No, it's not just a book, it is reality! Today Cori and I took the troops to the zoo, and what a bonanza it was! We saw the flamingos, the butterflies, the day & night exhibit (which was extremely awesome this time), and then rounded the corner to see the Komodo Dragon, who was out pacing around. Cori and I were noticing it's drool and telling the kids it was going to come eat them, when Thornley starts squealing with delight that it is pooping. Yes, indeed, after it moved on we saw that it indeed pooped. Does it get any better than that?
Well, I know you're thinking, absolutely not, but IT DOES!! We saw a few more animals, ate lunch and went to see the bears and otters. The bear was very active, walking around, acting like it was going to jump in the water, very fun, I LOVE the bears! We were watching the otters swim when the crowd around the bear starts laughing. Upon turning quickly towards the bear we notice it is pooping! Thornley, Lauren, Jack & Mason made a mad dash to the window to watch. The word I would use to describe them is giddy. They were laughing so hard (well, weren't we all, to be honest), it truly made their day.
We stopped by the lions on the way out to see if we'd get some action from them, but they were asleep - bummer!
Never had a better zoo day!
Sorry no pictures, we were laughing so hard, I didn't have time to pull my camera out.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Not so sleepless in Seattle
My children didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. Almost unheard of coming from the children who, when they wake up at 7:00, it's as if they've slept in. Now before Cori starts to hate me, and posts comments in symbols instead of words, let me say they have NOT been going to bed at their usual 7:30 bedtime. This seems to be the summer when we throw routine to the wind (not like me, especially when it comes to bedtime), and let the kids stay up late. While we were at Creation, I don't think they went to bed before 10:00. The thing is, they've been fine with it. A little whine here or there, a little tantrum perhaps, but for the most part we've been having fun and enjoying whatever it is we're doing.
Don't get me wrong, this is not something that will continue much longer. School starts in about a month, and then the bedtime nazi will return.
Today we have done nothing, unless you count defeating Voldemort on the Harry Potter computer game and listening to all the new free music I picked up at Creation as productive.
Oh, and Jack took a nap (more yelling and symbol words by Cori).
The downside of not leaving the house is I never got my coffee this morning, maybe that's why I'm feeling so unmotivated.
Don't get me wrong, this is not something that will continue much longer. School starts in about a month, and then the bedtime nazi will return.
Today we have done nothing, unless you count defeating Voldemort on the Harry Potter computer game and listening to all the new free music I picked up at Creation as productive.
Oh, and Jack took a nap (more yelling and symbol words by Cori).
The downside of not leaving the house is I never got my coffee this morning, maybe that's why I'm feeling so unmotivated.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Creation
We got back from Creation yesterday. Creation is a Christian music festival that is held every year at the Gorge, in George. Adam has been going to Creation since we arrived at Newport (truly, I think we'd been here 2 weeks when he went for the 1st time), the boys and I have gone for the past 4 years, each time staying a bit longer.
The funny thing about Creation is, Adam HATES it! OK - so he doesn't hate all of it. He loves the camping part, and hanging out with the kids (both our own, and those from the youth group), and who doesn't love Janet's cooking, but he could care the stink less if he went to any of the concerts, except of course the Newsboys; and he loves going to the river (where everyone swims to get the layers of sweat and dirt off).
I on the other hand, love Creation. I like the camping, the spending time as a family with not a whole lot to do, the concerts, and eating food made by someone other than myself.
The first year the boys and I just went for the day, and I HATED it! It was so hot, and I got lost, and the boys got sunburned and it was just an overall bummer. The following year we spent 2 nights and enjoyed it. We borrowed the Ponten's tent trailer and the boys had so much fun playing in the trailer and in the blow-up pool we set up for them, I don't know if we ever actually went to a concert. Although, I heard all the headliners, as our campsite is close to the entrance and while I couldn't SEE the bands, I could HEAR them.
Last year, we stayed 3 nights in the Wilson's tent trailer (thank goodness for generous friends) and the boys had a fabulous time. Adam and I were thankful that our friend Jerry offered to stay at the campsite with the boys (who were asleep at the time) so we could see the Newsboys, who never disappoint in their shows. Last year they did this awesome drum thing, where the drummer went up on this lift and was spinning around while playing - seriously, very cool! I think the boys may have endured a worship session or two.
