Offense & Defense

There is nothing that makes my big boys more irritated than to come home and find their little brothers into their "stuff." They finally have doors and doorknobs that lock, but the little guys still seem to make their way inside. Today, Justin and Ty came home and for the first time- and smiled once they saw what Coleman and Caden were up to. Caden discovered Justin's football gear and they had a great time with it. With two uniforms, they each had a full set! They even found a pair of shoes for each of them to wear. Kept them busy for well over an hour. I don't know what I'm going to do once Coleman is in Kindergarten next year- they're such little creative playmates!


Coleman insisted he was the defense, until he decided he wanted to score a touchdown. Caden just pretends to tackle all day... pretty much sums up his personality!



I shouldn't have bought Halloween costumes for them!

Our Baby is 3!

We can't believe he's 3! Caden had a great birthday- celebrated a little early while Grandma was still here. For his birthday dinner, we had shish-kebobs and steamed rice- definitely his all-time favorite food.

He loves all things puppy... so we had a puppy cake and ice cream with friends The Kincaids after his dinner. While it's just about impossible to find anything with dalmations on it (101 Dalmations is his favorite movie) Grandma found a cute Pokey Little Puppy card, and our neighbors gave him a "Who let the dogs out?" music card- definitely a hit! Now that he's 3... the messes and getting in to EVERYTHING is about over, right? Oh.... I hope so! He is such a happy little guy- adds so much love to our home and family!

Goodbye Grandma!

Goodbyes are always so difficult! For the last couple of months, we've been spoiled to have Grandma visiting. She came down the end of August, and headed back North yesterday. With the exception of just over a week at my brother's house and just over a week at my sister's house, we had her for almost two months. For some, this might be a little long for a mother/mother-in-law visit, but we weren't ready for her to leave. We definitely worked too much while she was here, but enjoyed the visit.

The extra hands, best foot rubs in the world, laundry mysteriously washed, help with dishes, miles and miles and miles of driving to pick up and drop off the big boys, errands all over the place and all the other help was greatly appreciated! We miss you already... and your bed is already made with clean sheets for you to come back!

Thanks for everything, mom- we LOVE you!!

Record Weather

This summer was one of Anchorage's coolest on record. There were very few sunny days and lots of rain. Grandma came down in August, for some summer sunshine! Unfortunately, this week Wichita (or Kansas as a whole) broke a record set in the '50's for the most rainfall. This weekend is her last for this trip- luckily, it is supposed to be nice! It's in the 70's here which is better than the snow that has already fallen in Anchorage! Maybe, next summer will be a little hotter!

Of course, the swamp that we call our backyard is back and a magnet for two little guys who love their rainboots!

I'm Recovering...

Yes, I'm still recovering the shock of the shopping spree... fun stuff- new tools. Of course, it was the "biggest promotional sale," and the coolest everything... I guess for them to come out with just a new saw and a couple of drills wasn't too much damage. It could have been worse for two guys who LOVE tools with a passion!

Time with my brother was wonderful. In addition to the screen door, I got a little more work out of him which is really what brothers are for, right? It was a somewhat full week including window new ledges put up, frames around two closets around downstairs, a plan for the baseboard trim, a Mexican lunch, lots of sanding since there's ALWAYS a pile of wood to sand, a few Lowe's trips (even with me), some painting, a football game, feeding my little guys (3# of cashews an hour before dinner), dinner conversation around our exciting table, an afternoon at the zoo, yeast popcorn, cards with Ty and even a little downtime. Steele- we miss you already. Thanks so much for coming! Love you!!

What was I thinking?

Right now, as I sit at home... my hubby and brother are out shopping. Sounds crazy, I know. What's even more crazy is that I didn't even blink when they took off. They went once, came home and I told them to go out for more. What was I thinking?

They both love tools, are great at spending money and have a taste for the finer things in life. With a destination such as Home Depot, they're like two little boys in a candy store- no joke! On one hand, I'm a little nervous but on the other- excited to see the projects that they're going to finish up even if they end up having to buy yet another tool!

On another note, they put up our new screen door and I'm so happy with it! It adds a little color to our front... and the screen rolls up in to the door so it really doesn't even look like a screen door. We had to special order this one since the first one had brass fixtures... I just love brushed nickle... had to have it!

Uncle Steele's Here

I'm so excited my brother Steele is here visiting this week from the Portland area! We hit the zoo on Wednesday and I'm about to crack open some projects and see if I can put him to work! LOVE having him here! Now, I have to convince my other brother that Kansas isn't too bad to visit... even for a weekend... please Seth...

Our Trim

Before and After

This is how it was when we bought the house. Now, these two doors lead to Justin and Tyler's rooms. A lot of sweat equity!

