Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown???

So, (I always like to start my stories with this word) So... hear this funny story.

Last spring, Craig, our landlord, was in the front garden (aka weed pit) doing something funny with the weeds, so I thought I'd go check it out. Turns out he was digging holes. I said, "what are you digging holes out here for?" He said, "there are squash growing out here." Ok, random. He has a really nice garden in the back yard. So I think to myself, why did he plant squash out here in weedville? So I ask, trying to not sound dumb, "why did you plant squash out here", (I didn't say 'in weedville.') He said, "I didn't." Hmmmmmm, even more random. So I think really hard to myself, why ARE there squash growing out here? Anyway, to not prolong this "funny" story, I remember that the boys left their pumpkins from last halloween, there in the front weed pit and when Craig came to till the weeds, he spread the pumpkin seeds ALL over the place. So, now we have a really great, but weedy, pumpkin patch in our front yard! Tucker and I are really quite proud. I water it everyday. And we have really great plans for next year, think irrigation systems, vintage pumpkin seeds, hayrides.... we'll see about hayrides. Charlie Brown really has nothin on us! But it gets me in the mood for hot chocolate, banana bread, pumpkin pie, fall leaves... Anyone who knows me, knows I HATE any season that's not summer! But today, I'll sit in the 80+ weather, water my pumpkins, watch my pertty green grass grow and wonder how AWESOME I'll be when the neighbors want to come admire my big orange beauties! I might share some love... that'll be one dollar!

I was getting a little tired of Hawaii, so I thought I'd put this little video on.
Kaleigh is just to that stage where SHE has to do everything herself. She says, "NO,no, I doin' it."
I think it means she's a big girl and really doesn't need her mom for pretty much anything. How sad for me. But I think it's so funny how she combs her hair...up! The other cute part at the end of Riv, he just doesn't let anyone touch his hair. It hurts. Hear the "ow"!

Loving Hawaii

Our new favorite sport

This is Tucker Snorkeling with Nate. I'm posting two videos so you can see the turtle they were swimming with. Nate was trying to get them in the footage together, but the turtle was probably bored with them and wasn't cooperating. Anyway it was really cool and I think we are going to scuba certify ourselves so we can go all the time. I guess we'll have to move to Hawaii...uh...SEE YA!

Good times on the Island

Tucker promised that if he came back alive from Iraq, he would take me to Hawaii. Of course he came back...unscathed, so off we went to Oahu! Thanks to him and our very good friends, Nate and Wendy and family (who live there), we had more fun than I have probably ever had...In My Life! We crammed so much into our days and took a million pictures, so it was really hard to narrow them down to the "blog five", (ps- how do I change that?) thus the slide show too. And soon to come video of our awesome day snorkeling, thanks to Nate! So, enjoy the highlights and our memories! And if you start to wonder where I am lately...I'm on Waikiki Beach! I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish I was still there!
P.S. Big fat thanks to our Mom's and Kelly for taking such good care of our kids so we could enjoy such BLISS for one whole week! We love you!!

Happy Birthday Baby!

I can't believe six years have gone by! I swear he was just born, the sweetest and cutest baby ever! And now look at my Cayden, all grown up! And such a funny kid. He alway's makes me laugh when he says things like, "mom, why don't you act like a kindergartener and keep your hands to yourself!" (as I'm tickling him on the couch.) Check out Cade on his birthday each year. Still the same cute face, just a little older. And a few of his favorite things! I love you Cader! You make me a very happy mom!

Here's Cayden's favorites:

fav person: tie between Kaia and Kevin

fav color:blue

fav food: "cooked up chicken" aka rotisserie from wal-mart

fav thing to do: play DS and watch cartoons

fav place to go: toys r us

fav sport: baseball and swimming at grandma great's

River Rides

I'm posting two today because I have a lot to post his week. And because I was just so dang proud of both my boys and their accomplishments.
River has been wanting to ride his bike all summer, but we don't have a driveway at our house to ride around on, so we keep his bike at Grandmachele's. So he very rarely got to ride. But he told Tucker one day to take off the training wheels. So he did. Turns out he was really ready to learn because it barely took two seconds to figure out the balance thing, and off he went. So this video, excuse all the movement, is about two minutes after the first lesson. Look how adorable and little he is! I love it! GO RIV!!

Cayden's First Day of School

And where was his Mom? At home crying? No. In the car, following behind the school bus?? No. He walks to school. You guessed it... she (and his dad) was in beautiful Hawaii laying on the beach, soaking up the sun! (Actually, with the four hour time change, we were still in bed sleeping. But we did wake up at 4:00am to wish him a happy day!)

What kind of mother, you might ask, misses her oldest child's first day of kindergarten??!! It was actually pretty hard for me to not be here, I did cry, but with Tucker's leave and just coming home from Iraq, that was when it worked out. But thanks to Grandmachele and Grandpa Norm the first day was great! His teacher had him be the helper to keep his mind off crying because he "was a little nervous." (his words) Really, he loves school and his teacher, Mrs. Hoddenbach, and loves to bring home his projects to hang on the fridge!

So here's a couple shots of the first day, even tho it was a week ago.

P.S. My Hawaii post is in the works, just waiting for a few more pictures!