Home at last

Never again will I fly with two kids on the midnight flight where one is a lap child. Had it not been for the nicest UPS pilot on earth we would have had a miserable flight. Evan Haynes was a UPS pilot hopping on Alaska down to Seattle. Instead of taking the infant blocked seat, he road in the cockpit jumpseat for 3 hours to let us stretch out. So, the next time someone asks "What has Brown done for you?" you can tell them my story.


For Memorial day, we had some friends over. It was really nice and low key.

Anthony and his good friend Alex

Today was finally nice enough for us to pull out the water table. Here are the pics. Yes, Anthony soaked Gabe and Gabe just laughed as his brother did it.

Last of Alaska

Well, we had a great time. I got to see a lot of old friends, and the boys had a blast. Here are the last of the pictures.

Kenna and Nara

Anthony and Kylin ready to go on a walk around the block

The kids eating...big surprise

With Oma and Opa (Kathy and Charles)

Making silly faces with Opa

Alaska Continued

The boys and I continue to have a great time in AK. We spent the morning with Kathy and Charles just putting around. This is after I went to the emergency room for a rash on my face. Lesson learned: don't use banana boat sunscreen...makes me break out...who knew?!?


Then we went swimming with Tammy and the kids. I will try to get some pics of them from Tammy later.


But the best part about the day was riding on the tractor that a friend of Charles' left parked in the driveway. Boy, nothing beats a good day on a tractor.

After Kathy took the boys for a wagon ride.

For the finale, we had steak and corn on the cob. Prior to this day they did not eat the corn off the cob, but Gabe now thinks this is the greatest joy on earth. And Anthony learned to pick the last of the steak off the bone...watch out dad, no more left overs for you.

On Location

Hi! We are here in Fairbanks...I know most of you thought I would never come back. But it is beautiful summer/spring and we are having a wonderful time. The boys are enjoying playing with Oma and Opa (aka Kathy and Charles). I have seen a ton of old friends. Nara and baby Kenna are doing great. Kylin is, well, Kylin...full of energy and independence. Anthony, Ky, and Gabe are getting along famously. I will feel guilty leaving on Friday. I hate taking the kids away from good friends.


Anyways here are some pics. Hopefully I will be able to get a few of the kids all together before we leave.

Kylin Riding Her Tricycle

I Wanna Be Like Mike

Share...And Share Alike

Gabe Coming Up the Slide

Happy Mother's Day

Today we went to breakfast and then played at the park. A perfect day for me. Rob is now busy doing yard work and I am just taking it easy. Here are some pics of the boys and me. Anthony started hurrling himself head first down the slide so Gabe just followed. Gabe nearly face planted because he launched before we could get to the bottom to catch him...this would deter many kids, but not Gabe.

Another New Skill

So, many of you have listened to the saga of our house. We are now about to embark on yet another new skill. After finding out that building a laminate backsplash for the kitchen was really, really hard, we have decided to tile the backsplash. Wish us luck.

I have been tagged by Jennifer. She posted 7 random things about herself on her blog and then tagged 7 people to do the same. Here are the rules if you decide to participate:
1. Link your post back to the person who tagged you.
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
4. Let them know that they have been tagged.
5. If you don't participate, you have bad luck for 7 years...or not, but you'll miss out on the laughs.

1. I love going to school. I miss not studying, and all the new schools supplies.
2. I hate digging for worms...this may seem strange as it is all I do with my two boys.
3. I hate cleaning my house. I can always think of a million other things to do rather than clean.
4. I love to move. We know we are moving again in Jul 09, and I am already planning and thinking about it. I get butterflies just thinking of the new possibilities.
5. I enjoy home improvement projects, especially if there are power tools involved.
6. I despise it when my husband doesn't put things away. It makes me nuts to find his tools, clothes, dishes anything just laying around. I think it is because I spend all day picking up other peoples stuff.
7. I like staying home with my kids. Believe me, no one is more shocked than me...I always thought I would work after having kids. But, it is so great to watch them grow and learn new things.

Sorta Spring

So we have had a few nice days recently. Sunday and Monday were awsome. We got a ton of projects done. I am almost done with the doors for my cabinets (hopefully before Mother's Day) and the back splash for the countertops should go in tonight. We finished all the touch up paint...Rob is now a master at remaking a wall to look like nothing ever happened. The downside to fixing everything up is that now we can see how crummy the stuff we haven't fixed really is.


Rob and the boys also worked in the yard on Sunday. They love helping their dad. Anthony of course spent nearly the entire day digging for worms. He likes to pick them up, then let Gabe hold it, then take it right back. The sharing concept is still a little hard for him, and Gabe is completely oblivious to sharing or taking turns.

Rob and Anthony working in the yard

On Mon, we went with the MOMS Club to a local Mexican restaurant that has a swing set in the patio area for kids to play. The food was mediocre at best, but the swing set is a great idea. I actually got to eat my meal.

Gabe snacking and supervising me work

Gabe peaking out from the swing set at lunch

AHHHH...2 year olds

Anthony has been in prime form this week. I have all but discontinued treats because he continues to pee everywhere in the bathroom but the toilet. GRRRR.

Gabe has decided to enter the terrible twos at the ripe age of 15 months. GRRRR again.

I am attributing most of this behavior to the fact that we have been a little sick and unable to play outside much. However, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 65 (nice for us) and I plan to spend the entire day in the warmth and sunshine.

Last week the boys planted seeds with our neighbor and the first sprouts just appeared. Anthony is so proud of the plant he made.

Oh well, back to laundry. Yippee!