Frog Races

We had a huge 4th of July party at our house this year. Some of the events included frog races. This is a picture of Addy and Savannah racing their frogs. The winners received trophies, metals or ribbons. It was a huge hit. Locating enough frogs for all of the kids was not easy. We went frog hunting on Thursday and Friday in order to collect enough. My parents farm and their are zillions of frogs out on the country roads near their house. People see us out there and think we are nuts! Robert rides on the outside of the Expedition carefully balancing himself on the running boards while holding on tightly to the door with the window unrolled. The kids all have their heads poking out of all the other windows. Meanwhile, I drive slowly with the "Frog Lights" on and when someone saw one they scream it out and Daddy jumps of the car and chases after it. I can only imagine what my parents neighbor's are thinking, "Oh look there goes that city idiot again!" Of course everytime we do this someone is bound to accidentally leave the lid off of the frog/toad bucket and several larger ones always manage to jump out. Then we have sheer pandemonium in the car with everyone screaming. On Friday night after Robert located another toad he walked over to my car window and held it out for me to see. Before I knew what happened the toad jumped out of his hands and landed in my lap. I was screaming for Robert to "Get it off of me NOW!" but he couldn't find it. I didn't want to move in fear that I might smash it, but finally I jumped from the car and did a "Ewww, it touched me dance" along side the road. Robert claimed he found the toad, but I seriously think it's still in the car. The kids thought it was pretty funny too!

Brotherly Love.

Need I say more?

Take me Out To The Ball Game.

The boys all went to the baseball game and the girls stayed home and enjoyed a quiet house. This was Hudson's first baseball game and by the look of the pictures, I'd say he liked it a lot. The one thing he hated was that pesky mascot "Dusty." He kept teasing Hudson, so Hudson smacked him with the free back scratcher stick that they gave out. Why would they give out back scratchers at a baseball game? Do they not know that a stick equals a weapon to a 4 year old? Sorry Dusty.

Shhhh! Don't tell.

Total Blackmail! This is too good to be true. Robert dozed off and the girls offered him a facial massage. He thought he was getting some moisturizer and wrinkle reducer, but the girls had other plans. I can't wait until he wakes up and looks in the mirror. Even more funny is the fact that we are expecting someone to stop by and drop something off any minute now!!! "Honey can you get the door, I'm busy."

***Since I know the question will arise, let me answer it now. YES, you have my permission to make copies of these pictures for any of your Black Mailing Needs (pay raise, yard work, around the house handy man and any other needs you think you can black mail him into doing.) YES, you may post these pictures in public places. Yes, you may all raze him for the REST of his life!

NO and let me say it again NO NO NO, you may NOT use any future embarrassing pictures of me that may or may not be posted to this blog in the future by a disgruntle husband.

Sleeping Angels

The top picture is of Savannah sleeping. She has slept like this since birth. She says that it's the only way she can sleep. It's funny to think of her sleeping like this at age 25. The bottom picture is of Addy and Hudson. They fell asleep while watching a movie.

Another step towards independence.

Bikes today, Cars tomorrow! Someone please tell me how to make it all stop. For some reason I don't remember seeing my other children grow up so quickly. It seems that everyday he has taken another huge step towards independence. I didn't really see any changes last summer in him, but this summer he seems to be changing daily. He is no longer amused with just playing inside with mommy. He wants to hang out with friends and have secrets that I am no longer cool enough to know. He said to me yesterday, "Mom, can I ride my bike to the end of the street now?" I am thinking, the end of the street, what's wrong with the driveway? It's such a big step to give him the entire street. In a week from now he will be asking for a quick trip to the corner store for some candy. I don't know why I can't seem to find happiness in all of his new found independence, he's just growing up faster then I can keep up.

Could it be?

