The old adage...

"if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all" is something I use in my life quite often. And it appears the month of December hasn't been all that nice. But we did have a lovely Christmas (there would be photos if I could find my camera) and the kids are super busy (and going stir crazy on break!).
I measured them on Christmas day (for their little snail ornaments, the "slime trail" of the snail is a little retractable growth chart) Brady is 51 1/2 inches (4 foot 3 1/2?) and Natalie is 43 1/4 (3 foot 7 1/4?) And Brady has been a bottomless pit lately (but still as picky as ever) so I'm anxious to see what he plans on doing with all the food he's inhaling...
Hopefully the new year will bring new energy and better blogging from me (believe it or not, I love blogging and it's good for me too!).

A Christmas Carol

After work last night we took the kids to see A Christmas Carol. I found out when we got there that it was in 3-D (gulp) and then when we got into the theatre everyone (but me) voted to sit in the middle (double gulp). I don't do well in movies where I'm up close and things fly at me (I've had to run out of an Imax movie more than once to barf).

And now that I'm older, the effects of motion (and sound) have a much more pronounced impact on me. A few years ago, I did something stupid. It may have been a coincidence, but nevertheless, from the moment I walked out of the office where I did the stupid thing, I was dizzy for 3 months straight, with several episodes periodically ever since. What was the stupid thing, you ask?

I went to get Hypnotized, people. Yes. I did. I can't remember exactly why I went (migraines maybe?) but I left the woman's office, drove to Costco and couldn't walk straight anymore. It was like I was on a boat in rough waters. Probably pretty entertaining but frightening to watch ("hey, look at that drunk chick! Wait, she just got out of that minivan!")

Nothing seemed to provide me relief and I was running out of hope and went to someone called a "Cranio-Sacral Therapist". I left his office thinking "I just threw $65 bucks in the toilet" but woke up the next day significantly better. And one more visit to him and I only get vertigo when triggered, not spontaneously.

I had to watch a good 25% of the movie with my eyes closed. But what I saw was pretty good, a little too dark for the kids, but great effects and of course the message of the classic tale shined through.

Super Duper Sunday

I felt like if I was going to go cheesy with the post title, I might as well commit to it, so I threw the "duper" in there for good measure.
Yesterday was the annual Aune Holiday Brunch, which was fantastic once again. Jen and Dale's home was bursting with friends and family talking, laughing, eating (such good food!) playing and wrestling (the kids, the adults held it together). A good time was had by all, and it was only one street away so we walked down and back, however the cold wind made me reconsider our plan. I can't stand when people get in their car to drive one block, but yesterday it was tempting. Our cheeks were nice and rosy (oooh, that makes me think of the song Sleigh Ride. Sorry, the band-geek in me popped up for a second) when we got home.

Shortly after we got home and the kids were starting to grow antsy again, good 'ol Kate called up and invited us up to ease both of our kids' boredom. So I grabbed a couple of half-racks and headed north-east to the Rankin Ranch. I have a really pretty picture of Baker and the Sisters to post *here*, but they are still on my iphone and I'm not getting up to get my iphone right now.
Watched some football, had a few beers, had some great girl-talk, and had some great chili for dinner. If the weather had been 78 degrees outside, it would have been the perfect day!

But it was still a pretty great day. Thanks, friends for making it one!

Mid-Week Duldrums

Having one day off smack dab in the middle of a work week sucks. Even if the day is sunny and beautiful. And 31 DEGREES outside! I did get outside a couple of times, but I don't think I actually absorbed any vitamin D because I was bundled up because it was 31 DEGREES! I've kind of had a ho-hum kind of week, so I'll just blog in photos today:

The kids have invented a new game, camp mat sliding with obstacles (ignore the pile of laundry on the table downstairs. I do.)
Ran the bleachers a few times and did a few laps, but the track was frosty and it was distracting to have the BPD testing out their new bomb-robot in the corner field.

