Outnumbered

Leave to help Crew upstairs for a couple minutes....return downstairs...

Orange cream yogurt, so yummy!


The mess these boys leave behind them every step of the way is exhausting, nothing clean, tidy, or dainty about them.  Nothing phases them. Good thing they give me kisses and tell me they love me as I am on the ground wiping up and mopping up the floor countless times a day....

*Just curious if anyone knows how to get ink pen off of cabinets without stripping the stain??? 

Birch Bay Road Race--15k

Well we did it!  For us non-runners we did fairly well and finished our 9.3 miles in 1.5 hours, with an average mile time of 9:47.  Stacey and I had fun doing some practice runs around Lynden the past few weeks to get ready for this, since we both have bad knees we actually didn't do a ton of running to prepare, mostly cross training, boot camp, and weights.
I was a little anxious before we started, it was a bright beautiful day, but only 40 degrees out by the bay, which I was nervous about my knees being able to warm up.  We knew we could finish and always had the option to walk if we wanted to, but our competitiveness and adrenaline kept us going.  What makes me feel the most excited about this whole race is the fact that we did run it, in the past 15k's and half marathons I have done, I have done a lot of walking mixed with some running. 

The quote of the day overheard by another woman getting ready to start the run "running this 15k is just like having a baby...we are here so we might as well get it over with!"  Stacey and I were cracking up, so throughout our run we were making analogies about how our run was like having a baby, here comes another hill (contraction) oh this is really starting to hurt (our poor knees) etc.... We had fun with it, and can't wait to do another!  Bellingham 15k in September, who is in? :)

The boys were excited to see mommy's medal and really wanted to watch me race..ha ha.  Maybe next time!

Eagle Watch Live!

Crew's preschool "homework" is to log on to this site and watch a mother eagle LIVE and her 3 eggs. The boys don't quite understand that we can't watch it all day. Good thing the eagle does go to sleep at night, just like Crew and Brody should... :)
The estimated hatch date is April 1st, could be a long week of anticipation!  Crew and Brody check on it throughout the day as it is always on our computer.  They get so pumped when the eagle moves and changes positions, or they think the eagle is actually looking at them.  Right now it is a good motivator because they will actually pick up their toys and listen if they get to watch the eagle.  Can't wait for the big hatch! 


Webcam chat at Ustream

Mom's Helper & Weekend Pics

Crew and Brody rarely miss out on a chance to go to the grocery store, which is always great to have helpers right?  :)  Crew got to go by himself with me the other night and when he got in the car he told me it was my day off, and he was going to do everything at the store.  Which I later came to find out meant, actually pushing the cart, me not allowed to touch any of the groceries he would take them off the shelf and put them in. It was so funny because he made me walk in front of him and show him where to go, and I would look behind me and see this little dudes head just above the bar of the shopping cart all cheesed out smiling.  As he would pass other people he would say "excuse me!, coming through!"  "It's my mom's day off so I am doing the shopping today!"  I was just cracking up over and over again.  But when we left the store I guess his job still wasn't done in his mind, after carrying in the groceries he was set and determined to put them all away by himself.  What a good helper!  Hopefully this lasts unlike his emptying the dishwasher days, where after a week or two he told me that he couldn't help anymore because "he does everything around here!".

Sneaky boys pulling their usual 'get out of bed' excuses. Brody is comes out every night to tell us he needs to go poop, which he just fakes on the toilet, he then needs kisses on his forehead because he bonked his head on his bed, and then he comes out and says "alright I am bigger now, time to get up".  We tell him he needs to sleep to get big and strong. 

Some Turrell time...the kids had some fun playing with Tay and Cole. 

We have been loving the nicer days and have spent most of our time OUTSIDE which has been great. One of Crew's highlights was getting have Lane over, so crazy we are coming up on Kindergarten registration for those two!  We are so lucky to have our neighbor buddies to play with and we all all so much happier to be getting some energy out and some fresh air. 

3 Little Monkeys...

All in good fun...they don't stop and constantly go back for more!

Sorry mom, get use to it!

Nana's Work!

We surprised Nana this morning with a visit to her work, The Market out at Birch Bay.  She kindly reminds me that we have NEVER visited her work before.  But she works so blooming early, so now that I am home, we got to go and visit, and we ran to the back of the store and scared her, she literally screamed because she was doing an order with a driver and Crew ran up and grabbed her!  She manages receiving so there was some really entertaining things to keep them busy, they were climbing up cases of pop and jumping off pallets of beer cases, pushing buttons to different levers, and even had some time in the cold fridge where they were tempted with all the chocolate milk they could ever imagine!  All of the drivers making deliveries and stockers were smiling at the energy and excitement these boys had visiting their Nana at work, and turning all of the things into games.  Wild boys.

