Wednesday, June 17, 2009

A date, a watcher, and a small harvest.

Brad and I went out on a date on Monday.  The kids and myself are going out of town for 3 weeks so Brad and I are trying to steal all the moments we can, it's not easy.  We went out to dinner and talked about plans for the future, how time is slipping away quicker than we realize, and where we would like to be years down the road.  Of course I started talking politics and Brad listened quietly.  He's pretty good about letting me have my say.
Waiting for our fajitas to arrive!
After dinner we walked down to the canyon.  We've lived here for two years and had never really gone to look at it.  It really is amazing!  I got some pictures of us by the bridge that goes over the canyon.
We don't get many "couple" pictures.
The other day the three "big" kids were playing outside and I started to hear Ruthie squeal.  I thought maybe one of them had let her out.  When I walked to the back door I found her watching the older ones play.  I know that she wanted to be out there, but she also seemed very content to be watching from the safety of the indoors.  In here there are no dogs trying to lick breakfast off her face, and no kitties trying to rub on her and play with her hands, (they get a little rough), and no scary chickens walking over to her to see what she is.  She stood there for quite some time and would occasionally scream and coo.  Micah and Christian caught on and started preforming for her, she loved it. 
Awhile ago I showed posted the garden we planted.  Well everyday since that day Christian has checked it to see if anything has grown.  Of course it's been torture because he can't understand why plants aren't producing right after we put them in the ground.  Well the day of harvest finally came!  Two strawberries were ripe and ready to go.  First thing this morning he was up at 7:30 going out to make sure they were still there.  As soon as I got up he was asking me if we could go pick them.  I used his excitment to my advantage and gave him some chores he had to finish before we picked the fruit.  I've never seen him work so fast!  Micah, Christian and I went out to the garden and they plucked the small, but ripened strawberries.  They were so proud!  We came in and washed them off and the boys goobled them up, in one bite of course.  If two small strawberries were this big of hit I can't wait to see what happens when the tomatos ripen.
I had to throw this last one in.  Ruthie fell asleep while Brad was working on the computer...what peace she finds in his arms!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Brad's surpise party!!

I invited a few friends out to dinner and a birthday party for Brad, of course he knew none of this so it added to my excitment.  I had our friend Dan pick brad up and bring him to the resturant.  Brad had not one clue that we were there. 
Terry & Jay
Monica, baby Macy, and Kami
Jen & John
Susie, Brielle, & Stacey
Kami & Dan (my helper)
Marcus & Amber
After the party we went to La Fiesta for a margarita and adult time.  Brad got the La Fiesta "kool-aid" a very gross, very alcohol filled drink.  He also got a beard of whipped cream. (see below)
Marcus was also included in on the fun!
It was a wonderful evening!  I love celebrating my husband who is a helper with the kids and around the house.  I know that I am not always great at telling him but I do appreciate all he does!

Friday, June 12, 2009

A little time.

The kids are eating lunch so I have a little time for some actual word blogging and not just pictures. We seem to be so busy lately and yet at the same time I feel like I get nothing done, it can be a little defeating at times. :)

Today is Brielle's birthday, she's two and I'm feeling like she can't be that old, and at the same time that she's been with us always. Brad stopped at home for lunch and brought her a My Little Pony doll. Upon recieving it she said: "Ooooo a horehee!" She really likes opening cards and gifts. We are not having a big party for her this year because let's be honest, she doesn't have a clue what's going on, and forgive me, but she won't remember it anyway. I know the boys got way bigger parties at this age, but looking back I probably should have scaled back, well better late than never.
Ok I know she look like a feral child, but it is her birth day and she wanted to "pay" (play) outside.  So she is covered in dirt, but at least I got her nose wiped...kinda.



Tonight we are having a surprise party for Brad's 30th. I think he might know, but he is being gracious and allowing me to think that he doesn't. Either way I'm looking forward to it. I made him a dinosaur cake lovingly titled: "You're old...like a dinosaur".
On a heavier note I am asking for prayers for Brad's cousin.  Out of respect for her privacy I don't want to go into detail, but she has a heavy heart and I know that the Lord is the only one who will be able to restore it.  She is a wonderful, sweet woman and I know that right now she needs prayer warriors.  If you call or e-mail me I will give you her name so you can pray for her by that, but God is pretty big so I'm sure if you said Brad's cousin He would know. :)
I'll update tomorrow with party pictures and stories!!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Rain, rain, here to stay...

We have had a lot of spring weather these past few days.  The heat left and the cool came for a visit.  The kids have been having fun playing in the rain so I got a few pictures of them outside.  The only tears that were shed were when Brielle walked through the rain that was coming off the roof onto the porch.  We also had a great rainbow right outside our door.  Micah begged us to go look for the end of it.  We tried to explain why we couldn't, but he didn't believe us.
Brad and me after he got home from basketball.
The boys in the rain
If you look closely you can see it's double rainbow.
That rain is a little cold.
It's better with a rain coat.
We are watching our friend's cat for awhile, but I'm not sure they are getting him back.  Brielle and him have become close friends and now he follows her where ever she goes.  She loves him and the fact the he doesn't bite or scratch her is even better! 

Brielle got a new dress for her 2nd birthday from Grandma Julie.  Yes we opened it a little early! :)
This morning we met my Mom for breakfast at McDonalds.  She was on her way to Montana and we were happy to steal a few moments.

Brielle telling Grandma how great the food is.
She just dumped her hashbrown on the floor.
Grandma and the kids

Friday, June 5, 2009

An add on...

I forgot I still had these pictures in my camera. These are from Crystal's graduation party.  Of course I failed to get a picture of Crystal, but I got some great ones of the kids, great-grammie and great-grandpa.
Ruthie and Grandpa Burt really liked snuggling.
Me, my grandparents, and the girls
Great-grammie and the girls
For Christian's birthday my mom got him a two man tent.  Last night the boys told us they wanted to camp out in the backyard.  Brad and I thought for sure that they would get scared and come in at some point in the night.  They are a lot more brave than we gave them credit for.  They were asleep by 11:00pm and didn't get up till 8:00am!  Both said they never got nervous.  I was very proud, and sleep deprived because of course I worried about it more than they did.  They are now asking me if they can sleep out there again tonight...storms in the forecast so we'll see, but I have a feeling there will be a lot of backyard camping this summer.
Proud campers!
Perfect size!
Goofy boys.