One more to explain things in the blog below!

So, the one picture, should have been something else, but it ended up being the picture of an octopus... there was this huge octopus that we had fun watching throughout the night. There are people at the aquarium that are studying ways to keep octopus' brain active. So, the food for the octopus is put inside toys, that they have to figure out how to open. This octopus' favorite toy is Mr. Potato Head!

Also, I'll include the picture of the boys going up into the divers helmet. It was Glenn's favorite thing to do. Even in his little cowboy boots (I did not realize he had them on until we got to the coast!)... he always wanted to go back to climb up the ladder to see out of the helmet again.

Lastly, the first picture from the previous blog, is of an ancient Megatooth shark. The boys got a good kick out of that!

I hope that Todd will get a chance to go next time, and I'll stay home. I know he'd love it! Oh, and the last picture in this blog, is of the boys by the jellyfish, after just finished the scavenger hunt... boy were they proud!

We all do our best... right??!!

So, it's been a while! Hope you guys will still check my blog once in a while, even if I don't :-) Life has been full of adventure, and because of it, we don't seem to get much down time. But some good things about this lifestyle... A. we all have less time to get into trouble.... B. it makes us appreciate the down time we do take.... and C. we hope the adventures will remain intact on these little kidlings, and at least remember the fun times we have had together as a family.

So, the first picture is of a BEAUTIFUL theater up in Salem where James and I went to go see "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere". It was very well done, and James loved it... the little historian he is. It was also a great time, just the two of us, hanging out together. And thankfully Glenn and Alex had a great time with Joleane while we were gone too! Such a beautiful theater, though. I'd never heard of it before, but has a beautiful medieval castle-like foyer, and beautiful carved artwork inside the theater... I need to look up so more information on the theater itself. But it was a treat to attend!


The following week, the older boys and I headed to the coast to sleep with the sharks. WOW! A fabulous experience. It was well worth the money we paid! There were 27 of us, and we had the run of the entire aquarium, and had 2 personal tour guides to ask to our hearts content. James, of course, didn't waste a moment, and was the first one to raise his hand to ask how sharks sleep. Many of them sleep on the bottom of the tanks, or else they just hover in one spot and just keep their gills moving to keep the oxygen coming. But to my complete surprise, Glenn raised his hand to ask a question. Glenn was behind me, so I couldn't see him raise his hand. And I was looking at the woman with a bewildered look, wondering why she was looking at me like I had raised my hand. Then I heard Glenn's little voice chime up his question... how do sharks swim so fast with their tails. Then the lady went into the muscle movement of the fishes tails. But I was so shocked... my little Glenn who used to be so shy, really has come out of his shell. It seemed to have started while we were back in MN last summer... and he has just flourished since then... gaining such self-confidence.


We started the sleepover at 6PM, and they had us up till 11PM, and little Glenn still didn't crash till 11:30. We were having SO much fun just staring up at the sharks, and all the other fish swimming around. There was a large school of fish that kept swimming all around, and at different times it looked like they were making S's and O's. So, Glenn finally asked, "Mama, do those fish know their alphabet?" It was quite cute. After a wonderful nights sleep... I mean how could you not enjoy waking up even in the middle of the night to the sight of such amazing fish... even being pregnant on the floor... I could have cared less... they then woke us up at 7AM for breakfast, and to watch morning feedings, talk more about care of animals, and one last look at the aquarium. James woke up, asking me why they had just woken him up... he just fell asleep! And Glenn, was wide awake, ready for the day.


We walked around all the different buildings, and they had a scavenger hunt set up for the kids, which was great, because it really make them stop to read the signs, and not just run through the rooms, look at the animals, and run to the next. We really learned quite a bit. We had pizza for dinner, and cereal for breakfast... not the most nutritious for us people with gestational diabetics, but the kids LOVED it! And around 10 after 9, they sent us on our way... back home. That night we had our huge RS dinner, so the rest of the day was insane getting ready for that. I don't think I sat down the entire day... the good news... boy did I sleep great that night! We couldn't have had this amazing experience without Todd's help! Alex would NOT have done well on that schedule! So, he offered to stay home with Alex. And we sure did miss them... especially since there was another little boy about Glenn's age whose name was Alex, and he was such a cutie! My boys just latched onto him.

