Slugger

Time Machine

A while back, an old friend of Travis' came out of the woodwork. He and Travis were friends when they were 12 years old. Guy was a Air Force brat and moved often through the years. His longest block of time living in one place was the 4 or 5 years his family lived a few blocks away from Travis in Montana. About 6 months ago we got a phone message from him. Travis was floored and called him back. They exchanged emails and sent Christmas cards. They live in Oregon, too. About two hours away from us.

A few weeks ago, Guy's wife, Lauren, called to say they were planning to drive into Portland for a concert and wanted to meet up for dinner as a birthday surprise for Guy. We worked our schedules out and finally met up tonight for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Wow! What a trip back in time! After 20 years, there is a lot to catch up on! Guy said he didn't think Travis realizes how much their friendship meant to him over the years. Since he moved around so often it was difficult to make and keep friends. He thought so highly of Travis that they named their youngest son (Justin's age) after him. I think Travis blushed when Guy said that! :) What they don't realize is that Travis' middle name is John and their oldest son is named Johnny. Travis didn't say anything about that. It would have weirded us all out.

We had a nice dinner and conversation and left with hugs. It was so nice to meet these "new" friends and I hope we can keep in touch.

What's in your Backpack?

This morning we had an "Emergency Preparedness" ward party. Our activity leader went above and beyond on this ward party. We played a big group 72-hour kit "What's in your backpack?" game. There was a kid's fishing pond where they won items for their own 72-hour kit backpack. Then they played another ring toss game where they won a water bottle with a kid 72-hour items list (very good) and a little activity book with crayons for their backpacks. It really got us thinking that we probably still have newborn diapers in our backpack. I'm afraid to think of what is probably in our backpacks!

While the kids were busy, the parents got a hands-on lesson on how to use an emergency generator or basics on changing a tire and jump-starting a car engine. That was a bonus for Travis because we just bought one and didn't know how to use it. Then there was a little store where we could buy things to add to our kits and don't forget lunch with balloons. But the big draw was a visit from the local fire station for the kids.



The boys LOVED the fire engine! Justin was so funny. During our "tour" he was on his own little tour. He'd pretend to listen while he was doing his own inspection of that awesome engine.

Tyler was so proud to be wearing a fire truck shirt.


If you ever wonder what's the way to my boys' hearts, it's a real fire engine!

Oh there you are Peter!

To all of our fabulous blogging friends and family who have been sailing incognito (meaning you have never left a comment):

We like you. That's why we want to keep in touch with you. You know what's going on with us, so please leave a comment and let us know what's going on with you. You'd make our day!

What's the one thing you love?

My friend, Holli, just posted about this and it got me thinking about my favorite things. I have many, but what is the one thing I love today? Hmmm...besides the obvious...my family...here's what I came up with for our gang:

Here is mine: Man cannot live on blogging alone.


I love to keep in touch with everyone. It's my version of our scrapbook and journal to share with our family and friends. I'm always excited to find another friend who has a blog. Google Reader saves me. I'd want to be online all night! Justin says, "Mom, don't leave a comment, just get off!"

Here's Travis': Man cannot live on the New York Yankee's alone.

Although he'd like too! We watched the Yankee's play in the World Series in our honeymoon suite...I loved that. I realized later on that Travis must REALLY love me to have even planned a wedding that would fall during the World Series. I feel so special.

Justin's: Man cannot live on milk alone.

He'd drink it all day if I'd let him. I love that he is independent and can fend for himself when he is hungry. But come on, didn't we just open that 1/2 gallon this morning?

Tyler's: Man cannot live on Thomas the Tank Engine alone...and Lightening McQueen, too. He even has to line up his trains, cars, whatever next to his plate at the table. Or we don't eat. He had a whole story going this afternoon and was driving his train up and down the wall.

What is the one thing you love?

Dandelions, Sticks and Bald Eagles

We have been having a good time watching Justin practice with his t-ball team. Tyler is so happy to go "watch" Justin because he can play on the big playground at the elementary school. He wears his own mitt and cheers for Justin for the 5 minutes that he actually does watch the team.

(Justin is the "cool" one in blue with his hat backwards and to the side)

These kindergartners are trying so hard to listen to their coaches and learn to play ball. Justin works so hard on the drills until he catches me watching him. The other day, he stopped what he was doing (they were catching fly balls and I was just praying one wouldn't come his way) and looked around on the grass. He spotted the perfect dandelion and ran across the field to give it to me. I have trained him well, huh? During the last practice he did the same thing...with a stick. Nice stick there, Justin. He was hard up seeing as how there were no more flowers in the grass.