This year we stayed the whole time, again in the Wilson's trailer. It wasn't as hot as usual (maybe 90's), and there was a breeze. The boys had a GREAT time swimming in the Columbia, and playing with Chad's squirt gun. We took in a few concerts as a family, and Adam stayed back at the camp with the boys while I saw Skillet (great show, but not my taste in music), Toby Mac ("not bad for a 40 year old", was the comment of the teenager sitting behind me), David Crowder (great show), and the Newsboys LOVE THEM (who "put on a good show, but looked like they just got out of jail" , was the comment from some man who was walking out alongside me). Again, we had a great camping spot and we were able to hear all the headliners. Oh, and in one of the tents they had a clothing line called, "Thorn Clothing". Thornley was soooooo excited. He and I each got a shirt, and a pin that says I heart Thorn. So cute. My WE tattoo that was supposed to last for a week only lasted thru one long shower last night, kind of bummed about that.
So now we're home with loads of dirty laundry, and lots of free downloads of songs from Creation. I bummed I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures to share. The boys are happy to be home where the toilets flush and we can shop in stores and not out of tents.
Sadly, I don't think we'll be back for a few years, as next year Adam will have been at Newport 7 years, and will be able to take a sabbatical (yay!).
The funny thing about Creation is, Adam HATES it! OK - so he doesn't hate all of it. He loves the camping part, and hanging out with the kids (both our own, and those from the youth group), and who doesn't love Janet's cooking, but he could care the stink less if he went to any of the concerts, except of course the Newsboys; and he loves going to the river (where everyone swims to get the layers of sweat and dirt off).
I on the other hand, love Creation. I like the camping, the spending time as a family with not a whole lot to do, the concerts, and eating food made by someone other than myself.
The first year the boys and I just went for the day, and I HATED it! It was so hot, and I got lost, and the boys got sunburned and it was just an overall bummer. The following year we spent 2 nights and enjoyed it. We borrowed the Ponten's tent trailer and the boys had so much fun playing in the trailer and in the blow-up pool we set up for them, I don't know if we ever actually went to a concert. Although, I heard all the headliners, as our campsite is close to the entrance and while I couldn't SEE the bands, I could HEAR them.
Last year, we stayed 3 nights in the Wilson's tent trailer (thank goodness for generous friends) and the boys had a fabulous time. Adam and I were thankful that our friend Jerry offered to stay at the campsite with the boys (who were asleep at the time) so we could see the Newsboys, who never disappoint in their shows. Last year they did this awesome drum thing, where the drummer went up on this lift and was spinning around while playing - seriously, very cool! I think the boys may have endured a worship session or two.
This year we stayed the whole time, again in the Wilson's trailer. It wasn't as hot as usual (maybe 90's), and there was a breeze. The boys had a GREAT time swimming in the Columbia, and playing with Chad's squirt gun. We took in a few concerts as a family, and Adam stayed back at the camp with the boys while I saw Skillet (great show, but not my taste in music), Toby Mac ("not bad for a 40 year old", was the comment of the teenager sitting behind me), David Crowder (great show), and the Newsboys LOVE THEM (who "put on a good show, but looked like they just got out of jail" , was the comment from some man who was walking out alongside me). Again, we had a great camping spot and we were able to hear all the headliners. Oh, and in one of the tents they had a clothing line called, "Thorn Clothing". Thornley was soooooo excited. He and I each got a shirt, and a pin that says I heart Thorn. So cute. My WE tattoo that was supposed to last for a week only lasted thru one long shower last night, kind of bummed about that.
So now we're home with loads of dirty laundry, and lots of free downloads of songs from Creation. I bummed I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures to share. The boys are happy to be home where the toilets flush and we can shop in stores and not out of tents.
Sadly, I don't think we'll be back for a few years, as next year Adam will have been at Newport 7 years, and will be able to take a sabbatical (yay!).
Back to school shopping?
