Ski Bunnies!

We took the boys up the ski hill this afternoon for their first ski. It was too adorable. They both did so well and we are looking forward to being a skiing family. Ryan was able to go for some runs while Greta and I supervised Joe and Edwin's lesson. 

Ryan with his new skis. Do you see the joy in his eyes? maybe not with that squint. 

Getting the gear.

Waiting for helmets and pinnies. 

Riding the magic carpet.

True to their personalities, Joe focus on his form and control while Edwin had a need for speed. 

A great day! Can't wait till next time.

Weekend in Stanwood!

This past weekend Auntie Ardie and I packed the kids up and spent the weekend in Stanwood with James and Tracy! Just like my nephew Lucas, my kids "live for spending time with their cousins." 

Friday, Ardie and I took turns in the temple while the kids enjoyed the temple grounds and a nearby park.  It was a gorgeous day and wonderful to be at the temple again. 

Thank you James and Tracy for hosting all of us.

That evening Gabe and Kent arrived with their crew and we went to a Harlem Globetrotters game. The best part of the evening was when Edwin was terrified by a globe costume that "ate" a person wearing the opposing teams jersey. I was rather insensitive and couldn't stop laughing. 

When Joe was only a year and a half he did the same thing to this little statue girl. They have a long standing relationship.  Good to see the passion is still there. 

Our picnic on the temple grounds. 

Greta didn't nap all day and this is how she was the whole time. Beaming!

Can't wait for our next visit!

1/2 Marathon

I did it! I am officially registered for the Seattle marathon. There are quite a few of you who I know would LOVE to join me. Sorry for those of you that are pregnant or just having a baby.

You can sign up at www.rnrseattle.com. Yes, I'm talking to you... Amy L., Laura N., Christina S., Quincy M., Rachel K., Emily T., Jen N., Andi K.  and anyone else who wants to run.

Tell it like it is...

 

(Sorry for the awkward post... the movie didn't load properly first couple of tries.) 

There's a great grocery store here in Vernon that sells Spumoni and CREME FRAICHE!!! So excited.  

We actually had falafel's not meatballs. They were pre-made and may not have tasted quite as Edwin described but close. 

3 man band

This morning Ryan and I were awakened to the melodious sound of Joseph playing the kazoo and maracas, Edwin on drums and Greta shaking a tambourine.  It was too adorable. Greta would get a little distracted and not know whether to shake her tambourine, dance or try and steal the drum from Edwin. 

Joseph then informed me that he had mastered the kazoo and so he didn't need to learn the piano. He offered to teach me how to "play" the kazoo (do you really "play" a kazoo?)  and said,

  "don't worry mom, you'll catch up." 

I ran downstair and grabbed the camera so I could record them. UNFORTUNATELY, there's a shot of Ryan in his (white)"sleep clothes" that I didn't think was appropriate for the blog. 

Adventures in Housesitting Part 4

'Twas the night before this morning, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; ( I wish)

...

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Star Wars danced in their heads;

And pappa in his 'kerchief, and I in my cap, 

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, (except that Ryan was watching a movie while I tried to sleep.)

When out on the other side of the bed there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

This is where I leave my loose plagiarism  because I knew exactly what was the matter. Ryan was puking over the side of the bed. 

I lay there for a second or two debating whether to pretend I was asleep or not... then hauled my tired body off the soft, warm mattress to get something to clean up the mess while poor Ryan ran to the bathroom to finish the job. 

It's about midnight when this is all happening. I had just barely settled Greta down for the night and had Edwin resettled as well. I just wanted to sleep but knew that I was being punished for staying up late to watch the most hilarious episode of The Office. 

I arrived back on the scene handing Ryan a large bottle of Pine Sol and went to find some rags and a bucket of water. When I walked back into our room an overpowering smell almost caused me to retch. Ryan had dumped about 1/2 a cup of the concentrated cleaner right on top of his puke... he was again heaving into the toilet because of the smell. 

Now many of you may be wondering how does this all play into the Adventures in Housesitting series. Well, let me explain. In the master bedroom of my parents home the room is carpeted with inch long, red shag. Yes, I said shag carpeting.  This is where it gets fun.

No one likes to clean up vomit but it is altogether an impossible task to pick the chunks of tuna and cheese out of shag carpeting. The task was more than Ryan could handle. Every time he attempted to reenter the room he ran back to the toilet. I'm like most Burnham's and have a hard time with puke too... too many bad memories in the van with Spencer. But I went to that place that all mother's go to when we wipe bums, deliver babies and ...

There was no way I would be able to retrieve all the chunks even if I worked all night. Ryan isn't even sick.  He was having a coughing fit and lost control. Puke is amazingly projectile when we gag it out but imagine the mess it can make when it has the force of a cough behind it. It's like shattered glass.  I resorted to sucking up the biggest mess with the vacuum. Truly there was no other way. Then proceeded to clean up the rest with water bucket and rags. At this point Ryan was standing in the hallway with a green face telling me what a saint I am. If he only knew the thoughts that were running through my head at that time. :) No, there were no bad thoughts because I had gone to that before mentioned place. 

Well, everything was clean and we settled back into bed. Sleep evaded us because it couldn't stand the smell. We opened up the windows and door to the balcony.  I was hunkered under the comforter with the cloth over my mouth when I heard Greta awakening. Off I went to nurse her back to sleep. She just wouldn't settle. Yes, my polite escape from the stench.... thank you Greta. I made a bed of blankets on the floor in her and Joseph's room and was more than ready to sleep. Except she still wouldn't calm down. The noise from Ryan's movie and the smell... oh that horrid smell was too much for her.  Grateful for the sliding door to the master bedroom I trapped Ryan inside with his show and the smell. Within 2 mins. Ryan comes running out of the room gasping for breath. The decision was made... it was time for us all to abandon that side of the house. I grabbed Edwin,  whose room is next to ours and filled with the caustic odour, and lay him on the "bed" next to Greta and me. After opening the window in his room, turning the fan on in the bathroom and sliding the hallway door shut I was more than ready to sleep. Ryan ran for sanctuary in the guest room downstairs. 

It was 2am before everything and everyone was settled. 

Bright (no actually it was still dark) and early this morning I awake to Joseph stepping on Edwin while getting out of bed there is a sharp yelp, from Edwin, and a blinding evil light. Joe slept through all of last nights adventures and is ready for a new day. It's 6am.  

It's 11am now, I've rented a carpet cleaner and am trying to steal my stomach for the task at hand. 

Only 8 more hours before I can exclaim, "Merry (Friday) to all and to all a GOOD NIGHT!"

Good mornings

Yes, those are her real eyes!  
Posing after breakfast.

Giving Edwin a head snuggle. Greta loves to put her feet up on her tray.