I think we are the only family that gets excited when the wind blows:) This year, we had a huge, devastating storm. What a blessing for the Tree Service!!:) This is the first year Tom has had steady work in December. It was nice to be able to get a few gifts for others. I love giving...not so good at waiting, but I love giving. It is so much better to be able to. We played a trick on the boys. They thought we were pouring concrete to make a picnic area in our backyard. They were whinin' about the work and how cold and yucky it was outside. Then, we broke the news to them on Christmas Eve...pssst...it's a basketball court, boys!! Woohoo. Hopefully we can get out there and play some ball soon. (when the blessed weather leaves:))
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
More fam than ever before
We had my brother and his family move here this year from Louisiana. It is exciting to have more family around. They have 5 more cousins to play with *including 4 girls for me to buy cute clothes for* and my sister-in-law's father . Thanksgiving was at their house with scrummy turkey and homemade grape juice:)...OH, and, of course, Dad's gravy.
Friday, November 12, 2010
My Squooshies
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Seattle for 2nd graders??!!
So, when I heard that Scott's 2nd grade class was visiting the Seattle Science Center, I KNEW that I had to go as a chaparone. Luckily, I had the day off. Whew. I had my hands full with the four boys from his class. It was such an eye-opener! I am grateful for the Gospel that guides me as a parent. I am grateful for parents who raised my husband and I in a such a way that helps us raise our children to be "good." Man! There are some rough lil' characters out there. Scott and I had fun, though. It was great to go along since I always seem to be working on the other field trips:) What a fun boy! Our favorite thing was the laser show. We had a cute lil' autistic boy that was laying next to us. During the show, his lil' face was right over mine...he said, "Who are you?!!" I said, "I'm Scott's mom...you know, Scott in your class....do you know Scott....uh, ....hello?" He replied, "I'm not speaking right now." okay. :) Funny guy:)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Oh, Michael...
Michael has always been artistic. He just has that natural talent. I love watching what he has been blessed with. When he gets new Lego or Kinex sets, he has them built in no time...usually without instructions. He can just look at the picture and WHAMO...he's got it made...not just structurally, but also functionally (is that even a word?). Everything he makes is perfectly symmetrical and each part moves...down to the smallest detail. Not surprisingly, he scored highest on his assessment testing on the section of geometry and spacial relations. I love watching these children grow and develop into what their spirits are. Each child is so different.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Michael is 10
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Conversations overheard
This morning was exceptionally funny!! Scott found a cowboy boot piggy bank on our trip.
Scott:"I have a booty bank, Michael."
Micheal:"WHAT??"
Scott:"Well, it isn't a pig, so it can't be a piggy bank. It's a boot, so it's a booty bank" (said in all seriousness)
Later on, Dallin was taking two liquid gelcaps of Dayquil. Scott stared at the size of those buggers and said, "Dallin! What are you going to do with those? Do they go between your toes?"
Ummm...I cannot even begin to understand what goes on in that boy's head:) The other night, he was playing with my itunes and saw a video of one of our fav American Idol winners. I said, "Do you remember who that is?" Scott:" Yeah, ...ummmm...Microwave or something?" Me:" You mean, David Cook?" Scott: "Oh, yeah...David Cook."
WOW
Scott:"I have a booty bank, Michael."
Micheal:"WHAT??"
Scott:"Well, it isn't a pig, so it can't be a piggy bank. It's a boot, so it's a booty bank" (said in all seriousness)
Later on, Dallin was taking two liquid gelcaps of Dayquil. Scott stared at the size of those buggers and said, "Dallin! What are you going to do with those? Do they go between your toes?"
Ummm...I cannot even begin to understand what goes on in that boy's head:) The other night, he was playing with my itunes and saw a video of one of our fav American Idol winners. I said, "Do you remember who that is?" Scott:" Yeah, ...ummmm...Microwave or something?" Me:" You mean, David Cook?" Scott: "Oh, yeah...David Cook."
WOW
Monday, August 23, 2010
Port Townsend
A week ago, we went up to Port Townsend. My brother and his family just moved up there, so we wanted to see where they were living. Dallin also had a baseball tournament, so it was a great excuse to go up there:) Tom and Betsy's home was so amazing!! It is tucked deep into the woods, but overlooks all of Discovery Bay. Oooh, it is beautiful! They boys were excited to explore. So, we went walkin' after dinner. Michael took some of these pics...my lil' artist in the making:)


Nana and Michael

Dallin

the boys on their favorite rock:)

Papa and Scott

a Michael pic


So exciting!...Rocks are, that is.

