Ummm, sorry

So it's been a while since I've blogged... sorry! We've been busy! Pretty much since we returned home from Florida, I had to get us back in the groove because I knew we only had two full weeks and then a half week before we would be back on the road again for another mini trip! It's camping weather... YEAH! Last week we packed up the beast and headed north... well north east I guess really... to Beavers Bend in Oklahoma! This is probably our favorite park to camp in, especially in the fall. Hiking through the mountains with the leaves all changing, it really is quite something. So here are a few pics from our trip... once I get them put into our online album I'll put a link... we got all artsy with the nature, and some are super cool!

First up, it is really nice to have a junior camera man in our family. Bobcat has gotten really good using our big SLR! We now actually have pictures of just the two of us at places... and as a friend said... proof that we were there too!
See what I mean about the trees... aren't they just lovely. And if you like finding things... you might catch a sighting of the boys way up ahead. We love our walkie talkies... the boys are familiar with the trails and can go quite a ways from us on the trail exploring, and we can hang back taking artsy pictures that annoy them when they have to wait for us :-).And this blog post wouldn't be complete without a pic of my three little bumps on a log!

Now I must go get ready for an adoption conference... oh I'm so excited! Great speakers and being surrounded by families like us is just a great way to spend a day!

Hockey

It's official, Snooker is a hockey player! He suffered his first blood last night at class... well, actually it happened before class started (during free skate time)... but hey it was on the ice. Poor little guy took a nasty fall and used his face as a brake on the ice! You may be wondering why he has a boggin' on under the helmet. Well, as some of you might know, our kids are small... including their heads. So keeping the much needed helmets on the first lesson was a little difficult... putting the boggin's on under it helps keep the helmet put!

Needless to say when I took a picture of Snooker, the other two wanted to get in the shot as well. Here's their fierce hockey player face... notice my sweet little Snookie just can't make a mean face (when you want him to).

Okay, I don't really get the fascination... but every time we take pictures they always want to do a Jedi pose. So of course we indulge... so here are hockey jedi's!

How's hockey going? Pretty well. They just completed their 4 lesson, and the improvement in their skating is quite noticeable. There's still tons of falling, but there's a whole lot more skating to go along with the falling. Thankfully before the lessons start on Fridays, they have 30+ minutes on the ice for free skate. Honestly that is where I've seen the most improvement. They aren't hanging on to the wall, they are attempting to stroke versus walk, and they are able to avoid other skaters!

We have two more lessons, and then it will be time to decide whether or not to continue. Personally, I like it... I think it is a good exercise for them, and it is a sport (for now) that size really doesn't matter. Bubba and Snookie just went to the dr. for a check-up (only because I wanted them to get a flu shot and I didn't want to pay for it, otherwise I would not take them in by choice to that crack-pot)... anyway they are both in the 3-7 percentiles for height and weight and the chart thinks they will end up somewhere between 5'5"-5'7"... so no basketball players.

Well, that's about it on the hockey front. They think it's fun, I like the idea that it is in doors :-), and so far no serious injuries... it's a winner all around!

YEAH!!!!

There is one week(end) a year in which I don't care that we have aircraft flying over all the time... AIR SHOW WEEKEND!!!! I just took this shot pointing straight up (from our driveway) as they flew over head! I LOVE BEING IN THEIR FLIGHT PATH!!!!

They will be rehearsing all day today (as long as it isn't raining) and tomorrow!!!! I LOVE THE BLUE ANGELS!!!!

Much needed retreat!

Friday morning we headed out on a much needed camping trip... free from all the trappings of our normal life! No phones, no TV, no electricity... just good ole' NATURE! We ventured to one of our favorite parks in our great big state: Caprock Canyons State Park!

