Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day

We woke up to an absolutely gorgeous spring morning. Everyone got ready to go, and we headed to the cemetery for a Memorial Day Service. All of the headstones had a flag next to them, and I have to say, it took my breath away to walk amongst them. There are hundreds of them, and it doesn't even scratch the surface of the number of men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
The boys were impatient while we waited for it to start, but they could have been worse.
Then we heard it. The bagpipes playing and heading toward us. I love the bagpipes. It didn't take long for the tears to well up in my eyes. All the service people standing around with flags, and "Amazing Grace" being played on the bagpipes. Yep, "Amazing Grace", it will get me every time, that and our National Anthem.  

Then Senator Baucus spoke, as did our congressman. The speech that spoke most to both Jason and I though, was from a Marine Captain. It was straight from the heart. At the end of his speech, he asked "What have you done to deserve their sacrifice?" Hmm. Well, what have I done? Something to think about for sure. Don't let their sacrifice be for nothing.
Then they did the gun salute. It was perfect timing. Elliott was about to melt, and then the guns went off. He was intrigued. After hanging the wreathes, "Taps" was played. Oh, another song that totally makes me cry.

Once it was all over, we came home and hung around the house. Jason works tonight, so it's me and the boys. Ethan is watching Game 2, Blackhawks vs. Flyers, and I thought I better post about today before I was ready for bed.

Back to normal tomorrow. It's Ethan's last week of Kindergarden. :(  I am so proud of him. I would like to gather as many congratulation cards for his graduation as possible, so if you would like to send one and need my address, let me know.

Happy Monday.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

summer begins

Memorial Day weekend is the best! It marks the beginning of summer, and just makes me feel good. Like I accomplished something by making it through another Montana winter.

We were so lucky this weekend to have Jason home both Saturday and today. He doesn't go into work until late tomorrow afternoon, so it's kind of like we get him tomorrow too!

Saturday started out with us going to some yard sales that weren't very impressive, but it's so nice to get to all hang out together. After lunch, we went to my friend, Jessica's, 16th birthday. I made her an ankle bracelet with green beads and a turtle charm. It was adorable, unlike her face in the picture. Love you Jessica!
We ate barbecue, then came home to put Elliott down for a nap and watch the Blackhawks beat the Flyers in Game 1. It was a pretty laid back day and it was so great.

This morning started out with all of us going over to the park. The weather was perfect for it, and the boys had the run of the place. Elliott is our little "Super Star". haha I had to take this picture.
After a trip to Lowe's (where we get a 10% military discount!) to get some plywood for Elliott's bed, we came back home. While the boys ate lunch, Jason rearranged Elliott's room and set up the "big boy bed". Elliott was so excited to jump on it, but not so much lay down for a nap on it.

After only a few trips to put him back to bed, he was out. It's really dark in his room, but I had the flash on to get this. He looks almost angelic. Almost. :)
We went grocery shopping after nap time, and Papa ordered us Pizza Hut for dinner. That was his gift to Ethan for doing so awesome in school this year.

Elliott and I cut up some watermelon. He was eating it as fast as I was cutting it.
I think it's his new favorite thing.
He had just gotten out of the bath when I decided this was a good idea. He was a sticky mess, and there was watermelon juice all over his pajamas, hands, face and the counter. He was really mad when I cut him off.
We haven't done much else today, but we do plan to go to the Memorial Day festivities at the Veteran's Cemetery tomorrow morning. I'm sure it will make me cry, but I am very lucky to have my husband home with me, and I know there are some who don't have that.

Don't forget to Thank a Veteran.

Thanks Granddad, Dad, Jason, Poppy, Uncle Al, Uncle Ed and all my friends and family who have or are currently serving, and to everyone else who serves or served our country. God Bless America.

Friday, May 28, 2010

my night on the town

I was invited by my friend, Tiffani, to go to the Sex and the City 2 movie premier party. There were drinks and gifts, and some food, and lots of woman dressed up and ready to party.

First of all, if you don't know, Sex and the City is all about the glam. I made my own glam, and I absolutely love it!
And, here I am, glammed up and ready to hit the town. It was so nice to have a night out. Jackie and Jessica watched the boys for me since Jason worked late. I really do have the greatest friends.
We started by getting drinks at a restaurant near the theater, then we headed in. The weather was perfect!
Tiffani had a table reserved just for us! We got cupcakes, and a hat box full of goodies, along with free Cosmos, and champagne and our very own waiter.
Here we are, after a few drinks, we were VERY happy!
CHEERS TO US!
Finally, in the theater and ready for the movie. Tiffani's mom went in early and saved us amazing seats, and the movie was great.


Who knew that staying up until midnight could make you feel like a brand new person? I feel like I just had a week of vacation. I definitely needed a night off. Thanks to Tiffani for a fabulous night out.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

school carnival

This is only the beginning of several school themed posts. I was not aware that at the end of the year was so busy with family activities. Tonight was the first. The school carnival and BBQ.

While we were waiting to go, Ethan and Elliott got some brother time in. A little cuddling on the couch. Yet another picture they will hate soon. Too bad for them.  :)
I called Jaymee at work to see if she and Raigan would like to meet us for some burgers and fun. She was hesitant (she is away from home all the time w/work and photography, and I'm sure she just wanted to go home) but she said yes! I'm so glad she did. Raigan and Elliott had a great time playing on the playground, and of course it's always nice to have someone that wants to hang out with me, since my kids don't and Jason was working.
Dinner was good. I think any meal, outside, on the grass, in awesome weather, tastes amazing!
I tried to get Elliott to play the fishing game, he did it once, with a lot of coaxing, but went right back to playing on the equipment. Ethan went down the fire slide a few times, and played a couple games, but his favorite was the equipment too.
Jaymee left and Jason showed up. He took Ethan and Elliott down the fire slide one time, and then Elliott was losing his mind, so we left. It was a really fun way to spend the evening. I'm looking forward to the other activities the school has planned. Stay tuned. 

