Home Sweet Home

Sorry for the lack of posts, for those of you that check the blog often. Things have been pretty hectic since we've been back.
The kids are glad to be home and missed Daddy (and their toys) tremendously. Mommy, she could have used a couple more weeks of 70 degree weather and not having quite so much house work to do!

While it's nice to be home, the ride home wasn't exactly sweet. By the time we got home I felt beat up by the kids and could have just fallen into bed the second we walked through the door, clothes, contacts and all....................
It started with the packing......trying to find some time to fold clothes without the kids around, as they think it's fun to throw them everywhere after Mommy has worked so hard to fold them and try not to wrinkle them. The kids never seemed to want to go to bed. I thought that I would try and do most of the laundry before we left to lessen the work when we got home, but Grandpa's dryer doesn't work very well, so we ended up taking home some damp clothes........I had them strewn all over the van on the way to the airport to and dry them a little more and then had to shove them into whatever suite case they would fit into at the airport. Just getting to the check-in line was an adventure in it's self! We had to get the car seats out of the car, while trying to make sure that Sidney didn't get run over by a car............and Grandpa Jo was towing three suit cases and trying to rig two of the car seats on top of them, while I had a suit case, the toiletry bag and one car seat while trying to push the triple stroller. Luckily, a man saw us struggling and said he was going to Alaska Air and could help. "Yes! Perfect, that's where we're going." We finally make it to the check-in area with the man's help (his family called him on his cell phone to see where he was) and Mommy was confused.....................Alaska Air now has so many different areas............first you check in at a kiosk, but it couldn't find our reservation, so after a couple of times I started looking around for someone to ask for help. It said to go to a customer service agent...............Where was that? I thought. Where you check the bags in? A separate line? So I just waited to ask the lady by where you check the bags in where we should go. She helped check us in, but her conveyor belt wasn't working, so Grandpa had to take each bag across the isle and put them on another conveyor belt. I was trying not to have to carry so much on the plane, as I was by myself with the kids this time, so the bags were kind of heavy. Luckily, we had booked our tickets before the start of the paying for extra bags, but I had to do some rearranging and the car seats were already tied up in bags, so I couldn't throw anything in with them......................the first bag was like 4 lbs over and I tried not to put too much in that bag to begin with. So I took some shoes out and a couple of other things and shoved them in a different bag and got it 0.6 lbs under the cut off. Phew! the fees these days will kill the pocket book. The next bag was also over weight, so some more readjusting.............The third bag was also overweight.......you've got to be kidding me I was thinking..........so, I decided to switch shoes and put my tennis shoes on and take my sketchers off. That did the trick! Who knew that tennis shoes weigh like 3 lbs? We asked if my Dad could go to the gate to help with the kids and they said to ask at security. When we get to security they said that he could only come with me if he had a boarding pass. So my Dad had to go back and find someone that had seen us previously with all the kids and get a boarding pass. I was still there, trying to take the kids shoes off and empty the stroller and take out the laptop and the sippy cups and the other liquids and trying to keep the kids from running off and collapsing the stroller when my Dad got back. After we go through the security screening I just pile the kids on the stroller and have my Dad take them out of the way while I grab everything, put everyone's shoes back on and pack the stroller back up. We get to the gate and I am thinking that we should be boarding soon, but there isn't anyone around. I go to look at the departure screens and our flight has been delayed for an hour. Ok, we'll get the kids some lunch and change their diapers. We got some food, but the seating was limited................there were kind of three sections - one for anyone, another one that I found out was if you wanted to sit down to order, like in a restaurant and then the bar......but I wasn't sure if you had to be 21 to sit in the middle part too? I tried to ask the waiter, but he seemed confused. I said "I just need a table big enough for us all to sit down." He said that was fine if we sat there. ..............Well, I tried to take the boys out of the stroller, as I knew they were getting ancy, but Cameron was already falling off the seat and Carter was running away. They were both screaming when I tried to put them back in the stroller. Apparently, a lady with some wine was glaring at us and another lady that was leaving noticed our struggle, so she said, do you want to come sit over here? And said that the other lady should Have another glass of wine and chill out. I thanked her and we settled in to eat. Of course, the kids got food all over the place and someone spilled something................I forget now, I just know I was mopping up some mess. We had a little time, so I took the kids one by one to the restroom to change them and we are on our way to the gate - with the kids out of the stroller to get some energy out before they are strapped in on