We couldn't have asked for better weather... cool, slightly overcast... PERFECT FALL WEATHER... perfect camping weather! Once we arrived that afternoon, set up camp, grabbed something to wet the old whistle... we did some exploring right around our campsite. The walk through the dry river bed was fun for all. I, the coolest boy mommy ever, found some of the best rocks (which later ended up in my pockets because the boys were wearing windpants sans pockets). The boys followed tracks of all sorts, and mom and dad lagged behind and enjoyed the view.

Saturday morning we got up and Daddio fixed an amazing breakfast... campfire breakfast burritos! AMAZING, my sweet! Then we headed off for the first hike of the day (we thought there would be more than one... more on that later). We hit one of our favorites, Canyon Loop Trail. Like most of the trails at this park, it has a wide girth and is quite easy to follow... it does have a few more challenging ascents and decents... but very doable for our family! Thankfully we have more than just two grown-ups taking pictures along the hike... Bobcat always has an interested eye!

Here you will see me waiting for Snooker to figure out the best way to get down what he probably shouldn't have gone up!

Then there is the actual nature. This trip was filled with fun stuff... a buck in the campsite when we arrived (we had a few sitings of him actually), a doe and her fawns, a bunny (of course), several lizards... and this guy... a tarantula! Seriously people...

Can it get any better than this?

At some point along our hike we decided not to turn around... to just keep going and that this will lead all the way to another parking lot and we could just follow the road back to where we started... trouble was we really didn't know how far we were going because we left the map in the car... no worries though the trail is well marked... FAMOUS LAST WORDS! We kept on even once the wide trail decreased to a very narrow path, which turned into a river bed, then a rocky sort of path... to a ditch and a sad little path on the other side. Daddio did a little recon. and decided that we better just head back because it looked a little too difficult even for us. That was about 2 1/2 hours into the hike. Um yeah... So we turned around and headed back. At some point right after we turned around, Bobcat found this huge (and quite heavy) rock and decided he was going to carry it all the way back to the car... and HE DID!

First let me say that we've never attempted a hike this long, nor did we set out to do such a thing... but our time was -- 3:58:24... NEARLY 4 hours! This last shot could not have come at a better time. Just off in the distance you can make out our big black SUV... for the previous 10 minutes I was certain I was not going to make it... I was looking around for a nice place to lye down and give up! But there on the horizon was the Beast, and we all perked up knowing that we were just mere minutes from its wonderfully comfy seats!

That was the hike to end all hikes for this particular weekend (based on the map, once we arrived back at the car, it was some where in the neighborhood of 9 miles that we traveled)! We headed back to camp, ate lunch (or if you consider 3:45 an early dinner), laid down for a much needed break... built a new fire and made an amazing dinner and dessert! What was on the menu, well let me tell you... steaks, potatoes/cheese/sausage in a dutch oven, and for the end of our evening GF peach cobbler in a dutch oven! PERFECTION!

I thought I would leave you this week with two pictures...

Tummy TimeAnd this is the sort of thing that a Snooker will build when he is left alone without any brothers bothering him when he is trying to concentrate!
Next week is Snookie's birthday... my baby will be turning 7! So this weekend is a family party and birthday adventure... There maybe a post somewhere in all the mix... but don't hold your breath. I'll be back next week with pics!

Teach Bean to Read in 10 Easy Steps!

Vacation... (updated)

Ode to the beach... This year we were able to stay an amazing 8 days 7 nights! OH HOW AWESOME THAT WAS... I'm not sure we will be able to do anything shorter than this from now on... you really need that much time to just unwind! Another bonus of this trip included two other families who came down to the island the day after we arrived. They stayed a few doors down, and so we were able to hook up with them from time to time and all the kids could play... 11 kids!

First up, the beach house... oh what a lovely beach house it was (except for the ants in the kitchen, but it was the beach so I can look past that).

It's been a few years since our last dolphin cruise... we thought it was high time to go again, especially since the two other families that came had never been on one. Oh, and there were a few new moms out with their calves. SO CUTE!

