Don't Forget...

I've done a terrible job lately of picking up the camera and snapping pictures.  I have a few shots, but I'd like to remember to take pictures of those everyday things that are happening.

As I was reflecting on this past week (and where it went!?) I was thinking about all the little things that happen that I don't want to forget. The events, moments, and routines that are occurring right now in our lives.

I don't want to forget...

...how Colson and I snuggle in the rocking chair after we read books before bed.  He loves to "rock" and asks for it before I put him down.  He snuggles up with his blankie, his head on my chest and I sing songs (The Itsy Bitsy Spider, ABC Song, You Are My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle) and we talk about the day.  I really cherish this time because it won't be long and Colson won't want to snuggle on my lap anymore.  I cherish every second of that time, smelling his hair and kissing his cheeks and listening to him talk.

...how the boys can't sit next to each other without picking on one another.  It's usually quick and then it's over but it always happens!

...how I am enjoying the countdown to the end of the year.  It's always an exciting time.  I remember when I was in elementary school and how I couldn't wait until summer.  I think I have the same feeling as a teacher!

...how Chris takes care of so many things in our routines which makes it easier to accomplish things.  He always fixes the boys hair in the morning.  And he often makes sure the boys are dressed.  He also takes all of the bags out to the car for me so I'm ready to go in the morning.  At least once a week, Chris picks up the kids, gets them home and gets dinner ready for them.  He also helps me sometimes with making lunches.  I try not to take these small gestures for granted because they sure do help.

...how the toys just seem to get spread out farther and farther, no matter how many times we pick up.  I've come to understand that it's part of having kids!

...how Cannon loves to watch youtube videos on RC trucks and boats.  He loves to watch these before school starts.

...how we have to shut the doors to our bedrooms or else the cats will come in and sleep with us...or Cannon (which he doesn't mind) or jump into Colson's crib and sleep with him!  They would be fine sleeping with us except they wake us up about 4 or 5 am wanting us to get up, too!

...how I still DVR The Ellen Show and watch it while I am running on the treadmill.

...how Cannon LOVES to go over to Claire's house and play with the cars, talk with her, cook with her or help her sew.

Enjoying every moment!

Cannon's Music Concert

When you are 5 and 6 years old, a school music concert is a HUGE deal.  It's a huge deal for the child but also for the parents!  Tonight the gym at Mountain Meadow was packed full of smiling, proud family members watching their 'little one' sing their heart out!

The kids were very excited!
They waved at their family members the whole time.
They couldn't stand still.
They talked...loud....as soon as the song was finished.
They sang and moved and performed like they should have.

It was perfect!

Cannon is very serious when it comes to performances.  He was all smiles until it started and then was incredibly focused on Mrs. Boyle, the music teacher, only cracking a smile between songs!

Cannon's favorite song was, Over the Rainbow.

Enjoying every moment.

Camping

We sure enjoyed heading off this weekend in the motor home to Mayfield Lake for a long weekend of camping.  It's been a long winter and it feels like it is time for our camping trips to start up again.

The weather report didn't look so fabulous for this weekend, but Saturday was actually very nice and didn't rain one bit.  Chris built a wood shed for Dan and Claire and there were many helping hands that helped to prepare the sight, help Chris, stack wood and clean up.  It sure does look good.  They just need to put the siding on and paint it.

Colson is enjoying his VERY FIRST SMORE!  So wonderfully sticky and gooey and yummy!

Grandma MaryAnne came down and brought jelly beans.  This was the best picture I could get!

Colson loved helping me clean.  He's really been into that lately and I am happy to "teach" him all about cleaning!  :)

The boys having a look at daddy out the window.

Cannon played all weekend with Claire's nephews down the road at their cabin.  He was hardly visible to us!  He came home to eat and to go to bed!  Colson hung out pretty much anywhere he wanted.  Inside.  Outside.  Inside again.  Outside again.

Sunday was a bit more rainy but we had off and on showers with sun breaks.  We would all move our chairs under the awnings or the easy up until the shower passed and then move them back out again.  They also dug up some dead bushed and planted 10 trees in their place along the property line.

As always, there was a lot of good food, laughter and relaxing.  There were 7 different motor homes/trailers on the property this weekend which meant never a dull moment.  I got some reading done and a little bit of scrapbooking.

