Palouse Discovery Science Center

Andrew loved the bird. It whistled the whole time. Which is no suprise, at home he is always trying to chase the birds. I think if he could he would catch them. This was a good moment for him.

Andrew is, of course, sticking his fingers in the animal cages--the ones with the signs that say "don't stick your fingers in cage, animals bite" bolded.
The first thing the boys ran to at the Discovery Science Center was the Black snake. Here it is coiled up by the rock. I think he is hiding from the boys. It must have known we were coming.

This is a turtle! Andrew was very curious about the animals.

Digging deeper for the good stuff. Andrew has no hands!

Here the boys are looking at the mass of bones still in the dirt of a mammoth. The furry elephant, as he was also referred, when we looked at the pictures.

Although this bone is specific to some sort of creature, Raymond had decided it belonged to a "long neck." Due to it's long nature. Andrew was in awe of the awesomeness of it's size and amazed at his big brother's find.

Tearing it up at Aunt Crystal's

It can be seen that everything always starts out happy and friendly. Three good friends playing kindly with Transformers and a singing frog. Until, they realize there are only two toys and one of each of them. Of course, Raymond wants the Transformer he got Jordan for his birthday (all kids pick out the coolest toy they wish their parents would buy them). Andrew and Jordan want what Ray has because they are 3 and Raymond is the leader, so says Ray. But, the frog does sing, so really both boys have their eyes on the toys waiting to see who will drop it first.

Jordan tests the water (AKA, touches the frog and Andrew pinches him). That is when the craziness begins. It is WWF smack down in my sisters living room. Harmless at first, hence the pictures. But next:

This I say to you all of my dear friends is the truth of my child. Oh so loving. Yes, he is fantastic and caring and sweet and at time the most gentle little boy....After this the snap shots end and my sister and I literally clean up the blood.

This is a sweet angel, if ever I saw one. He is very mild tempered, much like Ray when he was smaller. Hunter is my little baby nephew and I just adore him. My sister said he traded her in by the end of my stay. It's not true obviously, he is mommy's boy. I do believe him and I have a special bond. Every time I picked him up he wrapped his arms around me. He followed me around every where. I asked to take him home, but it turns out they wanted to keep him. :)

Halloween In Homedale 2008

Hummmmm! what do I even say about this? Well, there is Andrew and his tongue. :)

Cousins sit together after a long trek of candy expedition. I think this was the only time one of them didn't fight over something. It must have been the sugar.

Which one is the costume you ask? Ahhh, I am not sure. My grandpa, Leo Anderson, wearing his funny glasses and nose. It took many pictures to get this shot, he kept hiding.

Far left is my grandma, Kathy Anderson, and my little nephew, Hunter Sotka. Ray, Andrew and I are in the Middle and to the right, Jordan Sotka (he is 3). We spent Halloween in Southern Idaho, touring the streets and letting the local stores treat us to candy. Ray and Andrew picked the apples :) over lollipops. I am very very proud. I didn't even prompt it.

Halloween Adventure Attempt

We decided to go to the "inside play area" Eastside Market Place play area. The boys were content with that decision. Afterwards the boys went off to Grandpa's house and I saw a movie while Jo went home to enjoy an evening of homework.

Tower Trick-or-Treat has been moved to November 1st. I think that is silly. Halloween will have passed and the month will be over. It seems so unnatural. We still plan to go. Tons of candy, lots of exercise.

You would be surprised how much I chase these little monsters around for kisses. Despite his grimace he loves it as much as I do. He's is a preform er for the camera. We would have some super cute costume pictures if I hadn't forgotten to put the memory card in before we left. Of course, this wasn't realized until costumes were off and I was getting ready to download them. :) Oh well

Crazy eyes Andrew. That is Raymond's finger, it makes the picture all the more interesting. Andrew was a monkey with a banana in his pocket. I chained him and Ray together. They were my minions. I, a witch, carried the chain and led them from place to place.

Jo and I at the end of the day. We didn't get to go trick-or-treating, but we at least ended the day in smiles. Well, Jo kind of, as you can see.

Raymond's 5th Birthday

This is a full view of most of our party guests. I was handing out pizza and taking pictures. Raymond is talking to his friend Koyote. Jo is eating pizza. Andrew is eating and talking to Raymond. My dad is sitting on the couch with a box of pizza. Next we had the Pinata, I had to tear it apart in the end. The kids ran like crazy to get the candy and the parents were shoving what they could in their pockets for later. It was very fun.
Here we are all having pizza, soda, juice and cake. The kids were very calm for so many of them. I didn't know that parents would just drop their kids off and go. Some parents stayed, but I hear it is like free babysitting so many left. Raymond is in the middle of the picture.
All of the kids helped Raymond open his presents, he didn't seem to mind so much. There were lots of Transformers, they must know Raymond. :)
Raymond got a fantastic grabber from his friends Hannah and Zach. Both of the boys are learning to take turns with this toy. They clean the house with it :) Ha Ha! I think their mom was thinking of the parents when they picked it out.

Behind the streamers we have a sand dig. The kids dug up dinosaurs, bugs, and reptiles. In front, on the floor is a Ski-ball game. The last game we had was target practice (a felt target board I made with velcro balls).
This is Jo hanging and taping up the streamers. He was mainly the 'Go For' guy during the set up process and was very patient. I am so happy we were able to do this together and have the day together. He is never home these days.