Have a good long look at this picture. This kind of thing is on the endangered pictures list. It continues to get harder and harder to catch this elusive type of picture. Pictures like this are few and far between. When ever I try for one of these, I have to hide outside and stalk my prey for hours on end. I sit and wait with my finger on the trigger waiting and waiting for the elusive smile to appear. If the "smile" knows that I am about to take a picture it quickly disappears and the rolling eyes appear in it's place. Anyhow, I just wanted to show some proof that the smile does appear sometimes and the subject is in fact Happy, sometimes!

Skate Sailing

Doesn't this look like fun? Savannah and her friend decided to use towels as sails and let the wind carry them for a fun ride. I'd try it, but Savannah said that the only way it works is when you wear nothing but a swimsuit. Not gonna happen!

Summer Time is the time for dirty feet.

What would Summer be without dirty feet?

Summer Time Fun

Oh how I love this time of year! We are no longer stuck indoors watching yet another Barney video! We have so many kids on our block and they all love sidewalk chalk. Our street is filled with colorful art work and the newest craze, chalk outlined children. It looks like a crime scene outside our door. It's nearly impossible to get a picture of the older kids, so the top picture will have to work of Addy. I will try for a Taylor picture next!

Happy Birthday Hudson!

Thanks for the lawnmower birthday present, Neenee & Pappy!

Hudson Turns 4! I am not ready to lose my baby. I guess it already happened, but I can hardly believe that 4 years have already passed since this little guy was just a tiny peanut in the NICU. The years went by way to fast. No more buying diapers or cute little bottles, no more adorable matching little outfits with the cute farm animals (he picks all of his clothes now and he likes them best when they are backwards, inside out, dirty, mismatched and over sized.) I will really miss that stage. Hudson has begun to talk quite well now and this enables him to speak his mind and he does it often! He is a feisty little guy and he's learning how to stand up to his older siblings. He knows his rights now and he realizes when he's being used (go ask mom for ice cream, go tell mom you want to watch a movie and eat popcorn.) He no longer belongs only to me. He has a life and friends now. Just last summer he would hide behind my legs when we went outside and other children were running around. Now he pushes me away and says, "Mom, you go inside the house, Okay?" Is it happening already? Am I no longer his one and only best friend? I asked him that very question and he gently placed both hands on my cheeks and turns my face towards him and said, "It's okay mom, I like Dallas now. He's my friend. I like him more, okay mom?" Ohhh the heart ache! Well, his life journey is just beginning and although I may not be able to carry him or hold his hand through it, I will find contentment and joy in watching this little guy develop into the man he will one day be. I love you, Hudson.

Another lost picture

This was taken at grandma's birthday party a few months ago. I don't know how I misplaced it, but I think it's blog worthy!

3 gallons of Ice Cream x 2

Savannah was excited to go shopping with me at Wal-Mart. She had a purse full of money and she was aching to spend it. As we walked through the store she carefully checked out the merchandise and chose several items. She was so excited about buying them and needless to say so was I. This girl is lounging shopper and after an hour of deciding what she could buy, my legs were sore and I wanted to get home. I still had my shopping list to attend too, so I finally managed to drag her to the other side of the store to the grocery section. As we moved down the frozen foods isle, Savannah stopped cold and turned to me and began her pleading. "Please oh please mom. Can I buy Ice cream with my money instead?" I didn't care what she spent her money on and a few seconds later she was throwing all of her treasures from the cart and loading it with 3 lbs. containers of ice cream. She promised she would share it with everyone. Once home, she announced, "Were having ice cream for dinner!" Then she kindly reminded me that she bought it and therefore she got to decide when it would be ate (breakfast, lunch dinner). She was the family hero and everyone agreed that ice cream was a far better dinner then fish sticks and mac & cheese. Thanks Vannie for your generous treat.

Boy how they grow!

I found this picture in one of the many endless picture files on my PC. It was taken 2 summers ago at lake Wallowa. I wish I could keep them this size forever. Taylor has changed the most. He is probably a foot or more taller now. I think he liked Star Trek at the time, either that or he is in some gang with a funky secret hand signal!

