My Little Corner of the World

Lemonade Stand

2009-09-27T22:33:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, the boys begged me to let them do a lemonade stand. I capitulated and boy, was it successful! They ended up making $22 even after paying me for supplies (gotta teach them the real world!) They've been wanting to do it again, but time hasn't allowed. I have a feeling we'll be doing a couple next summer...fall is here and the days are cooling down. They had a blast and did a very good job!

Funny Boy in the Tub

2009-09-27T22:25:00.000-06:00

New Fencing

2009-09-27T22:14:00.000-06:00

Pictures of the new pool fence and vinyl fencing along the driveway. I'll need to take some good pictures of the front of the house to show off the new paint job and shutters!

Park City; Labor Day 2009

2009-09-09T20:38:00.000-06:00

We visited Park City this weekend and had a nice time. Our room was fantastic and we had the added bonus of getting to visit with my Aunt and Uncle who live in Salt Lake City. We usually only see them at Christmas time so it was fun to be able to visit with them! The weather was perfect and it was nice to get away for a couple days and see some new territory!

The Johnson Biker Gang

2009-09-09T20:34:00.000-06:00

Who? Me?

2009-09-09T20:31:00.000-06:00

Doesn't he look guilty here? I'm sure he did something naughty!

Mooo!

2009-09-09T20:29:00.000-06:00

Ian & Caleb were terrorizing the steers in the pasture last night. Jeff caught 'em in action. Caleb lost two bottom teeth; I think that's why the funny expression. He's been running his tongue over his teeth incessantly!

Brothers at the Bus Stop

2009-08-30T22:54:00.003-06:00

Here are the boys waiting for the bus...it comes bright and early at 6:39 a.m. Nothing like getting up in the dark. It goes against my very nature, but it sure does make for a more productive day!

#1 is really enjoying his 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Calley. Who wouldn't? She gives out candy before the tests! And #2 is getting to know new friends in Kindergarten with Mrs. May. He loves riding the bus with big brother.

Look forward to posts of #1 playing football, the new house color, some new fencing and #2's first lost tooth!

More Palomar/Escondido Visit

2009-08-08T09:33:00.000-06:00

Some other pics from our stay with Pop-Pop & Beppe. And a pic of our Pat-Pat after our dinner and mini-birthday celebration for her!

Beach Day

2009-08-08T09:29:00.001-06:00

While we were in California, my Aunt & Uncle were camping at the beach, so we visited for a few hours. G & C love the beach; they were mad when we had to leave!

Palomar Mtn.

2009-08-08T09:25:00.000-06:00

Our visit in June marked the first stay at the new log house on Palomar with Pop-Pop and Beppe. The boys had fun gettin' dirty and Garrett shot his first squirrel! Exciting times!

Boys Only Adventure Day

2009-08-08T09:19:00.000-06:00

A few months back, Jeff was having a hankering to get outdoors. I had a ton of errands I needed to do so they boys took an afternoon trip without mom. They went out to Succor Creek State Park (I think it's actually in Oregon.)

They had a blast checking out some trails and being boys...Jeff got these great pictures of them. We'll probably try to go camping here in the fall; too many rattlers during the heat!

#1's 8th Birthday Party

2009-08-08T09:14:00.000-06:00

Well, we held off on G's birthday party until the last day of school so we could have a "Pirate Pool Party"! 15 eight year olds for 4 hours is enough to cure me of birthday parties! Ian had fun being the center of attention. And he enjoyed finding left over pieces of cake on the tables!

A family yard day...

2009-05-06T18:59:00.000-06:00

Our first 70 degree day came along and we had the bug to work outside. It ended up being "clean out the waterfall" day.

#1 used some mud to look like a professional NFL player. He's going to play football for the first time in September.

These are what we call "Pake Toes" in our family. Like fat little sausages. I hate my feet. Notice the mud, though? I was working hard!

#2 excited about using the pooper scooper. This dog does not like to poop in the pasture like her predecessors. The joy of the pooper scooper wore of quickly.

A well placed arm

2009-05-06T18:52:00.000-06:00

When in CA for Pake's funeral, we got to enjoy some hot weather and the kids got to go in Pop-pop's and Beppe's spa. We got some great 'naki' photos of #3...this is the only one I can publish! Can't wait for pool season here in Idaho!

2009-05-06T18:46:00.002-06:00

I'm playing catch up with posting again!
We had the far neighbors over for Glenda's and Garrett's birthday on Sunday. B#3 and Andy were out giving Isabelle some love. Now we know who can dog sit when we leave town! Or maybe who to leave #3 with! He kept going to Andy all day. As quoted by himself, "something must be wrong with this kid if he comes to me!"

Differing of opinions...

2009-05-06T18:35:00.000-06:00

Love these pictures we got of B#3 fighting with my cousin's daughter. Gotta love toddlers! He didn't want her to have ANYTHING that he thought looked like fun. She was a good sport, though. :)

My Pake's Gone Home...