Natalie Sue and Riley. The TV was on so getting them both to look into the camera was impossible.

My mom made this awesome Advent calendar for the kids. They each get a mini-ornament to hang on their very own tree. My mom is so talented!

I finally hung these (yes they are level, the angle and shadows are jacking the photo up). I figured they weren't hanging the last time I had a party and with the holidays approaching, I might have guests again so I better put them up. I hate hanging photos.

A week went by...

I can't believe I haven't posted in a week! My camera was MIA for most of it so the only pictures I have to offer are from Ashenafi's adoption party. The camera has returned, so maybe the kids and I will find some fun mischief to get into on Sunday to post about.

Part of the reason I haven't posted is because I got an iphone this week, and it has occupied my time. I {heart} my new gadget. I can now go running (which I did on Thanksgiving) and with my one device I no longer need my camera, ipod, phone, and soon my pedometer if/when I get the nike chip for Christmas. So my race times should greatly improve now that I don't have all that bulk in my possession. Speaking of race times, I'm doing the Jingle Bell Run next Saturday (the 12th, I think) and have also started training to do the Big Climb in March. More on that later.

And on a side note, and I don't want any comments about this next statement but I need to put it in writing for my own encouragement: I am officially 30 pounds lighter than I was when I completed the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon. I can't physically tell that I am, but that's what the scale is telling me, so I'm telling it to myself in writing now: What you are doing is working. You are worth the effort. Honor the body you were given by making it healthy. End of lecture and sappy bullshit.

Thanksgiving around here was pretty quiet: parades, football, fried turkey and some exercise (it was so beautiful out that I got a run and some stairs in, and Larry got a good bike ride in). And today I scrapbooked and got most of my Christmas cards done, now just need to work on a photo. Whole family or just kids? You know my vote, but we'll see what happens.

I have no promises about my posting diligence for next week: I work everyday except Wednesday, so I don't think my life will be so exciting that will require blogging. Unless I get a good weirdo at my station that day or something. And if I do, you'll be the first to know!




Please ignore my dorky 7 year old and enjoy the art that we made at Erin's baby shower (I can't remember which one I did. The "A"? The "love"? I wish I could remember!) Erin is going to fill the blank spaces with photos of Ashi. Won't that be beautiful? Thank you to Elizabeth for helping us all create this!
Natalie getting a taste of having a little brother "I want your pink hat!"

The boy of the hour.

Ashi stole Natalie's glittery Uggs. I think he can pull them off, don't you?

P.S. To all you Sneaky Snakes out there: sneak emailing me does not qualify as "not leaving a comment below". Leave it to my friends to find a loop hole to offer me praise. I wasn't seeking it, but thank you for it. I'm thankful to have found a circle of friends that love and support me. But you're still Sneaky Snakes.

Everett

The kids and I headed south today to go to the Imagine! Children's Museum. And guess what? It was way fun! Stimulating, engaging, creative... you know, stuff you might look for in a children's museum. Even the roof was open today, which the kids loved and I enjoyed the fresh air and quieter environment, even if it was damp and cold.

We met up with a former high school friend and his family and had a nice visit. It was hard to catch up while chasing our children in a hundred different directions, but that's half the fun of catching up with your past: seeing your friends' lives how they are now. Chasing around a toddler, having an interesting job, etc.

The drive home was anything but stress-free however. We stopped at Costco in Marysville to load up on the basics for lunches (wine, cheese...) and when I reached down to pick up the case of juice boxes to load I split my knuckle open. Again. I cut it on Wednesday or Thursday, and the damn thing still gushes blood everytime I look at it sideways. So anyway, I didn't realize I had split it open until there were big red droplets hitting the conveyor belt. Nothing like dripping some bodily fluids in a public place to feel like the plague. Oh, and I got it all over my wallet and smeared up my receipt (when I grabbed it before realizing my hand was covered in blood) which made the guy at the door cringe at me. I told him "don't touch my receipt, it's bloody" and he looked at me like I had spit on him. Nice.

