When I grow up....

I want to be a pilot just like my Daddy!  Olivia at the controls this weekend was a fairly smooth flight.  She got in at least 4 or 5 landings...on that single approach to Roche (but whose counting...).  She only over-rode autopilot once with her strong arm grip on the controls.  It wasn't totally clear which direction the training was going here.  Left to right or right to left...

  It was finally a good day for flying and visiting the islands.  Plenty of sun and true resort fun.  It was first class all the way - we didn't even have to walk back to the airstrip.  Neil Tarp gave us a ride in his '37 Chevrolet Cadillac - after he provided a full tour of 'his' island.  It wasn't riding in a Nissan Murano in Dubai...but it seemed a close second there for a few minutes.

Don't let anyone tell you flying isn't a tough job.  No matter the hour restrictions or the fancy layovers...it will wear you out!

Watch your Peas and Carrots!

So far this season we've eaten Lettuce, Carrots, Snap Peas, Radishes, strawberry (singular...), and Broccoli from the garden.  The swiss chard is ready but we're feeding that to the chickens....  We also have so much lettuce we've decided to open up our own CSA WITH delivery!

We're still waiting to see some green beans, potatoes, zucchini, squash, blueberries and of course those pumpkins!

This is how you do it...

Even in Sunlight

Sorry kiddo, I know this is the superior technology...but its the competition that is suitable for the beach.

First Harvest

It was a bumper crop of radishes so far this year!  Here's hoping the sun will come out and the rest of the season will be just as fruitful.  We're prepping terrace 3 for pumpkins and the harvest party.

Happpy Easter

In all honesty this didn't take as long as I thought it would.  She had a perfect "Olivia" sized door to go through but opted for the window instead.  Ultimately her goal was teaching the chicks to go up and down the ladder - I guess she thought it was better to lead by example...

Raise your hand if you.....

Want to go trick-or-treating! I'm scared of how in character they are.

This was a great year! She was just young enough to be in awe of being handed candy...loving the dress...and just a little scared of the costumes of the big kids! There was plenty of shoulder boxing going on to be first - but it turns out the most fun was handing out the candy. I guess that does make you pretty cool if you are friends with the big Kindergartner that rides the bus and knows all the girls in the neighborhood!

"Is this really all mine? Well... as much as you can eat before we do!"

89 vs 80 Inches

How to get 540lbs of 89 inches through a standard height door. We don't know yet - because a normal pallet jack, my hand truck and 2 guys couldn't figure it out. The refrigerator (I should have paid more for) was taken away. They said they would be back tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breadth, this delivery was rescheduled 4 times already. All I can think about is the dark dirty warehouse it sits in potentially getting damaged.

Amazon one click you strike AGAIN! I thought a car was the weirdest thing to order online...

Day in the City

We took a jaunt into the city and discovered riding the bus

and looking at street entertainment was pretty cool for the under 36" crowd.

We did some shopping and

had some lunch at the counter....

then hit the road for home in time for nap time!

We're Back!

After a season off the grid - we're back in the Apple pie. Since having kids I feel like I was living in a cave - but since buying a (fixer'upper) house I feel like I've had my head in a hole in that cave. Today we came up for air and are feeling a bit like we're getting back to normal. Normal does include having skis and outdoor blinds in the formal living room, and wall mounted toilet brushes (to be hung) on the kitchen table, but I'll take what I can get. So while Jon is sitting around talking to Siri trying to figure out if his stuff is in the cloud or on the computer and who's account he should be using....I'm trying to hit the sewing machine. My whole life I wanted to create costumes for my little princesses...suddenly I have one! YIKES.

This is not finished and she would only hold still for half a second. I thought I was being cool and cut the skirt out to be a size 6 (I was making a size 4). But the skirt is just gathered so no big deal I wanted LOTS of gathering. Well, that plan most likely worked but it did make the job harder. The sleeves are my favorite. Instead of just appliqueing the red splotches I created box pleats of red. I had to re-draw the sleeve pattern to accommodate the inserts. Overall it meets the "Halloween costume" fit requirements, just a little loose in the chest. I might try for some chest darts to fix that and I might not. Considering the likelihood she puts it on at all...

