A new meaning for "A Singles Party"

Ty just turned 9 and the twins just turned 1! Wow is time moving fast.

I want that Camera!

Jack reallllllly wanted the camera, can you tell? Excuse the rough editing, I didn't have too much time to spend on it, but thought I would share.

glimpse into playtime

Nothing abnormal or special about this video, in fact it's just a usual playtime with a camera taking away the boys attention. Thought I would show the craziness of two. This was taken about an hour ago.

Show me your teeth!

Jack and Rhys both have two bottom teeth in. And as you can see Rhys is very proud of this top front teeth. Jack is doing things his own way. His fangs are coming in first on top and if you look closely you can see one of them. It looks so silly.

A day to remember - November 4, 2008

We've taken a stand for change!

I want to remember this moment, this feeling of hope. I want to come back and remember what it feels like when things get tough, or appear bleak. There is a ton of work to be done by all Americans, all human beings. The way it has been can no longer be. The hope for change in so many things. November 4th, 2008 is just the beginning of our fight for what is right. It's a promise by us, Americans of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds that we will make a difference. This man represents this change, but in the end it is up to us! We have just made a huge leap in the right direction.

Race for a Cure

It was a perfect day for a walk with the family. Wow what a turn out.

Rod, Greg, Kim & Kim's Friend

Kim what a fighter!

Kim's new do and our girls night out

Back in July, with chemo starting in a week, Kim need to get her hair cut, it's less tramitizing when it falls out. So she decided to go bold and fun. Platnum blond and "kick your ass" short. The sisters all decided to join her and go out afterwords and celebrate the power and strength of Women.It was a great look.

Myself, Jamie & Kim

We had a great time.

Ty's last game of the season

What a major improvement these boys made, from the first game to the last. Way to go Ty!

Family Apple Pie

Ty and KayLeigh picked a bunch of apples, Ryan peeled and sliced them, Mommy and KayLeigh put all the ingredients together, All enjoyed eating it.... It didn't last long.

Jack and Mommy

A bitch and her boys!

What did you think I meant?

Green Thumb?

I know we are no gardners but for our first try this wasn't to shabby.

Bath Time!

As a man of many words I will try and keep this short, here it goes.

"Check out the latest cute pics of Jack and Rhys!"

My weekend!

This past weekend Ty and KayLeigh were at their dads and Ryan took the twins to his mom's in Bend. I had the entire house to myself!!!!! I was able to sleep in, stay up late scrapbooking, and watch girly movies. It was awesome! I feel energized.

Here is one of the pages I did.

GOAL!!

Shortly after this photo, Ty shot a goal. I wish I could have gotten a photo of his face, it was priceless. I hope he keeps his passion up for the sport.

Oh we are in trouble!

Rhys likes to "walk", Jack just started crawling. All freedom is lost for mom. These boys go every which way. Gates are up, Doors are closed, Mom is on alert. Now I just need to find a way to keep Rhys out of the dog bowl. Wish me luck.

Bath time fun

The boys love their baths. It is a highlight of our day.

Garden Trial

I wanted to make spaghetti and I asked Ryan to pick some tomatoes out of our garden out back, this is what he came back with. This was enough for a few nights. And it got us talking about next years garden. We could do one 5x bigger and I could can sauces for us to use later. There is an amount of pride when you can say dinner was made from what you grew on your own property. I thought I would share our bounty with you all. I wish we lived closer, I would make dinner for you.

Rhys in your face

I took this photo the other night at bathtime and it just cracks me up. Hope you enjoy.

Father's Day - Bitter Sweet

"Bitter Sweet"

Father's Day was only days after Kim's Mastectomy. It was decided that it would be a casual and low-key gathering, And that it was. We all enjoyed cold salads and watched golf. Brachs turned on her healing powers and laid on the couch with Aunty Kim. When I asked Ryan to discribe father's day for him this year he said "it was bitter sweet". It was hard to accept and see the fight ahead for his sister, yet sweet to spend such a nice relaxing day with the family.

Brach's giving her love and healing powers to Kim.

Aunt Jaime, the twins with Stu and Ryan in the background.

Gompy Rod with his three blue eyed grandson's

Gompy Stu enjoying the twins

Want a kiss?

It's Back to School!

Ty started Third Grade and KayLeigh is now in Second Grade, can you believe it? I can't! They are growing so quickly.

Spirit Week at School - Crazy Hair Day

The kids were so excited about Spirit week they couldn't sleep. Monday was Memorial Day (no school) Tuesday was Pajama day, Wednesday was Backwards day, Thursday was Hawaiian Shirt Day, and Friday was Crazy Hair Day.

Memorial Weekend Camping Trip

Over Memorial Day Weekend we went to Sand Lake on the Oregon Coast.

