Long time, no update

It has been a long time since I updated, so I thought I would let you know we are alive and well. We have been busy, but not really. We spent a few days down in the Redwoods (I still need to put some photos up of it - coming soon) and had a great time. Now we are enjoying being home. This is the first time in 8 years that I haven't worked during the summer.

We got to spend the 4th of July weekend at Lis's house with me parents. We watched fireworks on the coast and cooked marshmallows. We were also there to see Sammie get blessed the next day. It was a good time. Liam enjoyed playing with Emilie, and Ethan and Madeline tagged along.




I have been able to be at home and play with the kids. I still get to ride, as noted by the farmer tan.

Fathers Day

Happy fathers day! I had a great fathers day today with the fam. My day started off with Waffles in bed made on my new waffle maker. Brooke likes to claim that I make great breakfasts, but I think it is a ploy so that she can sleep in. The waffles were great! Ethan was in charge of helping with the whip cream, and he enjoyed every minute of it. For dinner I got my favorite - steak! Ethan and Brooke were the only ones who really like it as well. That just means more for me tomorrow! The family was very nice on my fathers day and I am glad I have such a nice and caring family. It was a great day!

Mullet boy!

Ethan is growing a mullet! I am trying to decide if we should keep the little boys mullet? They are making a comeback though. Maybe I should take a poll and see what everyone thinks. I am leaning towards the Liam shaved look, but Brooke likes the curly locks.

Ethan is our independent little tike. He wants to be like Avery and Liam so much. He doesn't want to sit in his high chair or use a cup with a lid. Nope, not happenin'. But if you ever want him to sit still, which doesn't happen often, give him a blanket and he will lie down, suck his thumb, and mumble "Ija, Ija, Ija..." We have to hide the blankets from him during the day.

Salamanders and camping!

We ventured out for a camping trip last weekend. Liam and I had to practice the week before, so we set up one of the tents before and did a warm-up campout in the back yard. We are planning on going camping down to the Redwoods, so we needed to prep our little kiddo's before the real thing. So we loaded up and went to Alpine for an over nighter. It is a lot of work packing for one night, but it was worth it. When we got there the kids loved chasing the salamanders in the pond. We even got a hold of a few - Liam and Ethan both loved them (Avery wouldn't touch them). I was suprised that Ethan slept through the night. Not dad though. It rained all night. But we had a great time.

The ladies

We had a few visitors here a few weeks ago, the Marcheschi ladies. Elisa is going to be going to the U of O next year on a transfer, so they came up to check it all out. Brooke wanted some all girl photos, so Margaret helped to take them. Thank you Margaret! The boys were strapped to their strollers during the photo shoot...what good sports they were. Brooke is already missing her mom and sisters like crazy.

Memory Lane!

Brooke and I were remembering old bands that we liked and decided to take a walk down memory lane and relive those momements via youtube.

1. Nelson - After the Rain
You have to love the long, blonde hair - classic.


2. New Kids on the Block - Please Don't Go Girl
Great song. Loved this band. This song was pre Joey voice change.


3. Cinderella - No Body's Fool
We used to lipsink to this one. I think my mom still has the video of us with our tennis rackets. That would be a great one for youtube. What is funny is that I still remember all the words.


4. Journey - Don't Stop Believing
We drove home and saw this on a billboard and it sparked or conversation around classic bands. I love the tight pants - cheetah shirt look. I am all for the mullet coming back. I would even have to grow one out again.

more ethan

Ethan is 18 months! Yes.

Ethan went to his first day of nursery. That makes dad happy!

Track, dragons, wheelbarrow rides, and great finds

Avery had her first track meet of the year. She is really enjoying. She was very excited because this year they get to do field events, such as, high jump, long jump, and throw the softball. Jen was telling the coach about Brooke and her glory days, so he invited her to come and coach the kids on high jump techniques. Brooke had a great time, but said her back hurt when she was done. She didn't lace up the shoes or take a full jump, but did do some back flops onto the pad. Avery was even more excited to have mom there.



Liam the dragon showed up for dinner the other day looking like this.


