Mama's Weekend Out

On November 1st I was able to go on my first weekend away from my boys, without my husband. There were 5 of us all together that escaped to Downtown Portland for a weekend getaway.

{Kai took this photo of me while we waited for my ride}

Jamie, Aimee, Rianna and I left Eugene late Friday afternoon. We ate on the way up and then stopped in Oak Grove to meet up with Carina. She was at the "Puckett Love Shack", a gorgeous home owned by here aunt + uncle where Carina lived before she got married last year. They put on a lot of social events, but this was "First Friday" a casual potluck style gathering of friends, family and extended acquaintances on the first Friday of the month.

We gathered by the fire inside, got a tour of the house, and eventually went outside to the barn. It was such a fun time and the 4 of us with kids were relishing the ability to have long adult conversations with no interruptions and not having to get back home for bedtimes.

{Top: Jamie, Carina + I. Bottom: Shandell, Jamie, Rianna, Aimee}

Afterwards we headed to our hotel, lugging all of our stuff with us. We packed a lot of snacks and drinks. We unpacked, settled in and just enjoyed each other's company. The drive must have worn us out because we were all headed to bed before midnight. 

{In the barn @ PLS: red lighting courtesy of the toasty warm heat lamps}

Saturday morning we took our time getting ready. I snuck in a quick FaceTime chat with my guys.

Then we all split up for a bit. Carina + I went to coffee at Barista with my best friend from High School, Lindsey who lives in the area. It was great to catch up, as always. Afterwards we met up with Rianna + Aimee who were out shopping. We hit up Nordstrom Rack, and then Forever 21 and H&M at Pioneer Square. We have a Forever 21 in Eugene but it's probably a quarter the size of the Portland one, plus we had no limitations on time and no kids to tend to.

After lunch we headed back to the hotel to meet up with Jamie who had to tend to family business nearby. Then shopping again! I'm not a big shopper, but I just thoroughly enjoyed the social aspect of it. We had a great time. 

That night we went to dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery. Everywhere we went was nearby, we walked about 8 blocks from our hotel to the restaurant. During dinner there were a few mishaps, a spilled drink and a forgotten order so they brought us a free dessert and gave us the 40% employee discount for our "troubles", we were all thrilled, being the budget conscious ladies that we are.

Afterwards we spent more time at the hotel, and tried to go to sleep around midnight. However, our room was situated right next to the pool and weight room. The tv in the weight room was blaring nearly all night and then the sound of weights clanking on the floor woke us at 6am. A friendly complaint from Jamie and we got a free breakfast at the restaurant in the hotel, it was quite delicious. We were feeling pretty blessed by 2 discounted meals in a row.

Once we checked out we did some more shopping downtown and I was about to drop. The constant walking and lack of sleep was catching up to me. I still had a good time, I was just exhausted. Then we headed to Ikea, which is probably the last place you'd want to go when tired…but we don't have one so it was a must! I budgeted pretty tight so I only got a few things; some grey curtains that I'm super excited to put up along our sliding glass door once we paint the back living room, a few kid's room storage items, and a couple little toys to give the boys when I got home. I had only been to Ikea one other time, with Ben, YEARS ago and we didn't even realize there was more store downstairs. We went through the showroom and then thought the downstairs was just a warehouse for picking up your furniture. Imagine my surprise when I encountered miles more of Ikea goods. It was a little overwhelming but pretty exciting. Ben + I are already brainstorming a day trip there for just the two of us. 

We said our good byes to Carina and headed back to Eugene. I got dropped off at home just before 7pm Sunday night. I was so excited to see my sweet boys already in their jammies, waiting by the door for me to get home. Ben had the house ready for me to come home and relax in, cleaner than it was before I'd left. I missed them a ton, but was so grateful to take some time out for myself.

Thanks so much to Jamie for orchestrating the trip and to all the other girls as well. I had a great time visiting with all of you, I can't wait for next year!

fall festivities

This past weekend was one event after another for me and I'm still recovering. Friday night we scooped up the kiddos and went to a friend's birthday party, which happened to be just down the street. Then we woke up earlier than usual for a Saturday morning and headed out to pick up some cupcakes we had ordered from The Sassy Cupcake for their latest fundraiser.

Our next stop was the pumpkin patch, but it was raining and had been for quite some time. Unfortunately we had told Malakai about going to get a pumpkin so we didn't have much of a choice. As true Oregonians we headed out in the rain. Sadly, the horse ride out to the patch wasn't free this year, but Kai was fine checking out all the pumpkins lined up at the storefront. He and Des picked out their pumpkins and we sloshed around in the muck before piling back into the car, all cold and soggy.

Once we got home we changed out of our muddy clothes and the boys went to work coloring their pumpkins. I even gave Kai the choice of carving his if he wanted, but he preferred to draw a few faces with crayons and then try carrying it around. Desmond even colored on his a bit, but then become more interested in trying to sit on it.

