Already a Busy Summer ...

It's not even officially summer, but it's already been a busy one. We like it this way though; keeps things interesting. A few highlights thus far, Ryder has been very active in soccer (though it just ended), we have gone out on the boat a couple of times, and we went on a camping trip with the Kearney's.

Also, while not necessarily a "highlight," this past weekend we went to Seattle at the last minute for Jeremy's grandmother's memorial service and to spend time with the Bordner family. Under the circumstances it's not the best reason to make a trip to Seattle, but Jeremy's dad, uncles (Brett & Steve) and aunt (Jannie) did a wonderful job putting together the service to celebrate Mary (Jeremy's grandmother). She was a beautiful, kind and vibrant lady. Her and Roy (Jeremy's grandfather) have created an admirable, loving family. One that I am so fortunate and thankful to be a part of.

So, to keep the post short, you can enjoy some recent pics of our summer thus far ... there will be more highlights to come here soon. I'm off to Palm Springs this weekend with a group of girls. No boys, no kids. Ahhh...

Soccer Camp: Ryder loves soccer! He especially likes being a "blocker," AKA goalie.

Soccer Camp: Ryder and Morgan (in blue, front row) doing their warm-up stretches.

Kearney/Bordner Boat Maiden Voyage of 2009: Family pic. Ready, set, smile.

Kearney/Bordner Boat Maiden Voyage 2009: Tubing fun!

Kearney/Bordner Boat Maiden Voyage of 2009: Yes, I am wearing a wetsuit from 1988. The water was freezing and it's the only one we had.

Kearney/Bordner Camping 2009: Cute.

Kearney/Bordner Camping 2009: Cuter.



Kearney/Bordner Camping 2009: Ryder and his buddy Aidan.



Kearney/Bordner Camping 2009: Ryder and his best buddy Morgan. They had a blast camping ... were ready for bed at 6pm. Nice.




Kearney/Bordner Camping 2009: Daddy and Miss P, chilling on the beach. Doesn't Jeremy look great in is "Daryl Earnhart" sunglasses?



Kearney/Bordner Camping 2009: Do you know how hard it is to get the kids together for a decent pic? Yes, Aidan isn't wearing any clothes. He hardly wore them all weekend.


Seattle Weekend: As you can see, Ryder and Payton were pooped at the reception for Mary after playing at the park with Ji Young (thanks!) during the memorial service. We placed them in the back corner of the reception hall and they slept for a good hour or so while we visited with friends and family of the extended Bordner family.

Seattle weekend/Camano Island: The boys (l to r: Darren, David, Peter, Jeret, Tucker, Jeremy) playing a game of "Rock the Dock." I just now made that up. The gist of it is: each participant gets five rocks and throws them at the dock and whoever hits the dock the most times wins. Jeret won - he hit the dock all five throws.

Seattle weekend/Camano Island: Following the game, Jeremy, Peter and David showed Jeret just how appreciative they are of him with a little wrestle match.

Seattle weekend: Here's Ryder getting in on the wrestling.

Seattle weekend/Camano: Miss P and me enjoying a little mommy-daughter time.

Seattle weekend/Camano: Visiting, getting ready to say our good-byes for the weekend.

Seattle weekend/Camano: Miss P and Aunt Katka.

Mowing the Lawn

Recently Jeremy was out of town, in New Orleans, with some friends from Boise. While gone my mom came into town. We decided to do some yard work, plant some plants, mow the lawn, edge, get the garden started. You would think mowing the lawn would be the easiest task ... well, not for two adults. But for a four year old, no problem.

My mom and I could not figure out how to get the lawn mower started. We put gas in it, we pulled the cord, checked to make sure it had oil, but we just couldn't figure it out. After about ten minutes Ryder notices and comes running across the yard telling us "You have to prime it. Push the red button three times." It started right up!

Tubes Again ... but for Payton

On Friday, we went to the ear, nose and throat doctor for Ryder's follow-up appointment for when he had his tonsils and adenoids evicted and tubes inserted. While there, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and have the doc check out Payton's ears, as she's had a plethora of ear infections this winter/spring, on top of all her respiratory issues.

