It's Raining, It's Pouring

Just a little update on us. Some of you have been calling to check in with us and see how we're doing down here in floating TX! We are still alive. We haven't washed away yet. It is still raining though! Flooding everywhere. An area just south of us got 15 inches in one day! It's crazy! We had almost 4 inches in one day a couple days ago. The average rainfall here in June is just under 3 1/2 inches. That shows you just how much rain we're getting! Unbelievable! Back in May (oh yes, it's been raining almost nonstop since the beginning of April!) they said all of our water reservoirs were 18 FEET below normal. At the end of May (it rained 28 days of the month) the water levels were 1 foot ABOVE normal! That was just one month! And it's just been coming down ever since. We've never watered our lawn once this summer! That's kind of nice! I don't have any recent pictures of the latest storms. These are from April but it's been looking pretty much like this the entire summer only the water has been higher on the roads lately. We can't even play in the backyard because it never dries out. And a lot of the parks are closed. Too bad! But we can't complain. We certainly need the moisture and are grateful for every drop. Soon enough it will be dry again and we'll miss it. So for now we're just trying to make do and stay afloat! And I have to say I'm enjoying it, too! I grew up in western Kansas and boy do I love a good storm! It's not just raining here...its got lightning and thunder and wind...the works! Man, I love Texas!

The Sweet Escape

These boys just crack me up sometimes! When we drive around we always listen to the radio. My boys (and I) love music. In the past few weeks they've all decided they have a favorite song. That's right...all of them. Even Coen! Gwen Stefani's song "The Sweet Escape" is always on the radio. They picked it up before I did. Dallin actually was the first one I noticed singing along so I'd turn it up whenever it was on just to see him sing. Too cute! Then both Austin and Dallin would start asking for the "Woo-hoo" song. Now we listen to it often in the car, at home, anytime. It's a great song to dance to! Good exercise, too, when you listen to it 5 times in a row or more! I've just never seen all three of them get into a song so much. Even Coen squeals really high during the "Woo-hoo, Yee-hoo" part. So I guess it is now our family's favorite song! Thanks boys!

Sad News to Report

The last few days I've been smelling this awful smell every time I came up to my front door. I couldn't figure it out. I thought maybe it was something rotting or moldy from all the rain we've been having lately. Then it hit me...the bird. As you know from a previous post, we've had a bird living in a basket on our front porch for several months now. I had Tory check it out and sure enough, the bird had died. Now, I thought when there was a dead animal on your property you were supposed to call the Animal Control people so they could come check it out and see why it had died and all that. So we called. They said they could come pick it up but they didn't have any way to test it to see why it had died...oh, and could we please bag it up and set it on the curb for them? Geesh! I told Tory if I had been the one calling I would have said, "No, I can't do that." Who knows why it died? That's a little scary I think! So Tory just threw away the basket and all. It's not like I'm ever going to be using it after a dead bird has been occupying it! The next day the boys and I happened to be weeding the front flower beds when Animal Control came to pick up the "package". I said hi to him and he didn't seem to be enjoying himself much. But I guess there's really not much to look forward to when you pick up dead animals every day. In the end I've got mixed feelings about the whole situation. I'm sad the bird died, a little relieved that it's finally gone, and a little worried about WHY it died in the first place! I finally have a pot of hanging flowers hanging there. So it's all good now!

The BEST Brownies EVER

OK, some friends of ours brought over these brownies for us and warned us that they were "the best brownies ever". So true! I don't know what the real name is but I guess they are in the May 2007 Reader's Digest. I get this magazine but I don't remember seeing the recipe. And when I went to look for it I found EVERY single Reader's Digest since December...except for May! Go figure! Maybe that's why I never remember seeing it? Maybe I never got that issue? I don't know. It's a mystery. So I called our friends for the recipe and here it is. Enjoy!

Best Brownies Ever

2 sticks butter
2 c. sugar
1/3 c. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour

Beat butter and sugar til smooth. Add rest of the ingredients and mix well. Put in greased 9x13 cake pan. Bake 20-25 min., or til done at 350 degrees. When done, sprinkle 1 package miniature marshmallows evenly over top. Put back in 350 degree oven for about 3 min. Let cool completely and then frost with following frosting:

Frosting

1/3 c. cocoa
1/3 c. evaporated milk
1 stick butter
1 2/3 c. powdered sugar

Mix until smooth and creamy!


There ya go! Now tell me if these aren't the best brownies ever! Dangerously good! Enjoy!

Portraits of the Boys

As I mentioned earlier, I had pictures taken of the boys for Father's Day. We took them the end of May so the suspense has been killing me! We barely got them back in time! Whew! I thought they turned out so good!

Happy Father's Day & Happy 1st Birthday Coen!

