birthday fun, cool cousins, and Easter shoes...OH MY!

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.” —Audrey Hepburn

“You will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.” -Audrey Hepburn

April is off to a roaring start.

Birthday fun. I would expand on the fun but it is probably better that I don't. Haha.

Easter with family. The ten-year gap cousins. Love these boys. (By the way Nick totally kicked at the egg hunt!)

New shoes for some sisters. I call them our Easter shoes, but really they're not. My flip flops were from Troy for my birthday and De just buys shoes whenever she possibly can.

So, April is off to a good start. It is Spring break and I'm taking a few days to slow down before picking back up again.

In other (birthday) news: I follow a blog, hula seventy, have you heard of it? Do you read? I love it. Every year she makes a list of things to do before her next birthday. Last year I contemplated this, however never made a list. Right around the end of February I decided that I was going to do it. So, early March I started my list. It took me a few weeks. But now I have a list of 36 things to do before I turn 37. I haven't decided yet if I'll publish the whole list or not. I might. I might not. We'll see. I will, most likely, share as I complete or work on items. Some things are silly, some abstract, some concrete, however all are meaningful, to me.

So, hears to another year. I'm ready. So far 36 has been pretty nice to me.

Weekend fun. My parents are back from Europe, so a trip to their house was in order while Troy visited his parents and took in the gun show and the Renaissance Faire.

A bonus to going to visit my parents was seeing sweet Nicholas. He had a birthday this week - he just turned four. No longer our baby, he's grown into a little boy. I love this little guy...he is so sweet and makes me laugh.

WooHoo! Opening presents!

This may be my favorite picture. That look on his face...Probably wishing I would stop with the pictures already and help him and goofy auntie De open the boxes.

Summer fun on the slip 'n slide with his big cousin Archer.

I love seeing Archer and Nick together. They adore each other.
Ten years difference makes this cousin relationship fun and unique!

Good times!

two-sday.

Today was day two in the week in my life project. I didn't take quite as many photos (about half of yesterday), however I still got quite a few. I just kept forgetting...Hmmm...there is always tomorrow.

What I have liked about this project is the thought involved. The focusing on the little things, on real life. This is truly a "regular" week in our "regular" lives and I think it will be fantastic to have a record of it. I am planning some other little slice of life and at a glance pages for my book. I am pretty excited about it all.

Here are a few pictures to enjoy.

Chores. Frisbee golfing with Alex (I call this the "I have a really big hand" OR "Take my picture and I will shove that camera up your ...." picture), my Trader Joe's loot, Emily working hard at Dave's! (edited to note: Emily is not Emily's given name. Emily is Travis aka Travis Emily. We call him Emily or Nurse Emily and have since I've known him...Long story. Sorry about the confusion. His parents don't hate him. We do. No...just kidding. I love Emily!)

***On another note...my phone chimed with a new text message tonight. While that isn't an unusual occurrence the new message was...I was thrilled to get a photo from Renee of my sweet nephew Nicholas. Oh I miss him. I saw him a month ago, but I know that he is growing and changing day by day and I wish I could see more of it. Anyway I will take what I can get. Isn't he adorable?

oh brother

Is there anything like a brother? No. I think not. Well...maybe two brothers. That is what I have been blessed/cursed with...two brothers.

