What's going on...

We have had a few busy, well, months lately. Isn't it always that way? Once the summer is over everyone feels like things will calm down, but most often it turns out to be just the opposite! :) Teage just asked me the other day if we were going to have any weekend coming up that there was nothing going on....and I had to tell him "probably not". :) We have had a lot of fun together as a family though. And we love any opportunity to do that.

The bad part, Teage was sick a few weeks ago and had to stay put in bed for quite a while. The boys were a huge help though, being his little helpers. They loved being able to bring him food, or take his temperature. :)The good part, after Teage got better I was able to go and have some Mommy time with my wonderful friend Karine. Both of us had been a little stressed lately, so we decided to have a few hours to ourselves and go into Seattle for the day. It was FABULOUS! All we did was eat, chat, walk around Pike Place, and eat and chat some more. I can't even tell you how rejuvenating it was for both of us.

The boys have been having lots of fun lately as well. They are getting into this really fun stage right now. Both are learning so much lately, and love to tell you all about anything new they have learned that day! Dylan especially loves to repeat everything that I say, and sometimes coming from a two year old, that sounds pretty darn funny. :) Both boys are wanting to be just like Daddy as well. This is how I found Lucas the other day, as he said "Bye Mommy, I go to work!" Of course everyone who goes to work needs their Lightening McQueen PJ's, fire fighter helmet, camera, and cell phone!

Then two weekends ago we were able to go with some of our buddies to celebrate our friend Nick's 30th brithday. They rented a "cabin" for the weekend in Eastern Washington, and so of course I pictured a rustic outdoorsy experience, but this is what we saw when we pulled the car up on Friday:

GORGEOUS! We loved every minute of that weekend. All we did was hang out with friends, play games (Mafia!), eat tons of food, hang out with the kiddos, and go on walks. That was just about it. Happy Birthday to Nick! Thanks for having a birthday so we could have such a fabulous weekend with all of you!

We love baseball!

D and L LOVE baseball. They love everything about baseball. They would play baseball in their sleep if possible. We even found them their own little man mitts at Goodwill the other day (huge find!), and they adore them. They feel like real baseball players now! :)

Mommy: "D and L, who is your favorite baseball player?"

D and L (in unison): "ICHIRO!"

Mommy: "What are you going to be when you grow up?"

D and L: "Baseball PLAYer!" (They always seem to emphasis the first syllable in player)

Mommy: "What do you guys want to do today?"

D and L: "Hit the ball FAR!"

I love it. Thankfully, I am a huge fan myself, so this is fun for me as well. I can't wait to enjoy little league games with all of the other proud moms watching their kids run the wrong way, hit the ball two feet in front of them, and pick at the grass while in the outfield. What a great game!

PS- They got to high five the Mariner Moose at our last Mariner game a few weeks ago, and have been talking about their "buddy" the moose ever since!

Sleep or no sleep.....

The boys have decided that they do not want to take naps anymore.....at just over two years old. Hoorey for me! :)

Any ideas of how to help these boys settle down and sleep? Remember, I have two two-year olds in the same room (though still in cribs), already have black out fabric on the windows, and have tried EVERYTHING that I can think of to get them to go to bed!!!! Any suggestions?????????

My little angels....

Yeah for Team Jolene!

I had the great pleasure to raise money again this year with some others for Team Jolene, in memory of our good friend Jolene Armstrong who passed away in 2006 from complications from Cystic Fibrosis. All money we raised goes directly to the CF Foundation, who I have been thankful to work closely with the past three years. They are a fabulous foundation, run by terrific people of integrity, and I really enjoy raising money for Jolene with these amazing people.

This year specifically, Erin Jones and I put together a Clothing Exchange Fundraiser for our team. We had friends and family bring over gently used clothing, as well as a donation to the CF Foundation, and we all had a great night of eating, chatting, exchanging clothing, and talking about Jolene and her beautiful example to all of us. What a great night!

Erin, Kim, and myself buried in clothes!

Then last weekend my whole family had the opportunity to walk in the Great Strides Walk for CF that we have every year. This is more of a celebration walk, to commemorate the fund-raising year and recognize those who have helped to contribute to the cause. We had so much fun walking for Jolene, chatting with all of the other wonderful people there who support CF, and helping out with the event. I only wish that I could have done more this year!! We had so much fun with everyone though, cheering those on who were walking and the children with CF who were present, playing with all of the children there, eating a great lunch provided by Sherms BBQ. And we were even more energized for the next year! We love you Jolene and promise to keep your spirit and example alive!
Dylan eating a donut getting ready to walk. :) Doesn't he look cute in his new CF shirt?
Lucas helping me at the registration table. Though I feel like I didn't do much to help!
Team Jolene!

Me and beautiful Kaitie. Her mom and dad are the ones who run the Great Strides Walk in our area. They are a beautiful family and I am thankful to work with them!

The boys and I ready to walk!

Teage and the boys walking along the route!

Our Team Jolene flava.....