Dallin at bat.


Nana and Michael

Dallin

the boys on their favorite rock:)

Papa and Scott

a Michael pic


So exciting!...Rocks are, that is.

Dallin at bat.
"Everybody wants to pass as cats"
Oh, we just HAD to get some meow meows to roam on our 5 acres. I am not a huge fan of mice, so I hope these lil' buggers grow quickly. They are so fun. I love watching them tackle each other:) They are hilare!! They boys named them Rocky and Drago. I can't tell the difference between them, so they are just kitty to me.



Dad's 60th Birthday
It was my dad's birthday last week. We all just got together at their home and had a BBQ, some croquet, and lots of fam. He is really getting into wordworking...so Mom and I got him some wood to play with. We love to see what he creates!!


This is my niece, Chimille. They just moved here from Louisiana. Yeah!

Justin and Saqiya

Rixel and Saqiya

Michael

Scott

Mika and Justin

Mom and Rixel
Happy 60th Dad!!!


This is my niece, Chimille. They just moved here from Louisiana. Yeah!

Justin and Saqiya

Rixel and Saqiya

Michael

Scott

Mika and Justin

Mom and Rixel
Happy 60th Dad!!!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Olympia with the Scouts
Dallin is starting to get more involved with scouting. It has been a struggle waiting for a good leader, but this leader really enjoys "hookin'" the boys up with some great experiences. He arranged a meeting with our sec of state. Apparently this rarely happens. Then, his assistant lead us through the "secret" passages that lead to and from the governor's mansion and under the capital building. Pretty cool. We even go to use the state seal that has been around since the state originally achieved statehood. Neaaaattoooo!





Sunday, August 1, 2010
Allstars
Dallin played on the 11 year old allstar team this year. This was a much more difficult season. The coach really pushed the boys to their limit. He slid into second and pulled the muscles around his knee. Luckily, he didn't have to slide during any of the games after that. Ouch! He was out for more than a week. Their lil team did a great job. They took second place overall. Bainbridge Island ( no big surprise) took first. Dallin learned a lot, though. He was able to have his best friend, JJ, on the team. He is the cutest buddy. I can't tell him so, but he is adorable. He has these dimples that make me laugh. His little sisters let me play with them and get my girl fix. JJ gave Dal a big hug and thanked him for getting a homerun:) Cute lil' bugger.

Our "new" home
Our family finally has a home again! We were so excited...no, excited is not the word...hmmmm...extatic is more like it...to get into a home again. We had wanted to build again, but building loans are next to impossible to get right now. So, we settled for a home with potential:) Actually, I love redo-ing. I love getting to paint and pick new flooring and cabinets and lights and faucets:) So, this 1970's vintage home is quickly getting updated. It does take time, but now that my kitchen is in, I am a happier camper. We got some BEAUTIMOUS cabinets from Huntwood cabinets. MMMmmm...I went with the dark red with black antique glaze.


custom granite...This guy did a great job! I love the high backsplashes...even behind the stove.


This is our tiling. I am not done yet, though. It is going in the bathroom and hallway, too. I like to have as much non-carpet surface from entries to bathrooms.
Very exciting! I am sure it will take 5 years to get the house the way we want it. BUT, it took that long last time, too, so...Time to get the outdoors buttoned up for winter.


custom granite...This guy did a great job! I love the high backsplashes...even behind the stove.


This is our tiling. I am not done yet, though. It is going in the bathroom and hallway, too. I like to have as much non-carpet surface from entries to bathrooms.
Very exciting! I am sure it will take 5 years to get the house the way we want it. BUT, it took that long last time, too, so...Time to get the outdoors buttoned up for winter.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Hoopty
Going through pictures, I found these of Dallin from this last winter. He played on the school team. His height ensured him a spot:) This boy wears size 13 in MENS!!! He found a new love. Basketball is a way more athletic sport. It requires a ton of running and teamwork. Plus, it is held INDOORS...a plus for the fans. I think it is easier for kids too because the pressure isn't all on one player (ie the pitcher or batter in baseball). He loved practicing at Nana and Papa's house. This year, we'll be at a new school, though. His PE teacher met him and smiled up at him, "Ya play basketball? Let's go against your old school next year!"



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About Me

- karenjbriggs
- I am a mom to three wonderful boys. My DH worked hard to allow me to stay home and raise these lil' guys for almost 11 years. I am now working at a local hospital as an inpatient pharmacy technician. This is a new adventure for me. I hope I can balance everything out. In my "spare" time, I love to scrapbook the memories we are making.