When Kids Control the Camera

I don't have the patience to wait for all of the pictures to upload, nor am I so naive that I think that any sort of normal person would take the time to look at over 100 silly pictures. My boys have taken a sudden interest in the camera, and the results have been numerous and strange. As their mother, I had to tell them to erase a few of my favorites (with a tinge of regret because they made me laugh--but don't tell my boys that). I'm referring the images taken from a certain 8-year-old's perspective while in the act of...how shall we say? Emptying the radiator. Seeing a man about a horse. Dropping off the extras at the pool. Anyhow, the shot of the pants and orange boxers around the ankles was no less funny than the picture of the results of the action, within the pot, from a bird's-eye-view. These others aren't quite as entertaining, but they convey the general idea. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. (guffaw)

In going through the pictures, I actually did discover that perhaps there is a bit of budding artistic talent. A mother's bias? You decide:

Totally WICKED Oregon Trip!

We had SUCH a wonderful trip to Oregon. It was absolutely perfect. Here are some highlights:

The kids were awesome on the car ride. Isaac even let Joe sleep on his shoulder. Awwww, so cute!

First we stopped and saw our cousins in Boise. We got to help them feed the ducks, eat yummy food, help them construct a playhouse, and wrestle in Nacho Libre masks!

In Oregon, we went on the most gorgeous hike EVER! I enjoyed every second of it. We went with our former neighbors. The pictures don't do this place justice. Seriously, it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

The beach. Kind of a let down. It was cold and foggy, but my crazy boys still got into the water.

The Gilbert House--A children's museum in Salem. Totally fun!


Lyss and Link having a tea party. Ike and Joe in somebody's stomach. Yum!

Alyssa in a bubble.

Swen's (and Jeff's) birthday party--We got to see many of our "Oregon friends." It was so much fun!

Wicked was TOTALLY WICKED! I felt like I was going to cry the whole time because I was so excited and the music was so beautiful and I was sitting next to my baby and it was so wonderful. sigh...

I'm ready to do it all over again...

Random

What we've been up to...

A whole lot of studying (or rather, TRYING to study as my children dress me up or distract me in various other ways)

Lots of forts (to moms -- A.K.A. MESSES)

Much silliness


Sunday cuddling and naps (ahhhh, my favorite)

Couch jumping and other cool antics

The fast-paced growing of my baby

More messes-- Er, I mean playing

Saturday sock pinning (6 pairs per day X too many days = LOTS of dirty socks)

Occasional trips to the park


The best Valentine's Day EVER! My mom-in-law got me a REAL LIVE BLOOMING PLANT for V. Day. It was absolutely wonderful. I didn't know how much I missed growing things and spring until I realized how much joy the flowers brought to me.

***PLUS, Swen surprised me with tickets to Wicked in Portland and the CD. No man on earth has ever hit the mark like he did on this gift. He totally scored! Not only do we get to see Wicked, but we also get to spend a day at the ocean! Also, he will turn 35 while we're there, so we're planning a birthday bash for him with all of our old friends. (Old friends: details will be coming soon!) Wa-hoo!

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P.S. IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE MUSIC FOR WICKED BEFORE, I ORDER YOU TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND LISTEN TO 3 OF MY FAVORITE SONGS FROM THE ALBUM. LOVES TO ALL.