Good night

Is it time yet?
Btw, this photo is from yesterday. I need to figure out how to take sunset photos that don't black out the entire foreground.

And to finally catch up...

Yesterday Casi and Kelly came by to celebrate Casi's birthday. We met them about 2 weeks ago at the first party when Kathy came to town. So of course I grabbed the camera to get some pics of everyone. Sophia was very agreeable to the posing and picture taking requests. Zach was busy trying to get me to take pics of his flying leaps off the hillside and Owen was, as usual, not very happy unless I was holding him. Yesterday was actually pretty extreme for him, I think he was tired b/c this morning he got up early (as usual!) but then fell back to sleep for an additional 2 1/2 hours. Very abnormal, but very very VERY much appreciated.

Anyway, here are the pics. Along with two others I took a few days back and forgot to post them.

When in West Virginia...

You must go hiking, right? And playing in a creek is pretty much a requirement, too. So Uncle Caleb took the boys and me down a gorgeous trail at Glade Creek, down by the New River. It was so dark and cool and green, albeit muddy. Owen was having a great time running down, and alternately being carried by me. Zach wore his green cloak which made him look a bit like an elf sprite or something, he completely blended into the scenery.

Caleb took us down to a small waterfall, which fell into a deep pool that he says you can jump into from the edge of the trail, a sort of cliff/drop off. We took him at his word on that one. However, we went just above the falls where it was very shallow, Zach was DYING to get into the water. We had to find a way down to the water, and we took a small path that was a bit steeper than I wanted, what with carrying Owen, but with Caleb's help we made it down. Then I had to step into the water WITH MY NEW BOOTS on. Thank heavens for those boots, though. The rocks were completely covered with a slick, slimy algae that made crossing the water a bit like tight rope walking. Only with a baby and a camera. I gave up on the baby, letting Caleb take him over to the other side (where there was a nice flat rocky area for us to sit and eat our sandwiches).

Zach immediately got into the water and fell down, soaking his entire being. Owen saw Zach playing around in the water and kept scouting for a way past me to get into it. There was too much current to let him go freely, combined with the slick rock bottom, so Caleb took him. He had a ball, he bascially ended up on his belly, sliding on the slimy rocks, and Zach joined them. Three boys playing in the water and muck. Just precious.

On the way back, we came upon a delightful native creature. I keep getting told how lucky I am to have seen him, but I will be more than thrilled if I never come across any more of his kind in my life. He was sitting in the middle of the path, I was zipping along carrying Owen and Zach was skipping along at my side, Caleb in the back. When we saw him, I sort of froze mentally and started backing up, grabbing Zach by the shoulder and making him come with me. We waited a while for him to take his time getting out of our way, and then Caleb took the camera and snapped a few pics, getting closer than I would have dared. All in all, a complete adventure.

Owen's clothes were covered in the muck, which rubbed off on my WHITE shirt as I carried him. And I have since learned it does not wash out well. C'est la vie.

Horse show!

The last day of horse camp was a 'show' where all the camp kids got to strut their stuff. Or well, sit on top of a horse that was strutting, and trotting. Zach actually did a little trotting! I heard the trainers who were running along side talk about how he'd been too afraid to trot all week and how happy they were that he did it for the show. He was proud of himself, my little city boy. Never on a horse before but he managed to eek out a little trot time at the end. Sophia had been taking some lessons prior to camp (same place) and she was quite thrilled with her performance as well for doing her 'ones and twos' aka posting.

Owen ran around like a maniac all morning because SURPRISE SURPRISE Zach was the very last kid to go--that's my kind of luck LOL. We were there for 2 1/2 hours, just waiting to watch our kids go around the ring. Most everyone had gone by the time Zach had his turn but that was 2 1/2 hours of Owen chasing. I even gave him a doughnut just to get him to SIT DOWN for a couple of minutes.

Thursday, July 9

Ok, so I know I'm not TYPING this on the 9th, but these photos are from that time. I don't remember everything that was going on in my head, I try to keep some sort of thought linked to the photos to tell the story, but when you procrastinate as badly as I do, you tend to pay for it by losing out on the memory of those details. Le sigh. I know the basics, but the cute, sweet, whatever feelings that may have been tied to the pictures are gone.

Here are Zach and Sophia, playing 'Neopets'. Basically playing dolls but with plush animals. I don't think Zach has ever done anything similar other than playing with his super hero figures and that he's always done alone. So I had to sneak a shot from outside her bedroom door. Later she informed me that she didn't really like having wars in Neopetopia :(












The 9th was Caleb's official birthday. Brittany baked him a chocolate cake and got busy making decorations with markers and card stock. I bought some picture frames and had each of the kids make him a piece of art work that he could then frame and hang in his little house. The glitter glue took a long, long time to dry (even though mom WARNED you to use it sparingly for this very reason!) so Zach's isn't quite ready for a frame in the photo.




























And how could I not post these cute pics of my little guy?























Then, if you don't want a cat to guard your dishes, you should probably latch the door. I bet Sage makes you pay a cat food toll before she allows you to take a plate.