Farewell Columbia River Voyager

I just wanted to say farewell to the Columbia River Voyager. We really enjoyed the nice scenic boat ride and quiet dinners that they offered. Apparently business was too slow, so the owners are moving to Arizona and taking the boat with them. I'm not too sure, but I am wondering how much business they could possibly get in that waterless place? Nonetheless you will be missed.

Homemade Pizza!

I have always wondered what goes on at home when I am away. I found these pictures on the camera. Looks like fun! "Dad let us make pizza!" A few months ago I bought a very old cook book at the library. It was printed in 1950 and has thousands of recipes, everything from cow brain pudding to pig heart soup. YUMMY. Living in the 50's must have been a desperate time. Nothing was left to waste and I really mean nothing. One of the recipes is for a cow head. It has something for all parts of the head, deep fried tongue, eyeball stew, and too many cow brain recipes. There are plenty more recipes in the book too and homemade pizza better suites our family. Addy and Savannah said that this was the best pizza they had ever eaten. (are those slices of cow brains on top?) Anyhow, looks like they had fun and the pizza looks great girls.

Plain Sick

Well I think I may have caught the flu. I felt like dying last night. Then this morning I tried to convince myself that it could be much worse. I am still deciding if I am just Plain Sick or very very Sick!

The difference between being just plain sick and being very very sick:

Plain Sick: You disconnect your phone and hide when the doorbell rings in fear that it's probably your mother and she wants to "take care of her wittle baby." And the thought makes you more sick.

Very Very Sick: As you lay on the floor curled in a fetal position next to the toilet waiting for the next wave of violent gagging and vomiting, all you can think of is how much you want your mommy to take care of her wittle baby.

Plain Sick: You wake up and put on an old comfy pair of sweat pants and throw your hair into a twisty. Your somewhat happy because having a "Sick Day" means you have an excuse to be lazy.

Very Very Sick: You wake up and realize that wearing the same clothes for 3 days isn't that bad. It doesn't really matter anyhow, because your too weak to care and your going back to bed.

Plain Sick: You carefully measure out doses of cough medicine to yourself and the sick kids.

Very Very Sick: You tell the kids to measure their own medicine and you yourself drink it straight from the bottle. Besides you feel an overdose will do everyone some good.

Plain Sick: Although your feeling under the weather, you make the sick kiddos some chicken noodle soup and toast. Then you cuddle together and watch a good movie.

Very Very Sick: Your sick kiddos moan and complain for something to eat and you tell them that there should be some uncooked pasta in the back of the pantry that they can chew on. Oh and forget about the cuddling, your worried that you just might die and you don't want the kids around to see it happen.

Plain Sick: When you hear one of the kiddos yell out that someone just puked on the floor, you run to get the mini steam clean machine and immediately clean it up.

Very Very Sick: After one of the kiddos puke, you tell them to cover it with a few paper towels. You will clean it up in a few days. Then you threaten the rest of the children telling them that if they puke on the floor, then they will have to eat it. (your desperate!)

Plain Sick: You patiently sit holding the puke bucket while the sick kiddo pukes and then you feed them small spoonfuls of ice chips while rubbing their back.

Very Very Sick: The Motto: "All for one and one for all" becomes your new motto.

Plain Sick: Your bed becomes the family bed and everyone piles in for some TLC.

Very Very Sick: You love your children, but you, A: Don't want to be touched. B: Don't want to be looked at. C: Don't want to talk. D: You remind them of your new Motto. (See above)

Plain Sick: After getting out of bed to aid one of the sick kiddos for the 100th time, you still manage a semi smile and a comforting back rub.

Very Very Sick: You hear them calling your name and you imagine the sight you will be forced to confront, but you manage to tune them out because even though you love your kids, your now questioning yourself for wanting to become a mother. For a minute or so, you wonder if anyone would be willing to adopt a handful of half grown/ sick kids. Then you click your heels together several times repeating the words, "There is no place like home, there is no place like home." as you imagine that your 10 years old, back at home and your no longer the mommy!