Next I headed out to meet my friend Carina and her sister-in-law, Michelle, for Carina's 1st bridal fitting. She lives in Portland but had found her wedding dress down her a few months ago. It was lovely to see her in it again. Then the three of us headed out to lunch at an old favorite, Sweet Basil Thai. 

{my lovely friend, Carina and some amazing pumpkin curry}

We made a stop at the mall to look for bridal party accessories and chat about what we'll each wear and what style she's going for. I also grabbed a last minute detail for my Halloween costume. 

I got home late that afternoon and spent some time snuggling my boys before getting ready to head out again. Ben and I were going to a costume party, on our way out the door we realized it was the first time we've ever dressed up together. 

{We went as Where's Waldo + Carmen Sandiego. The lovely bird is my friend Liz, and the hostess of the most fabulous parties}

We had such a good time hanging out with adults late into the night without our children. We haven't stayed out that late since before we had Malakai! It surely made me feel young again...until the next morning that is. 

Sunday was work/church and then I had a movie date during the boys' nap time with my mom and sister to finally see The Help. I went straight there to my in-laws where Ben had brought Des and Kai for us to have dinner. 

Then this morning was flu shots, groceries, errands and gymastics. Can you see how I'm a bit exhausted? Still, we had so much fun!

what we've been up to...

Memorial Day weekend was quite the whirlwind of events for us.

Friday night we drove up to Portland for our first long car ride with both Malakai + Desmond. It could not have gone any better. Kai drew on his aqua doodle pad nearly the whole way up. I was pleasantly surprised that we never had to pull out the ipod for last resort video games! Desmond napped a big chunk of the ride and then woke up happy and watched Malakai for a while. He was pretty fussy the last 20 minutes, but nothing unbearable.

{I-5 NB}

After we settled in at Lindsey + Adam's place she and I left the boys to hang out (aka Ben got to do bedtime for both kiddos and he ROCKED it!). We went to downtown Portland for Carina's 30th birthday party at The Barrel Room. It was a lot of fun and I was so excited to be out with friends, I can't remember the last time I did something like that!

{Linds + Elvis, China Town, Carina + her fiancee Reid}

{Carina on the piano, me + Lindsey, Carina + I, Carina + her cake}

Unfortunately almost as soon as we got there my voice started to get scratchy and with the increased volume once the band started playing I was straining to talk loud enough to have a conversation with anyone. Linds and I were the last to go and got back around 12:30am. I found Ben in the guest bed passed out with Kai sprawled across the bed next to him. He moved Kai to his cot and we passed out until Des woke up at 5:30am, when my amazing husband woke up with him and let Malakai and I sleep in til nearly 7am. That's when I woke up with a very hoarse voice.

{Des + Linds}

We had breakfast with Linds + Adam before packing up to head home. We stopped to stretch Malakai's legs and have some lunch on the way down. Kai slept the whole way and Des fell asleep about halfway down after a bit of a meltdown that we had to pull over for. I drove so that Ben could catch up on sleep as well.

{Bridgeport Village}

When we got back to town, there was a whole crew at our place to greet us because it was phase 2 of our lawn replacement. Ben's parents had gifted us with a new lawn for Christmas and the weekend before they had tilled up and raked out all the old grass to prepare for trenching, laying pipe for sprinklers, filling said trenches, calibrating sprinklers, evening out the land, spreading base mix, grass seed and the like and then waiting for it to all grow. My brother, his friend, Ben, his brother and their dad all worked from 2:30 (when we got back) til around 6pm that day.

Sunday I had a rare day off of work, but I was sick so I didn't really get to enjoy it. My voice was even worse- I could barely talk. Ben and his dad got started in on the lawn again that afternoon and into the evening while the boys and I hung out around the house.

Monday rolled around and I had arranged for Ben's mom to watch the boys so I could get some things done, including rest! Ben, his dad, and his brother were back at the yard for the whole day. I ran a few errands and took my time, but when I got home to nap I couldn't sleep. I did a few things around the house before picking up the boys and having lunch with them and their grandma. Even though I didn't get the rest I was hoping for it was still a nice break.

{trenching for new sprinklers}

Once the boys were down for nap I still couldn't sleep and was now coughing. After they woke up we played in the house and checked out the new sprinkler system a bit. Ben + I were both so exhausted (he was sick too!) that we ordered in for dinner and took it easy.

Yesterday we both went into the doctor. Ben seems to have another case of bronchitis and possibly asthma? I don't know if I agree with the doctor's theory, especially since her remedy was a $40+ inhaler. Oy! My diagnosis is viral laryngitis, the advice- wait it out. My voice is coming back a bit but my throat is painful and my cough is worse. I still sound like a frog man.

