Brother Snuggles

Isaac's first ride on his own wheels. He's pretty
much ready to tear up the single track.

Eli thinks he is too.

At least he's always such a stylie dresser!

Isaac can't wait till Eli is big enough to be
pulled around in the red wagon!

Rocks, Dirt, Diapers, and Peeing In Strange Places...

Okay, so I know that its really cool to be able to pee standing up and its pretty neat to be able to somewhat discreetly pee while in strange places, and admittedly I have gone pee in my share of strange places, but I am really not okay with my two year old peeing all over my yard in full view of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, that is exactly what Isaac has decided he must do repeatedly, multiple times a day. (Hanging around Bojo too much? Or might it be Daddy's influence, eh?) Let me tell you, its really hard to keep a straight face every time I catch him out there with his pants down, looking so impressed with his newfound ability. I have to holler at him, then quickly run inside where he can't see me and laugh, then run back out and yell at him so more. What I'm trying to figure out is how to explain to him that it is okay to pee outside when we are in the woods, camping, hiking, etc, but that it isn't okay in the yard. Talk about a mixed message!
Well, we've been busy as ever doing things other than chasing naked Isaac around the yard. Travis is building a patio in our back yard, so the rotting, spider infested porch is gone! Yay! He's been pounding on rocks for a couple of weeks now, and so far, the project is looking good.
I've done a little bit of playing in the dirt, getting ready to start planting the garden. We've expanded it this year, and hope to get lots of yummy goodies out of it. Diaper orders were quiet for a while, but have picked up again, so I'm busy with that, although the boys aren't giving me much time for sewing. With Eli, we've kind of reached that tiresome stage between ages four months and eight months when he doesn't take long naps and he can't really play by himself much yet since he isn't mobile, so really I only have a few minutes here and there until the boys are in bed. But, I'm glad business is steady. I'm hoping to work through as much of my materials as I can before August, when the lead-law labeling requirements kick in that might be the end of my young business.
The sun has been out and we are getting excited for bicycling again. Isaac had his first "ride" on his Christmas bike the other day, and he loves it of course. Eli is just about ready for sitting in the rear seat for short rides, so I'm drooling over my bikes, anticipating lots of good rides. Can't wait for the exercise!
Well, sorry for slacking on the posts lately, and I must warn of another dry spell to come since I'll be busy with the latest batch of orders, but I will do my best! And, hey there Cindi, glad to hear from ya!

The first and Last Ski Trip of the Year

Isaac is a natural!

Yay, the freedom of the backyard! Yay for spring!

All the boys movin' rocks. Yes, even Eli is in there.

Hours of fun in big boxes!

Eli's really getting into playing with toys, and grabs onto things really well.

Enjoyin' a nice evening.

Eli's first stroller ride! He's thoroughly impressed.

Sportin' the old school dipes! And oh my, those stripes!

Drum session inspired by a cd sent to Isaac from a good friend.

Helpin' direct Daddy in with the travel trailer.

Aahhh, playin' together!

What We've Been Up To...

Good bye Dad

Home sweet sandy home...

One big giant sandbox!

but you gotta run to stay warm!

Or snuggle close, that works too!

Well, all kinds of happenin's around these parts. A couple of weeks ago the boys and I headed home to the coast for a visit. The trip had two main objectives, other than the obvious of visiting my Mom and Grandparents, taxes and laying my father to rest. All objectives were accomplished, yay! My Grandparents, mother, two sisters, Isaac, Eli and I all walked out to the river bank and sent my Dad on his way to the ocean, and said the goodbyes he wouldn't allow us to say before he died. It was one of those rare days where the weather was nicer in town, at the beach, and it rained and hailed on us, which was fitting since I don't think I've been to a funeral that wasn't rained on. I was glad we were all able to be there, together, missing only my aunts to round out the family of women who have all been so hurt by him, yet still loved him to the end. Dad had that effect.
While at the coast, it was great to see Mom and Girma and Girpa, and my sisters. Eli rolled over for the first real time at Girma's! We squeezed in a quick trip to the beach, but since it was Eli's first and he's pretty small for understanding that you take the Oregon coast any way you can get it, we decided to spare him the freezing winds after about ten minutes. Its always so nice to be home, and I cherish these times more and more as slowly my family tears up roots and leaves the small town where I grew up.
Me and the boys had a day and a half at home before hitting the road again for a visit to Trav's hometown. Again it was nice to visit family, and let everyone meet and cuddle Eli. It was just for a weekend though, which always feels like such a quick, rushed trip.
At home, I've been as busy as always with diaper orders and getting my tiny Etsy.com shop up and running. Of course, Isaac and Eli are keeping me busier than anything else, mostly because they are so much fun its hard to tear myself away! :)
We found our travel trailer, so we've got most of the things we need now for outfitting our "skoolie" and so now we've got to start designing the blueprints, so to speak. The yard is looking pretty full with the flatbed trailer, the travel trailer, the school bus, and Trav's coworker's truck that's been parked in our yard for years. But, he sold that truck, so down one! Hee hee.
Well, anyhow, sorry to bore with the long rambling post. Good night all!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!