Here's to a great weekend!  We can't wait for the next one!

Enjoying every moment.

Randomness

Reading the book, Fly Guy while eating breakfast.  Cannon loves all types of books and he doesn't really have a favorite book or series.  However the Fly Guy books have been a recent hit.

Holding Cannon's hand while on a walk.  I love this kid!  He is a great older brother.  He is caring, kind, curious and has common sense.  He is also such a good friend and knows how to love and show love.  I constantly hear, "I love you" from him.

Hello AC.  Sometimes he likes to climb in the sink downstairs and sit...or sleep.  Silly kitty!

Enjoying every moment.

Grandpa Ray's Celebration of Life

Grandpa Ray passed away from a long battle with cancer on April 10, 2013.  Saturday was his Celebration of Life, where many friends and family gathered to honor a wonderful man.  We are still having a hard time believing that Ray is really gone.  It really hasn't sunk in yet.

Friday, many close family and some friends got together at their house to hang out and just be together.  Most of us spent the night and then all banded together as we finished up the final touches for the celebration on Saturday afternoon.

Jim, Jenn and the boys were up from Vancouver.  Stephanie and her kids Zach, Zane and Mackenzy flew in from Florida.  Colson loved following Mackenzy around everywhere!  Cannon and Mackenzy had fun playing on the tire swing that Abe put up for Mackenzy!

MaryAnne and Austin played two songs together; MaryAnne on the piano and Austin on the guitar.  It was great to see them play together and Austin seems so grown up!  Many people got up to share about Ray's life, sprinkling humor in while telling stories that painted a picture of Ray's life.  It was good to hear some of the interesting stories from Ray's young life!  Retta and Chris both shared a few things...I don't even recall specifically what.  But I remember thinking I was glad they got up to share.

Saturday night after the Celebration of Life, many of the same family members and a few others got together again at Ray and MaryAnne's house.  We had a huge bonfire, talked and laughed and ate and drank.  All in honor of Ray.  I've never heard so many stories of Ray before...all in one night!

MaryAnne did a wonderful job organizing everything, planning an amazing celebration and just keeping it together in a difficult time.

Lots of great memories!

Enjoying every moment.

Lists

Here are a few "lists" about right now in our lives.

Grocery List
milk
bananas
bread
broccoli
whole wheat flour

Cleaning List
dust living room
clean toilets
vacuum upstairs
wipe out fridge
wash sliding door window
pick up bonus room
pick up our bedroom
wipe down our bathroom

To Do List
iron
get groceries
drop of clothes at Oh Baby
pick up pictures
catch up on Week In the Life


School List
Finish Parent Email
MSP Review tasks
Math Club stations
Create lists for Monday PLC
Grade Aidan's paper
Research Data Binders
WORDLE for each kid

Cannon's Favorite Things To Do
Help Chris with the shed
Hook and Unhook the trailer
Go to Claire's
Play with trucks
Watch youtube video's on RC trucks and boats
Listen to/Read books
Play on the big toy outside


Colson's Favorite Things To Do
play with trucks and trailers
play in the water in the sink
throw rocks
swing on the swing
eat pancakes
annoy Cannon


Weekly Dinners
spaghetti
baked fish (not for Chris!)
pizza
chicken
grilled cheese
turkey burgers

New Shed

Chris has been working on a new shed.  We REALLY need another garage, but until that happens we'll settle for another shed where we can put the three wheelers, our bikes and a some other things that are packed into the garage.

Chris still has to finish putting up the trim, build a ramp and build shelves on the inside.  He got a lot accomplished in a short amount of time.  I think he will sleep well tonight....and be very sore tomorrow!

Both boys have been hanging out as Chris has been working.  Cannon has been a great help:  measuring, holding, putting down chalk lines, etc.

Enjoying every moment.  

A Trip To...

A few days ago Chris told me that he had a special day planned for all of us in honor of Mother's Day.  He decided to go today (Saturday) instead of on Mother's Day since the weather is supposed to change (and rain) tomorrow.  All I knew is that we were leaving in the morning...we would be gone most of the day...we would be outside most of the time.