Today I went to work- I don't want to fall behind and honestly it's easier to be there while being sick than to be home with my 2 energetic boys. It's better for them to have some time with Mima who is healthy enough to keep up with them.

As for our yard, it's a lovely field of dirt and grass seed for now, but over the next few weeks we should be getting some lovely new grass sprouting up!

I'm super behind on my photo blog, but I have some catch up to do at home and at work before that gets updated. It'll get done soon though...I hope!

Mother's Day 2012

This Mother's Day I somehow got spoiled enough to be celebrated for the entire weekend. Friday night we went out to eat at Red Lobster with Ben's parents which was more to celebrate our finalized refinances, but we did Mother's Day gifts as well.

We gave Grandma Debbie a card colored by Malakai + a gift card to a local garden supply so she could pick out some flowers, veggie starts, or hanging baskets. Debbie gave me a potholder that she had decorated with the boys. I have one from two years ago with Kai's hands and this year I got foot prints from both boys.

After dinner the boys took some time to marvel at the lobsters, or "monsters".

On Saturday Ben made me waffles and gave me a map of what we'd be doing that day to celebrate Mother's Day.

First we went to the church for a Mother's Craft day for mom's to bring their kiddos and create crafts together. It was a ton of fun! Malakai and I did a few crafts while Des got passed around. Then Kai got a bit antsy so Ben (who was there serving treats to all the moms and kids) took him outside to play and I got some time to just make something on my own, which NEVER happens at home so it was really enjoyable.

Afterwards we headed to lunch and sat outside, which is one of my favorite things about summer time. It was a beautiful 80 degree day (quite rare for these parts if you aren't familiar). Next we headed home for nap time.

Lastly Ben thought we could go out to eat and then to the park by our old house, we compromised and packed a picnic dinner to take with us to the park. That way Kai wouldn't have to try to sit still for the 3rd time that day and we wouldn't be spending extra money. It was a lot of fun to see how the neighborhood has changed and play in the sun.

On our way home we picked up some ice cream for after the kids went to bed and then we went to bed early!

Sunday morning I headed for work (church) and while I was there Ben called me on facetime and showed me pictures online of my present from him...

he made me two trellises for my sugar snap peas! This was something I had saved on Pinterest and he and I had even discussed making at some point. He made them while at work and is finishing them up. I am so excited!

After church (work) we headed home and ate leftovers for lunch and watched a few shows while the boys napped. Once they woke up we headed out to G'Pa + Mima's to celebrate Mother's Day with them. On the way there Ben gave me my last gift that he and the boys had made together...

Something I had also pinned! Apparently I made Mother's Day gift ideas easy on them without even trying. I love it and it's in the frame that I got for my first first Mother's Day. (Speaking of, I just came across this surprise post that Ben wrote last year, I'm one blessed gal!).

Once we got to my parents' place we enjoyed the first swim of the year (the pool was FREEZING though) and ate dinner. We also gave my mom a card colored by Kai and a gift card to a garden supply place as well.

I enjoyed a restful weekend surrounded by loved ones. I'm so blessed to be loved so well by my husband and children.

and I'm back...

It seems like just yesterday I updated around here, yet nearly a week has passed. I'm losing track of time all too often. We've been keeping pretty busy with playdates, family gatherings, work, and regular to-do's.  Just today I joked about how before kids we thought we were "so busy!" all the time. I'm wondering what else will make us even busier down the road to make us look back and long for this time in our lives. Probably when the kids are in school and having social obligations of their own.

Last week some mama-friends and I met up at a Tot-day at a local science museum and planetarium. I was able to leave Desmond with his Grandma Debbie so I could focus on Malakai. It was so nice to have some quality time with him out and about. He enjoyed the activities and just running around with other kids his size for a couple hours.

Over the weekend we went out for our first taste of leige waffles at Off the Waffle. They were so good! I looked up recipes to make them myself but they seem quite involved...we'll see if I make any attempts at them.

We ran some errands, then stuck around home for the rest of the day. That night the boys took their second bath together. Kai decided Des would make a good ducky holder.

Sunday went to church together (we usually go at different times) and afterwards I headed to Salem with Desmond and Grandma Debbie to have lunch with Kristi, my sister-in-law and other gals from the bridal party. Afterwards we watched her try on wedding dresses for the first time and she found the one! 

Des did pretty well on his first long car ride, he slept through half of it. He fussed for the last 10 minutes or so and was quite mad by the time we got there, but was back to his happy self once we unbuckled him.

On the way home I sat in the back with him (for the first time since our car only has room for the two carseats in the back), he babbled at me for a while and then passed out til we got back to town. Ben + Kai spent the afternoon napping and playing together. It went by fast, but was another good weekend. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

Well Thanksgiving was Desmond's first big family Holiday (Halloween doesn't count, especially because we did NOTHING). Since we live in the same area as both sets of the boys' grandparents and much of my extended family, we have had two Thanksgiving gatherings in the same day since we got married. I thought it was exhausting before having children, I was dead wrong.

