Colorado part 2

...when you're on vacation as a parent, all rules and schedules and routines go out the window. And this trip was no exception. My boys did pretty well, I do have to give them credit for that. But you can tell when they've about reached their brink, and we reached that several times in the weeks we were there. I would love to tell you they were perfect angels. I'd also love to paint a picture of my "perfect children" who did the right thing the whole time. But who would I be fooling, and something tells me that years down the road when I go back to relive their little years, I'll need a chance to laugh at how easy these problems were compared to the ones I will be facing :)

All that to say, as one of the first of all our friends and family to have children, the prideful side of me had a hard time letting everyone see that I didn't have it all together. That my children weren't perfect; respectful, kind and obedient at every turn. But God was good at reminding me that people don't need to see someone completely put together. They really need to see someone touched by His grace and mercy. What I really need to be portraying is someone who is allowing God to mold her through the parenting process and dealing with each new situation with patience and love.

Deep thoughts for a vacation blog, but hey...you can't choose where you learn your lessons:) So, let's get back to some of those pictures...

While we only got a small chance to catch up with my youngest brother and his wife, I was thankful for a chance to remember how much I love them:)

I was also thankful for my older brother who made an effort to give us lots of time with Lily.

A chance for them to escape...to the park:)

Has anyone seen Noah? He was just here with us and now I seem to have lost him.

Oh, my how I love this girl. It didn't take her long to win a special place in this Aunties heart. Now, if only she'd actually let me hold her without all the screaming:)

Ah, the pure joy a child can find in a simple slide.

Breven is so much different than Noah in that he doesn't jump into anything with both feet. He's a sit, watch, contemplate and then maybe go for it, but only in the conditions are right kind of guy. Every ride on the slide is a new opportunity to think it through.

My parents have saved a lot of the toys from when we were growing up. And we discovered the motherlode of Legos. We spent an entire morning here on the front porch in the shade playing with all the new Lego creations. Lily was even introduced to the boys current passion.

And I successfully helped my mom cut off 24 inches of hair. Thats right...24 INCHES! I was so proud of her and she has seriously gained a minimum of 10 years back with her new 'do. Lily was wondering what it would be like to have so much hair, but decided it was just to hot to really handle.

We spent some much needed relaxation time one afternoon at a park that happens to be very special to Aaron and I. Its the same park where we celebrated our first anniversary of being a couple. And its also the park where he proposed.

The park is huge with lots of area to run and paths to walk on and even some ponds perfect for throwing rocks into.

We stopped off for lunch at a pond that seemed to have become a dog heaven. They were swimming all over in the water, going after toys and cooling off which provided perfect entertainment for the boys as they ate. And just before we left the pond, someone brought in a remote control boat. I must be a mom of boys because even I thought that looked like fun:) I really enjoy seeing all the love the boys get from all the family and friends in CO.

There is no doubt that these boys are cared for!

Who knew 10 years ago, when we started our biblestudy, we'd still be getting together!

Colorado part 1

Colorado was so much fun. We just got back from an extended stay and wow, did we pack alot in! But I think we got it all done and now we're thankful for home, familiarity and schedules (this Mama's definitely thankful for the routine and schedule again!!)

Would you like to see what we were up to out there?

One of the first stops the boys make is to the gravel backyard at my parents house. They have so much fun being little supervisors and drivers with all that construction equipment. And this year, my dad had done a complete overhaul of all the equipment. It all looks brand new! Thanks Dad for all your hard work. I only wish it wouldn't have rained quite so much so that we could have played more back there.

The equipment last year...what a difference a coat of paint can make!

The love of Papa runs deep.

Noah...for once, could you please take a normal picture?!?!

A visit in to see Grandma Langness (she's 90!!) I love that Esha (the boys' cousin) is giving us a great view into her eyeball.:)

We went and spent the night with my brother and his family. Lily just turned one and it was so much fun to see her do more than sleep this year:) We had so much fun but the highlight for the boys was the ride on the lightrail and trip into the Lego store. You would have thought they had just won the lottery:)

Robb, this one's for breaking my hippo!!:)

We were able to make several trips to the fantastic zoo and we loved seeing one of my favorite animals....the elephant! Noah really wanted to show you what noise an elephant makes.

Between Aaron's best friend's family, his college roommates family and ours we are a crowd of boys. Hopefully the 2 babies due in the next few months will help even the numbers a little. (and no, we are not adding to that number)

Mama, if only I could get this close to a real one!

One of my biggest accomplishments (and my Moms too) was the organization of her room. We spent the better part of a week working on it and I was in 7th heaven helping her find a place for all of her many crafts.

(Just don't ask me when she's ever going to have time to get to them all!)

We also had a chance to have 2 out of my three brothers down for a weekend to hang out all together and really enjoyed that. I loved seeing Noah being so sweet to Lily, wanting to play with her and wanting to teach her how to pass the ball.

I will always remember this as bathtime at my parents house. My dad was sweet enough to volunteer to give them baths every night while we were with them. One night it was just a little too quiet for me so I went to check out what was going on. B was contentedly playing while Papa took a quick nap on the floor:)

And this is most definitely going into his "will be using this for his senior year book photo collection". He decided to do this all by himself! Thankfully, he was still in good spirits at this point of the trip...

