Marcus, Brad and David Gray...

were my favorite guys on the planet Saturday! I think that concert traditions are a good thing and everyone should start one. With our dear Brad, we have a wonderful tradition that involves David Gray. We went to our third show on Saturday and it was great! The guy just does not disappoint. The point and shoot digicam isn't robust enough for capturing much at night but I was able to use the timer thanks to two tupperwear containers and the Thermarest to capture us waiting on the grassy knoll and the people behind us before they were schnockered (I spelled that correctly the first time!)

biergarten!
Here's my chaco tan
It was an acoustic show. The performers were slightly dwarfed by the stage.
We really are this happy here. I had a hard time taking this picture and took a few that were mostly Brad and I.
This was to extinguish Marcus' jealousy over the cute pictures of Brad and I. Those who know Marcus well will recognize the position of his mouth and know he's mumbling some curmudgeon-y here.

So here's to tradition! Here's to Shows with Brad! Here's to David Gray and guitars and pianos! Viva!

quotable

At the beginning of this dialogue I was not paying attention. Marcus mentioned something about "hush money" to Bradie but did not explain it to her(he gets infinite pleasure over joking over her head).

With a sidelong glance and a lowered voice she says: "Do you know about hush money?"

I started to giggle at her expression and if that wasn't enough she adds: "is that money for when you're sleeping?"

not even close to kidding

I decided to take a nap while Bradie watched a movie with Daddy and while Beau was taking his own nap. Right at the tail end of my siesta Bradie came into my room and asked what I was doing. I told her I was sleepy and that I needed to rest. Then she said she was going to lay in her box and rest. Whatev, I thought and I must have drifted off again. Ten minutes later Beau piped in on the monitor, just waking up. Bradie's door was closed. I peeked in and sure enough... she was asleep in a box.

I snapped these photos at 1/5 of a second because she actually darkened her own room! They are blurry but so very precious. Not worth letting the flash fire... this kid doesn't nap anymore, so I'm not messin' with that!

summer snippets

This is the picture I put in last and it comes up first. That last statement was for me, not you, dear reader. Dear Reader?! Who do I think I am Dear Abby?!
Okay, so inspired by my go-getter friend Christy, who is so good at getting the heckfire out of her house, we made some short notice plans with the Lynchs and went on over to Spokane to visit. I took a PATHETIC amount of pictures but here IS a good one of Casey, as well as Maggie. Casey is the strapping fellow and Maggie is the pretty lady up on the wall just to the left. Can you believe Casey painted that?! I suggest clicking on this one folks. It is a good thing that Maggie is so down to earth because I'm pretty sure my ego could not take seeing my mug all over the house. Seriously, this guy is good, people! Maybe a plug or maybe I just love my dear friends!
Okay. So always take home those little mini-hoses they have in shoe stores. They happen to fit perfectly on toddler heads. Add a too big button up shirt and you have the 90's all over again. Party on.
So what is better than snuggling with your Auntie to watch a June thunderstorm? I know, not much.

At bedtime tonight, the temperature of the nursery was 80 degrees. This was thrilling. It got down to 75 this morning!! And to think six weeks ago, I would have freaked out if it was 75 in there at NIGHT! I am acclimated and am moving to Louisiana...

PSYCHE!!

And the best for last: last night we had some folks I went to high school with over for dinner (the Backlunds, hooray!) and it was great, but the best part was the following conversation I had with Bradie:

sort of talking to herself and to me she says "motha"

I say, "where'd you learn that Bradie? On the street?"

Bradie, quizzically, says "Sesame Street?"

oh, Sweet Pea, won't you dance with me?

I know, four pictures of flowers, but I grew these from seed for the first time this year and I am a proud mama :) Plus I am having a rough day today and what better way to cheer up then cutting, arranging and SMELLING these girls! Love it!

fractured Cinderella (and out of order too!)

Here's his grace, the Duke.

Cinderella says "ha ha! The shoes do not fit you wicked stepmother!"

BOING! The Duke's monocle is knocked from his eye by the shoe that does not fit the evil stepmother/photographer.

Cinderella, the princess, is overjoyed to learn she will live happily ever after!

THE END

hello stranger

well it is a week for reunions for me. On Saturday I trek down to the Gig to attend my 10 year high school reunion. Whoa (like Joey on Blossom). I am looking forward to it. Should be interesting at the very least. I have harangued some good friends into going so at the very least it should be fun to see them. And meet their husbands :)

I don't know why but I keep thinking that various other people should go to, random people. Like some friends from DTS and Summer Staff and Brad and Brady and Mark and Lori and Mags, basically if all of my small group could come with me, now that would be fabulous.... basically people that have been a part of my last ten years, I want them there too. THAT would make it the complete package weekend of remembrance. Impossible I know but this girl, whose love language is time, can dream right?

I really annoy myself that I don't blog more. Right now the vice that prevents writing is How I Met Your Mother Seasons One thru Three on generous loan from SIL Caren (who has MOVED TO OLYMPIA, PRAISE JESUS!) Marcus and I are currently addicted... he actually just walked in from being gone all day at basketball camp and asked, "Wanna watch some How I Met Your Mother?"

Okay, so you are probably like "blah blah blah Sara, where are pics of the wee ones?" I will post some of those soon too. And give you a couple vignettes. Beau has four molars and can climb onto the couch. This afternoon he actually stepped straight off the couch and ATE it. Poor Dude! He is also very jibberjabbery and has the most expressive lips often thrusting them out in a hyperpucker when concentrating. Bradie got the expressive eyes and Beau has this funny little mouth that tells a story. He also gives real hugs now that are beyond precious.

Bradie is doing well. She is very sassy and disrespectful at times and we are working on that. It is very hard actually. I pray for wisdom all day and for patience and try to ask her "what is going on in your heart, Bradie?" She asked for some privacy to pray the other day and I do all in my power to remember the sweetness of that moment and to let it encourage me to keep runnin' that race! She is also very tan and very blonde and if she looks like this at fifteen we are in for it :)

I think that is all for now. Pictures soon. We really should talk more often.