This doctor is really hard to get into -- she's a top-notch doctor here in Boise -- her name is Dr Beck if anyone is looking to have any work done in the ENT region. Anyway, as I said, Payton's ears have really been bothering her lately and when the doc peeked in there, she could understand why. Both ear drums were bulging, on the verge of rupturing, hence the irritation in her ears. Poor girl, she has been through so much!

They scheduled an appointment for this morning to have tubes put in her ears. We went in, she fell asleep in my arms, the doctor carried her back still asleep (it was so precious), they gave her some anesthetics via an oxygen mask, inserted the tubes, she woke up (not the happiest camper, a little disoriented from the anesthesia wearing off), but then about an hour or so later it was like nothing happened.

So, here's to a healthier, happier and more comfortable little girl!

Six Years of Marriage!

Today Jeremy and I celebrated six years of marriage! This is what it consisted of: 6:30am wake-up call by the kiddos, cleaning the toilets, mopping the floor, mowing the lawn, visit to the Urgent Care to have Payton checked-out (another ear infection), park with Ryder, Jeremy playing tennis with Jesse ... and now doing everything we can to get Payton to fall asleep so Jeremy and I can relax and watch a terrible Jim Carrey movie.

I couldn't be happier!

Easter Weekend

Realize, we're a week behind ... but last weekend we had a fantastic Easter. It was beautiful here in Boise, so naturally a lot of our activities centered around being outdoors. We performed the usual Easter rituals ... church and Easter egg hunt. We also went on a long bike ride, played at the park and enjoyed dinner at the Kearney's (thanks!)

When we came home from our bike ride our neighbors put together an Easter egg basket in our yard with large stuffed animals for Ryder and Payton. It was a fun surprise to come home to. Pics below.

Earth vs Space

This morning Ryder told me he didn't like Earth any longer and wanted to go up to space. When I asked him why, he said because he wants to shoot aliens. He said he can't go by himself, so either mom or dad need to go with him. To make the trip, according to Ryder, we need to borrow his friend Jamison's (from school) spaceship.

Ryder's Tonsils, Adenoids & Tubes

Last Tuesday Ryder had his tonsils and adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears. It had been a week since we were at the hospital and we kind of missed the place. We have had our fair share of hospital visits this year; enough to last a lifetime, and it's only March.

Ryder was a very brave boy in the ENT (ear, nose & throat) surgery center, and the nurses commented that he was the best kid they had seen in a very long time. He's still healing, but doing much better. He went back to school today and was so happy to be around his friends.

As you know, we've been through a lot this winter and we wanted to pause and say thanks to everyone who called/emailed and offered up their thoughts/prayers and support.

Specifically:

The Kearneys: Making Ryder one of their own for a few days while we were in the ER/Pediatric ICU with Payton.

The Skenes: One of the ER nurses noted that, "I have never had any patients have Mai Thai delivered to the intensive care before." To which we replied, "thats how our friends roll."

The Hamiltons: Great dinner, lots of calls and visits to the hospital, as well as a few rides to/from the airport.

The Richins: For having your baby so we could hijack your nanny for a few weeks so Miss Payton could get healthy enough to go back to the daycare germ pit. And for bringing us the yummy dinner, two days after bringing little baby Eli into this world.

Tucker and Susie Bordner: For making a last minute trip down over the weekend to help us get our house/life back in order after spending the week at the hospital with Payton. Also, installing new chandeliers and a new toilet seat which otherwise never would have happened.

Jan/Mom: Thanks again for making multiple trips to Boise to help us out (digging into your vacation time), doting on the kids, cleaning our house, and just helping us keep our sanity.

Ji Young: For sending Ryder Madagascar 2 and Bolt. We needed some new movies. We watched Space Buddies at least 15 times this week while he was home.

The Seattle Girls (Missy, Cherie, Ji Young & Dorrinda): For sending Miss Payton a new teddy & balloons while she was in the hospital.

Work: For not firing me.

Work friends: For the bag of goodies and for getting me hooked on Twilight during Payton's first hospital stint.

Here are some recent pics of the two kiddos, healthy. We hope it stays that way.