We arrived at Thanksgiving round 1 which was hosted by Ben's parents late Thursday morning. We had to pack to be gone all day so our car was full of extra clothes, tons of diapers, food, and other miscellany that becomes necessary when out with a toddler and baby. This also means we inevitably forgot something. Ben even said, just before we pulled out of the garage "if we forgot something, we'll make due". Unfortunately we forgot the frosting I had made for the pumpkin bars and I didn't want to have to scrounge ingredients to remake it, so he went back for it. Thankfully we only live 10 minutes away.

Desmond met lots of relatives for the first time and was passed around quite a bit, although Aunt Kristi had him for the majority of the time. She even held him while she ate. Our boys are well loved.

Here is a shot of most of the group just before eating.

We visited for a while longer after dinner and chased Kai around. He was a bit overwhelmed by all the people and really just wanted to play in a quiet room or have Grandma read him books, the routine when we're over there on any other day. It was also nap time, but we had Thanksgiving round 2 ahead of us so he got to sleep about 10 minutes on the way there...

We met at a local grange hall because of the large size of this gathering. There were nearly 30 of us and that's with 9 family members missing.

Malakai ran around the open space like a maniac and wanted so badly to play with the big kids, but got run over a few too many times for mama's liking. How he had that much energy after not napping is a mystery to me. He did have a few fits that were clearly due to him being tired, but overall he did really well and enjoyed seeing everyone.

Once again, Des got passed around (and slept through most of it) as he met new family members. I made sure to get a snapshot of just the four of us as I'm usually behind the camera and forget to jump into a picture with my boys.

Once Kai's meltdowns were a bit much to handle we decided to take the boys home. Malakai passed out in the car at 6:30, even with Desmond screaming in the carseat (which I can barely stand). He stirred once around 9pm but continued to sleep for 13 hours. It was a miracle really, since he never sleeps more than 9 hours at night, with or without a nap. Ben and I welcomed the extra sleep as we were super exhausted.

Speaking of sleep, Desmond has turned a corner and I think the colic is behind us (watch, it'll come back now that I'm saying something). He is sleeping so well at night and at naps. In fact, yesterday he fell asleep on his own for nap without his binky and slept for over 3 hours (with a feeding in between). Last night he slept for a 5 hours stretch! Sleep is good.

Back to our weekend...

We didn't venture out on Black Friday or really much of the long weekend at all. We didn't even get our Christmas tree, but Mima + G'Pa did. We headed over to their place to help them decorate. Malakai had a hard time listening to the boundaries we set for him, but he's a two year old and there were shiny things involved...can you blame him?

I can't wait to go get our tree this year. We had gone to nearby lots in the past, but this year we're headed to a tree farm to give Kai the whole experience. I might enjoy it more than he does...we shall see. 

four weeks

Can't believe how big little brother is growing! I try to take photos as often as I can to help me remember every little nuance before they change again in a matter of days. 

We had a much needed weekend of rest and recovery. Even though the end of daylight savings had Kai + daddy up at 6am on Sunday, big brother was asleep by 8:30pm last night which hasn't happened in a very long time. It was such a treat to get to catch up on some tv shows before we went to bed too. (and then Kai woke us up today at 5:30am...ouch). 

another summer weekend gone

This past weekend was yet another busy one. After a really packed week of activity we decided to make no plans on Friday and just relax at home. Unfortunately, that plan didn't work out since the a/c went out (again). Ben + his dad spent most of the evening assessing and repairing.

Saturday morning my siblings moved into their college dorms. My brother for his first year and my sister for her 3rd. Ben helped them move some stuff in while Malakai + I wandered around between rooms and eventually played outside with Mima for a bit.

{my husband Ben, my brother's roommate Tyler, and my brother Cody}

{my sister Amanda + Kai}

{Malakai was dancing to the music they had playing in the quad}

After move-in there was a family lunch outside and then some other meetings + activities that we left my parents + siblings to in order to take Kai home for nap time. That's when Ben went to finish work on the a/c. My poor husband up in the nasty hot attic. I'm so thankful and proud of him for repairing the issue himself, and for free!

Once little dude was up from his nap we went to run errands + ended up eating a super cheap dinner at Costco while we were out + about so we could finish getting things done and still have a happy toddler.

Sunday afternoon we stuck around the house. Ben + Malakai had some good bonding time while I worked on blanching + slicing peaches for freezing and for cobbler. 

{Kai grabbed a pillow to be like daddy}

{he still refuses to get in this pool, but loved getting wet from the outside}

Another busy weekend gone and yet another one ahead of us. Time is just flying by!