Well, if any of you ever get a chance to go to the aquarium for a sleepover, I would highly recommend it! I'm sure our fabulous tour guides made the evening as well. It really would have been lame if we got stuck with lame people. But they were fabulous, and make our evening wonderful. The last picture is of James and Glenn making Plankton out of whatever material they could fine. James chose silly puddy and toothpicks... you can see his floating in the middle of the water... right where it's supposed to be.

Well, that's all for tonight. We had a fantastic book club discussing Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. But I am bushed... so off to bed I go.

The Extravaganze video clip

So, here's a video clip of James at the Extravaganza. We were not seated in the best spot to see James, but at least at the end you can see him! Enjoy.

Us

Grandma Brown's Visit... flew by!

Well, it's been a little while since I've added anything, and so much as happened! So, I'll start with my mom's visit, and at least accomplish that today!

The day we dropped Jeanne off at the airport, my mother flew in! They missed each other by about 40 minutes! Sometime we'll have to plan on a few days all together... wouldn't that be fun! The kids were so sad to see Grandma D leave, but they were happy to see Grandma Brown come!

After all we went through with her last summer, she sure was a sight for sore eyes coming up the ramp in her wheel chair. How wonderful it was to see her so healthy, and off of oxygen! She still had a cough attached to her as the result of her sickness, but if that's all that is remaining, we all feel so blessed!

Grandma D knitted away while she was here, and James started knitting this washcloth about a year ago, that he suddenly remembered, and wanted to work on! Well, it took him a little while to remember how to do it, and to remember to pull the string taunt as he knitted, but he successfully completed his dog coat while Grandma Brown was here. He really was quite good at it, by the last row!


Now of course he wants to knit one for Alex and Glenn... hopefully that won't take another year! But with the Iditarod winding down, the knitting project became a wonderful coat for his dog that he uses when he pretends to mush.... which is all the time!

While Grandma Brown was here, James got to show off his karate at the Extravaganza! And boy was it an event! The kids just showed off all they could, and were quite proud of it! James, the drama king, actually toned it down for the event. When they were preparing for this even, James usually was the master in acting. And after being complimented once by the karate instructor, he hammed it up... every time! So, whether it was the hard gym floor, or the large crowd of people, he hammed it up a little, but NOTHING like he had before. James, actually shy? Hard to believe... must have been the hard floor :-)

It was a wonderful evening, and we wrapped up the event with a trip to the local Habachi grills, and enjoyed some wonderful food! Alex did NOT like the fire in the beginning, but James and Glenn enjoyed it immensely!


And knowing Grandma with her projects, she brought along a quilt for us to make for the baby. So, we had a great time hanging out, trying to figure out poorly worded instructions! But we had a great laugh out of it, and I thoroughly just enjoyed our time together. And the quilt turned out great! It's neutral colors, so will be apt for a boy or girl! Now the boys and I are going to tie the middle. I figure we still have a few more weeks :-)

We delivered Grandma Brown back to Grandpa Brown, who missed her immensely, and worried about her incessantly! I was called by dad to remind me to give her time to rest, turn the heat up, and it was just cute to see him make sure mom would be fine. Even though we had already turned the heat way up (Todd enjoyed being able to lounge in shorts and T-shirt), and planned on mom having rest! But thanks for the reminders, dad!

When asked by the boys what was their favorite part of Grandma Brown's visit, James emphatically reponded the pottery painting that we did (which we'll pick up today), and Glenn enjoyed reading with her.