Junk Mail Paybacks

We just figured out a way to payback junk mailers for all the trouble they cause us with piles of unwanted junk mail. Not only is it a waste of paper, it's a waste of my time. I seriously have an entire extra large garbage bag full of junk mail every week. So here is the solution:

When you get junk mail, open it up and look for a postage paid return envelope. Then fill it up with as much paper junk as you can stuff inside. Be sure to make it extra heavy, since they will be the ones to foot the bill. My children are very artistic and I have an overwhelming pile of colored and painted pictures. I figure since I can't possibly keep them all, I might as well share them. So I throw in some "free" childrens artwork (and trust me...sometimes the artwork is pretty messy with extra glitter and globs of glue!) The kids love it too! They are always really excited to open junk mail and search for those postage paid envelopes. And lets not forget, we are helping to keep the post office in business too (and I am always happy to do my part!)

Happy Birthday, Mom

Remembering back to my teen years, I like everyone else, swore I would one day be a better parent then my mother was. For starters, I would never force my children to sit at the family dinner table (at every meal) and eat such horrible foods like: Pork chops, Au Gratin potatoes, corn on the cob & rolls Or Mashed potatoes w/ gravy, baked chicken, biscuits and a side salad. After all, It was a little known fact that ALL of my friends were given the luxury of eating Top Rammen Noodles or Microwave Pizza and their parents clearly loved them more, because they were allowed to eat alone in peace. I can't even remember one time when I ever came home and had a break from mom's obsessive meal cooking/ family togetherness time. Get this: she honestly FORCED my sister and I to drink MILK at every meal! There was no changing her mind. She was so stubborn and set in her ways. My friends weren't held back with outlandish parental rules, the kind that seriously affected my social life. My mother must have really had it in for me. She did the most cruel thing when I was dating boys. She refused to let me leave with them unless they actually got out of their car and worse they had to say hello to my mother! What a nightmare! I had personally witnessed how my friends' boyfriends were allowed to pull up to their house and honk the horn a few times and off they went in peace. My mother had this strange cliche about allowing boys in my bedroom. She allowed me no privacy and insisted that the door remain open at all times. My mother was a little over the top with the "family togetherness" stuff too. While ALL my friends galloped around Europe free from over powering parents, I was forced on yet another "Family" trip. It didn't matter rather it was Disney Land or a trip to the coast, we were forced to sleep in the same hotel room and even still, we had to eat together at the SAME table! I remember telling my mother how I would do things so differently then how she was doing them.

But then...... Okay this is the part of the story where the mother says, "I told you so!" Well, being a mother myself now, I have come to understand many of her choices. Maybe they weren't so outlandish after all. I believe I turned out well. Actually, I think I turned out very well. I've seen and heard from some of my "parentally challenged" friends and let's just say that maybe they had a little too much freedom and privacy! What were those parents thinking when they let their 13 year old kids run free in a country that allows kids to drink and smoke (and trust me, they all did it too!). It's strange how I use to try so hard to do things so differently then how my mother did them, but now it seems I am constantly trying to live up to all of the things she did. Try as I might, it's not easy having a full cooked meal on the table EVERY SINGLE NIGHT (I'm not talking about microwave meals either!).

I know it's natural for everyone to have some regrets about their childhood and even their parenthood, but even though we had many tough times, I can only thank one person for who I am today. She not only gave me life, she gave my life purpose and meaning. At times we could barely stand to be in the same room together. We definitely had our share of fights too, but I know in my heart that all of the challenges that we suffered through truly made me a stronger and better person today. I believe that our Father in Heaven knew what lessons I needed to be taught in life and there were many! Being that he is perfect in every way, I know that his choice to have me born to my mother was his divine plan. A perfect plan in every way. So how can I ever hold any regrets or bad feelings about my childhood? I simply can't. I love every part of my life and I am thankful to the woman who gave it to me.

Happy Birthday mom, I love you.