We've been in our house just over a year now, and finally have the trim up around the doors in the basement. What a difference it makes- looks finished. We're pretty happy with it! I'm happy the sanding is over- hate that stage!! The sun hit the door on the left at a strange angle- the paint is even!

The Toy Closet

The Downstairs Bathroom

Remodeling?

A couple weeks ago, our neighbors stopped in at our house. As I opened the door she kindly asked, "Are you remodeling?" It took me a minute to figure out what she was saying, then I took a look at myself. She's very kind, but yes- new to the neighborhood. Since we've now lived here for more than a year, any other neighbor wouldn't even have blinked an eye to see me covered in paint, sawdust and anything else I picked up while working in the garage- I'm a mess! Oh how, I'd love to be the put- together wife and mom with my make up just right, cute clothes and hair done everyday to meet and greet my family and anyone else who would happen to stop by! Fact of the matter is- 99% of the time I probably look like I am remodeling.

Our latest project, along with our business, little guys, football and 12-hour work days for Jim just about every day- we started on our basement trim work. First, I owe my brother-in-law a huge apology. I need to build up the courage to call him before they come for another visit and he sees what we've done. We bought oak trim and doors for our basement last year. I assumed we would stain them, and on a visit in January Mac spent HOURS getting us started. I was so excited to see the work in progress. He really did a great job- and got the first coat on ALL of it- so much work!

As soon as they left, my mother-in-law came for a visit and immediately said we needed to do light trim to brighten the basement. You know- dark stain is so "out." This put the thought in to my head and until this last week- we didn't know what to do. In the end, stuck with this expensive (and now stained) trim, we sanded it all down, primed it and painted it. Mac, I'm so sorry! Of course, Jim had to go Amish on me and insisted that we had to hand sand it ALL... the palm sander would have blasted through the grooves. I was willing to take the chance, but opted to work together on the whole thing. I'll post soon on what we've been working on!

What a Soccer Clinic

In our house, it's tough being one of the little guys. With ten years between the big boys and little boys. Coleman and Caden are constantly trying to be just like their older brothers. They have practice, and play coach. They catch the bus and go to school as well- all in their creative minds and daily imaginary play. Seeing a soccer clinic for ages 3-6 I was able to sign the up for their own "practice." Of course, they each had to have their own Gatorade- just like the big boys. Yesterday was the first of four Saturday mornings and while it was mostly chasing a ball around, they had fun!

We're working with Caden that you can't touch it with your hands... only kick it!

Maybe, he'll be a goalie.

Chimps and Penguins

With clear skies and 80 degree temperatures, it was the perfect combination for a September afternoon at the zoo. The little guys and I couldn't resist! It was just beautiful. After a quick tram ride around the whole zoo, we spent most of our time watching the chimps then on to the penguin cove.

The best part of having a membership is not having that urgency to hurry through to see every single animal. It was a nice, relaxed afternoon. This zoo is organized by continents. As we strolled past Australia we thought of our family down there!

We miss you guys!!!

Fall Blooms

I just love bulbs. It's no secret that tulips are one of my favorite things in life. There's the excitement when planting them, then they magically appear months later. This last two weeks, we've been down with a horrible flu. It started with Ty and Justin, then slowly knocked the rest of us out one at a time. It was a terrible reminder to me that I really don't have time to be sick.

The other day, I walked outside only to notice that the dahlias that I planted this Spring have started to bloom. What a fun surprise! My rose bush is still blooming as well. Simple joys for an Alaskan girl who would normally be bundling up about right now!

One Win- One Loss

After the first week of games, Tyler's team is 1-0 while Justin's team started with a loss and a the record is 0-1. It's tough to lose. Maybe even harder to watch your kids lose. Of my four boys, I'd say Justin is the most competitive and HATES anything but first place in pretty much anything- especially sports.

After a quiet ride home from the game and a quiet dinner... I finally told Justin I was so sorry that they lost- especially being their first game. His response, "Mom- they weren't good." That makes it even worse- knowing you're the better team and coming up short. Sounds like a life lesson... "it's not whether you win or lose..." Maybe next week will be better! While both boys actually do play, sideline shots are much easier for a mom to get sitting up in the stands!

Football in Full Swing...

It's officially football season. I'm excited, but at the same time gearing up for a busy schedule! Ty has games on Thursdays and Justin plays on Mondays. Along with practices that never seem to start or stop at the same time it definitely keeps us on the run! We're so excited that Grandma is here! She's already lightened the load of driving! It was a nice, hot day... uncomfortably hot to play in but, Grandma and I enjoyed it sitting in the bleachers!

Last night was their annual scrimmage. Ty (8th graders) scrimmaged the 7th graders. Justin wasn't quite as lucky- the Freshmen were up against the Sophomores. He's facing off against a much bigger #69 in this bottom photo.