I've lost that bloggin' feelin'

I feel I should apologize, even though, really, who cares? I just haven't blogged in awhile, okay? I have my reasons.

But if I had blogged, I would have told you all about my feelings on the stupidity of the celebration of GREEN, in other words, St. Patrick's Day. Can I get a shout out from anyone who is annoyed by the superfluity and frivolity, and who is offended by the very existence of products related to St. Patrick's Day? Let's hear it. And how amusing that it should fall so close to Easter, so that there is a veritable collision between the shamrocks and the bunnies in all the seasonal aisles of stores. (See, aren't you glad I didn't blog about it? I'm March 17th's answer to the Grinch.) Then I would have gone on Charlie Brown style, a mere 6 days later to blog about my grief over the commercialization of Easter, and then my grief over my OWN spiral to hell in a pastel colored handbasket. Because at the end of the day, who can resist the fluffy bunny ears? Not me. I'm such a hypocrite.

But a few notable things have happened, that got me back on the bloggin' train. The peeps torture was a highlight of the Easter aftermath. Thanks, Bridget. I feel now that Sam's airsoft gun has fulfilled the measure of it's creation. (Hmm, still don't know how to add a link. Somebody come show me.) Bridget has pictures.

Sam broke his thumb on this cursed rip-stick, then jumped back on it the next day to try some "sweet new tricks."

Sydney graduated to Sam's bike and Maia almost learned to ride Syd's bike. Can you hear the chanting? "go Maia, go Maia, go Maia." I love the team effort.

I've been forgetting my camera everywhere we go. Silver Creek Falls (with my sib's Sheryl's and Neil's family, and of course mom and dad in their RV) was beautiful--amazingly rain-free. But cold. Then a night in Corvallis with the folks. Got to see my other brother Ken, who is thankfully recovering from a crazy-long bout of vertigo. Also got to see a highschool BFF I haven't seen in 15ish years. (Thanks for not lurking, Dale, despite your disdain for blogs.) Then on to Lincoln City where we experienced all manner of weather: hail, rain, hail, incandescent sunshine, hail, WIND, hail. Did I mention hail? Sam stood outside the window pretending to be a newscaster who gets swept away during the newscast. That got so many laughs that he did it about 87 more times.

And we're home, doing laundry and repacking, so we can get up early and brave the snowstorms between here and Bend. Hmmm..."winter snow watch." Maybe we'll stay home.

Happy Almost-40th!!!

Just kidding. Mike is 38 today and he is being such a great sport. He was going through a slump earlier in the week, so I planned a fun trip to make him feel young again. We stayed at McMennamin's Edgefield last night, caught some live music, ate great desserts, got up early and cross country skied the Teacup Lake 6 mile loop. The reason I call him such a great sport is that I'm the one who loves funky hotels, live music, great desserts and cross country skiing. It didn't even dawn on me until today that I planned my ideal getaway, instead of his. So what's his ideal getaway? He just wants to do anything I want to do. That's why I love him. (Side story: the other day I asked him which celebrity he would most like to meet. His quick response was, "If you were with me, Alan Alda, because I know how much you like him. If I were alone...nobody comes to mind.") He even happily left the live music as soon as I declared it "too country" (sorry Darilee) and shared his creme brulee when I liked it more than my bread pudding. And when I realized I forgot to pack my snowpants, he insisted I wear his. Wow. What a champ.

The girls have been sorely vexed all week because we didn't know what to get Mike for his birthday. Maia helpfully suggested "How about a new truck? Me and all my imaginary friends think a new truck would be good." She asked him outright what he wants and he said he just wanted some time with his family. Maia was concerned "but we can't wrap that, Daddy." Of course the kids knew my get-away plans, so Sydney gently let me know later that Mike meant he wants time with everybody, not just me. Needless to say, we hurried home from skiing so we could do some family things, including dinner at Chevy's and some fabulous treats at home, compliments of some dear friends. Thank you Heidi, for remembering Mike's favorite pie (and caring enough to make it!). And Nathan, for the fancy drink. When Sam saw the bottle (and verified that it was non-alcoholic) he said "I just feel like this is going to be a great day."

Happy Birthday, Mike!!!
Love ya!

Happy Birthday, Dear Sammy, Happy Birthday to You!

9 years ago I held my little Samuel Grant and swore nobody would ever call him "Sammy."
Oh, well. It's been a great nine years, kid. You bring excitement into every day. I never know what you're going to think of next. Great job putting your new bike together--I'm sorry I even suggested you might want to wait for daddy to get home. And yes, the pegs are sweet.

Here is my favorite gift-find. Sammy's been collecting state quarters, thanks to Grandma Andrus, so I found this super cool collector's folder/map at Amazon. $8. (Okay, so I guess I still don't know how to add a link.) It's full of details about each state. The kids gathered round and enjoyed it together, except Maia who wasn't fully awake.