the plane, but the boys are both going in opposite directions...........the opposite way we need to go. I hear them announce overhead that they are seating all rows for our flight, so we scoop up the kids and hurry to the gate.................Again, no one really around and the door down the jetway is closed. Oh, no..............we missed it I thought. I go up and ask the guy at the counter and he says that they changed gates...........I asked when, he said about 20 minutes ago. (Ok, how could the flight be ready to take off and have everyone on the plane in 20 minutes?) I said "Can you call them and tell them we're coming?" The gal looked at me puzzled......I'm not sure if they did or not, but the boys were in the stroller and my Dad picked up Sidney and we literally ran to other gate.......................it wasn't just a gate change, they changed the whole section! We were at the end, at C18 and they had changed it to D2. We get there and they were waiting for us, so we have to just say good-bye real quick and run down the jetway. I get to the bottom and am trying to unload the stroller while Cameron is trying to get on the plane and Carter is heading the other way.................then they both start going back up the jetway. Neither one wants to get on the plane after I got the stroller collapsed my hands were full of bags. I had each of them by one hand, but they were doing the drop to the floor thing, so I couldn't really go anywhere with them...................50 lbs of baby, plus all the junk I'm carrying..............I drop my bags and pick up the boys and head for our seats. Luckily, the flight attendants brought us our bags............. Cameron did not want to be strapped in and Sidney wanted to hold my hand. She kept saying that she wanted to go on a little plane..............I kept telling her that little planes were actually more scary and bumpy than big planes ...........eventually we take off. One of the flight attendants came over and tried to help me distract them and brought over some yummy snacks......................that only lasted for a few minutes and we could finally turn on the video player.................the boys want to play with it and push the buttons and are all over the place. I finally tell Sidney we have to put on a Baby Einstein (and pray that that will work.) It helps a little, but they still want to run around and are not happy about having to stay in our isle. I'm pulling out sippy cups, snacks, M&M's, orajel, cars...............nothing seems to help. The steward came over like 3 or 4 times to help distract them. At one point he was holding Carter and showing him the little flashlight he had on his key chain................that was very interesting to them. Once back on my lap, I am switching babies, trying to zerbert their belly and hold them up in the air, hold them upside-down and get them to stop fussing. Sidney is getting ancy now too and is very fussy and wants to watch one of her movies. She keeps arching her back and sliding down the seat and I am constantly telling her not to maul her bothers, or take their toys......The boys are throwing themselves all around and doing the thing where they throw their body back towards you.............hence the feeling beat up. I finally asked the steward, "How much longer?" Luckily, we were only 1/2 hr away.............I'm not sure how much more of this I can take! When we finally arrive, the kids are eager to get off the plane, but we are towards the back and are going nowhere fast.................Carter and Sidney are fighting over who gets to look out the window and Cameron is trying to climb over the guys luggage that's in the isle..... ... after what seems like forever, the line finally starts moving and I have gathered all the spilled toys and things (at least I think so), the guy was going to let us go, but Carter and Sidney weren't going anywhere............so after a few more people pass, I try again............Cameron is bound and determined to get off this plane and takes off and I'm trying to get the other two.............the steward says, go after the one running away and we'll get them. I finally get up to the front and Cameron is already heading up the jetway. I grab him and get him in the stroller, which they had opened for me...............only after I put both the boys in the stroller did I realize it wasn't fully opened and latched. Luckily, no one got hurt...............Roman was going to try and see if they would let him meet me at the gate, but I called him and we only ended up being 1/2 late, not an hour, so he was still on his way. He met us just past security and we got a porter to help with the bags and he actually walked with us all the way to the car, since we were at the little terminal and parking is close. It seemed to take forever (in the sweltering heat mind you), to get the car seats back in the car, change all the kids again and get it loaded up. By this time, it's already like 7 or 7:30pm and I suggest we get them some food on the way home, but Roman wants to feed them at home since he just went grocery shopping. I think that that will just postpone things further and get them in bed too late, but he's driving and I don't want to fight. While he feeds the kids at home, I unload the car and try to pull out the damp clothes...................I'm thinking, OK, let's get these kids in bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We quickly bathe them and get their jammies on, but they are all excited................running around, giggling..........going up to Daddy and saying hi to all of their toys that they missed while we were gone.........................I took some video of it.