From Marysville heading North, I merged on to I-5 in the middle of an idiot convoy. Holy hell, I thought someone might kill me last night. Nobody could maintain a speed (not even 50) let alone just effing drive courteously. Add-in a record amount of standing water on the freeway entering Mt. Vernon (I think I planed a good dozen times) and I thought I might crack for sure.

Finally home, the kids ran off the cooped-up-car energy and after bedtime I finally settled into bed to relax and watch the last bit of season 3 of Weeds. Excellent show. With 2 episodes left, Brady comes upstairs complaining about his elbow (he tried to ambush me at Starbucks earlier that day, but my sweet ninja skillz were too powerful. He missed me and fell and skinned his elbow pretty bad). In to bed he goes, off goes Weeds (not PG); B falls asleep, Weeds back on. At 11:45 his head pops up and he makes "the sound". But there is no time to heed the warning. He stood up and barffed all over my bed. All over. All I could do was jump up and grab him as soon as he paused (and promptly started screaming at the top of his lungs). I ran him to the toilet and went back to assess the damages (total loss), came back in to the bathroom and found that destroyed as well, but Brady was perky as could be. "What times does dad get home?" he chirps. "Can I go say hi to Radish?" he begs. "What do you think we're doing tomorrow?" he ponders. Dude! You just created like 30 minutes of work for me at midnight, not including more cleaning tomorrow! And you want to have a little chat? Aren't you sick? Aren't you tired? Apparently you don't need me to drop all this and comfort and snuggle you! So then I felt like a jerk because he's all chit-chatting while I'm arm deep in cleanup and snap at him to go lay down and be quiet; and for christssake if you get that rumble again, RUN!

After all the chaos had died down, he did decide he needed me to mommy him a bit. I don't get that much from him, so I scooped him up and rubbed his fuzzy little head and he drifted off in my arms where he stayed spooned up next to me all night.

Guess who also woke up super chipper at 7:30? I don't get it. But at least I get to go shopping for new bedding now!

***Forgot the camera at home. And I didn't think anyone would appreciate me photographing ruined bedding to add spice to today's post. You're welcome.

The UPS man commeth

I always get a little excited when the UPS van circles my cul-de-sac. I know I haven't purchased anything, but maybe, just maybe he has a surprise for me. This week he brought gifts.

MIL shipped the kids' xmas gifts up here, she's on top of her holiday shopping. She also gets Natalie an Aflac duck every year (Natalie invests in Aflac) and her new duck arrived a few days ago. I asked her if I can take it to work tomorrow. She hesitated, but gave me permission.

And... what's this? A box addressed to me that isn't toy shaped? I emailed MIL and got permission to open it. She and Cameron got me a new snowglobe for my xmas globe collection. So thoughtful! It's so sweet, it plays one of my favorite Christmas songs (of course I'm a sucker for Christmas songs, so it's hard to pick a true fav) "Up on the Housetop".

I only collect two things: Snowglobes (christmassy ones) and Swarovski Snowflakes. I hate collecting otherwise. But these two collections come out for a month, then they go away again. I'm not a knick-knack kinda girl, and collecting seems to attract knick-knacks. So there's a little tid bit about me for ya. Now go enjoy your day!

The FIG adventure

*I am going to preface this post with this info: I already bought a membership, so I will be dragging my children to the museum from time to time (or making the new babysitter do it). So the following rant is exempt from you giving me shit about future posts about my children's' adventures there.

This weekend the highly anticipated Lightcatcher Museum opened. Bellingham has been without a children's museum for nearly a year now awaiting the building of the new one. We've been visiting the museums in Skagit county and Everett and the excitement for what Bellingham was going to come up with was palpable.