I was pulling weeds the other day, and the boys really wanted to help. They both had their own shovels and were helping pull weeds. The best part was their ride to dump the dirt and weeds in the neighboring fields.



We have found a couple of good finds lately - a bike trailer and the tent. We have been looking at Costco Land for a bike trailer. Brooke stopped by to see if they had them in yet. The lady said no, but that she saw one at Goodwill that was in great condition. Brooke called the Goodwill's and found it. It still had all the tags on it and everything. The second great find was the tent. The boys spend a lot of time playing in that thing. Liam has even taken to sleeping in it.

24

Why is it that I can't get enough of 24? How does the same story line work after almost 7 seasons? When you sit back and think about all the things could never happen in one day, and the repetitive twists that seem redundant, you say to yourself no way. But there is something about the show that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting to see the next episode. Even with all the show is still entertaining. The reason, I think, is that the same thing never happens twice. There is always some twist or difference that keeps you guessing. And what would life be like without the occasional Jack bark - "Get on the ground!" Jack will continually fight off terrorists to save the world!

My plot for the next few shows.

1. Tony will not die in this episode.
2. Kim will help cure Jack (obviously)
3. Jack will confess his love for Agent Walker, but won't want to be close to her because he doesn't want to hurt her.
4. Hodges will be tortured by Jack to get information.
5. The bomb is going to try to be set off in DC.

Thank goodness Jack is around, because I don't know what I would do Monday nights without it.

Easter (a little behind)

So I am a little behind with my easter update, but better late than never. We had a great time dying easter eggs the day before. Liam was very nervous that the easter bunny was going to take his eggs. All night long he kept asking what the easter bunny was going to do with the eggs he died. Easter morning he was flying around the house searching for his eggs (and the other candy). Many of you have had this same situation, so I won't go into to much details, but family photos with children is very entertaining. Liam wouldn't smile, Ethan wanted to play with the grass, and Avery's hair was blowing in the wind. This is the best we could do.

Getting caught up

My time has been very limited, so my blog has taken a back seat. I am posting to get you caught up on a few events over the last few weeks.

First, Liam turned 4! It was all train for this birthday.


Then we watched conference. Well, I tried while Brooke was in Portland with the girls. Ethan was all over the computer, it was pretty entertaining. To keep Liam going we set up a tent and told him to listen for the word, "Jesus." When he heard that word he got a jelly bean. He loved it. This week he wanted to watch conference again and listen for "temples."


Finally, while moms away the boys will play (and girl)! Rock Star Night!

O.A.R.

I have never been a big concert kind of guy. My concerts range from Caroline Spine to Manheim Steam Roller. But when I saw that O.A.R. (of a revolution) was coming to eugene I had to go. I got the tickets for the b-day a while ago. The opening act was Eric Hutchinson, who was pretty entertaining. O.A.R. rocked! I am not much of the hold the lighter up and dance, but they were good. Very entertaining band. I was being lazy and didn't put my clip from my phone, but this will work. This is a good song - love and memory.

T & Kate visit

The kids were a little scared when Tommy walked into our house for a spring break visit. I guess the stache and hair threw them off a little bit. But once they got over the Adam Morrison look they saw the real T-dog. Liam was more excited to see Katie. When Brooke would say Tommy is coming Liam would quickly reply, "And Katie." It was fun taking them around the sites of Eugene. We went to Hayward, U of O, Nike store, and other parts of Eugene. We just wish they could have stayed longer. Tommy and I even got in a little ride. It is such a good place to ride - I guess that is one of the reasons why I love it so much here!

Yes, we are alive!

With my crazy schedule (family, church, work, school, etc) my blogging has taken a back seat. As you can tell by the time of the post I don't get to bed until late. I just got back from coaching my Battle of the Books team at the district competition. They won! They are even 6th graders competing against 6-9th graders. But I had to post some cute pic's of the kiddos. Brooke is enjoying her new camera and has some good shots.
Cute little Ethan in his new rain outfit.

This is what happens when Liam and I get a hold of the camera.

Brooke's self portrait with the camera.

Brooke's first picture with her camera.