They are sooooo excited to be home they just can't contain themselves

Playing with Daddy

And guess what Sidney said the next day????????????? (She cried almost every night after the first week, as she missed Daddy and was saying that she wanted go home.) She wanted to go back to WA and see Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohhhhhhhhhh child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time with Grandpa

In our last days of our visit in WA we tried to spend some time with Grandpa. Here are some random pictures of our time with him and around his house.

Sidney convinced Grandpa to "dance" aka - spin in circles with her, at least for a little while....then she had to just go around Grandpa and hang on him as he got too dizzy.......

Our last morning there...........Cameron is snuggling with Grandpa

Mommy gets a moment of reprieve as the boys watch Baby Einstein so that she can pack

the boys were each playing with one for a couple of moments.....before they started fighting again over the truck

Share and share alike.

For some reason the boys find it necessary to take each others plates, even when they have the exact same thing in front of them. Check out Carter, who took Cameron's plate to eat his oranges while Cameron is content to just eat his spaghettios and Carter hasn't touched his.

These pets get along pretty well and one thing they can agree on is quiet moment without the kids bothering them is very nice. It's funny, the dog doesn't chase the cat, but when his friend comes in to eat, which Grandpa refers to as "the freeloader", the dog is all over him, chasing him out the pet door. Sidney would get so excited whenever any cat was around.

Poor Nitrous.............he was sooooooo tolerant of Sidney....

Here's a pic of the two friends, (Sherlock is the orange cat).................they were facing each other, like saying hi and snuggling, but of course I couldn't get the camera fast enough............

Deception Pass

We went to Deception Pass on Thursday, to meet our friends, the D family who used to live in AZ, but moved back to WA. We had a great, Great, GREAT time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for inviting us Summer. We were going to go on Wednesday, but we got a late start and it was cloudy out, so we decided to postpone it for a day. What a difference a day makes. It was absolutely beautiful!!!!!! I hadn't been there in YEARS and forgot how utterly beautiful it is there. Mommy is missing WA more and more......................if only it didn't rain 9 months out of the year...........She's getting pretty tired of 4-5 months of 100+ degrees in AZ.

Here's the view the other way. I was surprised when I walked out on the bridge how scary it kind of was being so close to the edge. It almost felt like I was going to fall off. The sidewalk isn't very wide, but there is a railing on both the outside and the side by the cars.

I hadn't really ever explored the area that much and didn't know that there was a lake there also. One side is the ocean and one side is Cranberry Lake.

I didn't know that we would be down by the lake, let alone going in the water, so I didn't bring bathing suits for the kids. I had brought an extra change of clothes though, so they went in in their shirts and diapers/panties. It's amazing how warm 70 degrees can feel. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and the water.

The girls were having a blast playing in the sand...........Fiona is behind Patrick, in the blue shirt.

The girls are venturing off on their own a bit.............Patrick is supervising

When I was telling Sidney we were going to visit the D family she was having a hard time remembering them, but as soon as she saw Fiona the girls became fast friends again...........Summer and I joined the MOMS Club on the same day, when Sidney was just 8 weeks old and Sidney had spent quite a bit of time with their family.

Summer watched Sidney for me when I started working at a new hospital and had to go to orientation and training when Sidney was nine months old. She was just talking about this picture of the girls...................

Early Mornings..... as I had to be to work at 7:00am and it was about 1/2 hr. away

Summer also watched Sidney nearly every day for a month while I was in the hospital, pregnant with the boys......(they tried to come about 16 weeks early! They ended up being 5 1/2 weeks early and did great!) I don't think she'll ever know how much that meant to me to have Sidney in such a loving, welcoming environment when I couldn't be there for her. It's making me tear up now just thinking about it............ok, ok...........I'm full-on crying!

