Trying again...

Just testing...

Our New Pool

One of the perks of having an unfinished

back yard is giving the boys their dream come true. There is no hesitation for play in a mess like this. I had to bribe them with popsicles to finally come inside.

Photoverload

I'm pretty sure I saw the title somewhere else. I'm not that clever. (Is that even clever?) My creative energy is being put in other directions, not in the blog titles. I get bored with my usual "Update" or even better "More Updates". Although, the BEST blog title I've ever seen was "I have Blogstipation" on a friends blog who hadn't blogged in a while. I loved it. (I'd add their link but they haven't blogged in a really long time; blogstipation gone bad? And if they still read this blog, hello???? It's not snowing in Jersey anymore!!!! Blog some, huh? Although I am very thankful you live in California again and we get to see you more often. :)).

Okay, back to Photoverload.

We've been a little busy around here. We've welcomed the one day of fall we got and are now back in shorts. The one day brought illness too. It's making our way through our house. Unfortunately, it got the best of this one:
This was the end of it and we figured out he had roseola (click on name if you are interested) and he's totally fine. He had the rash from head to groin. Poor Alex. He's just going to be one of this sick kids through life. Started with a fever, then throwing up...um wait...that went like this:

Mom hears Alex crying in bed...coughing...crying....silent...coughing...go get Alex. Brings him out to the living room to rock and catch his poor coughing breath. Max is on the couch, takes one look at him and this started:

Max: Hi Owlex! Mom, Owlex is gonna bawrf.

Me: Ok, thanks Max

Alex: (Coughing)

I sit in the recliner with Alex as Max watched from the couch and repeats.

Max: Mom, Owlex is gonna bawrf on you.

Alex: (Sits up from Mommy's chest and pukes on it).

Max: AHHHHH (grinning like he just won the lottery)....hahaha...Yehhehhes!!!!! (then he air punches, straight up)

Mom: (Look at the ceiling, eyes closed, laughs) Groooooosssss!!!! Max will you get Mommy a towel please?

Max: (jumping and still giggling) He's gonna do it again, Mom.

Alex: Pukes in Mommy's lap.

My kid air punched for barf.

So that's it. Max thought it was wonderful and was thrilled to see his prediction take place. And I didn't care so much, I laughed and gave myself a pat on the back. Why? Oh, I caught it all. I didn't have to clean one piece of furniture or the rug or wipe any floor or throw away any toy. Yep, I'm getting good. I can handle being the target if I don't have to use Resolve afterwards.

Hm, I guess you had to be there. Erik thought it was funny when I told him. Okay, we're all better now. Fever, barf, better, rash, gone. What else...

Forts! Erik has been waiting for this day to come. In fact, after I did a quick repair, I was told I built it wrong. Um, they used one blanket. Ha! But it was beautiful and Max loved it. Max is serving "lunch" below.

First day of fall? Pumpkin cookies. Remember this funny video from last year? Same cookies, bigger kid. Best cookies ever. And wow, Max had REALLY bad hair.
Fall colored Marigolds from our garden.
Here's where some of the crafting energy has gone. I stayed up late watching American Pickers one night and make this. Yup, I like it. I made Erik tell me how cute it was like a hundred times the next day.

I cleaned out my purse. Then I realized it smelled like old milk. Hm, I wonder why. Cause all this stuff could never make a purse smell, right? (The stuff on the left is all garbage). On a regular day, just take all this and add a bottle and a sippy cup.

We have welcomed a new family into our home. Please join us in welcoming the "Tay-doh Fam-we". They have been a great addition. Although their bad manners are rubbing off on a certain 2 year old.I had to take a picture of Max reading the newspaper. Actually, he talked the newspaper. He talks everything. Always. His mouth is always moving. But oh man, is he funny.
Feeding the birds. Most people throw old bread. We cook them carrots and make sure they eat them all. Later that night Max ripped off the poor birds legs and called him a duck.
Now, brace yourselves....THE BEST SALAD EVER!!!!! So, I know I've talked about this website before: Our Best Bites. In fact, I may have even posted about this salad before: Thai peanut noodle salad. Our favorite. Go make it. It's easy. Go have fun on their website. It's adorable.
Cutting his fingers off? Nah, just practicing with scissors.
Erik and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. I sure love him. He is doing really well with his new job. He's still at the hospital and is picking up shifts on the ambulance as they become available. Meaning, he's not home very often. He's working hard and doing what he loves. You know when you see the ambulance go by and you sort of peek into the cab looking for a cute boy? Yeah, when he leaves in his uniform I get that feeling. He's my cute boy! (Don't laugh at the cake. I made it last minute and it's mostly frosting since I screwed it up so bad).
We went to the Oakland Zoo with two of our favorite people. Here is Max with Nicholas. And this photo explains it all. They are so funny together. They even got "a-talkin'-to" by one of the workers because of their noise level around the animals.
So that pretty much sums it up. That's not true, there is so much more, like an awesome camping trip with my family. But, I think I winded myself with the long story about barf. I hope to post again soon so the first picture you see on my blog isn't of a rashy kid. But don't count on it. I may get Blogstipation.