They got to pick out a treat before they left, thanks Nana, and we were on our way!  So glad we FINALLY made it out there, after all we had yet to visit our Nana at work and Crew is almost 5, what a bad daughter I am!

Healthy and Happening

It feels amazing to be healthy, everyone is done with antibiotics, drops, Tylenol, and runny noses.  For how long, God only knows, but I will take it while I can.  So the change in routine from doctor visits, watching movies, and playing quietly (ha ha) has gone out the window, we have all of our energy back plus more. 

These are the days I truly enjoy just being on the go, going and doing fun things, playing with other kids, and being hands on with the boys. Some of our favorite things have been making trips to HS gym and playing basketball and running around, and the weather has even allowed some park trips where we have brought the soccer balls along and kicked them around, and ran and ran! 

Jack and Jovie got to come over for awhile this past weekend and turned the living room into a fun zone and took off all the couch cushions and made slides and forts.  They all had a blast!

Jo Jo! 

Being 4 1/2 is tough, especially when your mom and dad make you eat dinners that aren't your favorite.  This dinner lasted over an hour...but good thing for him he actually eventually ate it!  Him and Brody both are going through a phase where they think they will be okay without eating...not okay!

We are all staying active...in between trying to get gym times, and runs in, Chris and I are getting ready for our trip to Vegas next month.  Not easy with active little boys, and schedules, so some or part of our workouts are often done at home with some personal trainers... :)

Oh Bo Bo's, love you my ever so feisty little man, we have been calling him sweet/sour lately!

We got out to the Jump Around Fun Zone with the Marti clan today...So I guess we will be sick again tomorrow with all of those germs, I hope not!?  It was awesome to see all of them running and sliding for over 2 hours straight!  They were red cheeked, sweaty, and coming back for many water and snack breaks.  Energy release, just what we needed!

Ky's got into the action too!

Help! I am stuck!

A little air hockey with Hailey and Dane

Crew's girlfriend Hailey :)

Brodes

These two!!  I was trying to get Crew to smile for me, and who is picking at him and bugging him from behind...Silly boys!  Our next adventure....Haircuts by Tara tomorrow, we are in desperate need to get rid of their fluffy, wirery, crazy hair needs more TLC than our classic haircuts we have managed to give them at home lately!

I am so happy to be home right now with my little men, and I am so thankful that they are healthy and active, even if it makes my job exhausting trying to keep up with them!

16 Months or Something Like That...

Actually Kyler is closer to 17 months than 16 months, but who can really keep track of all that stuff anyway?  I was a lot better on updating more regularly with all the details for the other two boys, so Kyler I guess is the typical youngest child!  Just the thought of having a post all about him sounded exhausting to me just thinking of all the things I would have to write about, he wears me out!

Being the youngest, don't feel too sorry for him for having two older brothers that continually beat up on him, because I would say he instigates more commotion than anyone.  He wants so bad to be doing everything his brothers are doing, and wants to be included, so he has found out a way to do that, take every key or favorite toy they need and start running.  And don't think he is any easy catch, he is strong little sucker too, and the grip he gets is even hard for me to break!  If I turn my back I normally find him and Brody rolling across the living room floor, with only 17 months and 5 pounds separating them, they give each other quite the match up!

Kys takes a lot, and rarely will be see tears from being hurt, unless it is emotional.  He is very dramatic when wanting his way, or his mama that is.  He does not share me or leave me very easily.  Unless it is family members he is use to, he is relentless on screaming until I get him.  My mom calls him "number 54" because that is his nursery number at church, we have yet to make it through the singing at the beginning without being called.  And this isn't a wimpy moan, he is all out screaming, choking crying.  Will he ever get over this?  :)

One word, bath.  Loving the "biffy baff"! Sends him running up the stairs, doesn't matter what time of day, he is always game for some water and bubbles and plenty of toys.  In fact this is where we practice a lot of his colors, shapes, and numbers.  Those Preschool Prep dvds have been great, and he is well on his way already to knowing most of his colors, about 4 shapes, and couple numbers.  He is crazy about his shape sorter ball, reading books, did I say reading books?  Books are his way of some one on one lap time, and he is obsessive about wanting us to read to him, and after about 10 books, I usually make him find something else to do! 

Love this picture.  I have felt bad for this guy over the past month plus with having been so sick.  After getting his ear tubes in January, he has still had a couple ear infections, strep throat, pneumonia, and RSV.  Now over that, we are still battling tube issues, as they are currently clogged and are not working effectively which still leaves him with an infection, and more drops and antibiotics.  Sad.  Because of the run of antibiotics he has not been eating well (story of his life) and he has had such bad diarrhea (tmi) that he has not gained weight since November.  So we are trying to find ways to add more fat to his diet.  He is still super picky and only eats, oatmeal, cream of wheat, yogurt, grapes, bananas, crackers/cookies, milk... The feed battle is super frustrating, you can't force it and I just keep offering things and try not to make it a big deal or he will never want it...

