Funny Story!

Thursday night Greg and I were out on a well-needed date. On our way home Hunter calls and says that a squirrel opened the front door and ran into our house. So, he had to catch it. He got a net that we used for catching little fishy's at the beach. He must've had a lot of 10-year old adrenaline and hit it when he was catching it, because it had a bloody nose. Don't worry the squirrel is fine. We thought for sure he was teasing us. He even took a picture of it on his phone and sent it to us. We thought that our newest neighbor, Randy (and also friends of ours), put him up to it. Nope. Hunter caught the squirrel and Greg held it and made sure it was going to survive. It did and escaped the plastic box the next morning.

Greg took Hunter river rafting on the Eagle River last week. He is taking Austin this week.

Group effort putting together twins gift.

Thanks aunt Larissa for the money...we bought these Diego's with it!

Peyton was told not to touch the cupcakes on the counter. I turn my back and see what happens?

Spiderman, buzz jackets, buzz chairs, buzz and his gang...thanks all for a great birthday!!

Blowing out candles.

So happy it's my birthday!

This is their birthday cake..easy and simple! Of course they snuck up on the counter and started playing with the toys!!

This is the raccoon hat the g-pa Harr sent us. He also sent pop guns that make a lot of noise!!

Myrtle Beach, SC

So the past few weeks I've been in Myrtle Beach with my family. The first week was supposed to be a "sister's" retreat, but only myself and my youngest sister was able to make it out of our family. Well, also my mom and dad, they drive their 5th wheel there and stay for a few months. So we thought we were going to have this relaxing week with just our small children (hunter and austin came later with greg). What were we thinking? We had four children under the age of 5...it was not relaxing, but fun to spend some time with my sister and the boys spending time with cousins they barely knew. It was fun when Greg came with the boys because they also got to spend time with some cousins. Out of ten kids only four of us made the trip. We only do it every three years and I missed last trip because I was delivering the twins. But my oldest sister Larissa, her husband Brian, daughters Gentri and Brileigh, and Brian's mother-in-law and her friend came. My brother Russ and his wife Susan, and their two sons Boston and Phoenix came. And my youngest sister, Jessica and her husband Kelly came with their two kids, Adde and Ezra. It was a fun time and I am glad to spend some time with some of my siblings.

We did some fun things. One of the days we decided to go and visit a rice plantation home. I love the old history. Greg and all the other husbands opted to stay and babysit the kids. The place was beautiful and full of history.

We also took the kids to see "Legends". It's where singers impersonate legend singers. We've seen it before, but this time we thought it would be fun to take the boys. They did love it. Hunter had a few of the people sign his shirt after. They had a Michael Jackson impersonator and you would've thought it was really him. This person did such a great job. Actually, all of them did a great job.

The last pictures on the slide are of my garage. We had a friend acid wash our garage floor and I had no idea what I was going to come home to. I am very impressed with how it turned out that I had to post a picture.

Can you believe we're three?!?

Ryder and Peyton turned three today. It seems to have gone by so fast. Happy Birthday, boys!

Am I a Bad Mom?

So I am just sitting here thinking how great it is that there is no noise around me and I can blog for a minute. As much as I love my kids, and obviously wouldn't have it any other way, I sometimes day dream of those days that are long gone...days that are just about ME! The excitement of Greg picking me up on a date, or the thought of when would I see him again. Or going out with my girlfriends with no guilt of leaving the kids and husband. Or my mother taking care of me. Or if I wanted to read ALL day long, I could. Or if I didn't want to be found, no one would try. Is this all bad of me? It's almost like confession time right now!

When I was little I just knew I wanted to be a mother more than anything in this world, but sometimes I wonder if I am cut out to have that much patience...and my kids aren't even teenagers yet! Now the last day of school is upon us and my boys will all be at home. Should I pray for patience? No, I probably won't...last time I did that I was tested to the max!

