So the first nice day we had him and Erin decided it was time to go try out their skating skills. Erin preferred the strip of carpet we have in our garage.
Daddy got a bit braver and hit the road.
He did pretty good. . .mostly
Erin is learning the fine art of blowing a bubble. She also has learned what happens when said bubbles pops all over your face!
am I going to have to start smuggling diswashing soap from other states? In Eastern Washington areas like Spokane it is already out lawed to use Dish Washing detergents that are not "green" read this:
Phosphates — the main cleaning agent in many detergents and household cleaners — break down grease and remove stains. However, the chemicals are difficult to remove in wastewater treatment plants and often wind up in rivers and lakes, where they promote the growth of algae. And algae gobble up oxygen in the water that fish need to survive.
While traditional detergents are up to 9 percent phosphate, those sold in Spokane County can contain no more than 0.5 percent.
The Washington Lake Protection Association has launched a campaign to encourage people to give the environmentally friendly brands a fair chance. The group suggests consumers experiment with different brands or install water softeners to help the green detergents work better.
so we have heard through the grape vine this law is heading our way already. I am not too happy about this one as I read this article. I have been stocking up on Dishwashing detergent every time it goes on sale as I am scared I will not be able to find it in a couple months here in my area. The biggest complaint I have heard about this is that to REALLY get your dishes clean you need to put your dishwasher on pots and pans cycle which requires a lot more energy, water and such. This in turn may actually out weigh all the good the "green" detergent is doing!
In six days we tried to squeeze in as much time as we could with all our loved ones back in Missouri. Here is a couple of random shots of quality time and hugs with all.
Moments after I took this picture I stood up to check the camera and heard a blood curling scream for Lauren. I had no idea what happened. But in the blink of an as Sam was trying to jump off the top of that car his foot swung in and poor Lauren ended up with a shiner just in time for Easter.
Eye yi yi the chaos of getting 9 kids together for a play date! One injury out of nine kids not too bad huh?
1. Eating is soooo much different. After being around people that are such health nuts in the Northwest I had almost forgotten about the comfort foods I grew up around. This photo above I took at a bowling alley we went to. I can almost guarantee you wouldn't find one of these machines in Washington that allows you to put on as much cheese or chili your heart desires!
2. Recycling is looked at in a completely different manner in the midwest. In Washington you learn to recycle just about everything that leaves your house. Our recycling bin is almost as tall as I am. It is a HUGE bin. The recycling truck comes every other week. I actually wish it would come every week as we have so much that needs to go out. While in Missouri (yes I am still cringing about this as I type this) I actually threw an aluminum can in the TRASH can!
3. Weather. Regan just about freaked out when she saw a sign at the airport that pointed you in the direction you needed to in case of a tornado. When it was raining one day I heard many complain about what a horribly dreary day it was. For us....this is the norm ;).
4. Housing. I had almost forgotten what it looked like to see big open fields for miles and miles with nothing but farm land. In our area land is such a commodity houses are built literally in other houses backyards at times. It was quite lovely to enjoy the beauty God has provided us with, dreary rain or not.
5. Cost of living. We went out to eat at a really nice restaurant with our brother and sister in law while visiting them. Both Christian and I were shocked at the price of the items on the menu. You could get a FULL plate of food for only $8 there. We are used to paying a little more like $14.95 a plate. Plus gas was only $1.76 up north it was at $2.36 when we left!
So do you ever notice these small differences when you travel too?
Is there nothing sweeter than story time with a little one? Well I can one up that. . .story time with one cousin to another!
It is always nice to have these family photos to look back on. The last time we all got together to have one of these photos taken on the Meyer side little Grace wasn't even born yet. Erin was only 4. Our families are growing up and expanding. When we go through our day to day routines the time just slips by. As I was once told by a grandmother at a park as I was dealing with sticky fingers and little squabbles "The days are slow but the years slip by quickly." So true!
These two little faces may be opposite in just about every way but they both have one thing in common they have their daddy (and momma for that matter) wrapped around their little fingers ;)
These photos are ones I found in digging through my old files (sorry no such luck in finding one of these of Jordan, he is not usually a willing participate in such endeavors)
These are shots of our Easter festivities at Grandma Meyer's house. Here are the girls coloring Easter eggs with Grandma. Can I ask you what is the purpose in coloring these eggs anyway? We don't hide these we use the plastic ones. I guess it's just tradition.
This was Grace's first Easter that she got to participate and have fun with the Easter egg hunt. (check out her proud parents)
They all had a great time and left with lots of loot! The Easter Bunny was good to these cousins. I am so thankful we decided to do the hunt the day before Easter as on Easter it poured and buckets and this just wouldn't have been possible. Isn't this a beautiful day?
Do you remember the names you loved as a child? The ones you always names your dolls or imaginary friends? I remember loving the name Lucy, Sally, and Savannah. I am not quite sure why I loved the first two but the movie Savannah Smiles was one of my faves as a little girl.
I have noticed my girls seem to have a couple names they always pick for their dolls or characters on their video games. Melody is a big favorite of theirs. Not sure why but they often argue over which one gets to be Melody this time. They also pick names of friends like Madison, Delayla, or Jake. The one that always warms my heart is that Erin loves to name whatever item she has decided she is going to snuggle and sleep with that week Stephanie. . .her birth mom's name.
I really enjoyed getting to see everyone this past week. Here is a shot of me, Mandy, and Lori. I got to meet Lori's little guy Klein. What a CUTE baby! He is so laid back and just a sweetie. Want to see what it looks like when all our kids get together for a meal?
We are still kind of recovering from our what seemed like a very quick trip to Missouri to visit family. So much family to see in only one week! I thought I would share a picture of Christian playing with our very lovable nephew Ashton while we were there. Is he the cutest or what? (both of them ;)
This is one of the many things I love about my husband how sweet he is with little ones! Although I have to tell you little Ashton is such a little love bug it is hard not to want to squeeze him!
I am going to be a bit busy packing and getting ready for a trip back to our home state to visit lots of family. See you all soon!
Since I had a post regarding winning earlier this week I thought it only appropriate I share with you my winnings for this week. I have had a good week! I have won
a set of Owl stationary I plan to use for Miss Regan's Harry Potter birthday party from
Southern Flair
Also won this American Heroes cd that I know the girls will love listening too!
and the 2 disc dvd set I mentioned in my last post that I won from Family Video that only 3 people entered so my chances were pretty good at 1 in 3!
Tear jerkers if you decide to watch these have a big box of Kleenex on hand!
-Finding Neverland. My favorite line: Look right there in that moment the boy no longer exists he has become a man.
-Terms of Endearment. Oh boy need I say any more? The pain of watching this mother loose her child. . .
-My Girl. Just caught this movie last month and sobbed! I so love what a beautiful child Vada is and those around her slowly figure it out too.
-Beaches. Sappy chic flick but come on admit it you love it too!
-Steel Magnolias. Who knew we could laugh in the middle of a sob?
