Ok. We moved, you knew that, and since then we have been wading through quick sand (read: trying to unpack with two under two). A month later and we still have boxes piled in places. We are making progress, though and two nights ago we actually sat down to a box free living room (albeit there were still piles, but no boxes). Now there are boxes again but they migrated from another room so they don't count, do they? Anyway. We have been putting in a lot of time trying to finish by the fourth so we can celbrate with clear consciences. We'll see.
We also took a trip to Billings to pick up what I like to refer to as my Cadillac for the boys. A brand new (thanks to Gpa Bruce and Gma Marge) Kolcraft Tandem Double Stroller. I LOVE this thing. It is longer than a bus but handles well and the seats can turn around and its a smooth ride (well from my perspective) and it has two cup holders for me!! Mt. Dew and coffee? Just kidding. I do really love it though. Walks are so much easier when I'm not stooped over pushing a toddler in the single too-short-for-this-tall-mama stroller with a baby hanging from my front. We test drove the stroller at Cabella's much to Desmond's pleasure - lots of taxidermy for the boy to admire as well as a live fish tank.
From Billings we went onto Livingston where we celbrated Marc's parents new house. And when I say new I mean brand-spankin' new from the ground up! It is really nice and we had a great time hanging at the ranch for the week. Desmond, of course, really enjoyed the trip (despite some sleep debt that accumulated). He got to see animals of all kinds, run around in the hills, take walks, throw rocks into the crik, chase barn cats.... It was great. He also got to pet a wild bird. One of the birds that is a regular at the bird feeder let me catch him and hold him while Des touched the feathers! What an excited boy - I don't think I've seen smile that big yet! That was fun but now everytime we see a bird he asks (in Des speak) to touch it and I've yet to be able to explain to him the uniqueness of his experience! Marc also got to do some photographing of the boys that we entered into a contest. Des's pictures are at www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/cover-kid/895300081/ and Jax's pictures are at www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/cover-kid/895300076/
Back home we came to muddle through more boxes. We have taken oath (to each other) that we won't leave on a trip again until we are all settled in because to come home to this unpacked chaos was not fun. Add to it the clutter that comes after a trip and we were a little agrevated.
We have been thankful for the cooler weather this June, all the rain and even snow on one day! Because we no longer have ac - first time in 7 years that we haven't had central ac. We are constantly monitoring outside and inside temps and trying to manipulate the later.
Happy Birthday to me came and went without event. The older you get the less birthdays are celebrated - add to that our constant vigil as parents and the tasks surrounding us and the day slipped from us without much celebration. The day after, though, I did make my birthday cake: triple chocolate with a glaze, turned out really well! Des thought so, too. (He snuck a taste when I wasn't looking and, as a typical parent, I let him "sneak" another taste so I could get a picture - I"m pretty sure my mom has the same picture of me at that age doing the same thing.) If you want a taste yourself, come on over we love company!
I am amazed at how fast the summer is going. We appreciate living in town. I've gotten out more in this month than I have in the entire 2 years prior to the new house. The boys and I take walks everyday. We can get library books now, we go to the post office, we play in the enclosed back yard. Its been nice. This morning Marc and Desmond went to the post office and a cow had gotten loose and everyone was chasing it all over town trying to catch it. Des thought that was great. We also miss the quiet of the country, though. It's a life long controversy I s'pose.
Ok, enjoy the pictures. I can't think of much more news and this is getting long already. I'll post on Desmond and Jaxter's talents at a later date, since I'm now up to date with events. I don't want to loose my reading audience by babbling on.
Jaxter's smiley despite the choatic world around him.
Desmond's new favorite game - making tents and then playing "Boo!"
The "before."
The "After." Marc was surprised that I put it together myself. Not a "good job I'm proud of you surprised" but a "is it safe if you did it" surprised. Funny. Yes, he double checked me and no, it hasn't fallen apart.
First things first at the ranch: make friends with the cat.
Then survey the land with Gpa and Dad.
Jax on a walk.
Throwing rocks in the crik.
"Here kitty, kitty, kitty."
Standing in the "tractor" (read dumptruck).
Mmmmmmm new foods....
Desmond's reach is getting longer!
Marc's artistic take on my birthday cake. No matter which way you look at it, its delicious!(Despite the finger hole on one side.)