I do need to add a little blurb about Hunter, my 10 1/2 year old. He is a very loving boy, usually very mature for his age and I forget he is 10. Well, yesturday as he came home from school he was making a whole lot of noise. So I told him to please not make so much noise because the twins were asleep. But the noise continued and it kinda ticked me off that he would ignore me. So this time I was just a tad bit less and asked why he would ignore me and make so much noise. He blew up at me and told me that he didn't mean to. Doesn't he know that all I needed to hear was that the first time? No he doesn't know this yet, because he is a man child. So I send him to his bed, because obviously this behavior requires that he needs a nap. Then our neighbor came by and needed his help. I said only if you change his attitude. Sure enough, he came back from helping and he gave me a big hug and said he was sorry. Times like these are what makes it all worth it. Or when the twins call out to me "mama, where are you?" Just their sweet voices make me happy. Or when big Aust wants to do FHE and has us all write down nice things we are going to do to be like Jesus...and then all week he actually does it.

Anyway, life goes on and the reality of it is that I am a mother to four sweet boys and I wouldn't change it no matter what! Plus, I still love my jr/high school sweet heart...it can't get better than that, can it?

Puna Laii

Greg had met his dad in Hawaii during the week that we closed on our house in AK. Greg loves to vacation, infact he has multiple personalities. Greg on vacation and Greg in the real world. I love both of them. Greg in the real world finds any excuse to become Greg on vacation. While in Hawaii his dad took some pictures of the home we have there. So I am posting them. Here are a few things that I didn't know about Hawaii until recently.

1) The Big Island, Hawaii, consists of two totally different climates. Lush, green and absolutely breath-taking. The other climate is very, very dry and desert like. But within 20 minutes from where we bought you can have either climate.

2) There are signs all over for donkey's. Appartently there are wild donkeys. I wonder how wild they are? I got a good laugh everytime I saw the caution sign for them.

3) On top of Mount Kilolea (I am not sure of the spelling) is one of the world's largest telescopes. It looks like you are on the moon when you get to the top. I posted some pictures earlier of me by one of the telescopes. It kinda looks like the ball when you enter Epcot Center in DW. There is a little lake at the top that is very unusual. It snows at the top, but only stays for a little while. The sun melts any sort of water except this little lake. So what feeds it? It can't be something above it because you are on the top of the world. They say it is still water from the Ice Age that is keeping the lake around. Pretty cool.

4) The Ironman takes place on this island. They always have re-runs of it on TV and these people are amazing. I always have a tear or two after I watch it. It will be inspiring to take my kids to watch it one day.

5) There are "real" cowboys in Hawaii. All sorts of people that raise cattle and ride horses. I didn't realize this.

6) There are all sorts of legends linked to the Hawaiian people. The one that I love is about a king that wants to prove how tuff he is so he carries this huge bolder around everywhere he goes. There is a bolder on the side of the road claiming to be "the bolder". It has a sign there and everything. So FUNNY!

7) This is the only island that still has an active volcanoe. You can actually see the steam and lava flowing from it. Because of this, the island can still grow. Hawaii is the baby of all the islands.

It will be fun to bring the boys next year. My plan is to go and stay a month in the summer while Greg is working...so if you feel like you want to come and visit, let me know.


This flower is from the lemon/lime trees. Funny story. While we were there Greg was on the phone with Larry, his friend/buisness partner we bought the house with, and he told me to go and start pruning the fruit trees because the fruit was weighing the branches down. So I got the wheelbarrow and started picking the big fruit, which looked like overgrown limes. When I was just about to the last tree, with a full wheelbarrow, Greg was off the phone and said I had picked the wrong stuff. I picked the lemons that were going to be ripe soon. He wanted me to pick the fruit that was just starting to grow on the tree. Oops! Maybe he shouldn't have been on the phone!!

This is a poinsetta flower growing in the garden. Since the house is on the dryer side of the island we have no grass, just gardens. Thanks to Larry who loves to do this kind of stuff, the yard is very beautiful.

