Oh, cable modem is up and running.

Here is an evening view of Port Hadlock, WA. It is across the bay from Port Townsend, where "An Officer and A Gentleman" was filmed.

We stayed at a boutiquey hotel, where each room was different. Lauren's room had mirrored ceilings. (Me, Tami, Rachel, Sue, Lauren)

Me throwing all of you the peace sign.

Keep on truckin....

Dang cable modem down again.

One fun link for my kid readers

Feist at Sesame Street, love it!!!

One year

It is interesting when you are pregnant. If you tell people what you are having (girl, boy)--in many cases they will say something like, "Oh, boys are such a handful." or "Girls are so much easier then boys." "Boys are way more laid back and easier to deal with." Of all the people I talked to, it was about 50/50 that boys/girls are easier/worse then the opposite sex. I have truly enjoyed seeing the differences between Mason and Kendall. I love thinking of how genetics made such different kids, and yet, they both have the same hair color.

One year ago, we were blessed by the birth of Mr. Mason. This past year has taught me more then I could have ever known. The biggest things I have learned are:

1)Be more patient.

2)Who cares if your house is dirty?

3)Having two little ones, close in age, was the best decision I could have ever made.

Mason is a gentle giant. He is sweet and cuddly and he adores his sister. Don't get me wrong, the kid is all BOY!! He has already attempted to climb to the 4th wrung on the ladder going up to our loft. He is also so much like his dad. He loves buttons and gadgets and lights and wires and all those nerdy things. But just last night, I observed his love for the kitchen (maybe, a future Anthony Bourdain?)---he loves the mixing bowls and measuring cups and spoons (and did I mention a super healthy appetite?). All in all, I can't wait to see what kind of man he will turn into.

I wanted to post a bunch of new videos and pictures, but because so many people are running their air conditioners on our power grid, our cable modem is sucking....post more later.

Yours, Mine, Ours

As many of you know, I come from a rather "diverse" family. I have had different moms and dads and siblings, over the years..... There have been divorces and there have been marriages, but overall....I think the picture is pretty bright. I wouldn't be who I am today if all these different people hadn't been apart of it. Last week, I went to Seattle for my dad's second wife's fourth marriage. Let me just say--the liver has not had this much fun in a while. First of all, the Northwest, there are not too many places prettier(I flew right past the glaciers on Mt. Rainier). Secondly, weddings are always fun. Thirdly, I got to see my little sister, Lauren Lou-Lou and I got to meet her man, Kyle. Fourthly, I got to meet Mike, Tami's new husband, what a great guy!! Cheers going your way as you are sailing down the coast right now. (I am having troubles getting pictures to download...I promise to do it soon.)

What the heck?

(Picture me stepping on my soapbox--I actually like body wash--so if it makes you feel better, picture me stepping on a bottle of soap.)

What the heck?? When did "conservation" become a Demo/Repub issue. I am talking water conservation, oil conservation, land conservation and the sort (hell, let's throw fiscal/money conservation in there too). I don't care if you are the rightest of the right---conserving resources is a good thing for all parties involved. Speaking of stats--I don't know how true or accurate it is--but it was published--so the Iraq war is currently priced out at $3 Trillion. Supposedly, you would have to spend $110 million dollars a day for 83 years--in order to spend all $3 trillion. If that doesn't make you cringe, I don't know what will. Discuss.....

Now for some Funness (new word). Recent lessons in parenting, I have "learned":

First lesson of camping with infants/toddlers

1)No marshmellows before bed.....I mean really, how much sugar are in those things? Gram quantities? It would be great if they could make a marshmellow that had Niquil in it, but that still tasted like a marshmellow and got that pretty light brown coloring.

2)A tent is a useful thing for penning your children in. Next time I will remember to bring one.

3)In Minnesota, bug spray is the perfume of choice in the summer. I like the Family Formula--I smell beautimus.

Lake Powell Road Trip--here we come--30 days away.

Some pictures.....

(this pictures were taken moments after the monkey fell under the water---3 days later she still takes about the trauma of "being scared". How do moms/dads get over the fear of hoping their kids are safe??? I am a worry-wort. )