2009-04-18T10:06:00.005-06:00

...and although expected, an incredible sense of loss is with the family. For those of you unaware, my Pake was my mom's father. After many years of Parkinson's, the hard decision was made to place him at Silverado Senior Facility about 5 weeks ago. He contracted pneumonia on Monday morning and passed away on Tuesday afternoon surrounded by most of our family. It was difficult to be in Idaho when I so wanted to be with the rest of my family; to connect with them while remembering and mourning our loss. It's amazing the incredible need to be with family at these times. Well the five of us are all in Escondido now; trying to help where we can. Too bad these things can't be planned; this was a tough time to get away. Jeff is incredibly busy right now, the kids have all been sick and my parents are at the tail end of moving out of their house that they'll close escrow on in about a week. But on the plus side, I'll get to see my new little nephew Quinn (See Bether's Blog on the links) who I didn't think I'd get to see until June!

And the best news is we know that Pake is enjoying his time in his eternal home. No more pain, no more confusion. We will miss him immensely as we live out our days on this earth and look forward to seeing him again!

A Profound Question from Child #2

2009-04-04T10:38:00.003-06:00

I am secretly (actually, not secretly now) thrilled that I don't have to do the soccer thing this morning!! Yeah. But the downside is that B2 has a fever; again. I just don't think they're kicking whatever bug is hanging around. I feel like we've been sick since Christmas.

But I'm relishing a baby in bed and some time to fold laundry. B2 was watching America's Funniest Home Videos and must have seen a clip with a bald person. "Mom," he asked, "when bald people are in the shower, do they still have to wash their hair?"

Hee, hee. Gotta love five year olds.

Meet Isabelle...

2009-02-24T17:45:00.001-07:00

Being that #2 is such an animal lover, we have contemplated acquiring a new four-legged friend of the canine variety. And last Friday we found this cutie at the animal shelter. And, since she was on sale (did you know that shelters sometimes have specials on certain breeds? Isn't that funny?) we couldn't pass her up. I can NEVER pass up a good sale! They named her Isabelle, but we've taken to calling her Izzy. They thought she was a border collie/daschund mix. She is about one year old and so far so good! She doesn't bark, she loves sticking by us, doesn't beg for food and she has been very patient with #3 "petting" her; which has consisted of poking eyes and pulling eyebrows, as well as whiskers! Only problem is she wants to cuddle ALL the time! The boys are having a lot of fun with her.

We've been enjoying some warmer weather over the last few days. It was up in the high 50's yesterday! We got some much needed yard work done on Saturday and plan on doing some tumbleweed wrangling this weekend if the wind holds off and the weather stays nice. I'm really looking forward to the time change and Spring!

Ski Day!

2009-02-06T07:45:00.001-07:00

Click on the picture to see it larger!

Being as we are not huge football fans, and the teams were not very exciting, Jeff decided we were going to have family day at Bogus. It was "free" because 2 years ago I put a chunk of money on a Bogus Bucks account because they were having a huge sale. We looked into their childcare for Ian and decided that we'd check him in and the four of us would ski/snowboard. We got the kids their first lesson and went to check Ian in and found out that the childcare was CLOSED for the day due to the Winter Special Olympics! So mom got to hang out for an hour and 45 minutes during lessons! At least I caught a couple pictures. The boys had a blast and are looking forward to going again. And I'm looking forward to actually going skiing next time. It's been a while, so pray I don't hurt myself! :)

A little air guitar, with prop!

2009-02-04T22:04:00.003-07:00

We've been educating the boys on some classic music...good 70's rock, 80's, and 90's alternative stuff. They have been having fun with it... BO#3 loves dancing with us. So one day, BO#1 says "Wait! I'll be right back!" and comes back with this concoction. I have to give him kudos on originality here. One coloring book, 2 sword scabbards and a little tape made for a great "rockin' out" prop. He's going to hate this picture in a few years! :) Good blackmail material for mom & dad!

Love this picture!

2009-02-04T21:56:00.002-07:00

Sorry y'all, but I've gotten roped into Facebook...and it's taken all my available "play time" on the 'puter. But I promise I'll curtail those activities and start posting here more. It's been a crazy couple of week in our house; Jeff gone for nearly 2 weeks straight, a weekend away visiting "old" friends at a dear friend's wedding, house full of the flu, etc. Gotta love germy children!

Beautiful Sunset

2009-01-06T07:17:00.001-07:00

From sunny Southern California to snowy sunsets! I'm very behind on posting, and I promise I'll catch up, but Jeff took this picture yesterday after our 6+ inches of snow Sunday night. Thought I'd share...

Sesame St. Live... Elmo Makes Music

2008-12-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

Who'd have ever thought 10 years ago that our Friday night excitement would be taking the kids to Sesame St. Live? But alas, it's true. And I have to admit it was fun. Sadly, I could sing along with most of the songs.

We decided that this would be fun to do for #3's 1st birthday since we don't have a lot of family around to do a party. The best, of course, was seeing the boys' faces. Especially #2 & #3. #1 was trying to act like it wasn't cool...but I caught him dancing and smiling most of the time! :) Little man was so funny wigglin' around to the music. And Tibbers (by the way, he's informed us he doesn't want to be called that anymore!! Oh no, is he growing up?!) had a pasted on amazed smile. It was waaayyy past little one's bedtime by the time it was over, but he held on and I'd say it was money well spent. The best part is that we got the $26 tickets on presale for only $13! I would recommend it for preschool age kids for sure.

As a minor gripe, I was very ticked off when the event staff lady came and told me that I couldn't use a camera with a detachable lens! What the hay? Anyone have any idea why that would matter? I specifically read the website and it said you could take still photos but no sound or video recording. So I was a little perturbed. Good thing I'd been clicking away early on or I'd have no pictures!