A Veggie Tale

We planted cucumbers in our garden this year, but had no luck. The early summer snow storm killed the original starts we planted. After that we took the straight to seed approach. No luck. We even tried buying cucumber plants from the store. No matter what we did, we could not get a cucumber plant to grow. So, needless to say, we haven't had cucumbers all summer.

Today, Dave's brother brought over a sack full of cucumbers from their garden and left us a whole pile. I was so excited!!! Cucumbers are one of my favorite veggies! So, I quickly chopped one up to go with our dinner.

Apparently I'm not the only fan in our family, however. After dinner, I came in the kitchen and discovered Max having his very own cucumber dessert. I guess there really are no rules about how to eat a cucumber. At least he likes his vegetables!

A Plethora of Zucchinis

(this little bit from The Three Amigos fits perfectly with our zucchini dilema, of course substituting "zucchinis" for "pinatas"!)

Jefe: I have put many beautiful ZUCCHINIS in the storeroom, each of them filled with little surprises.

El Guapo: Many ZUCCHINIS?

Jefe: Oh yes, many!

El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of ZUCCHINIS?

Jefe: A what?

El Guapo: A *plethora*.

Jefe: Oh yes, you have a plethora.

El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?

Jefe: Why, El Guapo?

El Guapo: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora.

Jefe: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?

Okay, there is a little part of me that is happy that fall is finally here. I absolutely LOVE my garden....even though it did get a little neglected this year. But, what can a girl do with all of that ZUCCHINI?!? Seriously!!!

We have made bread out of it, steamed it, fried it, grilled it, dried it, added it to stuff, eaten it raw, given it away, just plain wasted it and FINALLY.....made some Zucchini relish! And, the relish is yummy, too.

How to fly a paper airplane

Paper airplanes are all the rage in our family right now. The kids ask several times a day if someone will make them one. Of course, dad is the ultimate paper airplane constructor (among his many talents). So, he is the one who gets to do most of the airplane work. Well, all of this paper airplane constructing has become quite time consuming, so yesterday he sat the kids down and attempted to teach them how to make their own. After 20 minutes of very intense instruction, they each had a very well constructed airplane of their own making.

As everyone knows, the best place to fly a paper airplane is outside, what with the constant Idaho breeze and all. So, off the kids went to test their newest models. Their favorite launch points are off the deck (the slight elevation gives them an advantage. Plus, the airplanes launch in the windward direction) and off the trampoline (I don't see the advantage in this location, other that jumping and throwing is just plain fun - or should I say PLANE fun! I know...I couldn't resist).

I'm not sure exactly how he managed to accomplish this feat, but after a short while Max came in the house begging for help getting his plane off the roof. Bria then lost hers in one of the window wells. Oh, well. At least it's good cheap fun!

1 Month

I can't believe Logan is 1 month old already!!! While I was pregnant, 1 week seemed like an eternity (especially at the end!). Now time is just flying by.

Logan has changed so much. He learned how to smile....though he is very, very stingy with the smiles he gives. He gets more and more aware of the world around him every day. He spends hours just looking at his surroundings. He is starting to get his days and nights sorted out (finally!). He still wakes up quite a bit, but he doesn't stay awake for hours at a time like he did at first. He is also changing in appearance. He's losing his newborn look - so sad! I found a really good way to check on his weight. I weigh myself on the Wii Fit and the re-weigh myself holding Logan. Before it even shows me the new weight, it asks "Are you holding something? You've gained 9.3 lbs!" 9.3 lbs works out to be about 9 lbs 5 oz - so he's gained 3 lbs already! At least we know he's eating good!

I tried to get a good 1 month picture, but he really wanted to cry, so this is what we got:

This is Logan at 2 weeks old. Look at the huge change! His face is really filling out.

Bria's new favorite person in the whole world - bar none - is definitely Logan. She want to constantly hug and kiss him. I have to really limit how often she can do it because she is extremely good at waking him up. But, she is a huge help! If I ask her help with anything to do with Logan, she is on it in a second. It's really cute to see how much she's bonded with him.

Max is taking a more slow approach to his new brother. At first he pretty much just ignored him. Now he is taking on a big brother role. I laughed so hard when I saw him trying to teach Logan how to do a thumbs up and say "Cool, dude!" It went something like this:

"Logan, just do this with your thumb and say 'Cool, dude!'" "Logan, look at me. This is what you do." "Logan, come on, it's so easy, just put your thumb up like this."

When I came in the room and told Max that Logan was probably too little to understand how to do it yet, he said "No, mom. I can teach him. Logan, just stand up right here by me and I'll show you."

The Man and the Moon

I'm so sad summer is almost over!!! I love going outside at night when the temp is just perfect!

Bear World

While my mom was visiting, we wanted to take her somewhere fun. She had never been to Bear World, so we decided that would be the perfect place - close by and not too hard to take a newborn to. It's been a few years since our family has been. Bria and Max were facinated by seeing all the bears. They were even more facinated by the free rides and petting zoo at the end, though.

Grandma's Visit

After Logan was born, my mom came up for a week to help take care of the kids while I was still recovering. It was so fun! Since she lives so far away, the kids don't get to see her very often. Bria kept asking her grandma to come and stay for a month next time. Since she left, the kids ask to talk to her on the phone almost daily. It was really fun for them to spend time with her. She was such a huge help with doing the laundry and cleaning the house....apart from keeping Bria and Max entertained. She walked Bria too and from the bus stop every day. She played with Max and helped keep him company when Bria was at school.

Logan's Blessing

On Sunday, August 30th we had Logan's baby blessing. He was just 10 days old, but we decided to have it since my mom came to visit/help. Instead of making her make a second trip in another month or two, now seemed like just as good of a time as any.

Logan got his blessing outfit from Grandma Martin. That was her baby gift for all of our kids.

After the blessing, we invited everyone to our house for lunch. It was so fun visiting everyone! It was a fabulous day! Almost all of Dave's family came. He even had an uncle, two aunts and some cousins attend. Quite a few people from my family came - my mom, sister, brother and aunt. We wish everyone could have made it, but it's hard with traveling. No one in my family even lives in Idaho.