Road Trip Day 2

The end of day one ended with enough time for the boys to hit the pool and for me to hit the treadmill.  Both excellent ways to burn some energy and help you sleep well at night.  Needless to say, after a well rested night in the hotel we woke up and ventured out to the Jelly Belly Factory.  Surprisingly neither one of the boys were very excited about this stop, but that's okay, I had enough excitement to cover all of us.  I LOVE Jelly Bellys!!  We had heard that during the summer the line for a tour can be up to two hours long and that was definitely not going to fly with a six and three year old, or for that matter Michael and I (ages do not need to be mentioned).  With this first hand knowledge we ventured to the factory to hit one of the first tours of the day.  Not only did we have a front parking spot at the factory, but we just walked right up to the start of a tour. Can you say, "WOAH!" (like Joey).

The Jelly Belly factory is pretty neat, but our tour guide could have brushed up on a few important facts of the history of the company. Overall, it was lots of fun and and the boys now like Jelly Bellys, yippee (although that means I have to share, shoot!).  My favorite part is when they allow you to pick from a variety of different flavors at the end of your tour because you'll never guess what flavor Michael picked out?!  BOOGER! Seriously, Michael! Buttttt, my mind got to thinking, "What if it's a trick? And what could it possibly taste like?"  Well we are both here to tell you, "It is by far the most disgusting thing we have ever had."  It took the entire day for us not to taste it in our mouths, uhhh.

The rest of the day was Interstate 5 and rest areas.  Not too much to highlight over.  The boys opened a few more gifts and we played a couple of games.  We have a favorite rest area (yes, you can have that) that is right along a river before the Oregon boarder it has a ton of shade and large grassy area. We got out the baseball, bat and gloves.  It was nice to just relax and play a little ball for a while.

We ended day two in one of Michael and I's favorite cities, Eugene, Oregon.  Our hotel was right across from the Matthew Knight Area of the University of Oregon campus.  It was the week of Freshman so the campus was buzzing.  Boy, are kids entering college at a younger age?  They look so much younger than they used too, huh? Heeehee!

Well we got in pretty late that night, so quick dinner and right to bed!  Tomorrow, day three, will be filled with more fun stops and reaching our final destination of the first part of our trip, Bellingham!

Hitting the road

We knew as we approached the summer of 2012 we wanted to take a vacation out of state.  It had been awhile since we visited family and friends in both NY and MI so we planned a three-legged trip to both areas.  But we didn't predict that 6 months later Michael's ENT would still not give him the, "Okay" to fly.  So onto the back burner those visits go. Bummer!  Instead, we decided on a road trip back up to the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  Which is where we are now, getting ready to start our trip...

We have had a GREAT trip so far! The boys were a delight all two and half days on the road. I have a LOT of experience with road trips and know exactly how boring they can be for a child.  So with this first hand knowledge I did as much research and pinning on Pinterest.com as I could to find creative and fun ideas to keep the kids distracted.  There were so many fun ideas that even I was excited for them.  Here are a couple of the fun things I came up with: 1)  Purchased about a dozen or so gifts from the dollar section of stores (an equal amount for each child), wrapped them and kept them in the front seat with me so when the kids started to become fidgety or impatient I pulled out a gift for each of them to unwrap.  They LOVED it, which means we loved it! 2) Purchased some new games off Amazon.com that came highly recommended that took 2 or more players so we could play them together in the car.  This one was another great hit, because then it didn't seem like everyone was always doing their own thing, but we had something new and fun we could do together...always a big hit with me.  3) Found some fun multi-compartment containers that we stocked each morning with snacks so that the boys could keep next to them and pick at during the day as they pleased....this one proved to be very very handy.  So those are just a few ideas that proved to be great fun for the boys, which in turn made Michael and I's driving much more pleasant.

Wrapped gifts

Storage containers for toys, markers, macaroni beads, etc...

Happy faces as we pull out of the driveway....

First nap of the car trip.

Still smiling as we check into our hotel after day 1.

Opening one of his gifts

One of the fun games

Day 1 we left the house around 1:30 and ventured to our hotel in Stockton.  We made excellent time on the road which allowed time for the boys to run around for awhile and burn some of that pent up energy.

At the Ranch

We took the time to have dinner with our framily, the Layels, and then head over to Buffalo Ranch to see the horses and do some horseback riding.  The Layel’s friends own the ranch so we were able to feed, brush and play with a few of the horses. Auntie Kris loves horses, as do I, so we thought for sure the boys would.  Carter is just a lover of all animals so we were pretty confident he would be okay, but we really weren't sure what Josh’s take would be.  They both surprised us and seem completely in their element with the horses, and kept asking when we could go back on our way home. 





I think I fell in love with this horse, Rocky (above). He’s like a teenager with a great personality.  He would nod his head at the boys, and stomp his foot for his treats.  He was quite the character and absolutely beautiful. 


I’m thinking horseback riding lessons next summer for both boys.