We are now ORGANIZED!!

With Aaron home for a week in a cast this summer, we had a lot of time to get organized (one of my favorite things:)) Aaron's mom had used a tackle box for all of Aaron's legos when he was growing up and Aaron liked it so much he wanted to do the same thing for his boys.

So we went to the store, purchased a HUGE tackle box and proceeded to seperate and organize all of those little pieces.

It was a big job, but its so much easier when you want to build something. Now to only get Noah to keep up with it!

Trip to the beach with Lolli and Poppi

The boys are at such an age, that a trip to the beach is actually a pleasant, fun experience. And we've been making the most of it. We decided that Lolli and Poppi needed to experience it with us...

The beach we frequent the most has about 30-45 feet of shallow water. The water stays pretty warm and I love knowing that I don't have to watch their every move.

I'm not sure what B is doing, but it kind of looks like he's trying to get the boats to come on over:)

Such a big boy! And that blond hair blends right in with all that sand.

Breven enjoyed showing Lolli how the beach works:)

Another great feature of this particular beach is the huge splash pad that the boys can go play in before we head home. Added bonus for mom: the water washes all that sand off of them!

I think Noah liked having a special place to sit

And of course, you have to end a beach day right...with a huge ice cream cone!!

Lolli and Poppi's visit

Well, here I was all prepared to show you a very happy Lolli and B, spending some time together and they go and hide on me...the nerve!!:)

Oh, there they are! I love the fun and laughter I hear from the boys as they play with their grandparents. We did a lot of playing while they were here and even got to indulge in our common love of Jamba Juice!

Poppi was such a trooper this week, helping out with mowing. I think he even enjoyed taking his turn on the tractor.

Who knew lego building was such hard work!

The 2 blue eyed boys of the Langness Family

Lolli even took a turn diving into the legos!

Noah gladly put on a 4th of July performance for his audience.

And its amazing that this is the second sign we've found that has Poppi and Breven's shared middle name.

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th (+3 days) of July!!!

Okay, so I'm really late in my posts these days...having Mono makes life as a Mommy WAAAAY more interesting. Not to mention all the other things I should be doing, including blogging. Most of the time I fight the guilty feeling of laziness knowing that the Mono will hopefully be over soon, but I know if I push myself too much, I'm going to end up paying for it. And I've had several days lately of paying for it.

Aaron's leg is healing nicely and he's finally able to start walking without crutches. I'm to the point of hiding all saws and blades to keep him from cutting his cast off:)

Lolli and Poppi came to spend the week with us. What a great way to celebrate!

I love the bond these 2 share and hate the fighting that happens 2 seconds later

You know, I've been pretty lucky. I was just talking to someone the other day who told me that she couldn't stand her in-laws. I LOVE mine!! We have such a good time together and I'm so thankful that I could even sneak a few hours away with Patty to have some girl time:)

Our 4th of July celebration started early Sunday with a bonfire and s'mores. Man, those are good. And addicting! The boys loved being around the fire and just like their Mama...give 'em dessert and they'll go anywhere:)

B wanted his own bouquet of flowers, Lolli's clever solution? Roll them up in his sleeves!

Poppi being the Master of the fire.

Have I told you how much I love these 2?

Breven is entering such a fun stage. He's talking in full sentences and running 2 steps behind Noah, mimicking his every move. He's passionate about socks (has to have them on at all times), his blanket and Mo (monkey), anything cars and food. You mention the word dessert and he comes running. He's also showing us his stubborn side, showing us how easy Noah's been to us. Which I have to keep reminding myself is a good thing. It will be good later on when he can stick up for himself, right?! He can hold his own in a temper tantrum contest and can not be coerced into anything. But I think Poppi said it best when he made the observation that "B's top priority is NOT watching where he's going." He's constantly running into things, falling down or playing bumper cars with the walls and furniture. Its no wonder he's got horns growing out of his forehead:)

And this one here is my bundle of energy. If only I knew how to bottle some and sell it. I'd make a fortune. He's 4 going on 16...and his work is keeping him very busy. I'm petioning right now to get him some vacation time, which is really code for a break from all the "work talk" that Mama has to listen to. Anything that someone mentions, he can one up with something from his work. Seriously, what company would really own firetrucks, construction equipment, jetskis, 4-wheelers, 45 bosses, a beach and dozen of airplanes. (and that's just the tip of the iceberg). Although he did mention this week that his boss Joseph (whom I've hosted for dinner, playtime, naptime...) has taken a job in Japan, so I'm interested to see how long Joseph's new job will last.

Even though Aaron's leg has kept him from alot of the normal activites, we've been enjoying some quality family time...

So I was wrong earlier...this is the Master of the Fire:)

What can I say...they LOVE their Miss Lori!

Its superhero Noah!

Getting ready to light off some of Lolli's fireworks. The boys loved them! They even got to stay up until 11 because it doesn't get dark around here until 10!

A rare moment of Love for the Poppi

Make that 2 rare moments of Love. Noah is our lovebug. He's ready and willing to give hugs and kisses whenever needed!

Passing out the poppers (or in Breven's case the stompers.) He would gently set it on the ground and then stomp the ground until a foot finally connected with the popper.

And of course...clean up time. Alll those poppers make such a mess. I think its just in the genes!!