First there is this one. This is John. He is the oldest (notice the really gray hair!). Six years older than me, 19 years older than Alex, 22 years older than DeAnne. John had his first (and most-likely only) child three years ago - the sweet Nicholas that readers of this blog have grown to love! He graduated from Sehome High School (boo-hiss! haha), went into the Air Force, is currently retiring from the military and started working for Boeing doing...something...I am a bad sister...I never know/knew what he does/did. I know in the Air Force he did something with planes (good deduction on my part...). John lived away from us for a long, long time. He moved back (to Washingon) about four or so years ago. It has been fun to have him closer, share holidays and bbqs with him again.
And this one. This one is Alex. The baby brother, but not the baby. He was born when I was 13 - my first baby! He graduated from Bellingham High School (the same year I graduated from college) and has stayed local. He is a homebody. Alex is fun and sweet and is one who really enjoys life. You can usually find him at Cornwall Park playing Frisbee golf or hanging with his friends. He is usually pretty laid back, but can be really serious when he wants to be. Alex is a great uncle. He is Archer's hero, role model, buddy.
See? He is a happy boy. He really doesn't like my camera - gets irate when I whip it out! These covert shots are usually the best anyway.
Typical brother thing. He was spying on his little sister...reading her messages...waiting to get the crap beat out of him (you don't mess with the DeAnne)!

One of my favorite scenes. I love to see my big brother with his little boy, being a dad. It is something I never thought I would see. John was always a meanie big brother (he laughs and loves his meanie stories), but he has become a wonderful, loving dad to his little boy...So...it's all good.

Oh the joy of brothers. With brothers you get it all. The good. The bad. The ugly. The fun. And at the end of the day I love my brothers - unconditionally!

this boy.

turns 3 today!We celebrated with him last weekend. I was happy to have a little Nick fix!

Happy Birthday you adorable boy!

weekend recap

Where shall I start? Maybe with a weekend breakdown...

Friday Archer and I began our summer vacation. Quick trip to town, lunch, a new video game (really...what else is there to do in the summer? whatever).
Saturday was DeAnne's graduation party.
Sunday lunch with Troy and a BBQ at my cousin Lorinda's.

Okay. So those are the facts. What really happened?

What about the lessons I learned this weekend? That may be much more fun for you.
Lesson 1 - I am not in the 18 - 22 year old range anymore. Interpret that how you will.
Lesson 2 - umm....Okay. I think one lesson is enough. If you think you want details you may want to think again.
Oh yea - maybe lesson 2 should be make sure battery in camera is charged prior to party...

I got a few shots over the weekend (before the dead battery).

*The Graduate* All decked out like a movie star. Those are some rockin' pants and sunglasses!

Alex who looks like he walked out of Top Gun (which he has never even seen...). Where does one find sunglasses like that? I have to admit he pulls them off pretty well.

One of my favorite things is seeing my big brother with his son. I never thought I would see the day. He is truly a great father and Nick is a wonderful little boy! We bought Nick some "big" books and he spent much time reading...Lovely.

Cousins. I am so grateful that Lorinda's boys are such great friends to Archer. It is precious to have friends that are family. (Caleb, Dawson, Archer)

My cousin Kelly, who wasn't able to join us, sent his kids up for the day with his sister. I haven't seen Kelly in years, however I usually get to see the kids a few times a year. This is Skylar and Alexis. Darling girls.

Kelly's son Ty who is just days older than Nick. Ty is a hard one to get a picture of. I have quite a few of him running away from me. As soon as I would hold up the camera away he would run!

One last one of the graduate. Sweet, smiley girl (don't let the cute fool you! haha)!

Happy Monday. First Monday of summer vacation! Yay!

Lovely Sunday!

Watched some movies. The Game Play. Sliding Doors. Martian Child. Enjoyable.

Scrapbooked! Yay! I haven't really sat down and scrapped for quite some time. Today I completed this very cute mini-album of Archer and Nicholas. The pictures were all from last Fall when Nick came to stay for a couple weeks. I really enjoyed making this little album - it was quick and simple and I love how it turned out! I also completed a few pages - I feel quite accomplished today.

Happy Day!

Yay!

Tonight (after the glorious coffee/chocolate tasting - oh yeah) I went into my mom's to see brother John and nephew Nicholas.