Phhhsss (sound of air rushing out of our balloon). The FIG (Family Interactive Gallery) is just about that. A taupe-colored walled, dimly lit, area for quiet, uninteresting play. No photos are allowed inside of the FIG because it's an actual art gallery (my children's response to some of the art: "What's this?" "Why did they do that?" "How come that is there?") I also had to glug down my fresh mocha because I couldn't be allowed that while my children ran around exploring (which ended up not being a concern, because I had get down and really play with the kids to keep them entertained, rather than sitting back and visiting with another parent while our children explored freely). 2 or 3 of the interactive displays were woods/camping themed (hello, we live in the northwest. I take my kids camping all the time.) some foam blocks and noodles (again, we have that at home to play with) The light walls were cool. There was no art activities for the children to take part in, nor was I certain that there was even an art room.

I took the kids through the rest of the art gallery (you could not call this place a museum) and they seemed to enjoy that at least as much as the part that was actually meant for them to enjoy. But I'll admit that most art leaves me scratching my head (like the film that showed another film being played on someones front tooth as the screen). The photos that would let them call this building a "museum" were some old logging photos (about 6 in all) that were displayed in a narrow catwalk so you had to view them from an angle.

So I guess we will have to resign ourselves to continuing our journeys south for child-friendly entertainment (that isn't McDonald's or the Mall).

My kids awaiting arrest.
Jumping was their only physical outlet here.

Skipping down the sidewalk.

Yes, my children stopped (twice) to "pee" on stuff on the sidewalk. Classy.

The only place I was "allowed" to take a photo.

Jumping makes things better. Would you look at those long legs on my girl?!

A Week in Review

The Friday the 13th hail storm. Notice our street!

The back deck (notice the eerie color of the sky in the corners of the photo?)

Re-reading Twilight (and soon New Moon) in prep of Movie Night with my Lady-Friends (followed by Italian food in honor of New Moon). I also had to pick up this month's Vanity Fair due to the delicious photo shoot (see cover). I also picked up Pioneer Woman's cookbook (a smokin' deal by the way!) and another book for future reading.
Larry took the kids up to Baker today to play in the snow. Natalie is really only interested in eating snow.

Did Indiana Jones ever have to travel to cold climates?

Dead snow-angel.

My angels.

Natalie drew a picture of Christian on this balloon and then instructed to "take a picture of me and my boyfriend."

Natalie charming the pants off Ashi and vice-versa.

The boys zoning out while playing Mario Kart.

The banana bread that I baked, tasted, then wished it wasn't in my house. It disappeared late at night (Larry).

Radish

Natalie and I got stood up today at lunch (didn't help that my phone's battery was dead) so after we had a delicious meal at Little Cheerful, Natalie asked if we could go to Hohl's and look at the critters (something we do regularly when downtown).

We walk in and there in a giant cage is a lonely Guinea Pig with a sign that says "$29.99 Guinea Pig and cage" His cage was a $90 cage plus all his little accessories (someone loved him once) and he put his little paw up on the cage and looked at me with his eyes and I was done. I took him out and he snuggled right into my arms. Natalie named him "Radish" and he was ours.

Brady is on cloud 9 to meet our new friend and has been bragging "he was only thirty dollars!" and even the phone call to Larry (which I made the kids make) was without event. I married a man who can't say no to a critter.

I've got to do some more snuggling...

I love Guinea Pig lips.

This was the look, plus his little paw reaching out to me.

Welcome home, little buddy.

A girl and her shoes

I love shoes. But as I was wearing my Cowboy boots tonight, I decided that if I had to choose what shoes come with me on a desert island it would be: My black patent leather Mephisto sandals and my cowboy boots (and OK, my running shoes too, but that kinda puts a damper on my desert island plans).

I remember when Birkenstocks first became mainstream. I begged and pleaded for my mom to get me a pair. But she said they weren't sensible for posture and whatnot. I persisted. So she got me a knock-off pair to see if I'd actually wear them or if my obsession would pass before I wore the shoes out. I wore them out until they were nothing but a flap of leather and a couple of buckles. I love cork-sandals. I've grown up a bit and now wear Mephisto sandals (I think I have them in 5 colors). But now that the weather has turned a little too cold to have bare feet (and I've since stopped wearing my sandals with my woolen socks) I have turned to real shoes.

