So much to say!

So much to say, so much to say... [Aagh...Dave Matthews Band. Always good.]

It's been a long time. As usual, my lapse in posting does NOT mean that I've had a lack of things to post about. It's actually quite the opposite. Just too much going on. I have a whole list of excuses as to why I haven't been posting, but I know what excuses are like - everyone has them and they all stink. That's why I prefer to think of my list as more of an explanation of why...

1) We were thinking about moving back into the mountains. The urge comes and goes, but this time the urge was equipped with a really great house that we all fell in love with. A big lot, a flower meadow across the street, great views of the mountains, amazing front and back porches... Aagh... It was darn tempting and after LOTS of prayers and deliberation we decided to go for it - only to have the whole thing turn weird on us. We had to walk away from the deal, so there goes that plan.

Why did that keep me from posting? Because in the panic of "we're going to have to list our house - and FAST", we came up with a super long list of things that needed attention around the house. Lots of those things were painting projects, which is my area of expertise. I picked new colors for the trim and the front of the house and dove into the job full force. Now, it's about 55% done and I haven't picked up a paintbrush in weeks. We aren't listing the house anymore, so what's the rush? I keep hoping there's some sort of painting fairy that will appear and finish the job for me, but I'm starting to have my doubts. I don't think it's going to happen. Darn it.

2) My computer has been running slow. And when I say slow, I mean really, really sloooowwww. I know we're living in an age where we've become accustomed to having information at the tip of our fingers in split seconds and that anything longer feels unacceptable. But really. I'm not exaggerating. I'm not sure what's wrong, but it's downright painful. It's particularly slow when I have iPhoto open. I don't know if it's because my computer is getting darn old or because there's upwards of 5,000 pictures in my iPhoto library, but... Blogging just isn't as fun when I can't ad pictures, so what's the point?

3) We've just been stinkin' busy. Busy having fun and loving life, though, so no complaints here!

My computer is behaving relatively well today [knock on wood], so here's a sort of photo list of things you may have missed out on over the last month or so...

My amazing and ever-sacrificying hubby gave up his motorcycle [a man's man dream machine] so that we could get a big hick truck and a pop-up camper [also super cool, just in a slightly less testosterone-filled way]. We've taken the boys for two family camping trips so far and it's been GREAT fun!

Caleb started kindergarten at SY Jackson Elementary. Being the weirdo that he is, he insisted on my taking his picture with his backpack on backwards. "Otherwise you can't see my Lobo backpack." He's loving school and doing great. He's learning to count by tens, add numbers, write all the letters and sound out words. He's amazing!

Owen turned 3! [I was waiting for him to outgrow the Terrible Twos. Now I can't wait for him to outgrow the Terrible Threes. Sigh...]

Zach did a super spectacular flip dismount off his mountain bike. Thank God for his helmet. It lost a chunk off the side, but thankfully Zach's face remained mostly intact. He had some rock-rash, a fairly impressive black eye and 7 stitches, but it could have been much, much worse!

Nathan outgrew his bouncer seat...

...only to be introduced to his jumper, which he loooves! [Look at those thighs. Edible!]

We woke up super early one morning in early October so the boys could see two hot air balloons inflate [up close] at Caleb's school. I'm not sure what was more exciting - the balloons or the hot cocoa and chocolate donuts they got to eat for breakfast, but we all had fun!

Owen really enjoyed the balloons, but I think his favorite part [and mine] was when he discovered how much fun he could have while doing somersaults head-first down a pretty big hill!

Nathan discovered that noses make a really great chew toy. [This is particularly fun for the chew-ie, especially once your nostrils fill with drool!]

Owen decided that he prefers to wear his shirts "like Hercules". Plus, he's super impressed with his muscles lately, as am I!

The three little guys, Momo [my mom] and I went to McCall's Pumpkin Patch for a field trip with Caleb's school. We climbed the hay pyramid [that's Caleb, Owen and I waaaay at the top], went on a hay ride, picked pumpkins directly from the patch, found our way through a corn maze... It was a great day!

Nathan got to try his first cereal. The verdict? Mmmm.... Yummy!

Caleb dressed up as Obi Wan Kenobi for halloween. He was so dashing with his drawn-on beard. My favorite part was when he pointed to his chest and said, "Mom! You forgot the hairs that go here!"

Owen dressed up as Buzz Lightyear for halloween. He wanted the wings SO badly and then, after I spent an entire day making them, he only wore them for exactly the 10 seconds that it took me to take this picture. Darn it.

Nathan dressed up as a teddy bear. Oh my goodness! I didn't think it was possible for him to be any cuter or more cuddly than normal, but put the guy in a bear suit and he'll blow your mind!

So, like I said, we've been busy...