Once again this year Bobcat and Bubba took to the waves on our adult size boogie boards. These kids are unstoppable!

I loved this particular shot because it is pretty much what we saw every time we were down on the beach... Bobcat in the water and all you can see of him are two of three things, head, trunks or his feet. Next year we're getting that kid snookle gear!

I'm currently uploading our pictures to our online site. Once I get them all updated I will post a link for those who are interested in seeing more of our trip! Click here if you have some time on your hands and like looking at other people on vacation :-).

Backtracking...

On July 3 Daddio graced us with his awesome photography skills. For those wondering, yes it was stinkin' hot... that's why we met up at the garden at 8:00am hoping to not completely melt before any images were captured!

This first shot shows my family... my parents, Bean, Monkey (16 month old nephew), and Bee (7 year old neice). Except for Monkey looking elsewhere, it came out great!

All in all we got several really great shots of the group, of different smaller groupings, and even some amazing individuals of the kiddos.

In all fairness

Just so you can see that I'm fair and balanced (and it isn't ALL BEAN, ALL THE TIME) here is picture proof. Last Monday I took my three, plus my niece (age 7) and my other nephew (15 months) to the zoo.

This was the first trip for my nephew, and I'm not sure he was all that impressed. Actually he acted so much like Snookie the first several times we took our three nearly 5 years ago. He was content in the stroller with his water... which we all needed since it was hot as... well you know!

This was also the first time I've taken 5 kids out on my own for any reason. All in all it was a successful trip. We saw things they wanted to see, we got to ride the train for free (perk of being members - on Mondays in June), and then after a few hours we headed back to my parents house (where my niece and nephews live) stopping first at McD's for some much needed lunchtime refueling!

I can't help myself!

Okay, here's another... can you tell that although we (me) only dropped him off yesterday after a nearly two week stint with us... and picking him up again on Thursday... we miss him like crazy around here!

This is a shot of him facing backwards in his bassinet laughing at the little animals hanging from the bonnet. He is finally tracking with his eyes, and lots of smiling and cooing. Oh, and sticking his tongue in and out and rolling it. It is really funny all the new faces he is making.

Bean at 11 weeks

Look at those long legs! (He takes after me.)

We've had company this past week, and I have been at work more than I haven't been at work. Hence, very light posting.

Okay, your turn, Olive!

Giver of Life

I just read a great post over at Blessed Among Men. It's always interesting (and at times annoying) what people will say when they see our family. Much like Suzanne, I have received the comment of trying for a girl, or are you done yet. And much like her comments on her own wedding registry, this life is not what I had picked out eight and half years ago.


Like many women I know, I dreamed of a largish family... I dreamed of being pregnant... I dreamed of their first day of school (walking them preferably)...


I didn't plan on adoption, I didn't plan on infertility being so final, I didn't plan on all boys, I didn't plan on my children being so very close in age, and I definitely didn't plan on homeschooling!


Thank goodness God knew better than me! Thank goodness that God's plan won out over my feeble attempt to plan things. Thank GOD that HIS gifts are far better than anything I could pick!

Worth a thousand words

Pictures...

One of my favorite things about my home these days (well the last nearly 5 years) are all the photos hanging on our walls. Before the boys, our walls really only held art pieces and a few pictures of Daddio and I... while they were all lovely, it didn't seem real HOMEY. Then along came the boys, and within a few months our walls were filled with images of OUR FAMILY. I love our walls now, every where I look I'm reminded of an event, a moment, or how tiny they were (or how big they are). A few years ago I started putting together collage frames for each year the boys have been home. It usually has 7 or 8 spots for photo's, and I do my best (with Daddio's help) picking out some wonderful memories from that year... images that are not staged, just us enjoying our life. Last night was no different. I finally found a frame that I really liked to add to our collection, and was inspired to get 2008 up on the wall.

