Water Fight

We had around 75 people attend the party. We filled 500 water balloons for some of the games, but in the end we had about 400 left. Somehow or someone started the water fight by throwing a water balloon at an adult that was innocently standing there. With in seconds chaos broke out and balloons were being thrown from every direction. Soon there were Super Soakers and Water Blasters shooting water through the air. No one was safe. I wish I had a picture at the start of the fight because then you could see the sheer scope of craziness that broke out. I was afraid that my camera wouldn't survive a direct water balloon hit. After the fight was over we were left with a huge mess. Broken water balloons were strewn though the street and our front & back yard. Later on about 4,000 little "Pop Its" (those little paper things filled with gun powder, that make a spark and pop when you throw them on the ground) with those little paper wrappers were left all over the street. A disaster zone. In the end, everyone did a great job packing things up and putting stuff away. The party was a huge hit and we're already planning for next years party.

4th of July Games

Top Picture: Addy shoving licorice into her mouth during a relay race.

Next: Clean up time.

Next: Water balloon toss

Last: Robert and Savannah in the three legged race.

Three Legged Race

Robert and I tried to get in on the fun too, but it proved harder then I thought it was. Since there wasn't any other kids in Taylor's age group for he and his friend to race against, Robert and I volunteered. Taylor informed me that I would have a heart attack if I raced against him and I nearly did. It wasn't my fault however, it was my partners fault. Who could keep up with, right foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, left foot, right foot, right foot, left foot, left foot......

***I just want to add that I look so huge because of a new MS medication that I am on. It makes me blow up like a balloon. So, No I am no expecting a baby and No, I am not taking anabolic steroids!

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.