The First Days of School

It's funny to finally be posting Brooke and Josh's "First Day of School" pictures since I know of several places where school isn't just starting, they're well into their second month. But out here in good ol' Bonney Lake, we milk summer for all it's worth, and we don't start until the Tuesday after Labor Day.
In reaching that oh so exciting first day of school, and for Brooke her first day of kindergarten, as a mother I have also hit a milestone, the beginning of packing a school lunch. The first night while Brooke and I sat smearing PB&J across bread, I felt like that car insurance commercial, "I am so there".

(anxiously awaiting the school bus)

(Brooke's already going up the stairs)

The first day of Kindergarten for Brooke was a hit. She was so excited because on the first day they didn't do any numbers or letters. She is also really enjoying music class and all the new friends she gets to play with. However, I think she's taken back a bit by the "rules of the playground". Mostly by the rule that says, "even though we're friends at home, that doesn't mean we play together at school. I have my friends and you have yours, but when we get home again, let's hang out." What is the deal with that rule? I guess I kind of get it, but Brooke is all sorts of confused by it. Fortunately, she does have "her" friends that she can hang out with during recess, so she's handling it very well.

Josh is also had his first last day of preschool. For two years now we've taken our kids to Ms. Shauna's for preschool, and the kids just love her. She does an amazing job, and like every good teacher is so underpaid. Josh loves her, and we love her, and he's so excited to go and learn.

Josh and Ms. Shauna

Stories Yet Untold

I read some of my friends blogs, and I'm always so amazed at how well they keep on their lives. Anyone who follows mine, knows I'm terrible at that. So here our some of our summer activities and cute things that have happened thus far.

Luke found the Josh's vacuum and is actually vacuuming my floor. I thought he was having fun but. . .

maybe not.

Luke and our friend Ammon at Lake Tapps. Lake Tapps is about two miles from our house, and the kids really enjoy going there for a swim. We recently acquired a row boat, and although we look like total dorks next to all the really nice ski boats, the kids have a ball on the water (once Ruston has convinced them we aren't going to sink).

Ruston's birthday. Don't worry, he's not really turning one. It was an ice cream cake and one candle was all I could manage to stick into the darn thing.

Josh and Luke enjoying the water hopscotch Josh got for his birthday.

It's called sticky rice . . . I get it. We had to take him and his high chair outside to hose them both off.

For Luke and Zach's birthday we got them a Cozy Car, and they have loved it all summer. However, sharing is hard; we NEED two more!

Josh loves the trail-a-bike, he calls it his one-wheeler and is always wanting Ruston to take him biking, and tells him to "go off the big jumps". Scary!

Brooke learning how to roller blade. She's kind of getting the hang of it.

Our first camping trip this summer.

Not quite as adventurous as we were hoping to be, but we all had fun. Actually, by about midnight, the air mattress Ruston and I were on went flat, so we went upstairs to bed. A nice benefit of staying so close to home!

Josh's fourth birthday and his dinosaur cake.

Father's Day with the Pack Family tradition of orange rolls; they ate the rest of the breakfast downstairs.

And lastly, yet again there are times when you only need one, and everyone still has fun.

My Boddy

There's one, maybe two people who prior to reading this entry know that "boddy", is not a typo. Way back many eons ago, when friends used to write notes to each other in class instead of texting, I received a note that I thought was signed "your boddy" instead of your buddy. My friend and I got a good laugh, but from that day on, we always signed our notes "your boddy". She, Kellie White, now Conde, became my best friend.

We played basketball together in Junior High and High School, created only minor mischief together and about a month ago, I got to go back to San Ramon and visit her.

You know you have a true friend when you've fallen in and out of contact over the last fifteen years (when my family moved to Denver), for real lost contact for four of those years, and yet when you get together it feels like yesterday.

Kellie is one of those friends for me. We always have a good time together. My only regret about my most recent trip . . . I went to Great America without her. Next time.

Thanks Kellie, for always being a best friend.

The reason for the maddness, Denver Third Installment

But back in May I embarked on an endless journey, 1700 miles . . . one way, to drive myself and four small children (all five and under) to Denver so that I could "indulge" by doing none other than running 6.2 miles. I think somewhere a bolt or two has come loose.

However, running a 10K (the Bolder Boulder) with your mom, dad, sister and brother is priceless and therefore obviously worth the bolt or two lost along the way. (Not my fastest race time coming in at 58:45, but like every good person, I'm sure I can blame that on someone else!)

This is me and dad after the race and getting ready to watch the pros do it, my dad did awesome and finished the race in just under 51 minutes! not his goal, but wow, he's FAST in my book!

Popcorn and Popsicles, Denver Second Installment

Popcorn first. You should have seen the "fun" these two had together. If only we could see Lisa's little boy Carter more often.

