OXYMORON OF THE DAY

I pass by this sign almost everyday, and every time I see it I want to laugh. Clean dirt as opposed to..........dirty dirt!

Welcome to Northern California- Home of Pixie Woods and other exciting places.

We just returned from a great weekend visiting my brother and Mike's brother who both live in Northern California. We had a blast. Robert and Emily took us to a very fascinating playland for kids that has been around since 1955 Pixie Woods. Isn't that gnome/troll guy kind of creepy. We had fun and admission was only 3 bucks. Blake and Rachel especially enjoyed playing in the water there. Blake followed Rachel around everywhere and loved playing with her.

We also saw some old friends which was fun. Mike's old roommate Brooks lives really close to Robert and we got to meet his new wife AmyAnn-love her- good choice Brooks:)

After a few days with Robert and Fam we headed out to Geoff's near San Fran. They just bought a house -quite an accomplishment for anyone who lives in the Bay area and it was fun seeing it. I only wish I would have taken a picture of the fascinating bathroom. The old lady who lived there before them built on an addition to her bathroom so she could install a super nice jet tub. Who does that? It's pretty awesome:) Once again, Blake had a blast playing with his cousins. The boys even got to go to a Giants game on Monday night while Julia and I dined with my good friend Andi who now lives up there.
Oh happy days!!!!

Our new backyard fixture

No, we didn't get a pool, a swing set, or a trampoline, but we did put up a hammock this weekend and we all love it. It's so great to lay in it and look up at the stars or enjoy the shade it offers during the afternoon. Blake loves it too. And as for Julia, well who knows what she thinks, she just likes to be anywhere Blake is. Isn't the summer great!!!

I can go to the store again!!

I'm happy to announce that I can go to the store again WITH BLAKE. For a while I dreaded any and every trip to any and every type of store with Blake. He would run around, hide from me and just generally wreak havoc. Something magical has happened. He listens and obeys me for the most part......oh and he also understands bribes ie: if you stay close to Mommy in the store, then you can have a piece of gum in the car. I love that my little boy is growing up. He is so much fun. Now that he talks so well I feel like I can actually have a conversation with him instead of just talking at him. Hooray for Blake, and Hooray for me that I can keep my sanity at the store now with my 2 little people in tow.

Onion Help

I recently had to cut about 6 onions in a row and it was not a fun experience. After complaining about making me cry several times my husband decided that ski goggles would help. Not so much. Does anyone have any idea how to NOT CRY when cutting onions? I love onions but I really hate cutting them.

Unbelievable-Scooter Libby's sentence commuted

Why don't you just add the cherry to the sundae by giving him a full on pardon President Bush. What a joke. Apparently if you have friends in high places you can do whatever you want and get away with it.

Does anyone else have a problem with this? I'm curious to know what other people are thinking about the whole thing.
P.s.. Doesn't he look a little bit like "Toby" from the Office in this picture?

My Boys

Jean gave Blake a tie for his birthday a while back and he really wanted to wear it to church yesterday so he could look just like Daddy. He was so excited to be wearing a tie for the first time. Mike played the piano for a baptism yesterday and everytime he finished playing a song, Blake would say VERY loudly, "Good job Daddy" about 3 times. This is one boy who definitely loves his Daddy.