3 years ago while on Cowgirl Weekend in Los Olivos, I had a few hours to myself and wandered aimlessly through the shops, especially Jedlicka's. I found myself a really cool cowboy hat (that my mother-in-law tried to buy first but I scolded her away from it) and then I kept passing the wall of boots. Then I found them. MY boots. I officially fell in love with a real shoe (boot). I love them. I love they way they look and feel. And I love the way I look and feel. Love, love, love them. I can't wait until they are old and worn. Maybe they'll become real. I've actually ridden horses while wearing them, so they are on their way to being real, I think.

And then there is my running shoes. But they change and fall apart and I fall in and out of love with my running shoes so fast it's hard to have a real relationship with them. But it's a wild love affair while it lasts.

The Dangler

For weeks now Brady's front tooth has been clinging to life, dangling and swaying in the breeze. Brady has lost 2 of his 3 teeth while on vacation so I was certain it was going to fall out while I was in Denver. Nope. When I got back it was just dangling a little lower.

Then tonight as he TOOK A DRINK OF MILK, the damn thing fell out! Finally. But now of course I'm home alone with the kids and no fairy supplies! A quick call to Larry at work and everything is in order.

A classmate of Brady's told me she got paid $9 for her tooth yesterday! It must have been lined with gold is what I told her! Sheesh! I know the price of things have gone up, but $9 for a tooth?! How 'bout a pack of gum and a Sacajawea dollar?

Semi-Ah-Moo and Massive Frustration

Last night we headed up north to deliver a fountain my mother-in-law had shipped to our house (it's very nice!) and to do a quick inspection of the house while they're gone for the winter (goal of mine: to become a snowbird).

We got up there just at dusk and ran down to the spit to let the kids run off some energy and fool around with the camera. We saw the resident bald eagle (he is huge) hanging out on his favorite snag. We also saw a giant Loon chilling in the bay (he was camera shy). They have a new sewer treatment plant or something down there and it stinks to high-heaven. I did the classic "Brady, did you do that?!" to which Natalie eagerly replied "NO! It was me!!!" She takes great pride in claiming anything stinky. Strange girl, don't you know you're supposed to blame it on the dog?

As we left the spit, Brady asked "What is that big orange thing behind us?"
The old boat.

A boy and his dog, it's a wonderful thing.

Katie's shoot. You can find her entire portfolio at www.fordlabmodeling.wuf

Gross, Larry was climbing around in it!

An old boat, duh.

The water tower that Brady says that Grandma told them the fish used to shoot up into. His facts may be a little off.

The Cannery building. It smells like an old potato shed I used to play in when we lived in Shafter, CA.

***And in new (OK, old) frustrating news: I apparently have babysitter repellent children. I cannot find a babysitter to save my damn life. And then when I found one for Fridays, Larry's days off change from week to week and his start times change from 12:30 one day to 3:00 the next. How the EFF am I supposed to work with this?! So who wants to work for someone who basically wants to pay them min. wage but also needs them at their beck and call? Nobody, that's who. And then who wants to watch children all day on Saturday? Nobody, that's who. I am thankful that Larry (and I) have stable jobs, but I am so sick of the retail life right now I could just barf. And that concludes my rant, unless you call me, then you might get a whole 'nother ear full. You have been warned.

Little Monsters

Brady and his buds.

Brady, Riley, and Natalie.

Brady initially wanted to be a mummy. That's the easiest costume next to "ghost", right? Apparently not for me. I couldn't find a white sheet to save my life (that didn't cost $34) and then after a frantic night of sewing gauze onto long-johns (and a 11pm trip to Wal-Mart to buy out the last of their gauze) it was a huge flop. It looked terrible. So when Brady woke up in the morning we convinced him to be a Vampire. 3rd easiest costume: black clothes, fangs, and a cape. And if you want to be really fancy, white face, black hair and blood. So we did the really fancy.