That inspiration led to a few hours of searching through all the pictures, all the trips, all the moments of 2008... and trying to narrow it down to 8 images that really captured that year. By 8:30pm we had completed the task, ordered the pictures (I love online ordering and it being ready for pick up in an hour or less), and soon headed out to pick up the pictures (I'm into instant gratification... no waiting till the next day). Once home from the little trip, I put together the frames... and was quite pleased with the final product!

Now, so many pictures were considered... and so many didn't make the cut (for one reason or another... BOYS, for crying out loud, keep your eyes OPEN!). Below is a picture that didn't make the cut (for a number or reasons), but was an entertaining image that I had long forgotten. So for your viewing pleasure...

Snookie and Daisy:

Notice how they have the same look on their face... almost saying "Why is the [other] in my chair?"

HOW?

How do you make little boys really tired? Teach them how to make a whirlpool in a 9ft diameter pool.... then tell them how much fun it is to go in the opposite direction once you have it going pretty fast...

ha ha ha ha... I love that game... and boy do they sleep well!

Picture or two...

of the BEAN!

5/8/2009 5/27/2009

I didn't take any this past week... but I'm sure we will get him back next weekend, so I will be sure to take a few more!

Okay, one more...

...then off to bed on time for a change. We went to the Grapevine Botanical Gardens after mass last weekend to do a couple of family portraits. It's been a while, and none of the group photos we took inside the church on first communion day turned out well because the lighting is so challenging in there. So anyway, here's one of my favorite photos I've ever taken. Bubba in his new suit with beaming big brother Bobcat. I can't wait for Snookie to join the club next year!

A couple photos

There is just not enough time to do all the uploading and posting that I'd like to. I've finally managed to do a quick editing and organization of my photos from vacation and Bubba's baptism, so I'll start sharing a couple faves here and there.

First up, the handsomest first communicant of the year. I think a lot of these turned out even better than Bobcat's did last year. I had my doubts because Bubba is not such a natural model. He tends to smile goofy and blink for every flash. But we managed to do quite well.

You can view a full gallery here of a couple dozen keepers.
http://ourthreesons.myphotoalbum.com/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album91

Plus his suit is a lot nicer quality than Bobcat's was. It would appear that this is one case where you definitely get what you pay for. Trust me, you should just skip Penney's and Kohl's and Sears, and go straight to Dillard's. You'll pay $20-30 more, but well worth it, I think. A good fit and finer fabric definitely makes for better photos.

I've been published!

It's just a photo in an online travel guide, but still pretty exciting, I think. Apparently the editors of "schmap" saw my Texas Stadium photo on flickr and decided to include it. Follow this link:

http://www.schmap.com/dallas/tours_tour4/p=116039/i=116039_30.jpg

...and you'll see it there credited with my name. Cool, huh?

New Cameraman

Over the weekend we went down to Dino Valley for a day of running and playing outside! Boy did we need it. Once we got down there and hit our first trail, Bobcat's camera died (batteries... ughhh). Daddio, being the super nice daddy that he is, handed over our camera to him and let him take the pictures for the rest of the day. Here are a few from his collection:

Here, Bobcat is working out horizon angles. They can be tricky.

We have several where he sort of cut off the tops of heads.

But a huge benefit for him taking pictures is that Daddio and I get to both be in them :-)!

Training wheels???

We don't need no stinkin' training wheels!


Nice helmet hair!

We were not sure when this day would come. I finally decided to give it another go. You all remember what happened the last time we tried this, right????

Well, it's been two years now. I figured since they are old enough to reach the ground, they could probably try again and catch their falls. And we'd really like them to learn on these bikes before they've outgrown them! Snookie has a cough today (and I'm just not sure I'm ready to assist three at a time), so Bubba and Bobcat and I went out to face our fears. Bubba is getting there. And Bobcat has got it down. Not so great at turning and stopping just yet, but pretty amazing progress for one day! And no broken limbs! Not even a single tear. He was brave and rarin' to go. So, hooray for us!