Yesterday was a big day for our family. Father's Day and Coen's 1st Birthday! We had a great day celebrating. We started the day with a treasure hunt for Tory. He had to use nursery rhymes to find all of his little gifts. That was lots of fun! He found a broom for his workshop, a "Dad" t-shirt, some cd/dvd cases the boys made, and photos I had taken of the 3 boys. After going to Church we finished the day with a great dinner (if I do say so myself!) and cake and presents for Coen.

Coen wasn't too sure about his part of the party. But he finally got the hang of it and, with the help of his brothers, got all of his presents open. He had lots of fun rolling around with his fuzzy monkey and blanket (this child LOVES soft things! Just like Austin did. He'll attack anything soft and fuzzy! So cute!) and walking with his "popper". Happy Birthday Coen! And Happy Father's Day, Tory! We love you!

It's hard to believe Coen is 1! This year has just flown by! It was fun to remember the events that took place a year ago. Last year as we drove to the hospital it was very cloudy and rainy. The first rain we had had in months! That first night alone in the hospital with Coen it was very stormy with thunder and lightning. It was so cozy just snuggling with my new little baby all alone. This year he had another rainy birthday! It poured all day and all night! I'm sure it won't always be like that but it was fun to remember with the rain this year.

One year ago!

Thursday 13 - All About Tory

Since Father's Day is this Sunday I've decided to share the top 13 things I love about Tory. Here goes:

1. He is the most patient person around. I never see him lose his cool.

2. He always brings me flowers. Not just on special occasions, but all kinds of random times, too! This makes it fun because I never know when to expect them!

3. He is so good about helping. I never have to beg or plead for him to help around the house. He always helps-cleaning, dishes, and even cooking! In fact he is much quicker than I am at most tasks.

4. He doesn't hold a grudge. It would be very difficult to know when Tory's upset or angry with someone.

5. He is so smart and is the most talented guy I know. He can do anything he tries...and he's good at it! Landscaping, woodworking, computers, electric work, car stereos, sewing, piano (his two newest endeavors) and the list could go on and on!

6. He is the best daddy around! He always has time to play with his kids and loves to take them out individually on outings. I can't think of a better person I'd want each of my sons to be like than their father.

7. Even though he's a very busy guy going to school full time plus clinic into the evenings...he always spends lots of time with us. He is very good at balancing things.

8. He's so dang handsome! And he just keeps getting more and more handsome! Every day I look at him and I think, "Wow! How did I get such a great guy!" :)

9. He is a very good listener to me. After spending every day with 3 little ones I often talk his ear off when he gets home. And he's very good about listening. Sometimes he tries so hard to stay awake just to listen to me. I've learned in the last almost 7 years that when he starts going cross-eyed trying to stay awake...that's a good time to stop talking! (He can also fall asleep in an instant, so this is a big thing for him!)

10. I love his sense of adventure. He's always up for a new challenge.

11. He always encourages and uplifts me. He has never and would never say or do anything that would make me feel bad. He is the greatest!

12. He is so good with people. He always knows just the right thing to say. He could sell a used tire to anyone and make it sound good! I know he's going to be such a great chiropractor when he's all done with school. He's a great leader.

13. He's my best friend. I can tell him anything, be myself around him, and anything I do I'd rather do with him. I never get tired of him. He's my perfect match and I am so thankful for him! I love him to pieces!

You may think these things are all too good to be true but they ARE true! That's what's so amazing about this guy! Oh, one more thing I have to add. He's so positive and happy. I love talking to him on the phone because you can actually hear his smile when he talks. Do you know what I mean? How you can tell someone is smiling even though you can't see them? That's how his is. I love it! He ends his sentences and you can hear this little laugh at the end! Man I love this guy! He's so AWESOME!

Three Cute Boys

The other day I was in my room getting ready for the day when I realized how quiet it was out in the living room. With three boys this is usually not a good sign so I went to investigate. They were all sitting on the recliner being as quiet as a mouse. I don't know how they got Coen to sit so still and quiet but he acted like he knew just what to do. As soon as they saw me Coen looked up at the boys and then back at me and just smiled. Then they all broke out in laughs. So funny!

And since I'm on the topic of sitting in the living room...I've got to tell you the funniest thing Coen does. We don't watch a lot of TV. Just movies and the kids watch PBS in the mornings sometimes. Well, lately whenever the TV is on Coen climbs up to the couch and sits like he's so big, watches the TV, and then laughs. Not a constant laugh. Just a random chuckle like he thinks the show is so funny. I don't know where he gets this! We must watch a lot of funny shows for him to think you're supposed to laugh when you watch television. Ah, kids are so cute! I just love these little fellas! They keep life so interesting!