Turning 3

We hear it all the time, “Where has the time gone, or ‘Really, it’s all ready been another year?”  But it’s so true!  Where has the time gone?  How is it my baby is already turning 3? 

Carter is one of those kids that is just a delight and you can’t help but smile when around him.  He is very easy going and very easy to please.  His dimples will melt your heart, and his expressions will have you in a love trance before you can blink.  He has more girlfriends than his father had in his entire life (and that’s saying something..just kidding, seriously, please don’t repeat this to Michael )  Carter, you are a ham and half with your silly dances, songs and facial expressions..  We love how you want to do things by yourself, but ask for help when unsure of something.  It cracks your father and I up that you just love to tackle Josh and do it so well…right at the knees.  You love building zoos for your animals, playing outside, jumping on the trampoline, and reading books.  Carter you are such a delight and we are honored to be your parents.  We look forward to watching you learn and grow.  Love you, Roo!

Trying to dry off on the warm pavement…

I will post more pictures from my computer about Carter’s birthday party a bit later… stay tuned.

T-Ball Time

If it wasn’t for the love of baseball and possibly, not probable, Mike’s maturity, Josh was allowed to play T-ball this year for the YANKEES!  As most people know Michael has a very strong dislike (I dislike using the word, hate, but it is probably a more accurate description of the level of enmity Michael has) for the New York Yankees.  There has only ever been two times in my life where I have ever seen Michael not openingly admit his “dislike”.  The first time was with my Pop pop, who has since pasted, but lived in NY his whole life and loved the New York Yankees.  The second is when he found out Josh would be wearing a New York Yankee jersey and cap, even when it was A-Rod’s #.  Although Michael’s first reaction to finding out Josh was on the Yankee’s was asking for a trade…this is where I would insert the maturity factor, although I understood.

Needless to say, Josh played T-ball for the Yankees and LOVED it!  He two awesome coaches (who we plan on requesting for coach pitch) and some great teammates.  Unlike soccer, Josh seemed to really get into the game of baseball. He asked questions for clarity and would actually request to go outside and practice.  Needless to say, Michael and I enjoyed baseball as well then.  Josh’s favorite position was first base, but had the opportunity to try each position.  His coaches made sure everyone rotated through the different positions in an effort to keep their attention drawn to the game and gain a better understanding of the game as whole.  Josh made some great catches and lots of great hits.  Way to go, Josh!

The Yankees were one of the best T-ball teams this year, only being beat by one team. Can’t wait for another year of baseball and this time coach pitch.

Coaches talking to the team before a game.  Notice who is wearing a Yankee jersey?

I love this photo of the kids all lined up listening to the coaches….

Mother's Day

We were fortunate to have my Dad, who had been in LA all week for work, in for the Mother's day weekend.  It was a gorgeous weekend and we took advantage of it by enjoying each other's company at home.  It was wonderful to be able to relax and just enjoy each other's company, rather than worry about packing, traffic, and nap times.

Saturday was spent mostly playing T-ball in the front yard and eating yummy food on the patio.  Josh had finished his last T-ball game on the Friday prior and we enjoyed the team party on Saturday evening.  It was great day.

Sunday we attended the early service and then headed to Panera for a Mother's day breakfast, yumm!  While eating the boys surprised me with a fun gift....a panini maker.  Michael and I have been wanting one ever since we feel in-love with the King's.  We definitely enjoying it and becoming more and more creative with our sandwiches.

Here are some family pictures, with little smiles, we took when we got home from Church...

Giving thanks

I daily look at my "Mom's Daily Family Planner" because it's where all our scheduled commitments go, and it's quite honestly the only way I can keep my head on straight.  Far too often on a Sunday evening as I reflect over the next week, I think, "Okay, this is going to be a busy week! *Deep breathe and then I remind myself to exhale*.  Today, Mother's day, I felt profoundly thankful and blessed as I looked down at my planner and saw the commitments for the coming week.  I feel so overwhelmed with just how many blessings fill my daily life and just how easily they can be overlooked and seen as just commitments.  I feel that today I should be honoring our Father, for providing and trusting me to take care of his beloved children, Josh and Carter.  Me, a sinner and a weak woman lost with out the guidance and comfort of our Father, as well as her soul mate and best friend, Michael.  I am just a woman promising my children the world, but am nothing unless I trust and know God has an amazing plan for them. I drop to my knees kind with thankfulness for His grace and love for my children and me.  Thank you, Lord, thank you!  I vow to continue to seek you and your word not only for myself, but for our children.

I can so easily fall into a state of nothingness when I forget that it's not about the Facebook status' or about other friends and their activities, but it's about knowing I am good enough in your eyes Lord.  I am worthy and beautiful in your eyes alone and for that I give thanks.  For Lord you are my comfort and my peace.  So today, on this Mother's day, I give you Lord thanks for the gifts and blessings in my life.

Look at these two beautiful boys...how could I not be thankful!  I absolutely love being a mother and take joy each day watching these boys smile and just be goofy.