She would call me and give me updates on the girls adventures and bring Sidney to the hospital every day so that I could see her, even though it was a long drive for her.

She took lots of pictures for me to see the fun Sidney was having and it made me feel so much better!

She even took Sidney trick-or-treating for me that year...............I almost didn't recognize Sidney at first when I saw these photos..............she never lets me put her hair up...........they all look amazing! THANK YOU AGAIN SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They were getting dirty and loving it! (I think Summer is giving them tips here on how to make sandcastles.)

They did venture out into the water sometimes too............we had to make sure they didn't go out too far.

Summer helped with the boys too............she took Cameron down to check out the water while I tried to get Carter to settle down.................he was having a moment (not a good one)

"OOOHHHHHH, that's kind of cold........... "

"I guess it's not so bad............it just takes some getting used to..."

I eventually got Carter to calm down and he decided to test out the water too.

"Hey, this is kind of fun!"

Both boys are watching the F-15's (at least we think that's what they were), fly by. They were overhead a good part of the day. The noise was kind of scaring them, but Mommy kept reassuring them that it was ok, "It's just a loud noise........airplane." Cameron even starting saying airplane.........it sounded more like "nairnane", but he was trying. Carter was trying to say it too I think, but it wasn't quite as clear..................they are really gaining a lot of words these days.

They were having fun in this little puddle

I pose for a moment with the boys.........then Summer takes Cameron back, who wants to go explore some more...

We even rented some boats................a peddle boat, with all four kids in it (Summer and I thought that we wouldn't be able to walk the next day, but my legs were feeling pretty good.....how about yours Summer?) It was hard to really get anywhere as the peddle boat didn't want to go straight, so we went back and exchanged it for a canoe. The kids loved it!

After our fun day at the lake we went back to their campsite and hung out for a little while. I tried to get the boys to lay down in one of their tents......They were quiet for awhile, then were giggling and wrestling with each other (of course not any more by the time I got the video camera out..........that always happens!), then they started crying.

Here Patrick is pretending to be a bear attacking the tent and the girls are loving it.

Ahhhhhh......RUN!

they are just waiting, wondering where another attack is going to come from....

Tee, hee, hee

This is so much fun!

The whole family

having a snack back at the campsite

"Now don't get too close to the fire Fiona.....it's HOT"

Sidney and Fiona were running around, looking for sticks to put on the fire

all the kids loved this chair (thanks for the jacket Deb, it worked perfectly!)

Getting ready to go. We really didn't want to, but it was getting late, the boys were very tired and I needed to get the kids fed and to bed. Hopefully we can get together again next time. It had been too long since we got to see each other as last year when we were up here we didn't get to connect due to scheduling conflicts.