You're My Darlin'

Latley Dallin keeps saying to me "Mama you're my darlin'" or "Hi darlin' Mama" or "Mama, you're darlin'" or sometimes just plain "Darlin'". Whenever I'm around him (which obviously is a lot) he'll say something like this. He always smiles really big when he says it like he knows what he's talking about. It's the cutest thing but I keep wondering where he got this from? I finally figured it out today. I asked him where he heard the word darlin' and he finally answered me. He said it's from the baseball show. We rented "Everyone's Hero" a week or so ago. It's a great movie for any of you who haven't seen it yet. The boys loved it! But for those of you who haven't, Darlin' is Babe Ruth's baseball bat. Ha! So that's where he got it! Pretty funny!

Coen's First Steps

Coen got brave yesterday and decided to take some steps! This time they weren't just on accident! I had a hard time getting him recorded and when I finally did my battery died! Arghh! But at least I got enough to show his steps. Yeah Coen!!

Twins?

I can't tell you how many times I get asked if my two oldest boys are twins. I don't know if you you all know this but Austin and Dallin are two years apart! Technically 23 months. You'd think with that much age difference there would be more difference in their size. Ever since Dallin was 2 and Austin 4 they have pretty much been 2 pounds apart and worn a lot of the same clothes. So much for hand-me-downs. Until recently. They are now EXACTLY the same! Weighing in at 38.8 pounds (I just weighed them today), they wear the same size shoes and shirts but Dallin is still a few inches shorter so he wears a size smaller in his pants. This is crazy! Someday Dallin is going to pass Austin up I'm afraid! But anyway, I was thinking about this yesterday and talking to Tory about how it's hard to know which age I'm treating them like because they seem the same age! Am I treating them more like 3 1/2 year olds or 5 1/2 year olds? It's really strange! Let me tell you! They can do most of the same things. Austin is a little more coordinated at his age but Dallin's getting there. And of course Austin uses a bigger vocabulary. But other than that they are just so much alike! And of course they are the best of friends!

Home Depot Workshop

Today Tory took Austin and Dallin to the Home Depot Kids Workshop. This is a regular monthly outing for them. The first Saturday of every month our Home Depot has a free wood craft project for kids to work on. They love it! Today they made airplanes. In the past they've made firetrucks, birdhouses, picture frames, cars, treasure boxes, and butterfly houses...to name a few! You should check your local Home Depot to see if they have these workshops! The kids get an apron and a pin when they've completed the project (unless you wear your apron to the event...who needs a hundred aprons?!) So check it out! It's a great father and kid activity (or Moms). I enjoy it because it's time to myself! :)

Pictures From Our Memorial Day Bike Ride

OK. As promised here are some pictures from our bike ride on Memorial Day. The weather didn't really cooperate after all but at least it didn't pour down on us! It was actually kind of nice weather. Enough rain to keep us cool and nice and cloudy. Dallin and Coen stayed nice and dry in the bike trailer but Tory, Austin, and I were all riding our own bikes and got a little on the wet side to say the least! Luckily most of the trail is through trees so we did have some shelter. We rode a couple miles to a little park, had a picnic, played in the forest, and then rode back. On the way back a herd of Texas longhorns was right by the fence on the side of the trail. Of course we had to stop and check them out. Lots of cute little calves with tiny little horns already growing. Unfortunately when I took out my camera to take pictures the battery was dead. Hopefully we can catch them again. We go on this trail quite often but have never seen them that close. Bummer. But we had a great time on our bike ride. It was just right. Lots of fun!

Austin & Dallin Climbing Trees

Coen and a monkey...I mean Tory...in the trees.

What a Fun Day!

Today Tory didn't have any classes because it is Homecoming at Parker. Yeah!! He did do some computer work for the chiropractor he works with, but other than that we had the day together. We cleaned our house up this morning and went window shopping this afternoon and then this evening we stopped by the festivities in town. All this weekend our city is having a big party! It's called Keller Fest. We kind of just stopped by spur-of-the-moment so we forgot our camera. Bummer! There were live bands playing the whole time and lots of booths for local businesses (Tory got to talk to some local chiropractors!) Quite a few of these booths had spinning wheels to win "prizes". The boys loved this! They came away with 4 frisbees, 2 balls, about 10 pens, key chains, tattoos, sun visors, various lollipops and candy, and passes to the greatest swim place around here! Not bad! Ha! Of course there were lots of rides and game booths. We would have loved to ride them all. These are the times when it stinks to be a poor student. But we let them pick one ride to go on and they chose the carousel. They had a blast! Definitely worth it and all they needed for the time of their lives! Dallin was so funny. He was holding on for dear life and could hardly wave to me. Took him about 3 rounds to get enough courage to let go with one hand for the fastest wave ever! Each time he got a little braver until he could actually do a full arm wave and turn his head to look at me at the same time! Cute! Wish I had my camera! We finished the evening with a great fireworks show! It was super! They moved it up an hour, too, so that was even better! We had a great evening. I love going to things like this just for the smells and atmosphere! Glad they held it early in the summer though because it was so hot!