Since about May we've seen back to school stuff at Target (ok - so I am exaggerating, but I do think some people started back to school shopping before school was even out). Last week Thornley got a bee in his bonnet to go back to school shopping. Some of it was inspired by a commercial he'd seen for a pair of shoes he wanted (Sketchers z-straps, so cool, so fast, so awesome). He has been BEGGING me to take him shopping. I told him he'd have to wait until after Creation (super fun this year), and he did. This morning he woke up saying he was ready to go shopping. So, I printed the list of what to get (thanks for helping me remember where to find it Cori) and off we went to Target.
Now, this item wasn't on the list of what to buy, but Target has a whole bunch of new Star Wars toys in honor of the new Clone Wars movie coming out August 15th, and I figured since the boys did such a great job while at Creation, I would indulge them.
I must say, if they'd let him, he'd wear it to school, he is sooooo excited.
Then we went to Bell Square to look at the Sketcher store, and purchase a good-bye gift for the Nightingales (be afraid Matt & Luanne, be very afraid). The infamous z-straps are home and have been put to good use today. Jack was a bit disappointed that I said no to the light-up shoes, but we did find him a pretty cool pair of shoes. I decided to stop by Gap Kids to see if my friend Kara was working, and she wasn't, but guess what Gap Kids carries now...The JunkFood brand of t-shirts, and they had new Star Wars shirts - again in honor of the new movie. Pretty much between those 2 purchases I've blown my lot of back to school clothes $$.
Now, this item wasn't on the list of what to buy, but Target has a whole bunch of new Star Wars toys in honor of the new Clone Wars movie coming out August 15th, and I figured since the boys did such a great job while at Creation, I would indulge them.
I must say, if they'd let him, he'd wear it to school, he is sooooo excited.
Then we went to Bell Square to look at the Sketcher store, and purchase a good-bye gift for the Nightingales (be afraid Matt & Luanne, be very afraid). The infamous z-straps are home and have been put to good use today. Jack was a bit disappointed that I said no to the light-up shoes, but we did find him a pretty cool pair of shoes. I decided to stop by Gap Kids to see if my friend Kara was working, and she wasn't, but guess what Gap Kids carries now...The JunkFood brand of t-shirts, and they had new Star Wars shirts - again in honor of the new movie. Pretty much between those 2 purchases I've blown my lot of back to school clothes $$.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A title just won't do it justice
Tonight Jack gave one of his infamous Day Camp concerts. Those of you who heard Saddle Up Your Horses last year, probably still remember it well (or at least now you do). I don't know the title of this catchy tune, but it starts out, "Everybody come with me it's time to sing...", hence his hand motions. The kid cracks me up!
Because I don't know how to attach a video, I have these pictures for your viewing pleasure. Give him a call, maybe he'll sing for you.
Because I don't know how to attach a video, I have these pictures for your viewing pleasure. Give him a call, maybe he'll sing for you.
Move over Letterman
Tonight Thornley put on his "pastor clothes" and went off to pastor. The funny thing about it was, instead of taking his Bible and "preaching", which he does from time to time, he decided to interview Emily and Zach. Now, as of late, Thornley hasn't wanted to go to bed when it's time to go to bed, so he's come downstairs a few nights now and watched Big Brother with me (yay for the summer reality tv). So Emily gets situated in the "interviewee" seat and Thornley's first question is, "What does it feel like to get evicted from the Big Brother house?" And cute Emily says, "I don't understand your question.", and then goes on to make up an answer.
Zach is next and Thornley asks him, "How would you feel if I said you were fired?" Now where he got that from, I have no idea, because truly, the kid has NEVER watched the Apprentice. Zach wasn't as excited to be interviewed, so Thornley had to take a bit more aggressive stance, as can be seen in the picture.
Zach is next and Thornley asks him, "How would you feel if I said you were fired?" Now where he got that from, I have no idea, because truly, the kid has NEVER watched the Apprentice. Zach wasn't as excited to be interviewed, so Thornley had to take a bit more aggressive stance, as can be seen in the picture.
Friday, July 11, 2008
How We Spent our Summer Vacation
Learning mad ninja skills, wax on wax off, Jack Fu
Taking flying lessons, seeker Thornley looking for the snitch...
Taking flying lessons, seeker Thornley looking for the snitch...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)