Another Rough One

Ok, Mommy is going to vent now............
Wow, yesterday was one very, VERY rough day for Mommy. It started out with the boys waking up very crabby..................they were just in a bad mood and to top it off Carter didn't eat much breakfast and Cameron took a header into the coffee table and cut his ear. Mommy wanted to cry too. (I hate to see any of my kids hurt, it just tears me up.)
It was cloudy out, but was supposed to get nicer, so I really wanted to get the kids out to a park......................Sidney was kind of whiny too, so that didn't help. The boys were so crabby that they went back down for a nap only 2 1/2 hours after they got up. Sidney was occupied playing on the computer while I tried to update the Mt. Baker post. There are lots of pics on that one, so it took awhile to upload them all and move them around. Sidney would want my help or want me to play with her here and there, but I eventually got it finished.........all the while thinking I should really go get in the shower, I should really go get in the shower. Well, the boys woke up before I could get in the shower so I tried to sit all three down for lunch and escape to the shower..........Sidney noticed I was gone and came in..........to get in the shower with me. I was thinking can't Mommy just have a few minutes of quiet to herself? Of course once Sidney got in the shower she wanted to take a bath. "You're going to have to wait until Mommy is done taking a shower to take a bath." So a few minutes (and 10 more inquiries to a bath later) I got out and plugged the tub for her to take a bath. I had to go out to the kitchen area to get the clean laundry to get my jeans and as soon as the boys saw me it was started again.........."ok, ok...just let Mommy get dressed." When I came back only a couple of minutes later with sopping wet, unbrushed hair to get them Carter's whole face was beat red from screaming. I decided to put on a Baby Einstein for the boys since they hadn't seen one in a few days and I needed some time to finish getting ready and was soooooooo warn out already from all the crying and whining.........Did I mention the kids were crabby?????? So, the boys are occupied for a few minutes, while I keep checking on Sidney in the tub.......I hear her calling for me that she wants to get out. I go to get her and hit my foot on some metal sticking out from one of the desks.........one of those injuries that takes off a couple layers of skin, but not really bleeding that hurts so bad you can't even talk! As I limp to the bathroom to get her out of the tub.......Baby Einstein has not occupied the boys for long. Mommy has it in her mind that we NEED to get out of the house...............something has to stop the whining and crying! And, I need to go to Target for some diapers and to take Sidney's barbie back that broke after only one day of playing with it. Once we get to Target, more whining if Mommy stops the stroller even for a moment. It's breezy and kind of cold outside so I put the boys sweaters on, but it's warm in the store, so I take them off, of course after they've had a baby biscuit to keep them happy for a few minutes, so now their sweaters are all dirty. We have to go get another barbie and go back to customer service before I can even go get the diapers and other things we needed. I thought that maybe I would get the boys a couple small new toys, as Sidney had gotten a few new toys since being here and hoped that SOMETHING would get them out of their cranky mood. I looked at some large dump trucks that were on clearance that I thought would be good so that one could play with the camper and one could play with it, but then decided that they would probably fight over it, so I go to look for something else and Cameron is leaning out of the stroller, screaming, reaching for the truck. I guess they did want it. I picked it up and gave it to Cameron.........more screaming. Did he want it, did he not want it?...........I couldn't figure it out.........then Carter starts screaming. I finally figured out that he wanted to get down NOW and play with it, but I was not about to do that.....we'd never get out of the store! So I try to hurry and get the other things we need............at the check out, they are still fussing, reaching for the truck, that keeps falling off of the counter...............after I pay, I don't even bother trying to get anything back in the bottom of the stroller, I just grab it and head for the car...........trying to push and steer the stroller with one hand and stop and use my foot to try and get it to turn. They were screaming as I put them in the car and did not want to get in their car seats. I'm telling them, "just wait.........you will like where we are going and you can play with your new truck!" I take them to a park close to the mall and am just trying to get out of the car.....forget the stroller, we are close to the playground......forget the diaper bag, let's just go! Of course they want the truck right there in the parking lot and I'm trying to get them to go over to the sidewalk at least......crying all the way. I set down the truck and Carter gets it first..............Cameron throws a fit (and I left his paci in the car.....too late to go back and get it now!) I'm trying to entertain Cameron and give Carter a turn with the truck, since it's apparent that they won't share it, while keeping an eye on Sidney who has run to the playground and is all over the place. I can't entertain Cameron anymore, he is wiggling out of my arms and won't stop screaming, so I switch.........Carter is the more easy going of the two and more easily distracted. I take him over to the slide while trying to keep a constant eye on Cameron and keep checking on Sidney. I finally pick Cameron (and the truck) up and bring him over by Carter and the slide....."Where's Sidney?".........I just saw her at the top of the tunnel slide, but there is a boy just kind of hanging out towards the bottom of the slide...............is she in there, I don't see her, where did she go? I am starting to get worried and then the boy finally moves and she is in the tunnel........phewwwww. Mommy is figuring out that going to the park, while fun for the kids, is quite stressful for her..............constantly 1,2,3.....1,2,3. Keeping all of them in sight at all times is growing increasingly difficult! Now Carter is going away from the playground with the truck, towards the splash pad. (We went to a splash pad the day before, but it was pretty cold, and breezy. The thermometer said it was 80 at G'pa's house, but at the park it was barely 70 and getting to be shaded.) I had to chase him and grab him (and the truck) and bring him back to the playground at least four times..................then I saw a police car there, talking to a man. I wasn't sure if I should feel safe, or if there was something