Cousins

Abby, Grace, Leia, Linus, and Owen ready to go to the pool

Owen and Leia

Way too early in the morning...its becoming apparent that these kids do NOT sleep in on vacation!

All the kids love riding in the minivan. They cry if we try to get them to ride in another car, so Andy and I ended up with all five cousins on our trip to Sisters. Its quite a trip having a van full of kids.

Bike Rides at Black Butte

If there is one thing the folks like to do at Black Butte its ride their bikes. This year we came prepared. Rather than pay more than $30 a day to rent a trailer we asked around and borrowed one from a friend. We also brought our kid seat, so we were ready. On the boys first ride out Linus fell asleep almost immediately. He kept leaning over on to Owen who did not appreciate being leaned on and would shriek each time they turned right.

Kickin' Our Feet Up

The view from the deck

Andy's idea of a vacation involves internet access of course! But at least he had to be outside to pick up the wireless signal.

We're On Vacation Minivan Style

We loaded up the minivan and headed on our first trip in our new ride.

Here's Some Advice For Ya

I am often at a loss as to what to write about in my
blog. When I first started blogging I was hoping to create a nostalgic sentimental little narrative. Unfortunately, as I look back on my posts I am afraid that my voice is much more sarcastic than sentimental. I confess that I enjoy laughing at
life's little ironies. I would love to be more disciplined, and more interesting and therefore be able to blog every day(okay let's be realistic: every other day) but this would involve coming up with some regular topics of interest to my faithful followers or at the very least entertaining...and let me tell you my Mom and sister are difficult to please!

I was pondering these difficult questions when it hit me! I will use my blog to pass on all the useful and not so useful tidbits of advice I have been handed down over the years or gleaned from my extensive reading a research. I will become the John Tesh of the blogging world (please infer grandiose tone). I will badger the blogging world on everything from parenting to garden planting!

The only thing that remains to be done is to come up with a catchy title for my admonitions. Any Suggestions? Here are just a few of the possibilities that I have been kicking around:

Suggestions for Saturdays

Two Cents Tuesdays

Free Advice Fridays

Give Me My Business Mondays

Tips for Tuesdays

What to do Wednesdays

Cast your votes, or speak your piece and I may or may not take your advice
;)

Summer Projects

Blogs I'm told are for crafty home maker things.

I have just completed just such a thing so I must share:

Up until last week when I found this old yellow dresser at a garage sale ($5) we were still trying to cram all the boys clothes into the two drawer in their changing table. Linus and my sister helped strip off the old paint and I was able to use left over paint from when I painted the nursery for Linus three years to complete the project.

The final result. The only thing I ended up having to pay for was new drawer pulls...which were $5. It made me sad to pay as much for them as I did for the entire dresser but sacrifices must be made.

I like the way it turned out, but I wasn't originally planning to put it against this blue wall. I think I might repaint a couple of the drawers green and red, but that I will save for another day.

Minivan Mama

Well, the day has finally come. I always told Andy that I would NOT own a minivan before I turned 30. So you can imagine my confusion; this van has been parked in our driveway since Tuesday afternoon. I must admit I did drive it. Just to Wendy's last night to pick up some chicken nuggets, fries, and a frosty dairy dessert.

I'm not exactly sure how it happened... At first we were just discussing the "idea" of getting a minivan. Then we were looking around for good deals, then we found a good deal...and now we have it. Sadly, it doesn't have any of the bells and whistles that first made a minivan attractive. We can't push a button to open the doors for the soccer team, our butts will have to supply any and all warmth for the seats, our children will not subdued via TVs mounted in our head rests. But, our Town and Country has low miles and is great condition. The great news is it will keep on chugging well into our children's' adolescence so they can benefit from the humility that only a minivan can teach.

Yes Linus, we can drop you off at the back of the parking lot.

Andy and I have a strict understanding that this is the kid car. It is to remain with the custodial parent. I will under no circumstance drive a minivan to work.

Right now the boys are super excited about the minivan. Linus makes up songs about how much he loves to ride in it. Every morning they want to go somewhere. They insist upon playing in it, and cry when we make them get out.