We live near a nature preserve and see raccoons on our street, frogs in our backyard, and even had a couple of hawks land in our backyard recently. Well, during the "dandelion" t-ball practice, Justin was out on the playing field with his team when a big hawk slowly flew over their heads and then on across the field. Justin lost all concentration at that point and started yelling, "Look, Look, Look Mom! I just saw a bald eagle!" He was so far away and everyone looked over to see where "Mom" was! I just had to laugh and give him a thumbs up!

Team pictures were on Saturday morning. It was cute to see all those kids in their uniforms and hats. Justin smiled so big I'm looking forward to seeing those pictures.

Good times at these t-ball practices! And to think that the actual games haven't even started yet. The first game for tonight was rained out. So, we'll hope for clear skies on Thursday!

Tips

I just watched a discussion on internet safety and learned about Google Alerts. The suggestion was given to add your name, etc., to an alert because it will let you know when your information comes up online and you can have a chance to manage any questionable stuff. I'll have to do a little more research, but it sounds like it might be a good idea. Do any of you know more about this service?

Just One Word...

My favorite Aunt, Kim, tagged me on this goodie. You know, it's really hard to only use one word answers. I think that old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words also applies to one word answers...

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? Travis
3. Your hair? short
4. Your mother? successful
5. Your father? innovative
6. Your favorite thing? thunderstorms
7. Your dream last night? food
8. Your favorite drink? fruity
9. Your dream/goal? balanced
10. The room you're in? hallway
11. Your hobby? guitar
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Utah
13. Where were you last night? dance
14. What you're not? hungry
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. One of your wish list items? camera
17. Where you grew up? Lambourne
18. The last thing you did? meeting
19. What are you wearing? ring
20. Your TV? FIOS
21. Your pets? imagined
22. Your computer? nifty
23. Your life? fantastic
24. Your mood? adventurous
25. Missing someone? always
26. Your car? magic
27. Something you're not wearing? snorkel
28. Favorite store? T.J.'s
29. Your summer? promising
30. Like someone? lots
31. Your favorite color? green
32. When is the last time you laughed? barely
33. Last time you cried? yesterday
34. Who is still reading this and is therefore tagged? you

He's a poet and I didn't even know it!

Justin woke me up this morning by leaving his masterpiece (lined paper half colored with red crayon plus the following words) on my pillow:

Justin
Time: 6:28
Day: 4-15-08

RED is A COLR AZ
EVWOON CAN see
I MADE it oN
AN S.U.V.

Justin at the Oregon Zoo

What do you do?

My friend's cousin's husband is setting up a website for his wife as a Mother's Day gift. (Isn't that a creative idea for a gift?). Apparently, Megan has always wanted to write a book of ideas or have a website of ideas as a reference on how to help others through various life events. What a fantastic idea. There have been many times I've wanted to know how to best help someone in a certain situation and it would be so nice to have a resource to help find out ways to help from others who have been through it.

Eric, her husband, is looking to build up as many ideas, stories and suggestions as possible. He is asking for any suggestions or ideas or personal stories that would help others know how to serve people who have been through these events. Follow the link to view the site and just click on the "got an idea" to e-mail Eric any of your ideas. It's a neat site to check out and since it is still in it's first stages you can let Eric know of any other categories that might be helpful and add your stories or ideas.

http://www.howtohelpwhen.com/How_to_Help_When.html

I just thought I'd pass this on since I figured it could be useful for all of us. I especially liked a part on the site where it goes through personality types and gives some suggestions of how to best help people of each type. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Today is Tyler's 3rd birthday! It is so amazing to me that he is 3 years old already! Well, time flies when you're having fun!

Tyler is such a fun boy! He is so happy and always ready for an adventure. His big thing now is that he thinks he can do everything Justin can do and take it up a notch. Justin will stand on the couch and jump onto the cushion. Tyler will get right up on the couch and fall backwards without looking onto the same cushion. He is also our little wrestler. He already knows how to pin Justin and how to latch onto my leg like a dead weight so I can't take another step without falling down. Whenever I try to workout on the floor, he tackles me and when I ask him to get off of me, he says, "I giving Mom a big hug!" Awww...o.k., I didn't really want to workout anyway...so many things I love about this boy!

On Saturday we had an elephant birthday party for Tyler. Aunt Nicki, Uncle Lance and Brynlee came with us to the Oregon Zoo for Packy the elephant's big birthday party.