Monday, May 17, 2010

now we wait

Our garden is planted!
We are so lucky to have a neighbor with some gardening smarts, and this awesome, super simple garden plan. After doing some serious shopping this morning for supplies, we came home, and Jason got right to work. He nailed the boards together, and after school we got busy with the soil mixing and planting part. Elliott was a big helper, mixing stuff together.
He inspected the grid lines and we got his official approval to begin planting.  :)

I think the plants will be happy here.
I can't wait for them to actually produce some veggies for us.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

i had to show them off

A very short (or what seems like) time ago, I had this. Two of the sweetest boys I have ever seen. One new to the world, and the other ready to show his little brother everything the world has to offer.
And now.............
Well, I have this. Yep, that's right. It didn't even take the whole 18 months for the little one to decide that he has the COOLEST big brother ever.

Only 3 months ago, I had this. New to walking, not yet talking, but so excited about everything, one year old.
And now...............
Doesn't he look tough? He sure thinks he is. And he thinks he knows everything and even though he still doesn't talk, he is the boss of everyone in our house.
Only 8 months ago, I had this. A 5 year old who was nervous, excited, happy, sad, and curious all at the same time, on his very first day of Kindergarten.
And now...........
I have a 6 year old who rules his world. He rocked Kindergarten, and with only a few weeks left of his first year of school, he can't wait for the rest of his life.
7 months ago, I had this. A very proud big brother, who would do anything for his little brother, and a little brother who trusted his big brother with his life.
And now...............
Well, nothing has changed. Ethan would do anything for Elliott and Elliott trusts that Ethan will protect him from everything. I absolutely love these boys with all my heart, and I can't wait to watch them grow into men. (later. much, much, later)

I had to show off our newest shoot with Jaymee. MAN! SHE IS AMAZING! This was her vision, I simply provided the kick ass kids, jerseys (thanks for the alteration Erica) skates, and sticks. She did all the work. Aren't they the coolest pictures EVER?

Sunday, May 9, 2010

two in a row.

This is the second year that I have spent Mother's Day with my boys, and my friends, while my husband works his ass off to provide for us. LOVE HIM!

Last year, we were so fortunate, and spent Mother's Day in the sun of San Francisco. We had housekeepers, and Erica and Carson. It was a great Mother's Day for sure!
It's hard though. This year's was amazing too! I'm the luckiest mom ever! I was awakened by the proudest 6 year old on earth. He handed me this card, and the flower he planted at school and grew all by himself. I can't wait to see what kind it is. The inside of the card reads "My mother has green eyes and reddish brown hair. My mother likes to play with me. My mother is the prettiest when she colors her hair. My mother is 27 years old. My mother is funniest when she says funny words. My mother's favorite color is red. I like best for my mother to cook chicken rice. I don't like it when she cooks tacos. She likes for me to help her wash dishes. When I am nice, she gives me surprises. I love my mother very much and I know she loves me too!" I can't wait for him to read this in 10 years.  :)
After breakfast, we got ready to meet Jaymee, Dereck, Raigan and Bella at the trails along the Yellowstone River. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and the kids were amazing. The first few pictures are courtesy of Ethan. He has a pretty good eye for beautiful scenery. Not that there was really any bad scenery there.
Elliott walked almost the entire 0.8 miles in. He even held Jaymee's hand. She's growing on him. :)
Dereck rode his bike in with lunch and Raigan, and we stopped for a break (and to find out where he went), and Elliott went right to picking "flowers" for us. (photos courtesy of Jaymee)
He loves picking dandelions. The proud look on his face is just precious.
Jaymee got the bulk of them, and I'm sure she loved every last one.
When we caught up with Dereck, it was lunch time. Jaymee brought KFC, and Ethan chowed down a leg and Elliott and Raigan ate some fries.
But mostly Elliott was excited about the Twix he got for dessert.
Ethan had the best time playing in the sand and he dug out a HUGE hole. It was hysterical to watch him in action.
We all walked down to the water, and all of the kids had fun throwing rocks into the water. Elliott, of course, found the muddiest water to throw his rocks, and he was a disaster.
Raigan loved looking at the ducks, and especially loved throwing rocks. She's my kind of girl. Dig right in and have a good time. (who is her mom? she's in a white shirt to go for a hike and play in the mud?)
Ethan was making every rock into something. A gun. A nose. A mouth. I'm glad he had just as much fun as the little kids. It's sometimes hard to keep him occupied since he's getting bigger.
All done. She has a disgusted look on her face, and so did Dereck. He had just washed her hands off and she decided to play in the sand. HAHA. Love it.
After getting us home, I laid Elliott down, Ethan played his video games, and I took a nap. I made one of my favorites, tuna casserole, for dinner, and we really just relaxed for the rest of the day.

Now I am just waiting for Jason to get home.
All in all, a perfect day. Thanks so much Team Foster!

Monday, May 3, 2010

i did it!

I know, maybe I shouldn't be as excited as I am, but YAY! I grew a plant. Actually several. There are 3 in this cup, and I have 4 more cups with little sprouts in them. Most are cucumber and there is one zucchini. I cannot wait to have produce from them. I feel so accomplished. haha.