going on and I should scoop up my kids and get out of there. I kept glancing over towards them, while continuing my 1,2,3 of the kids..........I see a baby swing open up and Mommy gets a bright idea! I can still fit both the boys, back-to-back in one baby swing, and I'll be able to watch Sidney while I am pushing them! Well, Sidney loves to swing too and comes over and wants to swing, but they are all being used. Luckily, after a few minutes the other baby swing becomes available. After a little while of this and the park is clearing out as it's nearing dinner time (and I am not feeling so comfortable with it almost being empty, still wondering why the police were there)......so I decide that we need to get going too and feed these kids and hopefully get them in bed at a decent time tonight. I have to pick up both boys and the truck and try to carry them to the car, while they are trying to wiggle out of my arms, (never mind that together they weigh over 50 lbs!) I get them to the car and manage to get Cameron in his seat, he's not buckled in yet mind you, as I chase after Carter, who is starting to push the truck out into the parking lot, and make sure Sidney doesn't run off. "Stay where I can see you Sidney." Carter is wet, ok...............should we do diaper changes all around? I change Carter and now Sidney wants a diaper. I am just about done and a car is trying to pull in next to me, but the truck and a burp cloth are in the way............I go to grab it and realize it's Mommy's old dance teacher (and Grandma's best friend from high school) from when she was growing up. (I took 8 years of ballet, toe, tap, gymnastics and jazz..........all the way through my senior year in high school.........when I would come home so upset from toe class because I wasn't good enough and Grandpa finally said "If you're not enjoying it anymore then stop doing it!" So I did. I was incredibly shy at that age, so I never told her why I quit, I just stopped showing up. Mommy is also kind of a perfectionist and if I can't do it perfectly, then I feel inadequate. That probably added to why I was always so stressed out when working as a nurse. There is never enough time in the day to do everything!) I was trying to chat with her, with two half-dressed, fussy kids, but had to cut it short. Hopefully she can find the blog and e-mail me to get G'ma's contact info. So the boys were fussing on the way home, as I only had one burp cloth and they were tired. Sidney really started fussing and wanted out of her car seat..........when things got quiet about 1/2 mile from Grandpa's house. "Oh shoot!" She had fallen asleep. While this may seem like a good thing, it's not. If she takes a nap it's going to be a late night.............I laid the boys down with some milk and tried to wake her up.............she's out, so I try like 5 things to try and prop the door into the garage open, but have to close the door to the living room so the dog doesn't run outside, and try to start dinner. I get it started and try to wake Sidney up again..........go back to checking on dinner and try to wake her up again.........she does not like waking up in the car and is VERY cranky and whiny......................"How about a video?" I carry her to the living room and hold her for a few minutes while she throws her typical "waking up in the car fit" I finally get her settle down and get Charlotte's Web II on (that she has seen like 10 times in the past few days) and get her something to drink and go back to tending to dinner. My Dad gets home and the boys wake up just as dinner is done. They are very cranky still and don't like washing their hands and going right to the dinner table...........but Grandpa makes some funny faces and noises and they lighten up. We manage to get through dinner, with Sidney only taking one bite and asking for her favorite, ice cream, like 10 times. "You must eat dinner if you want ice cream." She comes and goes, even though she hasn't been excused from the table yet, but Mommy is too spent to rally her back.........at least she's eating.................so I finally give in to a popsicle, "but you must stay in the kitchen to eat it." Yeah right Mommy...........Wilbur is on! The boys see the popsicle and want one too and trying to keep them in the kitchen is difficult, so I go back and forth giving them bites, while trying to get their jammies ready. Of course, now they are fighting over the little crane/train set we got on clearance too. I got it for the boys, but Sidney wants to play with the crane and the boys are fighting over the train.............the other train we have is not good enough! I literally have to wrestle with the boys to get them changed and luckily they take the milk and the burp cloth and go in the crib without much fuss. I just close the door and walk away. Now, my challenge child..........she has found her leapster and doesn't want to stop playing her game..................too bad child, it is time for bed............and of course it's late........yet again. I finally get her changed......and she wants milk while we read a story.........."Finish your milk, it's time to brush your teeth!" "Time's up, time to brush your teeth." I finally get her in bed just after 9:00pm. .........there have been so many moments today when I thought I was going to totally lose it and by now I am totally spent. I hear the boys playing in the guest room, so we are not going to go lay down in there, even though Sidney wants to lay down with her brothers, because if they see mommy then the crying will start again and they will want out of the crib and nobody will go to sleep! "We are going to lay down in Grandpa's room." She is bouncing on the bed and lands on her bottom, but then throws her body back and "SMACK", hits her head on the headboard..............crying, "I want to talk to Daddy..." Mommy is about in tears by now, but I go get the phone. She ended up talking to Daddy for more than 20 minutes. Enough is enough! I will call Daddy back later.................after several more dozen times of telling Sidney "no talking, it's time to go to sleep.........close your eyes" both Sidney and I fall asleep. Of course Mommy is in her jeans still, but doesn't wake up until like 2am or something and notices the bathroom and the closet lights are still on, but is too exhausted to get up and turn them off. I wake up again at 6:30am and wonder if I should wake Grandpa up in the living room as he has an appointment at 8:00am today...........I finally drag myself out of bed and he's already up. I start some coffee and try to decide if yesterday should be one of those days I just block out of my memory or if I should share my pain with you all.
I hear the boys stirring...............
Here are a couple of pics I took with the cell phone camera as I was not about to go back to the car to get the camera...........

