad weather never hit Thermopolis.

He really wanted to grab the candle...

After consuming pounds and pounds of chili it was time for cake. That was Jakes favorite part of his party. He dug in.... not really wanting to eat it, but it was way better than any play doh. The pictures explain it all.

It was just beginning...

cake is fun.

Squishy.....

This is soooo much fun.

Notice the chunks flying in the air.

After Jake got a quick bath it was on to the gifts. Our little birthday boy was very tired by that time and took the lyrics..... It's my party and I'll cry if I want to..... to heart. But the second he saw that one of the gifts was a ball that frown was gone and the dimples were back. Then to top it off after the party began to wind down and my parents were getting ready to leave.... Jake walks over to my dad, grabs his leg, and after my dad picked him up he waved bye bye to me and pointed to the door. He wanted to go home with my dad. What a little nut.

He is just so cute.

Once he opened this ball nothing mattered but chasing it.

He never figured out how to open the presents.

Thank you everyone for coming. It was so much fun and I wish more of our friends could have shared in Jakes big party.

Jacob sitting with his daddy.

By this time Jake had eaten soooo much chili. Look at it all over his face.

Jake playing with his new Clipo table

Sunday was Jakes actual birthday and we had a great day. Colin and I took the boys to the dinosaur center here in town.... EVERYONE SHOULD GO!!!! It is soooo cool. Jason's exact word were... "You have got to be kidding me!!!" After enjoying our time at the dino center we went to the state park for a walk by the hot pools. Last night we topped off a great b-day with barbecued burgers and reading some books.

It was a perfect weekend.... I just love my little family so much I don't have words to describe it. We are just having a really difficult time coming to terms with our little baby turning into a toddler. I guess kids grow up and we just have to enjoy every day as much as we can. So, back to playing and enjoying my men. Have a great week everyone!!!

Eat on!!

Jacob looking cute as always.

My sweet angel building another masterpiece.

For years we have had a dining set that was passed down to us by my sister. It worked well when there was just Colin and I but as we added to our family and we had more people over for dinner, it would no longer be sufficient. Two of the chairs were "trick" chairs. They would collapse if you sat on them wrong. Colin and I usually sat on those chairs in fear that they would fall to the ground when someone else sat on them. It only happened a few times, but once was one to many. A few weeks ago we decided it wasn't worth the worry anymore and we ordered a new dining set online. This came with many fears that it wouldn't be as nice as it looked in the pictures and that it would be damaged during delivery. After waiting for a couple of weeks it finally arrived last night.

Some boxes

The thing about ordering a dining table with 8 chairs is that it has to be delivered by a large truck and a special delivery company. This particular set fit on one pallet. There was a total of 5 boxes, one being very large since it was the top of the table. Since it is solid walnut, it was also very heavy. I am happy to report shortly after our delivery arrived I began to assemble it. (Colin was at the gym playing basketball)

Two chairs waiting to be put together.

It was a process to say the least. By the time we went to bed 4 chairs and a table were sitting in the dining room. It is beautiful, better than we could have hoped for. My two little helpers worked with me on this project and it was a task to say the least. But after last nights efforts and a couple of hours this morning, our new set is complete. I can't wait to eat at it tonight. Still don't know what I want to make, but it has to be extra special since we are going to eat it at our new table.

In other news, Jake will be 1 on Sunday. I can't believe how fast time goes by. Just to think last year at this time I thought I would be whale like for the rest of my life and I didn't even know my littlest man. Since then, Jason has grown up so much. He is potty trained, has learned to speak so well you would think he was in Kindergarten, and on top of and endless list of accomplishments he is the best big brother I have ever seen. As for Jake, I can't believe one year ago I didn't know what he would look like or what his personality would be. It is hard to remember those days without his laughter and that dimple smile. Now he is a walking man (when he chooses to anyway) and is saying some words. It is just overwhelming to think how much our lives change in just one year, but I wouldn't change a thing. I am the luckiest person I know. I have a wonderful family and wonderful friends. And now we are going to celebrate the fact that the youngest member of our family has made it through his first year of learning and loving life. Now is a time for us to reflect and look forward to all of the excitement to come... Have a great weekend everyone and I will post pics of the party weekend next week.