Where's Ky?  Or should I say Ky Ky, Kys, Ky Ky Christine, Christines...Christines? Yep, I know it is weird, but his middle name is Christopher, and for some reason I can't keep things how they are suppose to be, they always seem to change into something else. 

He is fast.  Crazy fast.  Anticipates and watches to see any door, cupboard, gateway, open just a tad to make his break away... A monster!  Crew does okay fetching him for me, but he knows exactly where he shouldn't be and does his very best to get there as often as possible.

When dad walks in the door, the first thing he goes for is his hat...He loves hats, it in fact it was one of his first words...  He talks and copies words much sooner than his older brothers, and can same almost anything you ask him too, although it isn't always clear! 

He is excitable, lovable, gives the best kisses, and is one of a kind.  On the move, can't wait to get his next breath of fresh air outside to run around, and push cars around.  He already has his "touchdown" pass and catch mastered, and loves to shoot baskets and kick balls around the house with his brothers.  He will just walk up to you and say "catch".  He is super happy, and is almost always walking around with a huge grin and smile. I love him to pieces!

Your Love

I saw this today and couldn't help but share it, so true!

Life is too short: Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't change, love deeply and forgive quickly.

Winter Walla Walla Weekend

I finally have my camera back after leaving it behind in Walla Walla when we ventured over there President's Day Weekend!!  Some might think we are crazy for making that 7 hour trek with 3 young boys, and we are, but if we didn't plan these weekends we would never get out, and never get to see some of our bestest friends!
Just getting over not feeling well, we figured we were safe and non contagious to make the drive and plan for a fun weekend.  In fact just right out of Bellingham, Memi texted us, and asked jokingly if anyone had puked yet?!  Ha ha funny Memi.  Well just about 15 minutes later, Ky must have thought we needed more excitement than the movie Cars playing on the DVD player, and puked everywhere in his car seat and around him...Good thing Chris was prepared with having some big towels packed for that reason (we always seem to have some pukers)...So we got him cleaned up, but that puke smell, you know it, well it just doesn't go away, so trying to not be bitter and complain 35 minutes into our ride, I didn't even say out loud how bad it reeked and I couldn't believe we would go 6 hours with his wonderful smell.  Kys ended up throwing up two more times.  Such is life, and with our trips, it was better that it was just him, and not the others! 
We made a dinner stop in Yakivegas to visit Jeff and Rae and eat at Bob's.  It was great for the kids to get a chance to run around, and have unlimited french fries, chocolate milk, and chicken strips.  Jeff was smart and had us sit in the back corner, but that didn't stop our boys for being over anxious about wanting to walk around and check out the restaurant like they got to do in the past...I don't blame them for being couped up for 4 hours in the car.

We got into Walla Walla and arrived at.....

(the name engraved in the top of their swing set from when Dave was little)

Jaxer and Kys

Carolyn and I always joke our quality of life would be much happier if we could be closer together.  And happy wives make happy husbands, so our husbands need to figure out how this is going to work!  It is awesome getting together with the Pemberton's because Dave and Chris are just as good of friends as Care and I, so even though we predicted a crazy weekend, it really didn't matter because we got to spend some time together and that is what was important!

We always take a visit to the Walla Walla Walmart, the only Walmart I like going to, and I get the boys something fun to remember Auntie Julie by...this year we got puzzles, and fighting swords!  Colt is really into swords, and creative play with dressing up, and Crew and Brody loved playing with it all, and had such a blast with their buddies.

My puzzle dude

Biggest mama's boy, he is going to be in for a big surprise when his little brother Dak makes his grand appearance!

Me and Cruiser before our big date night!  We originally had a night out planned with just the adults, and we had 2 babysitters lined up for all the kids...but guess what? Chris got the 12 hour bug, and ended up being pretty sick on Saturday...Not fun, but we didn't let that ruin any fun, we still had a great day, and instead Care and I took the older boys out for a movie!

Movie date

We had cool, crisp, and dry weather, which was nice to get out and take advantage of the great space they have outside for the kiddos.  Care and I also went on a 5 mile walk so we could get our own uninterrupted chit chat in.  We also made a stop at the famous local candy store called Bright's, love that place!  The big boys got to get some golfing in, took the older kids sledding, and played a little blackjack.  We ended going out to eat on Sunday, so Chris being sick didn't ruin everything.. :) 

Fun morning sledding with the dads!

Here are some fun pictures of the kids playing outside!

Love this picture of Dave and Jax

Just being boys

Colt and Crew--they do love each other!

Overall we had a fabulous 3 day weekend with the Pemberton family in good ole Walla Walla!  Looking forward to our next weekend together, and thanks for the amazing hospitality, and many fun memories!