Wednesday, July 8

Taking it easier today...no company expected, no big meals planned, no laundry in dire need of washing (well, at least not enough to warrant actually DOING it), Owen's snoozing and if I were good at napping I'd join him. *yawn*

Zach and Sophia started Horse Camp yesterday, and despite his many protestations "I'm NOT GOING!" "Why didn't you ASK me if I wanted to go?" "I do NOT LIKE HORSES!" Zach is fully enjoying himself and was raring to go this morning. I'm sure the water slide had some small part to do with it. Although, he mentioned that he got to ride a horse and his eyes lit up as he talked about it, admitting to be scared at first but then it wasn't so bad. On Saturday we'll go and see what all they've learned, I hope I get my butt in gear and bring the video camera. Not sure how well I'll wrangle Owen, regular camera and video camera all three.

Here's the main house on the horse farm, it looks so perfect. The morning was quite misty, it shows somewhat in the photo.












The view below the house. The stables are on the other side, I may take pics of that on another day.












Today Owen and I went for a walk up the hill/road. I was just so tired I thought if I didn't keep moving, I'd fall asleep. And Owen needed a change of scenery, too much time in/at the house. He hasn't been sleeping well and seemed really off kilter yesterday, then lots of restlessness and crying in the night last night. But the walk up the hill was a lot of fun for him, he so enjoys the balancing act of running up and down an incline, something he doesn't get much of at home LOL.

It's been a few days

We've been busy here at Casa de Willow. It's actually all kind of a blur, but our routine is sort of like Owen gets up, which means I have to get up, and we stumble around in the chilly morning as I nuke some water for coffee and set up a dvd for him. He misses his morning cartoons but he seems to be doing ok with the umpteenth repeat of Totorro and Baby Signs. Maybe he'll actually learn a few more signs! I check out Facebook and procrastinate posting here. Mostly b/c my wrists have been bothering me a lot with all the driving and such. The table I'm using is a bit high as well, which doesn't help, or at least that's the excuse I'm going with.

Then I finally get up, get dressed and figure out something to do while I'm waiting for everyone else to wake up. I've had several runs to the grocery store, found things to do in the kitchen, etc. I haven't been able to chat on the phone (my cell gets no reception here) and I haven't seen my daily soaps (haha!) but it doesn't feel as if I'm really missing out. Loving the weather (although I've wanted something warmer most mornings!) and we chat with Dada via Skype video calls at least once a day. Owen hears the bong-bong! of the call signal and immediately runs to the computer yelling Dada! Dada! and commences to play peek-a-boo with daddy on the screen. The train runs by below the house a couple of times a day, freaking Owen out and occasionally ruining a nap. But the boys are both having a blast, and yesterday Zach actually got so muddy I sent him to the shower with his clothes still on.

Yesterday my cousing Kathy drove 5 hours to come visit, and it transpired into a sort of house party with my Dad showing up, as well as another brother and several of Rusty and Kims's friends. I was up early b/c I had bread to bake and a cake to finish, etc, so it was a long day with lots of beer and wine and I'm a little fuzzy still, but it was a LOT of fun and so many wonderful people that we met. Makes me wish even more that we lived closer and could have get-togethers like this so much more often.

The first 3 pics are from several days ago, I took the thermometer pics to prove that yes, it IS chilly, it's not just my Floridian status. And a cool shot of our laundry drying on the line.
Late afternoon/early evening:












And the next morning, around 8am:












Such a peaceful, simple sort of thing...












Then, the 'party'...I took so so so many photos. And then we handed the camera to Kim/Willow, who was insisting on a family shot. Well, she couldn't seem to understand that there is no image to view on the screen, you have to actually use the viewfinder. I couldn't understand why she was just holding the camera up and taking pics, then moving it and trying again. When she finally said she couldn't see us on the camera, and thus kept chopping people out of the frame, necessitating the many repeats, Kathy and I totally lost it. I was laughing so hard I was almost crying. The one I've chosen to post here sort of depicts the hilarity and insane chaos of the moment, especially with Owen poking a marker into his eye.

It was a wonderful day. The cute young singer is Kathleen Coffee and she has such a beautiful, soft, soothing voice. The boys both fell in love with her, and Owen was getting all silly and flirty, warming up to her faster than he has anyone on this trip. And she held her own against Zach's tough love. Other friends were Albert, the tall distinguished guitar-playing gentleman, and Owen even befriended him (so you know he's a good guy!) as well as Cassie and Kelly. I didn't get great pics of Cassie and Kelly, by the time they arrived it was getting dark, I was trying to avoid the flash so I kept getting someone out of focus due to the large aperture. Not to mention I'd had several glasses of wine by then and I'd guess that MIGHT have had something to do with it. But they spent the night and Owen had several big grins for them this morning, especially Cassie.

My brother Caleb lives here on the farm, and another brother William arrived, he's the tall one who somehow manages to hide in every photo. Kathy arrived with her friend Maryanne, who immediately begged to wash dishes and proceeded to jump in and help at every possible juncture throughout the day. We have decided to adopt her.

So...with all the photos to upload and the small space to edit here, I'll just upload the list and hope my above descriptions work well enough.

Cuzin!!


















Cuz and Maryanne


















My little poser.


















Impromptu birthday party












...complete with impromptu birthday presents.












Rusty/Warren, my brother and my pal while growing up












Where in the world is William?





































































































































Beautiful Brittany