The Eiffel Tower

One afternoon a few weeks ago Caleb wanted to build something with popsicle sticks.  I got out all of the supplies and he knew exactly where he was heading with his little project.  I had to take a picture. 

What little boy decides he wants to build the Eiffel Tower with popsicle sticks and then goes to town?  That's my Caleb.  

Always A Great Day For A Picnic

A while ago Ernie and Caleb had field day at school.  Parents were invited to go and have a picnic with them for lunch that day.

 I grabbed the food and Big E brought the blanket, and we were all set....

well, minus Little E's sunglasses.  We improvised.  

As a side note, I think the grass at the boys' school is some of the best grass ever.  Don't you agree? 

The Boren Fam

A few months ago (I checked the date a few times to makes sure it really was that long ago) our long time friends, The Borens, from Boise came and stayed with us for the weekend.  We had a BLAST! We love their kiddos and it was so much fun to stay up until all hours of the night talking.  

We went to the Secret Garden at the Mirage one afternoon. 

 Austin, caleb, Ernie, and Cambria

Caleb and Austin

These two were so cute.  Austin wanted to hold Caleb's hand and be right next to him the whole weekend they were here. 

I thought I did a better job at getting some pictures, but obviously not.  Still, we have a few memories :) 

 We LOVE that we have room for friends and family to come visit.  So, here is your invitation.  Anytime, just let us know when!

The Perfect Surprise

Tomorrow I am going in to get my tonsils removed.  I know, sounds like a blast right? My ENT asked that I take a week off.  A full 7-10 days of rest to recover properly.  He must know me well enough to request that I get work off and pretty much stay in bed.  

What am I the most nervous about the night before my surgery?  

Boredom. 

 I am absolutely not complaining, because I really do have a very fortunate life.  However, just so you get an understanding of why in the world that was my biggest concern.......

 I am not the kind of person that like to sit around.  I like to be on the move.  I am wondering what in the world I am supposed to do with myself for that long.  My mom and dad are taking the kids for the weekend, and then they are in school.  You can only read so many books and watch so many movies before you loose it.  I can't eat anything.  And I had no lap top to even try to catch up on my blog or take care of the bills. 

And then my husband left a surprise for me tonight on my bed. 

It is what you think it is.  

I know, I know.  I say it all the time.  But how amazing is he?  I really have the most amazing and thoughtful husband ever.  I am very blessed.   

And thrilled that I now have a world of endless possibilities as I sit in bed unable to talk for the first little while and sipping vitamin water. 

Although, I also now have ZERO excuse for not being caught up with blogging, bills, and emails. 

Unless I pull the whole, "the pain pills made me sleep" excuse.  Hmmm, then again I might be so excited with my new toy that I may not have to reach for that one.

More Spring Break and Easter

How Boring of a title can I have, right?
One night during Spring Break we went with my Dad, Claire and Robert to a Las Vegas 51's game.

 Who in the world would think of an alien to be a team mascot?  Only in Vegas.

 Caleb LOVED the peanuts.  We went through two bags.  Sometimes he would just suck on the shell and spit it out.  He also liked to eat the entire thing, including the shell sometimes.  I know, probably should have stopped him. He was just enjoying it so much.....

We had a lot of fun and it was a beautiful night. 

The three of us also flew to Boise for Easter weekend while Ernie was gone.  We missed him.  We had so much fun seeing family while we were there. 

Because we were getting back on Easter Day, Caleb helped us set out the Easter baskets before we left so the Easter Bunny could visit while we were gone.

 Some of the cousins came over to Ernie's parents house and we died Easter eggs.  Here are some of the boys. I love Caleb's muscles.

 Really, how did he get so lucky? Muscles and a smile to die for. 

The Easter bunny visited Caleb and left him some candy at Grandma's house.  Lucky kid!

 Here is Caleb and his cousin Jackson who was staying at Ernie's parents house as well. 

Caleb and Grandma Angie

Ernie's Grandma Doreen and Grandpa Bill have some awesome traditions for holidays.  Easter, they have the best Easter egg hunt known to man. 

 

There are different age groups for the hunt.  Caleb was part of an older group this year.  He had no idea that the Easter eggs had quarters in them in the older group.  I will never forget the look on his face when he found his first one and realized it contained more than candy.  It was priceless. 

 There was also plenty of candy to be found.  I know he missed his brother because he was being very particular about the candy he was trying to find and he finally told me he was finding all the candy that Ernie likes.  It was SO dang sweet! (And one of the moments that I realized they DO love each other!)

 Caleb found about $36.75 in all.  We had him save half, but you will never guess what he bought with the other........nope none of you have a clue, do you? Well, here is a hint.  It might start with an "l" and end with an "egos".

 Here is Caleb with his Grandpa Ernie, Aunt Karli, and Uncle Abi.

Caleb and Grandma Doreen.  We love Grandma Doreen.  I love being able to spend time with her.  And she has done an amazing job with her family.  It is such a great family.  I am very blessed to be a part of it, and I know my boys and husband wholeheartedly agree.

We are excited to go back in July, and this time have the whole family, not just 3/4 of it!

Once Upon a time, Caleb had a Spring Break

Don't worry.  Ernie is not the only one that had a great Spring Break.  During their spring break, Caleb had a blast as well.  It was strange to only have one child, but we took advantage of it and did some really fun things with him.  In fact, one day Big E took a day off and let Caleb pick what they did all day.  He sent me pictures from everywhere they went.

Their first stop was the driving range.

Then they went and got him new shoes, but the picture didn't get through to me of that one.

Then lunch.  Shocker actually that he picked McDonalds.  These days it's all about Cafe Rio for Caleb.

This one killed me.  So they went to the driving range and hit golf balls in the morning.  I guess he didn't get enough of his fill of golf for the day because then he wanted to play miniature golf.

And the last stop I was allowed to join them.  We went to Uswirl.

He had such a great day.  He has a fabulous father, and I feel blessed ever day that I have Big E to help me raise these two incredible boys.

Once upon a time, Little E went to Boston

For Ernie's birthday last August, my mom gave him a trip to Boston.  (I know, awesome gift!) He had been excited for 8 months.  And that gave him ample time to read up on the Revolutionary War, our Founding Fathers, ect.  He really enjoyed learning about Sam Adams in particular.  Not sure why.
Over his spring break (the week before Easter) he headed off.

 Here is Ernie looking very grown up.  Ready to fly across the country.  Not what most 8 years old kids get to experience.....

 My mom and Sophie were his traveling companions. 

They did so much.  They had such a good time.  This post won't be complete, because I don't have a ton of pictures.  But a few of his favorites parts were:

- Playing games with his Uncle Justin

- Getting around on public transportation (particularly the subway)

- the Museum of Science

- Six Flags

-The Pirates Museum 

-The Freedom Trail

Those are just a few of the things they did. My mom is great at planning trips, and they were able to see a ton and had a wonderful time.

Here is Ernie making cookies with Co.

Here is Ernie making pizza dough with Co.

 Ernie won this monkey at Six Flags.  Meet Monkey.  (My boys have always been so creative with names.)

The day he won it, we received a call from a strange voice that said, "this is Monkey.  Can I talk to Caleb?" And for about 10 minutes we heard uncontrollable laughter from Caleb.   We received many more phone calls similar to that, and every once in a while we were even lucky enough to talk to Monkey. I hope I can remember Monkeys voice for a long time, because it was pretty amusing. 

What an amazingly blessed kid.  He learned so much, and had a great time. 

One of the hardest parts for me is that he is old enough to go on a trip like that all the way across the country without me.  But I am so genuinely grateful that he was able to have an experience like that.