Let the fighting begin.....

Carter was having fun on the rocking airplane

Cameron decided that it looked like fun too and wanted to give it a try. I was kind of nervous that they weren't holding on well enough and were going to fall off....but they didn't

Sidney LOVES the slide!

and he's off..................again...............

Finally, they are both happy swinging........check out the huge smile on Carter's face

Mt.Baker

Grandpa had the day off, so I thought it would be nice to go see the Mountain and that the kids would like to see the snow. Boy, am I glad that Grandpa was with us.................the kids were all over the place. It was absolutely beautiful up there!!!!!! I wished I had shorts on. The car said it was around 70, but it felt warmer than that.

I just love this picture. Every time I go up there I have to take a picture of this spot.......

This is at the top, at "Artis Point"...................check out the people in tank tops and shorts. I think I can now appreciate a little why people love "spring skiing" (not being a skiier myself.)

People were sledding down this hill here...........it looks kind of steep!

Check out how deep the snow is still at this point in the season. (It is partial plowed, but my Dad said it's like 20 ft. deep)

See the top of the building just sticking out? That's how deep the snow is.

We spent most of time around this area, a little bit lower than the top

Here are some pics of the opposite view, of the canyon.......

Can you see the waterfall on the left side of the picture?

You can just barely see the top of the lake here that is melting on the left of the picture

Here's the other side of the lake..............we used to go camping up here near the hot springs in the summer when I was around 19 with my friends and actually swam in one of these lakes....Brrrrrrrrr!

Here's a picture of Grandpa and the boys...

and me and the boys..........Sidney didn't want to be in the picture, she was building her snow seal. Cameron is ready to go check things out.

Our little explorer

It's so funny..... she wants to me to film her, then she wants to see it immediately (before I'm even finished filming her.)

Here's her snow seal

Concentrating..............working hard. (Then she would come and wipe her frozen little hands on Mommy to get the snow off and warm them up a little.)

Then when some other kids left, she went over and was adding to their little snow man. She loves putting sticks and pinecones on them.

Carter decides to check out the snow

Let's see what it tastes like............

He was putting the snow up on the ledge, then eatting it off of there............I'm not sure how clean that snow is, but o'well.........I guess a little dirt won't hurt.

"Hi Mommy, I'm having fun!"

"Rocks are sooooo much fun!"

It's starting early........................Cameron says "Com'mere Grandpa and check out this cool car!"

Here he is, holding still for a moment...........planning which way to go

This way looks good..............and he's off..............he's definitely my wanderer

After a hard day of playing Carter decides it's time to take a nap.......I was hoping that they all would fall asleep as Mommy was getting a little car sick with all the winding roads (I don't usually get car sick), but Sidney was up the whole time asking a million questions.

So beautiful!