Nine Years

Yup. Nine years. It hardly seems possible, but that is what the math says. A night out seemed in order, so we had a dinner and enjoyed one of our favorite pastimes—bookstore browsing. We are trying to line up a trip for our tenth anniversary. It is going to be legend...wait for it...

Track and Field Day

We had this great idea that we might actually be able to get in some running time while hanging out with the boys and all while Robb was on call. The answer was to go to the track at the university and take turns running laps.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

No, but seriously. It almost worked. What we didn't count on is that Zeke and Lincoln would want to run. And that they would be pretty fast (remember I'm comparing them to my own, lackluster performance). They made it around once with Robb. Then half way around with me. Then an incident involving some gravel and a skinned knee. Zeke cried for the next 20 minutes (the time it took for us to round up a band-aid) and then promptly forgot about it. (We will be investing in a first aid kit for the car.)

A quick stop by David's softball game and we called it a night.

In Pursuit of Trouble

It isn't so much that he is trying to climb everything. But the fact that he gets stuck and will be there until he is rescued. I'll come around the corner and just find him in some random spot.

And then, we moved the camera in his room and he found the cord today. First he tried to pull it down and then, when he was unsuccessful, he sat back and glared at me. Will definitely have to re-route the cord after nap time.

Making Do

Can't find the tire for your LEGO car? No worries, I'm sure there's something laying around on the dining room floor that would work just as well. Also, when did we have Fruit Loops?

Expanding the Flock

We've been enjoying our small contingent of poultry this season. So, in the interest of keeping up their numbers, we decided to add a few more this spring. I'm not sure how we will do with the older and younger ones all together, but for now we have three tiny, downy babies living in a box in the stairwell. Zeke and Lincoln are enamored.

Reading

Well. Looking at books might be more accurate. But #3 is starting to follow in his brothers' footsteps.

Mr. Independence

Rusty is pretty good about letting me clip his nails. But he is also pretty clear about letting me know that he wants to do it himself. He hasn't quite figured it out yet, but he sure is cute trying.

Discoveries

So, baby Everett has figured out the ladder. We are definitely going to have to deal with that right away. But first an annual check-up where we were not surprised to learn that he is huge on the growth charts.

When we got home, Robb harvested the rest of the lilacs and the boys had an impromptu party. They were so giddy that they were "decorating" everything. We found lilac branches protruding from their toy castle and everywhere else imaginable.

Good Morning!

Every morning with this one is a blast. He wakes up quickly and cheerfully (unlike some other members of our family). Which is probably why he is also the boy that usually sleeps in.

Zeke at Play

I love the way this kid's face lights up when he is up to something silly. I guess he was rifling through my dresser and finding alternate ways to play with train tracks. But he was also entertaining baby Everett, so pretty much anything goes.

Lincoln Cuddles

This little guy never used to cuddle. We would toss him in bed with us and he was all elbows and knees. These days when he is the first one awake, he comes creeping into our room and sneaks into our bed. And he is downright cuddly. I'm just soaking it in.

Little Travelers

These boys never cease to amaze me. They certainly are solid little travelers. We still get glared at when we board the plane. And the grouchy traveler sitting in front of Lincoln switched places with his wife. But the boys stay positive and have fun. Plus, they got to ride the train (tram between gates) and drink juice today. So, all in all, a good day.

Adventuring

Adventuring has become something that Zeke talks about a lot. To him, it pretty much means doing something new and exciting. So today's excursion along the dusty canal definitely fit the bill. I can't even tell you how much dirt they brought back in their pants.

Boys, Bubbles and Bugs

What more could you want out of a leisurely Sabbath afternoon?

Sabbath Sillies

This church has some fun. The boys learned about animals in Sabbath School and got to wear some pretty elaborate masks. And, of course, Pastor Dennis Ray.

The Lloyds

We got in a dinner with the Lloyds over in Hanford. It was a pleasure to meet little Elise and watch the kids play together. Audrey and Matthias were adorably welcoming and ready to play with their cousin strangers. We love you all, sweet family.

Wild Boys

The boys are certainly in their element, enjoying an early summer. These trees are just the right height for climbing, Nana has been teaching them croquet and they've been running barefoot in the grass.