Home Security System

Yesterday a Home Security sales man knocks at our door. If only he had come a few hours earlier he could have spoke with me and possibly have made a sale, but Robert answered the door. This is what was said,

Sales man: Good afternoon sir. I am here today to offer you a way to keep your family and house safe. I am selling peace of mind here.

Robert: I'm really not interested.

Sales man: Well sir, I see you have children. What would you do if a man broke into your house in the middle of the night?

Robert: I'd shoot him.

Sales man: Okay, what if you weren't home and your wife and children were home alone?

Robert: My wife would shoot him.

Sales man: I understand sir, but what if the children were home alone?

Robert: The kids would shoot him.

Sales man: Okay sir, lets forget about a home invasion. What if you were not home and someone broke into your house and robbed you?

Robert: That's why I have home owners insurance!

We only have one little problem with our home security system now. WE HAVE NO GUN! And I don't really want a gun in our home either. I guess we will have to get the second best thing to that: A couple of signs that read, "Don't Rob US, We Have a Gun!"

Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, parents...everyone!

Hudson takes a dip in his cupcake!


4 brothers.

Robert and baby brother, Pat.

Almost identical cousins!

Savannah & Amanda

Savannah and Grandma Wunduke



Today was a special day. It was Grandma Wundukes 85th birthday. The entire Gibson clan got together for pizza and cake. We haven't seen many of Robert's brothers for a long time, so it was nice to see them and their families and catch up. Don't you think that Robert and his brothers look so much alike? I do. We all had a lot of fun and hopefully we can all get together before Grandma's 86th birthday!

Happy Birthday, KY!

Happy Birthday, Ky!

Can you believe it's been 6 years since our "Girls Only Trip" to Oregon. That means you would have been like 9 years old! Wow, time really flew by fast. It's been amazing watching you transform into the wonderful person you have become today. I've enjoyed our years of fun times and practical jokes. (Remember the vomit flavored Jelly beans?) Imagine where you will be in 6 years from now. Adulthood comes far to quick, so STOP growing up so quickly! I really thought about putting your potty training picture on the blog, but I quickly remembered how horrible your paybacks are! Maybe we can go on another Girls Only Trip in a year and then you can drive! You can be the one that acts all retarded to all of the passing cars! (remember that?) Well, I hope you know what a special person you are to me. Happy Birthday, I love you.

Love,

Aunt Lisa

Gift or Punishment?

I dedicate this post to the many parents (victims) who unknowingly fall prey to the evil doings of those "Assembly Required" gift givers. I am NOT purposely trying to point a finger, but these "Assembly Required" or "A.R." gift givers who maliciously choose gifts that have a 12 hour assembly time and 4,000 or more tiny pieces, are more often than not "THE GRANDPARENTS"! They want us to believe that their gifts come from a benevolent heart, when in truth the A.R. gift giver usually spends weeks or maybe even months searching for that special gift with the 4,000 pieces. Clearly this is a premeditated attempt at revenge for something that we innocent parents may or may NOT have done. It is an example of an out of control problem that must be addressed. Most of these A.R. gifts cause great distress for the entire family. These gifts usually cause physical and emotional pain on the young and innocent children. The emotional part comes from the fact that no parent in their right mind is going to even attempt to put an A.R. gift together until at least 3-9 weeks after the gift was received and even then there is no guarantee that all 4,000 pieces still exist. Most likely at least half of the parts are either flushed down the toilet or glued down to an art project. The physical pain comes when the parent has completely lost their mind after weeks of temper tantrums and then finally construction begins. After reading the instructions for 3 hours and attempting to locate every single little screw, you undoubtedly find that your missing several parts. Not that that should matter because the directions that you just read are only good if you live in the Eastern part of the world at an altitude higher than 10,000 ft. SO YOU MUST START OVER! By now the excited and restless child is tearing and throwing the box and all the packing material all around the room. The tantrums start up again and thus the physical pain of a spanking comes upon the child. The father who is seriously considering throwing this A.R. gift out to the garbage is quickly reminded that his in-laws bought the gift and they will soon return from Hawaii and expect to see the grandchild playing happily with the A.R. toy. The father mutters a few words and again begins his futile attempt at constructing something that looks halfway like the picture on the box. Once again more beatings are given out to the restless child. Finally after 12 hours of hard work the A.R. toy is complete. After this experience we have decided that those innocent little children in China are paid too MUCH! They have the easy job of throwing a handful of uncounted parts into a box and gluing it shut. Surely these children in China don't suffer as needlessly as the many innocent children who receive A.R. gifts for Christmas? And let's not forget the parents who suffered through the endless hours of A.R. construction, parent abuse, an utterly destroyed house, thoughts of suicide and finally thoughts of homicide! So one last Thank you to all of the A.R. gift givers. The children, although happy and grateful for the gift, are unable to play with them right now because their bums are red and painful!