So, now that both Grandma's are gone, we are back in full mode, pushing as hard as we can to get everything done before this baby is born! Sometimes it seems overwhelming with all that I would like to accomplish, but I just try to remember.... "baby steps to the elevator". I know time will fly by, and I'm also trying to enjoy this last baby as much as I can. Although Todd leaned over quite early the other morning, and felt a hard lump on my tummy... which eventually started doing somersaults. He said, Geesh, that's amazing... my response, "I feel it all the time. Just try sleeping with that" :-)

Have a good day, and we'll tell you about our Aquarium adventures soon!

The Coast

Saturday, Todd rode his bike over, and Jeanne, the boys, and I met Todd over at the coast. It was a beautiful afternoon. I wish I had brought our good camera, but our camera phone will just have to cut it. We started off downtown with lunch at Mo's... what trip to the coast is complete without a meal at Mo's?
Then we headed over to Yaquina Head Light House. You need to be 42 inches tall to climb the lighthouse. Well, the last time we were here with Caitlin, James was 40 inches, so couldn't climb. He was so sad. Well, it broke my heart to see him well over 42 inches tall this time... really! Where do they grow up! Even James said, "I don't feel any taller." But sadly he is! Glenn was 41 inches, but when he went on his tiptoes, he was over 42, so he was able to climb the stairs! And he loved it! They had a beautiful view at the top, and enjoyed seeing how the lighthouse works. Alex and I hung out downstairs, and even took a picture of the stairs for the kids to see later. And while we were walking around outside, Alex wanted to touch all the fish... Grandma D would be happily holding Alex, and all of a sudden would lurch toward a sign! Good thing Grandma D is strong! She got her workout while she was here!
After the lighthouse, we walked down to the tidepools, and got to see some starfish, and green anenome's. We were pointing out the green anenome's, when Glenn pointed to another area and yelled, "Look, there are more enemy's!" It was quite cute.
Then it was off for some taffy... Todd got a little carried away, and came back with a huge bagfull! He hopes it lasts 6 months.... yeah right! We had a fabulous time with Grandma D, and will be counting the weeks, hopefully soon to be days, till they come back! Even Alex cried when Grandma D walked away at the airport! What a wonderful visit. But Glenn was in Alex's face, telling him that "it's ok, Alex... she'll be back in 10 weeks, and only 9 weeks after Grandma Brown comes to visit." It was cute!

Silver Falls State Park Pictures

Well, we dropped off Grandma D, in exchange for Grandma Brown yesterday. Glenn was EXTREMELY distraught Monday morning, when I told him that we had to have lots of fun today because it was Grandma D's last day. He was so happy before when he came down, but he instantly got tears in his eyes, and said, he didn't want her to leave! It took a couple minutes of telling him that they'd be back with Grandpa D, and that Grandma Brown was going to be visiting right away, that he finally started to lighten up. He really has LOVED having the full attention from Grandma D... complete with foot and hand rubs at bedtime!
We spent a few times down at the riverfront enjoying the beautiful weather we were having! And one day we headed over to Silver Falls State Park. It was FABULOUS! Great weather, and beautiful falls. The boys and I hiked about 3.5 miles, and Todd, Alex, and Jeanne (of course Alex was completely along for the ride!) hiked for about 6 miles. So, we all slept that night! The falls were intriguing, though. You'd be coming up to on that was ONLY 107 feet tall, nothing compared to South Falls, yet because of the way it fell, it was almost more beautiful! They each were so unique, and it was nice to go on a beautiful day when it wasn't crazy with people, as in the summer.

James and Glenn loved getting all their oats out, and loved going behind the waterfall. Alex on the other hand, thought otherwise. He CRIED whenever Todd took him behind any of the 3 waterfalls they went behind. He did NOT like the noise! I just laugh at Alex. If you look at him in the pool, he is crazy insane, and has NO fear whatsoever, and will happily jump into the deep end whether I'm looking or not! But outside the water, he's my little timid guy! Certainly not shy, but timid! He'll still walk up to anyone, and start on a long conversation, when none of us know what on EARTH he's saying! But he sure does seem to know!