"Coming Soon"

When I moved here I didn't realize how out in the boonies I would be living. On three sides of us there is nothing. Fields. It is a long way to any shopping. On one side of us is mostly commercial. Thank goodness for Costco or I would have seriously gone insane by now. So, it takes a lot of planning when it comes to errands. Sometimes I only have time for one store before having to return home to pick up someone from school or get someone down for a nap. I have become accustomed to this lifestyle begrudgingly. I knew SOMEDAY they would build a store by me. After all at the corner of my development there is a sign saying "Raley's coming soon" and across the street from that sign on that corner is one saying "Safeway coming soon." When I moved here coming up on 3 years now, I was told these signs had been up for 2 years before that. So, we are now coming up on 5 years these signs have been up and still no sign of a grocery store or all the little stores that come with them that make life simpler.(mini post office, dry cleaners, pizza or something?) There have been many reasons these have not been built including, but not limited to a water law suit, the housing slump, etc. I have joked with Brent that we should go spray paint those signs to say coming "never" instead of soon or "NOT" after coming soon. Apparently someone else shares my evil sense of humor and actually took action against these false advertisers. (Don't they know there is a commandment against bearing false witness? LIARS!!) I looked up the definition of soon in the dictionary and it says things like: in a short time, promptly, quickly, as soon as possible, ahead of time, early, readily, willingly, inevitable, eventually. (I guess they think eventually works.) The best part about this is that Raley's and Safeway I am sure have forgotten about their precious signs so I will be able to drive by and chuckle whenever I leave my out in the boonies home.

Shootin Grandpa Paul!

Da Boyz finally got to play with the fathers day gift they picked out for Grandpa! Water guns! He was out of town on Father's Day and hasn't been home the last couple times we went up there so they were so excited to FINALLY "battle" him. It was a really hot day too so it was fun for them to get wet! Even cousin Macy joined in. We are so glad you exercise grandpa so you can keep up with Da Boyz!

Carson Update

Carson loves to look behind him. It is actually quite humorous. It doesn't matter what is happening if he is on his back he tries to see what is behind him! One more week and he will be 4 months old. How time flies!

Watching TV upside down.

He also loves to eat his fingers. More than he loves his pacifier. So Yummy!

American Gladiators

This morning Cade informed me he is "Titan", Trevor is "Zen" and Ethan is "Justice." If you don't know what I am talking about you haven't seen the new American Gladiators. NOT my choice of entertainment for a 3 year old, but since daddy tapes it and the older boys want to watch it and we CAN'T GO OUTSIDE for fear of heat exhaustion or smoke inhalation I have given in.

This is Cade-I mean Titan. (He is growling in case you can't tell.) He refused to put his shirt on because he wanted to be like Titan.
 

Stuck Inside

So, I normally like to include pictures with my posts, but considering I already posted a picture of the smoky skies I will skip it this time. We had a week of blue skies and this week are back to smoky. The 107 degree heat isn't helping either. I of course chose the week of blue skies to potty train Cade (who is doing great by the way) so now I am STUCK INSIDE with boys that are sick of being inside due to smoke, heat, and potty training for basically 3 weeks! The only thing we have done outside is swimming lessons, but Carson was overheating and turning red in the shade with pool water on him so we have had to hang inside the clubhouse with him so he doesn't get heat stroke. I'm so glad we have firefighters that are willing to sacrifice so much for the good of others. What would we do without them?

3 years old

Cade turned 3 on Sunday. We had a family get together on Sunday evening with local family. He was so excited about the pinata (pronounced "pinasa" according to him)that he and his cousins destroyed! He has grown up so much lately and is such a good brother and son. We love you Cade!


He loves his new bike! He has been riding it up and down our long hallway from the front door to the back door.

Dress ups that he also loves. Such an imagination!

Make a wish big boy! He thought his soccer ball cake was so cool! Thank you Costco!

4th of July

On the 4th with so many fireworks shows cancelled or uncertain we decided to skip the fireworks and play at grandma and grandpas house. They weren't there, but we had a great time with our friends the Davis's and Aunt Nicole. Everyone except Carson and I and Aunt Nicole did a river float. (This is on the safe for children part-no white water rafting here)

Cade with Leah Davis. The youngest rafters.

Group Shot before getting on the river. (Carson is sleeping and I obviously don't have a lifejacket on, but Ruth insisted I get in the picture. Ruth? Insist?)

Everyone walking down from the property to the river.

Busy day on the river! Look at all the rafters! Taylor and Bradley Davis taking off in the kayaks.

Pushing off!

Relaxing in the spa after a fun river trip!

Group shot with Carson awake and most of us sporting our red, white, and blue!

Ruth, Nicole, and I on the back porch. Cade wanted to join in the girl picture.

Generations

5 generations! This is my favorite picture of my Nana. This was taken when I was little of course, but she actually lived to be 101 years old and in her last few years even though she couldn't see well she remembered me when I visited her. (always easy to remember the red hair) She died just a year or so before I started my own family and her daughter Arline my great grandmother (who lived far enough away that we didn't get one like this again as us kids got older) has also since passed away. I will always treasure memories at Nana's house.

 

I really wanted a picture like this with my children, my dad and my grandparents. This is 4 generations on my paternal side taken on June 29th 2008! (Yes, I was trying the bang thing and it didn't work too well) So, I am sure I will be taking more of these at family gatherings in the future.

Livi

Carson with cousin Livi (Olivia) on her blessing day June 29th. She had already changed out of her dress at this point. So, this is what a difference 2 months can make. My son (aka The HULK) and sweet little Livi.

Olivia started fussing at Carson. Get off my pink blanket!