Chit Chat

We thought we got rid of all of our old cell phones, but two have shown up recently. Perfect for two little imitators. I can't get them off the phone! Ugh. Thank goodness their little fingers can't text yet...or I'd be in trouble..like THIS (click there to be completely blown away by the amount of texts a teenager...our nephew...can send in a month)! I wonder what technological confusion will be around when they are teenagers.

(Gross pj's, I know. They just had breakfast.)

Translation for Max: What are you doing today, Alex? Oh? Really? Good-bye Alex. See you soon Alex.

Translation for Alex: Well, I'm too far away from my Mom so I need to get closer. How am I going to get this phone in my mouth? Oh yeah, I'm on the phone. Mom, change me, I stink. Oh, you can't smell me...let me bring it closer to you...

Camping at Lake Alpine

We decided VERY last minute we needed to get away. We took the boys for a two night camping trip at Lake Alpine. It was so beautiful. The boys had a blast.

The air matress was a great toy!

Could these two be any more alike? I love it!

Getting ready to celebrate...

...the big day! We got to celebrate Alex's first birthday while camping! We sang to him and he destroyed his cupcake. Just as it should be!

This is what happens when a glow stick explodes.

Hanging out at the campfire.

Day two, we hung ut at the lake. It was incredibly beautiful. the boys were in complete heaven.

Max was so busy the entire trip. He talked non-stop. He loved every little thing he did.

He was so busy and oops...oh well. Stuff like this doesn't matter when you camp, right?

It was a great trip. The boys did great (except for the freezing morning, that wasn't so fun). On our drive up, we saw a mama bear and her two cubs running across the highway. I've never seen that, it was amazing! We had bats flying around our campground the second night. Great camping neighbors, kissing chipmunks, fun walks, feeding ducks, lots of dirt to dig in and eat, lots of giggling and funny chats, Obi had fun jumping in the water for sticks, easy cooking and clean-up, and so much more. We can't wait to go again!

Happy 1st Birthday Alex!

On August 18th, we celebrated Alex's first year of life. How did we get so lucky to get such an amazing little boy?

From this: To this:

Walking , talking (trying), climbing, 10 teeth (yikes!), busy, interested, active, EXTREMELY determined, loving, adores his big brother and just absolutely charming. We sure love this little big boy! Happy Birthday Bakey!

The usual

This is how we usually find Max. Busy playing with cars, trucks, any type of tracks, building, games, etc. This is how we usually find Alex. Climbing, dumping, unloading, climbing, destroying, banging, climbing, falling, giggling, climbing, etc.

And a cute moment before bed. They positioned themselves like this, not me. Night cap?

More fun

A few days ago, Erik tried to wash the car alone. It didn't take long for Max to figure out his sneaky little move. (Especially since Max follows Erik around like he poops chocolate. This actually goes both ways). So, I sent him out and I don't know if I've ever seen a happier kid. He's still talking about washing the car. "My biiig heaw-per!"

(See our brave attempt at potty training there? Hanging out of the top of his shorts? Yeah, that didn't last.)

Cute picture of Max sleeping. And I don't know why it's turned like that. It's not like that on our computer.

This morning our favorite paramedic started his training with his FTO (Field Training Officer). He will temporarily be doing 24 hour shifts. So he's kissing the little maniac good-bye.

And there he goes. He wasn't thrilled about me taking more pictures of him leaving again so I snuck this one. He's off to change cars. From a Jeep (family wagon) to an Ambulance (not so much a family wagon). Now, if you look closely at the window, just behind where the back of the car is, can you see what I clean EVERY DAY?

This is why. I cannot keep this kid off there. If he hears "Bakey, get down!" He giggles and falls backwards. Over and over and over again.

I found this after my shower today (which I took about 3 hours after he left). Makes him fun to love, huh?

Now. Be prepared. You are about to witness a dancin' fool! He only does this to kid music and he crawls his little heart out to be close to the music. Then...he gets down!!!! Shake that diaper butt!!!