This is not the house...it is the view from the back yard. The house is in a gated community and one of the perks they offer is a horse stable. If you have horses you can board them here. Also there is a gym down in the building.

This is the lanai in the back of the house. It wraps around the whole back deck. Around the corner is a more private area that has an outdoor shower. That was fun.

This is the front of the house...and yes that awesome truck is ours. Someone that our realtor knew was selling everything he owned and leaving Hawaii. So we bargained with him and furnished the whole house, plus a truck, plus tools and gardening equipment and beach stuff. There is no way we could've purchased all the stuff we got for the price he basically "gave" it to us.

Ahhhhhhhh...nothing like brotherly love!

So what do you think happens when I leave two little boys in my room to watch TV while I get some work done around the house? They were very quiet for a while, then I heard them coming down the stairs. So I went to see what was up. They had done a makeup job on each other. It was so great. But hey, they didn't get any on the carpet or the walls.




Then a little later that day they are downstairs playing and I hear them fighting, but they fight a lot and I usually let them work it out. There was lot's of crying along with the fighting. Then it was quiet. Then it starts back up, but I hear my friends (Robyn) little boy screaming also. So I go downstairs. Ryder is looking very guilty, Mason is holding his head and screaming, and Peyton is riding the rocking horse with blood all over him. He just says, "hey, mom" when I come into the room. I think Ryder went on a hitting frenzy. Mason couldn't stomach the blood. He was crying from getting hit, but then he would look at Peyton and gag. Again brotherly love.

Just had to throw this statement into the mix. As I was downloading pictures I see Ryder stuffing his pockets full of labels from the file cabinet. When I look at him he says "Nossing", holds his pocket and walks off. What am I in for?

SURPRISE!

The end of march I turned a year older. Birthday's are just another day. Infact I had to go and get my teeth cleaned on this day, then go to lunch with my hubby afterward. A few days before, I was trying to find a sitter for the twins so I could get my teeth cleaned. I asked one of my friends, Bobbi, whom delayed in answering me. When she did answer me she says that she can't watch them, but another friend, Robyn, will watch them. I thought how sweet of her to find a sitter for me...I know I have amazing friends though, right. Well, it gets better. Robyn picks me up because she is heading to Cathie's house for lunch. That way the four little boys can play together and Robyn would pick me up after. Cathie lives just around the corner from Greg's office, so this did not seem the least bit strange to me.

When I am getting out of Robyn's car I was going to leave my purse because it had diapers and sippy cups in it. She was very pushy about me taking my purse and leaving the twins stuff. Before she drops me at Greg's office I get a call from Greg saying that we need to drop his partner and wife off at the airport before we go to lunch. I was a little bummed because he only took an hour off for lunch and that would cut into that time. Selfish me. So she drops me at Greg's office and I sign in, just as I do when I am getting work done on my teeth. I take Greg's diet coke back to his office and he is in normal everyday clothes. I only think for one second that this is odd. Then Greg tells me that he canceled my cleaning appointment and we have to go now to take Larry to the airport. So we get to the airport. I stay in the car. Everyone else gets out. Greg says "hey Melinda you need to come and help them get their luggage." I was thinking that they only had a couple of things, why would they need my help. But I get out to help. I notice that they have all the same things we have. They have the same pillow cases and make-up bag and carry-on. I even tell them that they have the same stuff we have. That did hit me strange. Then I realized something strange was going on. Greg says "Do you want to go to Hawaii with them?" I was shocked. Of course I did, but I have four kids at home to care for. He assured me that it was all okay and the boys all had places to go. He even had a list of where they would be at different times (thank you Robyn). With five AMAZING friends my boys were well taken care of. Thank you so much to Robyn, Bobbi, Cathie, Nichole and Katie. They all knew about Greg taking me for a week or so and didn't even hint to me. They even lied a little, (bobbi).

