Versatile Blogger Award

My friend Karen nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Why thank you, Karen!

Here's how it works:
1. Thank whoever gave you the award.
2. Tell 7 things about yourself that readers may not know
3. Pay it forward by nominating bloggers you’ve recently discovered.

So...drum roll, please:

1. In the 4th grade my teacher saved me from death by giving me the heimlich maneuver. Or at least I like to think she was saving me from death. I was choking on an Oreo cookie and could not breathe. At all. If it hadn't been for her, I may have been a goner. To this day, I think that's the reason I cut up my kids' food in bitty pieces and have a slight fear of choking myself. And yes, I do know how to do the maneuver myself. Do you?

2. I wish I had been gotten my degree in nursing instead of business. I would be a hell of a nurse.

3. I sleep with a stuffed elephant that I've had since I was, oh, 8 or 9. In college, I took it to a seamstress and had her re-sew the seams for me. It seems that I may need to have that done again, only this time, I can use the excuse that it is my "son's favorite animal" instead of admitting that it is mine.

4. I dislike shopping, and most of the time, my wardrobe proves this to be true.

5. I've had a girl's name picked out since 1996. It's unfortunate, however, since Jeff appears unable to produce girls.

6. I stop for Hugh Grant movies on TV.

7. While I doubt I would actually go through with it, I often think about where I would put a tattoo and what I would have it say or look like. Maybe one day...Badass, huh?

And now, tag you're it, down below!

Rachel
maria
cheryl
stacy
melissa
kristin

Happy 4th of July!

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend this year. Per usual, it began with the Cascade parade. Adam loved catching all of the candy (of course!), but also was thrilled to spot a "Doc Hudson" car amongst the sea of old Classic cars. We did, however, miss the fly over of the fighter jets this year. Bummer.

Waiting for the parade to start:


After the parade, we headed home for lunch and naps. We were hoping to get the kids down for quick naps so that we could head over to Grammie's house for some lake action on what was an absolutely gorgeous day!

Uncle Ben brought his jet ski this year, so the boys each enjoyed a ride on it. It was a hot day, so most were happy to jump in the lake for a swim. Adam and Carter are really confident swimmers with their life jackets this year, which is really fun to see. Miles proved to be fearless again that day, jumping off the boat ladder, and even wanting to jump off the dock of the boat once (I didn't want him to hurt himself "jumping" so I just tossed him in - no complaints from him, which was pretty unbelievable!).






We ended the perfect day with fireworks on the boat and then some fireworks on the beach. The kids were exhausted by the time they were loaded in the car, and so were we.

We are truly blessed have such a wonderful family to enjoy the holiday with! God is Good!

A bicycle built for three?

Earlier this summer Jeff purchased the Tagalong bike for Adam, and it's been a huge hit. Little Brother, however, often feels left behind when he sees Daddy and Yo Yo pedal off down the street without him. On this particularly cool evening, Jeff rigged up the Burley behind the Tagalong and Miles was thrilled.

Confident that the two contraptions were hooked on securely, Miles was buckled in and off they went. What a load!

Chillaxin'

Miles is no stranger to taking it easy. Here, he demonstrates how to relax after bathtime:


The boys share a rare moment of brother love, while watching "Nemo" on a recent rainy day: