Doings' in winter

Mom to Case (almost 2 yrs old) “Honey, that is not chapstick, that is a gluestick”

Hadley wrote a verb book in first grade. So it was “Kord runs. Dad works. Case plays. Mom eats.” REALLY. Are you kidding? At least is wasn’t “Mom drinks”

These kids crack me up. We went on an excursion down the hill from my house complete with checking out the big ol' waterfalls, getting SOAKED by Jamie's d%#$ dog running through the muddy water, 8 kids having a ball hiking 2 miles on rocky trails, and calling Jamie's husband to come get us back to our cars after we ended up on the other side of Camas. Thanks Tim!

Layne and Hadley were discussing their aversion to Grandpa Merrill’s pool because it has a vacuum that drives around on the bottom and looks a little scary. Hadley said, “I’m scared of those things”. Kord, immediately and calmly replied, “Yeah, Sam lost a cousin in Montana”. Sam is Kord’s best friend from down the street.

It's Salon Thomas

Oh yeah--give me a piece of THAT action.

Lowe's Kid's Workshop days.

Tea party! Having a sister is the best!

Hadley played basketball this year. Her team was the only team of all girls. They didn’t exactly dominate the league, but they were ALL smiles the whole time. Hadley got the first basket of the season. At half-time of the last game, Hadley was practicing some shooting and wasn’t making the baskets. She ran over to Russ and I with all smiles, “Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” Then we talked about how she was TOTALLY going to get one last basket of the season. With 30 seconds left in the game she plowed through the huge boys on the other team and got her basket. After the game, she came up to us with a huge smile and all the confidence in the world, “told you I’d get it”.

Long story short:

• pineapple can dropped on toe
• tough kid
• middle of night...screaming
• Russ tried to heat needle and poke hole in toenail to release pressure and blood
• Didn't work...called Dad...said "right idea, wrong tool, try a paper clip"
• wisp of smoke, spurt of blood, faint smell of branding cows in the air (so says Russ)
• Happy Case...asked for fruit loops
• 

ODE TO THE BURTONS

What will we do without the Burtons? What will our lives be like? How will Camas survive without their hilarity? How will Nordstrom Rack’s doors remain open? (Kristen and Scarlette, it’s all up to you now…oh, let’s admit it, Shawn too!)

There are so many things that they have given us.

Kendra made sure to leave the largest possible carbon footprint that she could, now another town gets those plastic bags and gasoline fumes.

For the nod of agreement that went through the congregation when Mike Convey was announced as counselor to the Bishop, and the gasp of shock and awe when they announced Bruce—you will forever be remembered.

We need your stories! How many people have put their child’s finger in a ziplock and driven to the hospital?

The question is: will some lucky guy be at the urinal beside Bruce in Kentucky and get a commentary on the great quality of Gap socks---that’s a lasting first impression for Russ if ever there was.

What will we do without Kendra—from being the BEST enrichment leader with the kookiest committee(besides me of course) to the one and only semi-compassionate service leader—Prune Hill ward will be at a loss.

Maybe Bruce will beat his record with the Camas dry cleaner and some lucky dry cleaner in the east will get 58 of his shirts at once to launder.

It’s not fair that Kentucky is getting an awesome kid who makes faces on the eggs in the carton…and all we get is the d$#% rain.

Whether it’s scout trips, business trips or providing service to others, Bruce seems to run into a higher than average number of people pooping in strange circumstances—you can't put a price tag on that!

Perhaps we should warn Bruce’s new ward leaders. If you have him come on scout trips, understand that you’re not adding one more leader to supervise, but one more kid to manage.

From laying down the law that frappuccino IS coffee, to making your very own “fancy pants”, you’re going to be missed and those Louisville people don’t know how lucky they are.

I mean honestly, how many people do YOU know who take a year off of work to manage their friends on Facebook.

601 miles

OH, one more thing...

...I went 601 miles in 2009!!! I joined a challenge in January to run 500 miles. Some was running outside, some on my treadmill, but I did it!!!

I LOVE…

…that Kord knows all the words to the Yukon Ho song by Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes)

…that Hadley eats Dad’s super-hot Kim Chi soup, but that she eats it with one hand on a glass of water and the other hand holding a napkin to wipe the spice off her lips, both of which are used between every bite of soup.

…that Hadley sings alone with her piano playing, “When the dog bites, when the cheese stinks, when I’m feeling bad, I simply remember…”

…that Layne spends 4 ½ minutes EVERY time it’s her turn on Parcheesi because she has to do a crazy shacking dancing with the dice, toss them (there-in knocking all the piece on the board askew), re-arrange them in whatever order she finds the “prettiest”, etc, etc.

…that Layne loves that her hair is ALMOST down to her bum but doesn’t want it any longer because “I don’t want to have to pick it up to pee”

…that Case’s response to “Casers, it’s 8:30 why hasn’t anyone put you in bed” is, with a shrug of the shoulders, “I know” instead of “I don’t know”

…that Russ comes home from work, grabs me, throws me back over his leg and kisses me like he has for 12 years now.  Happy New Year!

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

What happens at 6:30PM when Case wakes up at 6AM and won't take a nap. The excitement of Christmas could only keep him awake so long.

2 DAYS!!!!!!

We just made cookies for Santa so we're moving right along. I'm so excited!!!!! I actually had a hard time falling asleep last night cause I was imagining Christmas morning. What a dork I am!

Russ (and all of us) made these awesome "sweet sushi" boxes and treats for our neighbor gift this year. It was super fun.

Whatever...he's almost 2...totally old enough to be the saw-holder when we cut down the Christmas tree. I'm the best mom ever

LOOK AT THAT!! Not just the adorable kids, but also the gorgeous world. We live in the most beautiful place on earth.

My boys enjoying a moment

I've started selling my hair pretty's a little bit. If you need any...I'm here...and not ridiculously priced like so many are.

Russ and I went to Claim Jumper on our anniversary. Russ got ribs and I got this pasta thing. So then we got this awesome cake too. We NEVER get dessert at restaurants so it was fun. I had only eating 100 calories all day (I was saving my calories for dinner) and I had burned 650 calories on the treadmill that morning so I was feeling pretty good about it. Then Russ (darn him) happened to see the calorie chart!!!!!!! OH MY GOSH. My pasta was 2600 calories. I didn't eat the whole thing, but still!!! The cake was 3600 calories. Again, I only ate one layer and there were 6. BUT STILL!!!! I was nauseous for two days thinking about the number of calories that went into my body in a 60 minute period. Needless to say, I've been running 5 miles every day this week trying to work it off.

Fall Fun!

Since we're almost at Thanksgiving, I thought I'd get Halloween up. Hadley in the red dress decided to be a party planner...seriously, what am I going to do with that one??!!

I'm sorry, but when Layne gets a hold of the camera, I think the best pictures are taken. AHHH, I love this kid!

Scary fly!

"We are the champions, my friend." We had our annual fun. We raked up those leaves (millions since we live on the forest!!!) and jumped, flew, and slid into them.

Why yes, Hadley's mom DID make that awesome sign and (though you can't see them) the matching hair pretty's. Then, since Hadley's mom isn't available to brag for herself, she made the witches hats for each of the soccer balls on the sign (as seen above) since this game was on Halloween. She must be THE best mom ever!

OKAY, I DID IT. I'M DOING FACEBOOK.

Oh, and by the way, wish me luck on the northwest winter this year...last year was the first year that I had a problem with it. And now since sunset is currently at 4:30PM and I workout in the PITCH black, pouring down rain from 6-7AM...just wish me luck. YES I KNOW I KNEW WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO...I'M JUST ASKING FOR SOME LUCK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!