It was a gorgeous, warm day and I think everyone in Portland was at the zoo. We took a picnic lunch and sang, "Happy Birthday" to Tyler while we ate birthday brownies.




The boys were excited to watch Packy eat his carrot cake with big carrots sticking out and other vegetables.


The zoo was fun and we had a great day! When we got home, Tyler opened his gifts and then we put the kids to bed early and then we got to watch a movie.



Today we went to Stake Conference. Throughout the day, whenever we would say "Happy Birthday Tyler!", he would respond with "Happy Birthday Mom" or Dad or Justin. Tawnya called to sing to him and after she had hung up he said, "Happy Birthday Tawnya!" Way to share the joy, bud!

Out of this World!

Today was a great day! It is one of those days when every muscle in your body has been worked and you just want to sigh with relief.

I took the boys to an awesome place. This is not just any place. No, this is a place better than any other place. O.K., I'll just come out and say it: It's the Costco of all playgrounds. What Costco is to a grocery story, this place is to a play structure. It even has an amazing name. It's called "Out of this World Pizza & Play".

I have never been to such an amazing playground. It just opened three weeks ago and so I have been wanting to check it out. We didn't even get anything to eat...we just played...for 2 1/2 hours. $5 to get in and the kids are all corralled by a security guard at the door. They have a gigantic(3-stories high)space ship play structure, rock-climbing wall, 2 huge bounce house slide mazes, race track for wiggle cars, play house, train table, play kitchen, play store, play garage, small play structure for the little ones and an infant/toddler area with books and toys for them. Wow, I sound like a commercial for this place. The boys ran and climbed and jumped and raced and played and rolled and slid and drove and laughed until they collapsed in a heap in the bounce house entrance.





When we got home I was upstairs for a while getting Justin all settled in a play bath. When I came down to scoop up Ty, he was fast asleep on the floor in the playroom. He looked so cute with his little booty in the air! I just had to take his picture. He was completely worn out. I love it!



Now I'm worn out! After chasing the boys all day, I had my dance class tonight and I got the best workout. Now I'm ready to cozy up and watch the "Dancing with the Stars" episode I recorded yesterday night. Hmmm...maybe some popcorn, too.

General Conference

We enjoyed watching General Conference this weekend. I appreciated Elder Ballard's talk about motherhood. It made me feel like what I do is important and worthwhile. I made sure Justin was listening when he talked to the children about what they could do to help their mothers. I hope he remembers the "do it without being asked" part!

My sister, Tawnya, sent me a link to view a great slide show of Christ to the music of Come Thou Fount! Click on slide show to watch it. I loved it!

Rascal Flatts

We really don't go out on dates very often. The whole getting a babysitter thing is easier to avoid. It ends up costing so much after the night is over that we usually just get a movie at home. Well, if we are going out, it's going to be good. So, we like saving up to go to a big concert or Broadway show or something like that. Living so close to Portland gives us the chance to see some really great shows.

On Friday night, Travis and I went to a great concert! We saw Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift.


It was so much fun! I loved the guitar solos! They gave a fantastic performance and the night just flew by. I wasn't ready to leave. I told Travis we could have bought all their cds for less than what we paid to go to the concert. We laughed and then after the concert was over I realized why I like to actually go to hear them live. I really like the energy of a live show. I like the emotion of it all. I like that some of the songs made me cry. I like screaming and dancing and cheering for the performers I really like. I love feeling the music. I think that is why I make Travis sit with me through the closing credits of a movie, too. The emotion is still there from the movie and I want to enjoy it.

Traffic

"There's a lot of traffic in the fridge!"
--Justin tells me as he's fishing out a yogurt tucked way in the back.


"Mine own bunk bed!"
--If Ty can't have it, he'll make it!

For my blogging friends...

What do you do to keep up on your blog lists? Do you use Google Reader? or Bloglines? Have you found something else that works better? I just discovered Google Reader and it has been really nice. So, fill me in...what do you do?

Gotcha!

I short-sheeted our bed last night. I was trying not to laugh and give it away. So I was sitting on top of the blanket reading. Travis hopped in bed and fell for it 100%. Good laughs on that one! He says, "Hey, it's not even April Fool's Day yet!" I pointed at the clock. 12:16 a.m. I Gotcha!

Then this morning when I made Justin's sack lunch for school, I slipped in a little plastic spider. I asked him later if he thought it was real. He says, "Mom, I KNEW!" Smart boy. I would have screamed like a girl. Maybe. He said he showed the spider to all his friends. I can just hear him now, "My mom's crazy!"