On the floor here we have golfing. We used the golf clubs Kayla Thomander got Raymond last year to play. He loves them. I found the hole & green at Goodwill. It goes down a shoot when you get it in the hole.

It was a 'Go Diego Go' theme, with Dora here and there. Also, we did carnival type games to keep the kids entertained (with prizes). I spent a couple of months planning and searching for the best deals for this party. Jo's mom helped contribute to the invitations and the fancy party decor hanging from the ceiling.

Here is the final result after hours of decorating. It was so much fun, stressful, but fun. The boys ran around like crazy tearing apart anything they could. The left the table settings alone though, and I am so grateful for that. My dad is there resting on the couch after a long time of doing the heavy decorating and lifting. Also, he spent a lot of time hovered around me to make sure I didn't fall off a chair or something.

Okay, so here is a quick version of the last couple of months. I am a bit behind. Here I am, a tad tired, but doing okay. I would have to say life is pretty good for what it is. I was recently diagnosed with Systemic Lupus and have been fortunate to have a friend such as Jessica Elgan who also has it. She has been informing me of things I just never knew. Everyday is a little harder it seems, I am always tired and the boys are getting older so they are a chore to keep up with. I assure all though, I love time I get to spend with them. The doctors are up in the air (as always) to try and find a treatment that will work with my medication and that will be safe with Cerebral Venus Thrombosis (blood clot in the brain). I never thought life would get quite this painful, at least until I was so much older. I know the Lord has given me this trial for a purpose I do not yet understand, at least that is what I am hoping. I was tested again for lupus, after a positive result and when my lungs began to fail. Breathing is difficult, so there are days when I dread leaving our home because I know the walking and the stairs will be very painful. This is just an update, I am actually staying very positive. I think a positive frame of mind has helped me heal in a way medicine cannot. I am no longer in school. I took a medical withdrawal when I started having so much trouble and when I found out it wouldn't be getting any better. My doctor advised me to limit stress and get more rest or my physical condition would get worse. I did not listen at first, then I got really sick. I am feeling a lot better now.

We had a very happy birthday on September 24th. Andrew turned three years old. We ate out at Smoky Mountain Pizza and then went to the ball pit. We had cupcakes at home, where everyone had a candle (his suggestion). For his birthday Andrew received a stuffed dino and 5 playing dinos, also some blocks from daddy and a block truck. We are sure he had a good day, as he asked to have a birthday everyday for about a week after that.

Andrew and Raymond are outside playing fetch with our new puppy Max. We no longer have Max, despite our love for him. Andrew had an enormous amount of jealousy towards him and treated him like a toy. Andrew was far to aggressive, so I took him back to the store after two weeks. I am so glad the people there were understanding. I was afraid poor Max would get seriously hurt. At one point I had to catch him from flying down the stairs because Andrew threw him. He only weighs 4lbs. Andrew is a very loving child, but he is also spirited and can forget limits. It wasn't a good fit for our family. Below is a picture of Max.

He is a Munchkin. It is hard to get a good picture of a running puppy :) I would even dress him up. It was so much fun to have him home with me. He also kept me motivated when the boys were at school. I think he will find a good home though.

Elk River Camping Trip

There were three, maybe four, things most popular to the boys; marshmellows, flashlights, chairs, and fire.

First thing, Andrew took off with the marshmellows.

The boys were having fun during the church campout in our tent. Thank you Jessie for all of the great pics!

The First Day of School

First day of school here we come! Out the door we step on to new adventures and knowledge. Perhaps we will learn our ABC's and 123's, or how to use the potty all day long and table manners 101. This first day will be fun!

Andrew is more hesitant because over the summer he has tried to convince us he is still a baby and wants to stay with mommy all of time. No, I really mean ALL of the time. I will miss his little cuddles all day.

It was a slow start down the stairs, but they warmed up to the idea of leaving behind their summer of park play and daddy's video games.

Andrew hugs his teddy tight. This is "Pajamas" first day too.

Here we are loading up in the car. Silly faces and happy kids. That is so rare when going anywhere in the car. Happy school day.The boys arrive for their first day of school at the University of Idaho ECC. They are exploring this very familiar territory, as it has been their second home away from home since they were babies. I think this time we may have been a little more excited then them.

Letter to Crystal

To my sis--
I love you tons. You should visit my home someday. I miss you. I love you.
Love,
Glenda

Tillicum Village and Cruise

Tillicum Village

Off...Into the sunset.

We are about ready to set off from the village on the ship. We were watching two large boats dock at once and we decided to take photos of ourselves.

Here everyone is again in front of the totum pole. I am behind the camera.

Raymond and Andrew peek out from behind a totum pole at the village. Jo is hidden behind it as well.

A beautiful view of the Space Needle as we set off to Tillicum Village. I haven't been able to visit there yet, but this was my first time seeing it...ever. I have been going there for seven years.

Here is little Andrew, curious as ever. We had to watch him closely to make sure he didn't run off to try and captain the boat...just kidding.

I am watching over the edge of the ship so I can see all below. I was the only adult standing over the side. The rest with me were children.

This is our Argosy cruise ship to Tillicum Village on an island about an hour out from the Seattle bay. We had our first adventure on the water while visiting Seattle this August. We docked the ship and below us we saw starfish stuck to the wood of the docks and fish swimming in the bay. As the boat rushed along the water the white rapids beneath us rocked the ship. It was an amazing ride. Jo and I had so much fun with the boys and Grandma.

I am excited to go back someday. Jo and I hope to go on an extensive cruise someday to have a honeymoon we desperately need.