Chatter Boxes

On our way to Oklahoma we stopped at Devil's Den State Park for dinner

Seth's first fish that he caught all on his own (we weren't even there to witness).  Still too afraid to actually touch it though.

Grandpa stepped in and hooked it to a fish scale - much better

Colin standing where the river used to run (sounds like a song)

Colin and Molly (the dog) helping Grandpa in the tractor

Seth, Daddy, and Mommy following behind on the four-wheeler

Seth couldn't get enough of fishing on this trip.  We enjoyed a yummy fish fry for dinner one night due to his efforts.

John filled in for the regular pastor on Sunday morning.  This sign amuses me to no end.  It does not seem to amuse Colin at all.

I was alone in the cabin and ready to jump in the shower.  I pulled the shower curtain back and said out loud, "Well, this is a problem."  No one was home to help so...after taking a picture to prove to John I did it...I scooped it up, put it in a grocery bag, and threw it placed it on the back porch.  He was still in the bag (alive and well) when John and the boys returned.  No one seemed as proud of me as I was of myself.

Colin waiting for "the shuttle" to a family wedding - that's not a joke

This isn't a joke either

I've mentioned before how much I enjoy watching John's dad hold babies.  Babies love him.  He's not any different with them then he is with anyone else.  No baby talk or coochie-cooing.  I think it's the feeling of calm strength if that makes sense.  You can't help but feel safe.

A recent storm blew some cool weather our way today.  We had plans to paint the basement but it was too nice outside to spend the day inside.

I suggested a family hike and John found the nearest trail that seemed doable for varying levels of energy and ability.

Seth didn't know what "hiking" was so we tried to explain it as best we could.  He immediately started moping.  "Walking is so boring," he said, "It's not going to be any fun."

We told him that he should try it before deciding that it was boring, but I could also understand how he might think this.  Seth goes 110% from the moment he wakes up until his head hits the pillow at night (and he's usually asleep in less than 5 minutes).  He thinks why walk when you can run?  Walking on a trail, waiting for his slowpoke family doesn't sound like his idea of a good time.

Mommy to the rescue!!!

"Alright Seth, let's make it fun!"  On our way to the park we came up with a game to play on our hike.  We made a list of 10 things we had to find.  Seth decided that we'd get fifteen points for every item we found.  He even came up with a bonus item that was worth an extra thirty points.  (Why get fifteen points when you can get thirty?)

Family Hike Scavenger Hunt for September 8, 2012
Ants - YES
Trash - YES
Animal - No
Red Flower - No
Water - YES
Rock bigger than Colin - YES
Tree that has fallen down - YES
Branch shaped like a letter - YES
Mushroom - YES
Other people - No
Bonus item:  Bones - No

Total Points:  105
Total Miles Hiked:  1.5
Total # of Kids who think hiking is fun:  2

Mommy wins!

I Love Hiking!

The Rock Bigger Than Colin

The Tree That Had Fallen Down

Seth got into a conversation with the owner of the local BBQ place, where we stopped for lunch, about the pig head on the wall.  She told him that he used to have sunglasses but someone must have taken them.  Seth found some sunglasses on our hike so we gave them to the pig.

He's now a biker pig.

It was a fun family hike after all.

As promised, we took the boys to a baseball game yesterday to round out our birthday extravaganza (that's what happens when both children have the same birthday...one big extravaganza).  Through a series of circumstances we ended up with four extra tickets so we got to bring some friends along.





The boys had fun.  Seth watched the game intently and Colin ate through it.  The grown-ups had fun too.  Watching a losing game is still better than working.

And thus ends another birthday extravaganza.  Colin woke up this morning and wanted to know if it was still his birthday.  It's sad when good things come to an end.  Until next year!

The boys have been anticipating this day for a long time.  It's their birthday!!  Last night Colin was sitting at the dinner table waiting for the rest of us to get there.  To himself he quietly muttered, "Tomorrow is going to be a special day.  Everyone is going to celebrate me."  And celebrate we did.

Today Seth is 6 and Colin is 4.  We enjoyed a small family party tonight and will attend a baseball game tomorrow.

I was talking with the boys this morning and asked what they'd like to do now that they are six and four.  We decided that Seth would have six goals and Colin would have four.

Colin's goals for his fourth year of life -
1.  Say yes more often (I might have influenced this goal a bit...the rest were his idea)
2.  Be kind
3.  Get better at riding his bike
4.  Learn to tie his shoes

Seth's goals for his sixth year of life -
1.  Be a better reader
2.  Read a book to Colin
3.  Play a sport
4.  Swim in the deep end of the pool
5.  Be kind to others
6.  Listen and follow directions

Blowing out the Candles

Colin loves books!  We paused during the unwrapping of presents to read the book  he got from Aunt Kelly.

Dancing to the music provided by their new racing cars

Thanks Uncle Heath and Aunt Janel!  The boys are excited to go shopping.

The boys got to choose what they wanted for dinner.  They initially requested "just cake" but after further instruction from mommy they decided on hamburgers AND hotdogs.  Halfway through dinner, Colin looks around the table, glanced up at the balloon streamers above his head and said, "This is quite a party."  I think that means he felt sufficiently celebrated.

Happy Birthday boys!  We love you!

For a look back see here and here.