Hudson is a BOY in need of a haircut!

I realize that my youngest son looks a lot like a little girl in recent pictures. Now many of you are opposed to the idea of me cutting off his blonde curls, but look at the pics in the below posts! If I put pink jammies on him he would look like a little girl. I can't say how many times I've been at the store and had people ask how old my little girl was (Hudson)? CLIP CLIP CUT TIME!

Happy Birthday Addy!

Happy Birthday, Addy Bug!

My little girl is no longer that! It's hard to believe that she is already 80% through her childhood. I really kick myself now when I remember back to the time when she was a toddler. I had 3 children all under the age of four. Addy was the middle child. She had to grow up pretty quick, because her little sister joined our family when Addy was 18 months old. Luck for me, Addy was the most easy going little girl. She was always happy and smiling. I remember days when the kids all wanted my attention and needed me constantly (I want a drink. I want to eat. I have to go bathroom!) and I felt pushed and pulled to my limits. I remember thinking to myself, "In a few more years they will be able to get their own drinks and grab a snack from the fridge." I thought that when the time came I would be released from all of those busy non-stop days. At the time I really couldn't imagine anything more then where I was at. Addy often came to me wanting to cuddle and read her favorite book. Many times I did, but more times then not I was to busy with the baby. Her birthday happens to fall on New Years Day and since it's so close to Christmas, we often talk her into celebrating it later. (up until the age of 7 we told her that all of the fireworks and parties around the world were in honor of her!) Being that she is so carefree and easy going, Addy always happily excepted our small family birthday parties around the kitchen table on New Years day. A few months later she would carefully remind me that she has not had a "Slumber Birthday Party" yet. Only Addy would allow a parent to overlook something so important in their life. Addy had to grow up quick, but I believe that it has enabled her to think for herself. She's always had a very strong spiritual connection to the Lord and she emulates a glow that makes you want to be a better person. I have NEVER seen her be nasty towards another person. Even when her so-called friends joined their little clicks, Addy never joined their cruel clubs. Sometimes I felt that she may be a little to passive, but then I realized that she was the real deal. She is an honest, loving, trustworthy, peaceful young lady and there's nothing wrong with that! Happy Birthday, Addy. I love you.

Temporary Insanity or Puppy Love

I know what your thinking... Lisa has lost her mind! Well, actually it may be true. I have allowed THREE puppies to come to our home. BUT... Don't worry they are only visiting until they find new homes. A friend of ours from Oregon asked if we would sell these little cuties for him. The owner is being deployed overseas and he didn't have enough time to sell them. So for now they will be living with us until someone buys them. If your interested please CALL ME! They are pure Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. They will be big dogs, so we WILL NOT be keeping one. However, this hasn't stopped the children from naming them. All of the children are on their best behaviors trying to change my mind about keeping one or two of the puppies. I must say I do like all of the house work that's being done! The girls want the puppies to sleep in their beds with them tonight. ("Wait until you wake up in the middle of the night with puppy pee all over your bed!" I've told them.) It doesn't matter, they love them so MUCH. "Please mom, I promise I will take care of them." Ya, wait until they poop all over and they have to clean it up. I suspect this puppy love will end shortly after!