If your reading this entry and a Bown, you will at least understand the second half of this title. Apparently, the love of popsicles is genetic; going back at least three generations, and therefore cannot be helped. Ruston's grandpa loved them, his dad, I'm sure at least enjoys them, Ruston is addicted and MUST always be able to find them in the freezer or will immediately remedy the problem, and as you can see, the kids . . . obsessed. (I'm a little concerned, Ruston, elated.)

Denver, First Installment

Since I'm soooo far behind in blogging this is going to take a couple of entries. I finally made it home after being away for about two years. We came so that I could run with the fam in the Bolder Boulder (I'll have to tell about that later!). I love going home, and wish I didn't live so far away. Here are some pics from our trip.

This is taken from my mom's kitchen window. I love that they get deer in their backyard and yet the grocery store is still just a block away!

Brooke and Josh is Lisa's hammock, we had a good time there.

Brooke experiencing what we called "extreme swinging".

If you think this is nuts, just imagine when we used to do it on the most broken down old wood ladder, and really you were more worried that the ladder would break than you were about swinging or jumping from so high. You can see the old ladder in the background.

I love it. It's so much fun!

We made it to ONE

Ok, so I've been out of town since the 13th of May, so I'm sorry this one is soooo late. The boys did finally turn one; we made it, we all survived, and really I'm just shocked. I NEVER thought I would make it, but not only did we make it, now their 13 months. Wow, who would have thought.

As far as the party goes, initially I was planning on throwing this big party for myself, who cares about the boys, I made it. I was all pround that I survived, but when it came time to put all that together . . . I was too tired. SO we had a small gathering with a train cake and some ice cream. Really it was just about right for two kiddos turning one.

Luke was a little timid, but by the end he had eaten a little,

but nothing like his little brother!

I

Girl's Night Out

For most of you it is no surprise that if I'm ever given the choice as to where I want to eat, it's just about always Sushi Town. Sushi Town is the local sushi restaurant and lucky for me it is the BEST sushi restaurant around. Lots of people drive the 45 minutes down from Seattle to go for sushi here in Bonney Lake, and their rolls are the best! I crave sushi on almost a weekly basis, but due to financial drawbacks I only indulge monthly.

Well about two weeks ago, our stake had the Father's and Son's Camp Out, so what did Brooke and I do . . . got a babysitter for the twins and headed to Sushi Town. Now what five year old little girl wants sushi . . . MINE!, and I love it. She was almost as excited about the sushi as she was about going on a date just the two of us. After dinner we came home, put the twins to bed, watched a movie together in my bed, and then fell asleep together. It was really a great night.

On our plate we have four pieces of Salmon, two pieces of Tuna, squid salad, and two long rolls. The only thing Brooke wasn't such a fan of was the crab on top of the one roll; she thought it was a little spicy. Oh ya, and the wasabi. She tried to talk a big bite of that, but fortunately I stopped her before she got it in her mouth and simply let her smell it. After that, she was okay leaving that one alone.

Finally . . . We only need ONE!

When you're having twins, they always tell you, make sure you have two. Two cribs, two car seats, two high chairs, two pacifiers, you get the point. Ahh, but for now, we only need one.

Other Updates

1. Luke is crawling. They've been army crawling for a while, but Luke finally figured out how to do it on his knees.

2. Brooke is learning how to read. About a week ago she read her own bedtime stories. It was amazing to watch. She sounds words out very well, and I love listening to her.

3. Josh is Mister helpful. He loves to vacuum, sweep and do the dishes. I only hope it lasts through the years.

4. Last weekend we went to the Oregon Coast to check things out for our summer vacation. Despite the bad weather, we had a great time and the coast is super gorgeous. We are really looking forward to spending a full week there in the summer.

5. Brooke and Josh love playing together.

57:45

What do those numbers mean to you? Could it be a scriptural reference? Well, let me give you a hint, it's a time. Fifty seven minutes, forty five seconds. So, what can you do in 57:45? Get ready for the day (ie. shower, blow dry, make up)? Do a load of laundry? Vacuum the house? Well, on March 20, I did something I've never been able to do in only fifty seven minutes and forty five seconds, I ran a 10k, or 6.2 miles! Now for some that time isn't all that exciting, but for me it was amazing. I'm still impressed with myself for doing it so fast. My real goal however, is to run the Bolder Boulder (Denver, CO) in less than 55 minutes. I have another 7 and a half weeks to train, and three minutes to shave off. I have no idea if I'll be able to do it, but I'm gonna try.

A Few Recent Photos

Brooke's first day of gymnastics

My cute little Zach causing mischief

Zach's first haircut, really just s trim to get rid of the "bald spot"

Luke

Luke figuring out Josh's power tools, dad loved it!