Nick is one of my favorite little people. He is full of personality. And he is adorable. I brought him some fresh blueberries - that makes him love me! haha! It does help break the ice - no shyness when you bring him food (kinda like his Aunt Jerrie...hmmm)....Nick LOVES his Grandpa-pa David. Evidently he was waiting at the door with his arms crossed waiting for Grandpa to get home from work today...Didn't even take a nap waiting for Grandpa which could be why he was so tired tonight.
Nick alternately likes to beat up Uncle Alex and be held by him. Alex is very tall and makes a short person like Nick very tall as well.
Aunt Paula, Aunt Berta and Alex hanging on the couch. I am at the end. Our family can fit a lot of people on a couch. If DeAnne had been there she probably would have squeezed in as well. People comment on how tight we squeeze in or pile on...
I was commenting to Troy the other night on how few times John is mentioned on my blog and how there are even fewer pictures of him...So, my goal tonight was to get a picture and post it. Uh...yea...didn't happen. Oooops. Maybe tomorrow.

Better.

Thank you friends for your kind words. Yesterday was a challenge. Many days are a challenge. Today was challenging, yet a much better day than yesterday. Your words of empathy, kindness, and encouragement were (was) happily received.

Looking forward to this weekend. It is full and is looking to be fantastic!

Saturday - From 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. there will be a free coffee/chocolate tasting at the Lynden Pioneer Museum. If you are close by you should come by for a taste of Starbucks and some chocolate from the new Lynden Chocolate Shop. What is not to love? If you are around town stop by the museum, say hi to my beautiful cousin, Lorinda & I, and enjoy a little cuppa joe & some awesome chocolate.

My brother, John, and my gorgeous nephew, Nicholas, are at mom's for the weekend. After the coffee/chocolate day I will go to mom's for a visit. I haven't seen Nick since Christmas and John since Nick's 2nd birthday party in August! John was in Germany for four months serving our country (he spent his 40th birthday there- so not only have I not seen him for six months he got OLD in that time - haha).

Sunday - Oh the beauty of Sunday. My friend Cheryl and I will be going to see our boyfriend, Matthew, in his new movie Fool's Gold. While the movie may not have received good review (dumb newspaper) I don't think they took into account the review of Matthew himself. Can't wait for that one!

Those are the plans. My guys? I don't know - video games, air soft, boy stuff.

Adorable!

My older brother, John, is home from a four month deployment in Germany. My family seems to really enjoy Germany - all of my siblings have been there and I have not. Poor me.

Anyway, of course he brought back gifts for Nick, who we know as the adorable boy (beside Archer) who graces this blog from time to time.

John captured this picture of Nick in his new outfit - doesn't Nick look thrilled? I think it is absolutely adorable. Yes, absolutely!
Welcome home big brother. We missed you and appreciate what you do for our country.

Cousins on the couch...

This is Archer's new couch/twin/king bed...

Nick looks just like his dad in this picture...

This is a cutie pic. Love it!

Nick loves to tickle!

Tired boy at Christmas lounging on his new couch/bed thing!

Hate to see it go

Here it is Christmas night and even after all the shopping and cooking and work that goes into Christmas I hate to see it go. We had a wonderful few days filled with great food, the best company one could ask for and so much to celebrate.

Here are a few pictures...

Troy, Horton and Papa George sitting in the glow of the tree waiting for the present opening to begin!
Archer diggin' his new Tae Kwon Do uniform. We let him know that he got to join the blackbelt club - which he is so excited for. Now he gets the cool blue and black uniform!

Alex Wii-ing out. Nick loved Alex's decoy duck and asked for one of his own. Sorry Nick. Every time a Wii game ended Nick would shout "again!" He even tried a few games himself (video game addict in training!)

Rockin' out with a new cordless guitar and Guitar Hero 3! ("Hey Cheryl - come over let's play!" - says Jerrie, not Archer. haha!)

DeAnne is a Guitar Hero champion. I will never play her :)! She completely rocks!
Well night is here and after this long day my bed is calling my name! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and was able to spend time with loved ones this season! May the spirit of Christmas live within you all year!

See you next year Santa!