Natalie had picked out her Tinkerbell Adventure costume the second they hit the shelves back in August. But upon looking at the packaging, it shows only the bust of Tink, and she's wearing a blade of grass for a hat! There is no hat in the costume package! Natalie really felt the need for the hat, so my mom the crafting-guru created her a custom grass hat.

I had to work all day on Halloween (NOT cool) and it was of course crazy-busy (did you know Halloween was a huge shopping day?) I got home in plenty of time to help the kids get dressed and I actually got to take them trick-or-treating this year (usually an honor left to dad).

This year Brady (with tag-a-long Natalie) had made plans to trick-or-treat with some buddies, and it was so fun to watch them run from house to house frantically and then talking excitedly between homes. And they remembered their manners! Natalie kept up for about 2 streets before she started pre-qualifying the houses: 'That driveway was to steep, that house was too spooky, that house handed out Otter Pops... wait! That house handed out Otter Pops?! Go back! I want an Otter Pop! '

She pooped out so Brady continued on with his buddies while Nat and I headed for home (don't get all judgemental on me, there was another mom with the boys! I'm not that free range!) Larry headed down shortly after to pick up Brady and said when he walked in, all the boys had their piles out on the carpet taking inventory. I never did that as a kid, mostly because I lived in the woods and didn't have anyone to swap with. A perk of being a city-kid, I guess.

And we couldn't have bought our candy more perfectly, we ended up with about 15 pieces left over, the perfect amount to munch without feeling guilty. Of course I hadn't planned on Larry's poker buddies coming over the next night. All my candy was snatched by bachelors. Dangit.

Rocky Mountain High

Did you know that Larry and I danced our first dance as a married couple to a John Denver song? Yup. Larry picked it, it's a very sweet song called Dreamland Express... ah, I digress.

I got home Tuesday from a wonderful weekend with Jackie in Colorado. We kind of "met in the middle" since she now calls Minnesota home. Her very spry 84 year old Grandpa lives in a little town called Franktown (and his name is Frank!) and we stayed with him and his wife Katie. It was fun to be a part of her family for the weekend, different family dynamics are always entertaining (she has a particularly "colorful" uncle named Fred).

Snow dampened some of our plans so we didn't get to go Estes Park and tour the Stanley hotel, but we did get to see a lot of Colorado regardless.

The flights home were smooth and I even flew over Whidbey, which I got to see due to the clear skies (I don't think I've ever flown home to Bellingham in clear skies!) I saw all these bits of "home" from the plane, and I teared up and got some strange looks from the passenger next to me.

And no matter how much fun (and relaxing!) my vacation was, nothing beats your kids running into your arms after time away. Natalie hugged and kissed me until my luggage arrived, then made sure she held my hand all the way to the car. Brady kept leaning into me like a cat, just kind of making sure I was there and to get a few hugs and kisses. Larry was much more civilized ;)

So without further ado, some snapshots of my trip!

I stayed downtown on Saturday and when I went out for dinner, I ran into chaos! Zombies everywhere! Even the Ghostbusters showed up!
Who ya gonna call?

View from the dining room, a deer was having breakfast. The deer and a skunk were the only wildlife I saw.

Jackie and I ordered Mai Tai's at the Mongolian BBQ restaurant while we waited for her co-workers. After 2 sips, "everyone was our friend". It also prompted quite a funny collections of self-portraits!

In Manitoo Springs, Jackie revealed what kind of "lover" she is.

This is the change in the layers of rock at Garden of the Gods. Jackie said it looks like I peed on the rocks.

Steamboat rock.

Jackie and Balanced Rock.

Me and Balanced Rock.

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.

"Kissing Camels".

Pike's Peak is only a few hundred feet shorter than Mt. Rainier, but at elevation it doesn't look like it!

Pike's Peak from Grandpa's back deck.