So of course I had to forget about everything that I left at home, clothes still in the washer, a repairman coming for my stove. I had so much fun with Greg in Hawaii. I finally got to see and stay in the house that we purchased. It is in Kona, so we had to hop a smaller plane to get to the island of Hawaii. We did so much fun things. Saw a few different beaches. Saw a beached whale. Hiked (in flip-flops). Shopped for the Hawaii house and went on long drives all over the island. We also had to do a little clothes shopping for myself since Greg only packed a few swimsuits and my make-up bag.

I must say that this was the best birthday ever! And I thought I saw him hiding my birthday present at Robyn's house! Silly me!!

To the men in our lives...finally giving you an "in" on our language!

Greg's sister sent me this and I did laugh out loud because I know we ALL use these phrases.

NINE WORDS WOMEN USE:
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . That will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying ____ YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Valentine's Day!

I normally hate Valentine's Day, but for some reason this year I was a little bit excited. Maybe it's because someone left the most amazing pound cake I've ever had on my front porch (I gained back all 7 pounds! Is that why they call it pound cake?). The boys are getting to ages where they have fun projects at school, and I don't have to do all the work...that's my most favorite part. Greg's dad was so sweet and thoughtful and sent out all the girl's in his family a rose to wear to church on Sunday. What Greg says I got from him this Valentine's Day, (and my birthday, and mother's day, and Christmas and every other holiday that involves a gift) A House! We haven't moved in yet, but soon, I am hoping.

Ryder gets his lovely flared nostrils from his daddy. But he gets the lovely headband from his mommy!


Peyton in these HUGE batman wings (they are awesome Cathie) and star wars light sabor...that sums him up! Oh and every other character that is a cartoon. If you thought Austin wearing his batman costume under his church clothes was bad, Peyton is going to top that, I just know it!


Hunter made this robot as his valentine's box. You open up the stomach and put in your valentine. I threw it out the next day and forgot that we used a never-used popcorn bucket from Blockbuster for the head...but no worries, Austin just scrounged it out of the garbage cans on the side of the road before the garbage men came. Good thing it's his job to take out the trash, or should I say bring it back in the house. Do you feel like you have to sneak the trash out to the road so your kids won't bring back their crap???


Austin made a big cardboard heart. It was huge. It also went into the trash the next day. Good thing my kids aren't too sentimental, unless food is involved.


Both boys with projects...


Peyton and Ryder enjoying Austin's Valentine candy. Everytime Peyton looked away Ryder would take some of Peyton's candy (which is really Austin's) and once it was in his mouth he would yell, "Yook (look), Yook (look), Peyton!" and he would open his mouth big to show he was eating Peyton's candy. Good times!


Getting ready to pass out Valentine's at a fun party Cathie hosted.


Messy, Messy, Messy! (what movie is that from?) This is what happens when you leave two 2 year old's alone so you can shower!!! I had tears in my eyes cleaning up this mess.


This picture was taken a few months back, and since they have added the rock, outside lights, front porch and LOT'S of snow. I will take more pictures after the appliances get here. I don't think they can paint the front door until it's warmer. I walked through it today when no workers were there, a miracle within itself, and I was so excited to finally have my own home. No more duplex living...did I say I was so excited???

helping with laundry

I know I post a lot about the twins, but they do take up a lot of my time. Lately they have been helping me with the laundry. I will fold all the clothes into piles for each person and then as I take a pile up to their room I hear tiny voices saying "dis is heby". I look downstairs to find them carrying up everyone's laundry. Can't get mad at that right? (even if they unfold eveything you just did). Anyway, I praise them for helping and then they disappear back downstairs to "help" with another load. Later in the day as I am looking for the clothes that the twins helped with, they are no-where to be found. Eventually I am finding piles of clothes by the front door, or on shelves in closets. Their own clothes they are trying to put away and they are everywhere in their room. It really is cute of them, especially when they are putting older brother's undies on, both legs through one leg hole!