Remembering...

9/11/01

I brought out my pumpkin candles today, even though it was in the high 80s today and still felt like summer. My house smells like fall! I love it.

I {heart} this boy!

09/09/09

9 {totally random} things for this ninth day of the ninth month of '09

1. I smell fall in the air and I love it!

2. I really didn't want to unload my dishwasher tonight, but I did anyway.

3. There is an owl tea pot set that I found in a catalog, that I really really want.

4. I have the post vacation blues.

5. I love that Justin is starting to ask "why?" or "how come?" or "what happened?" - but hate that I never seem to have an answer that he won't follow up with another question to.

6. I had lots of vegetables for dinner tonight, but need to eat more fruit.

7. I am counting down the days 'til Starbucks has eggnog lattes.

8. I am running behind on almost everything I need to get done.

9. I love love these bowls from Anthropologie!

dance

Right now the song of choice for getting his groove on his "Holding out for a Hero" from the Footloose soundtrack. This song has a very specific, very energetic dance. One evening last week, Justin took his boombox into the garage {while the door was open} and did a little performance. The neighbors were stunned to see shy Justin busting a serious move.

Infants are a lot of work!

Today I watched Jordan for 6ish hours. She slept the first hour, then kept me busy with 3 messy diapers, about 4 bottles, and lots of holding and rocking - girl didn't want to be put down! She is starting to smile and "talk". She is a very easy baby, but still a lot of work. Hard to believe that Justin was ever that little.

he's so charming

Lynn, Linda and Ashley came for a visit today. I think Justin really impressed and charmed his grandparents and aunt - as it has been awhile since we've seen each other. Justin and Ashley played the Wii for a bit and we also put together some puzzles. I am very thankful they came up to see us.

nearly 700 miles later

I missed my boy. He wanted ice cream, so we went....

And boy, am I ever tired! This morning Amanda and I got up at about9:30 and headed out for some b-fast. Then we hit up the nail salon for mani-pedis. There was only one gal working, so it took forever. And then I totally had the "you have boyfriend?" moment. If you don't know what I am talking about... check out the video...

The tradition carries on....

The Dave Matthews Band - Gorge Amphitheatre
Set-List

Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Seven
Shake Me Like a Monkey
Lying In the Hands of God
You Might Die Trying
The Song That Jane Likes
Dancing Nancies
Why I Am
Dreaming Tree
Road
Spaceman
Corn Bread
Caveman
You and Me
Gravedigger
Jimi Thing
__________________
Squirm
Stay (Wasting Time)

Before the show, Amanda and I goofed off with the camera.

Played cards

Stared at the sky

LOVE

Irritated with a capital IKEA

I was feeling ambitious last night and thought I would try to get started putting Justin's new dresser together. I know that I have extra parts and I know I am missing parts, but I thought I would at least get started so that I knew exactly what I needed when I go back to the store to exchange my extra pieces for missing pieces. I took the frame of the dresser as far as I could. Next is to start assembling the drawers and see what I am missing there {4 drawer fronts for sure}.

On the plus side, Justin is super sweet and asked me to take his picture as he snuggled Paxil.

And not photographed, but worth a mention... Justin found some lipstick in the bathroom, smeared it on his lips, smeared some on my lips - then kissed all over my face to see the lipstick mouth prints, and then requested that I do the same! I cracked up big time! Not sure how he knew the lipstick would leave a mark after you kiss. Not sure that it matters how he knew, cause it was just too precious and sweet!

wash me

Today's mission: Scrub 1.5 million bug carcasses from exterior of car.
Tomorrow's mission: Vacuum 8.9 million grains of sand from interior of car.

And only 16 more working hours left until Dave! Not that I am counting or anything.

toy boat toy boat toy boat

1472.2 miles total

Scenes from the road:
For all the hours we logged in the car over the course of the week... Justin was a total pleasure to travel with. I was dreading the long drive home, but it was one of the best I have had.

I think the best part of being in the car for Justin, was the opportunity to see trains along the way!

Spontaneous pit stop!
Amanda was in the Tri-Cities with some friends when we drove through. We were fortunate enough to get invited to join her and her friends for a boat ride on the Columbia. It was a lot of fun, and much needed. It set my estimated time of arrival in Portland back by about an hour and a half - but was well worth it!

(didn't take this picture of Alex, Amanda and Nathan - I stole it off facebook)

This silly little boy, would put the little cooler on his head as a visor when the sun was too bright. Maybe it was all the driving that was making me delirious, but this just cracked me up!

And... through the Dalles there were wild fires which made the sunset just amazing! The sun was a bright orange ball and it went down.

accident

Before:

After:

Photo explosion!

Me: What are you doing?

Justin: I textin'

Today was the annual get together that Dad and Connie host at the lake. I didn't count but I would say there were at least 20+ people there. More than half of which knew me as a baby. Nearly all of which I had not seen in years. It was pretty cool. My dad's old high school buddies, their wifes, other old friends! It was a very impressive bunch. Uncle Jim grilled up some tri-tips {which were amazing} and there was so much to eat, and so much conversation to be had. Good times!

Nick and Justin spent some time splashing water on eath other.

I had my feet in the water and Justin joined me.

Taking a boat ride in Howard's old fishing boat {aka peanut}. Much to my dissappointment, the big boat was sitting in my dad's driveway with a for sale sign. No boat rides in the "go fast" boat for us this trip.

Raise your hand if you need sunglasses.....

Justin getting a lesson in how to drive the boat!

This picture of Justin with Sam-bo took me way back in time to when I was little.

The best place on earth!

Awwwww! Beautiful day!

The water was a chilly 71 degrees. Not too bad once you got used to it - we only went in up to our knees though.

Justin really enjoyed the lake this trip!

Uncle Jim and Justin

Meet Charlie

Charlie is a cocker spaniel/king charles cavalier mix {I think}. She is 9 months old now and just hell on wheels. Justin was. not. a. fan. She is very sweet though and an awesome addition!

Dad and Charlie girl.

Driving day

Justin was blasting away cars, trucks, etc. as we drove along. Dude needed a little entertainment on the long drive and I can't say it was the best option in the world, but I refuse to get a portable DVD player for long trips, so little man must use his imagination.

Stopped for fuel in the Tri-Cities. We don't get to pump our own gas in Oregon, so this was a novelty. The drive to Spokane was good, we made good time and arrived in Spokane at 4:3o.

And "from the land of sky blue waters...."

Nick rockin' a Hamm's!

family fun

Amanda, Nick and me at Rogue brewery.
The last time we had a group photo op like this was 3 years ago!

The mission today was to find beer. Local beer. Good beer. Nick wanted to sample some of the areas microbrews. After a little online research we headed to Rogue on 13th in the Pearl. I got a sweet parking spot - but since it was too early to eat {and drink} we walked a few blocks up to Powell's to get lost in the books for awhile!

Nick and his beer tasting at Deschutes Brewery. 19 beers!

Cheers!

The next planned stop was to make the trek out to Bullwinkle's for a little family fun in the form of mini-golf! Justin did fantastic! But, boy was it hot out there! After a ride around the go-kart track and a stop at the photo booth - we headed to Sonic for cool drinks and then stopped in at Fry's for a little laptop research {I want a mini-laptop}.

At home Nick grilled up a flank steak, set off the fire alarm cause he left the back door open while he seared the steak.

Good memories!