We ended up at Snoqualmie Falls first and spent a good amount of time walking around the paths along the falls, next to Salish Lodge.  The sight of the water rushing over the dam is just breathtaking.  The boys loved running up and down the paths and we had fun watching them.

Next, we took a nice drive around the area and then went back to 'old town' Snoqualmie Falls where the trains are.  Cannon got to play on the trains, we watched the Snoqualmie Train pull in, load up passengers and head off.  This was a huge hit for Colson.  He loved watching everything.  We spent time in the store and then had a nice walk down the walkway to look at some historical train cars.

We finally ended our day in a cute little diner for lunch.  We all ate some yummy food and the boys meals came with an ice cream cone for dessert!

It was a fabulous day together as a family.
It was relaxing.
It was refreshing to get out.
It was great to visit a place we haven't been to in a long time.
It was wonderful to make great memories.

I'm so blessed Chris took the time to plan such a special day!

Enjoying every moment.

Teacher Appreciation Week

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week.

All week we were spoiled rotten.  I felt special, loved, appreciated, cared for.

Monday was Fruit Day.
Tuesday was Flower Day.
Wednesday we received notes of gratitude.
Thursday was "Jars of Joy."  We each got a jar filled with little slips of paper filled out by our students.
Friday was treat day and I got a lot of yummy goodies!

Also, we were fed every day.  Breakfast goodies.  Lunchtime yumminess.  And TONS of cookies, sweets, and things that were not very good for our waistlines!

It was a great week!  Thank you PTA.  Thank you students.  Thank you parents!

Enjoying every moment.

Our First Mother's Day Tea

Today was a special day.
Today was a day that Cannon has been preparing for.
Today was a day that Cannon and I were so excited for.
Today was the Mother's Day Tea at school.

It was my first Mother's Day Tea that I was attending as a mom.

I've organized and put on 14 Mother's Day Tea's in the past.  I've planned and prepared and bought food and organized and cleaned and have gotten 27 first graders each year ready to present for their mom's.  But not this year.  4th graders don't put on a Mother's Day Tea.  (Whew!)

So I was able to focus on being a guest of honor.

It. Was. Wonderful.

I absolutely loved being there with Cannon, seeing the look at excitement on his face.  He was so happy to have me sitting next to him.  I was just as happy being there with him next to me.  Everything was so lovingly set out at Cannon's table, ready for me to come and "ohhh and ahhh" over.  I loved watching the pride in him as I opened the present he so carefully created for me.  The smile on his face melted my heart.  I sat and watched Cannon and his classmates sing and sign their three songs.  (I video taped them all, just like all of the other mom's in the room.)  We shared a banana and a muffin and talked.  We read the "Recipe Book" the EK class prepared for us.  It was a great tea.  Thank you Mrs. Jewell for welcoming all of the Mom's into your classroom!

Cannon took this picture of me with the bird house he painted for me.  

(That's his finger at the top!) 

 My place mat and cookbook.

Singing and signing. 

Enjoying every moment.

Cannon's Notes

Every once in a while, a new little note from Cannon will appear somewhere, usually downstairs in the kitchen.

I like how I never know when a new one will show up.
I like how Cannon likes to leave surprises for us.
I like how they show a variety of different things.
I like how I can always look at them and they always brighten my day!

So. Sweet.

Enjoying every moment.

It's the Simple Things

Driving the Chevelle to work.

Fruit Day at school.  Here is a yummy one!

Visiting Cannon in his classroom.

Running through the sprinkler and eating Popsicles.

Evening motorcycle ride with the husband.

It's the simple things that are the best!

Enjoying every moment.

Cinco de Mayo Party

We enjoyed a sunny, warm and lively party at Joe and Alaina's house Saturday night celebrating Cinco de Mayo.  SOOOO much good food.  We brought the motor home and stayed the night, which makes it so much easier with the boys.  Sunday, Cannon and Colson had a ton of fun playing in the horse shoe pit.  They both had sand from head to toe.

We are so thankful for the wonderful hospitality from Joe and Alaina!  Such a great time!

  Finding eggs!  

Feeding the chickens.

The yummy pig!

Cannon took some of the meat right off the pig's back.  

Playing with trucks together, enjoying the sunny day. 

Getting totally filthy in the sand.  Boys!

Enjoying every moment!