Gum Pop'in

These ladies are getting ready for some action. I listened to them say - "come on girls" and then I swear I heard some gum popping and saw some hip popping. They had every right to get fired up, they were about to lite the rehearsal dinner UP with some Greek cheese. It was awesome. Three ladies, six balls of fire -

three kids wondering why adults are playing with fire...

"Do we really have to wait for the bride and groom to start the party?" (I'll let you decide who the rule enforcer is in this scenario)

Tractor Pull

After rescuing the tractor from the yard, its rolling again (strangely not mowing...). Almost repaired enough to beat the power of the HPX. We did a few laps again this weekend - the driver is the important part not the metal.... she navigated at rabbit speed between the vet and truck without scratching a panel - much to our astonishment. I think my favorite part of this toy is that technically there is no break. You remove your foot from mashing the gas and it automatically applies a break - which on blacktop results in a skid stop, very cool for a 2 year old.

And finally the slip-n-slide, you know 40% clearance at Fred's cause its July 24th. However, this is only day two of temperatures high enough to hit the outdoors in a 'kini. It was a bit short resulting in some skid stops on grass. No problem, we have grand plans for the DIY Slip-n-Slide. Its a terrible thing when you sit and discuss what mill strength would work best.

Grass

The new house has surprises around every corner, some fun some not so fun. Jon has explained many times the benefits of a larger mower deck on his riding lawnmower...that he hopes graduates to a John Deer One Series...but a deck as large as his truck?! This is a little ridiculous. We've had lots of good luck so far, it seems an investment in a new 'tractor' would be smart. The hot tub is working with less than $500 investment (new pump and new sensor), the kitchen is solid, bathrooms work (with your eyes closed) - the move so far hasn't cost a significant investment in surprises.

One very nice surprise is our cul de sac of neighbors - supportive and yet respectful. That second 'tractor' down there is the neighbors. As Jon stood scratching his head and replacing his hat (as he does when he is super angry and no one is there to yell at) - the neighbor cruised over with a spare (and then very respectfully left Jon to his space). The grass will not grow another week. The thought of cutting grass with 2 or 3 weeks of growth is the only thing I can think of that gives men nightmares. During another episode of mowing (at dusk in the rain - concluding in calling me at 9pm to get more gas), another neighbor brought Jon hot dogs...these guys must know to stick together!

Now I know why farmers sit and watch the grass grow - they are planning their route and thinking about the next time they mow. I'm sure many more discussions about 'the grass'.

Does a Marriage Good

Earplugs, they work as good for a U2 concert as they do for marriage. June 20 marks 13 years down this road. I was hopeful the road would lead to Hawaii...but turns out this flight has a layover in Clearview, WA. Thats okay, I hear the views are spectacular.

Daddy's Day 2011

Chalkboard Heart Dad Father's Day 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly cards for Mother's Day, Valentines Day, Birthdays & more.

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Fathers Day 2011

Classic White 5x7 folded card

Modern greeting cards and party invitations by Shutterfly.

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Shock and Awe

They talk to friends and family on cell phones and iPads. They cross continents in mere hours (despite how long it feels). They have unlimited movie selection at the click of a button. They bowl, golf, ski and surf...at home in the living room. They live - onDemand - in more ways than one yet, making popcorn in something other than the microwave shocks them. I was my 13 year old self this weekend, babysitting 3 kids. We colored, played toys, made cookies, made popcorn, made pizza and watched a movie (or two). I really saw the different personalities of kids and can't imagine having three myself. I also learned I am not smarter than a 5 (or 3) ((or 2)) year old....and yes...I did repeat the words of the great adults before me..."because I said so" ....

Everything did end well. I'm told I've earned the chance to have 1 adult night out bi-monthly in exchange for competing with my neighbors to be the 'fun house'. Its ON! I think I still have a record player around here somewhere.

Write it Down

I'm pretty sure someday I'll want to remind myself this once occured. Ching Ching to my perfect sleeper and eater....see ya in 12 when you tell me go away sunny.

Hunting....Easter Eggs, Florida Style