Needless to say the kids had plenty of sand to play with and so did the big boys. While Ryan and Chris were off riding the kids built sandcastles and had lots of fun play "hyena" in the bushes. (you'd have to ask them how it is played because I didn't get it but they were having a blast and using there very vivid imaginations.



At night it was in the mid 40's and I was worried that the twins would get too cold, plus I was getting cold getting in and out of my sleeping bag to tend to them, so midway through the first night they joined Ryan and I in our sleepbags. With each of us having a baby to cuddle we were plenty warm, almost too warm. You can't see it in this photo but Rhys is tucked into daddy's arms and Jack has one eye on me saying "where do you think you're going".



There was no where to put the babies down and play, so they got held a lot. They didn't complain because they love being held. Here is Ryan being SuperDad.

The kids loved going for Rides, and now Ty wants his own bike. Oh boy what did we start?

Rhys and I chilling. Even during the day it was chilly, in the low 60's. So the bathing suits never got pulled out.

While the guys were out riding Amy and I got to chat. It was very nice getting to know her more. Kay and Allie really enjoyed playing together.

I think the big kids like breaking things just so they get to fix them.

We were fortunate to be able to borrow Rod's (Ryan's Dad) Land Cruiser for this trip. It towed our trailer nicely and we got to ride in comfort and style. Ryan's truck tows great, but doesn't hold the whole family, and my van holds the family but doesn't tow. So thank you Rod for making it possible for us to go on this outing.

So Cool I've got to wear my shades!

KayLeigh's School performance 4-25

School performances are always so much fun. KayLeigh did great.

Here is a little video for you to enjoy.

First video with my new Camera

For my birthday, the kids and Ryan got me an awesome little camera that fits in my purse and is at the ready at all times. I was shocked at how good the video was for a such a small reasonably priced camera. I thought I would share this first video because Rhys is being so cute. This was taken in early April so the boys were four months old at the time.

Jack & Rhys at five months

Where is the hair?

Not sitting on their own but not happy laying back anymore. Jack is enjoying "talking". They are just starting to notice each other and smile big trying to get the others attention. They are both rolling over and move up in their cribs until they cry because they are hitting their heads on the bars. They haven't figured out reverse yet.

Diapers Diapers Diapers

Early in April I was on a mission to find good cloth pocket diapers at a good price. I am now a cloth diaper expert, or as much of one as I wish to be. At $18 retail and needing enough for two (that's about 50 diapers) it was evident that I needed to find them used. I traveled around the country on Craigslist searching for fuzzi bunz. My collection is now complete and we have enough diapers for the next year. It sure seems like a lot $500 dollars for diapers, but when you figure in that one baby uses $1000 in disposables, it makes us feel good. More importantly we are doing what we can to not leave such a mark on the environment. Ok, I'm off my soap box now...

Jack loves his Bouncer!

So much so, he would rather fall asleep in it then ask to go to bed.

"I'm a mother of four!!!!" When did this happen?

There are days when it hits me... "I'm a mother of four" I just don't picture myself as "that" woman. I absolutely love being a mom, your probably saying "you better", and I truly do. Let's see if I can explain. I still picture myself as the a 24 year old with a rock'n bod with a ton of time to get stuff done. Then I take a look in the mirror and see myself ten years older and tell myself "not bad for four kids" and a list of things to do which realistically I'm happy if 10% of them are done at the end of the day. I can't even imagine what Ryan tells himself. I've had eight years to deal my self image as a mother and Ryan (he truly is amazing) has had two years to adapt to being a father of four. So with that being said I guess I have no room to talk. Ryan deserves a metal.

Days, weeks and even months are flying by. I've been terrible at keeping in contact with dear friends and family. I truly am horrible at keeping in contact. Every year my new years resolution is to keep in better contact. I think I should accept that it might never happen. Good intentions don't get you very far. And that is why I started this blog and yet I neglect it for a whole month, errrr. Sorry to all, please bear with me.

Scary night at the hospital - March 10-11

On Monday, March 10th Rhys had gone blue twice, so we rushed him to the doctors office. It was our third trip to the Doctors office in a week. After discovering that Rhys' Oxygen levels were too low he was rushed to OHSU via Ambulance.

Rhys was so small on that big gurney.

Vickie giving here loving touch.

Jack giving his brotherly support.

Rhys smiles even with an Oxygen Mask.

We spent one night in the hospital. They kept a close eye on Rhys' oxygen levels and determined he was through the worst of it and could manage it on his own. We stayed most of the day on Tuesday just to make sure but he needed no further assistance so we went home that afternoon. One of the bummers about twins is we knew that Jack was next to get it, it was inevitable. But fortunately Jack was able to power through it all on his own. Thank goodness.

Jack miserable with a cold. Look at those pleading eyes.