The Wild Side...

While walking to a mall yesterday along a drainage canal we spotted these interesting creatures. I felt bad for them as the canal was full of garbage and shopping carts being right along a main road but they must have been finding something as there were the four or five varieties plus some ducks. It runs along the out side of the Armed Forces Reserve complex and I was amazed the first night we were here at the massive size of two of their 'buildings' for lack of a better word. These pictures don't really show it too well, but if you were to stand in front of one you're about the size of a pea, at least you'd feel like it. The builds to the left are some normal sized two or three story buildings.

Notice the white Crane or Heron in to the left, he was too shy for a close up and flew in there when we came along.

This guy wasn't too worried about us, I have no idea what he is.

This one looked like a mini Heron he was only a little over a foot long.

This guy was cool looking, his head feathers stood on end when he flew away. Not sure if they were s'pose to or if we scared him.

Being white birds you would think the would be easy to spot in a brown ditch but two of them flew up from right beside us before I noticed them. In this picture there are two white ones and one brown one all in one area there.

And one beautiful little flower that was part of the landscape at the mall.

Just a bit of God's marvelous creation we found along the way. Proof that HE's still got HIS handy work here in amongst the high rises, 8 lane roads and 100's of malls and eateries in this area. Having grown up where God's natural handy work far exceeds the creations of man on the landscape I guess it being the opposite here gets tiring for me after a while. Love the beach though!

Balboa Beach...

Wednesday morning we all got up early and after a quick breakfast we headed out the door with Daddy to take him to school so we could have the car for the morning. We dropped him off by 8:30 and were on our way to Balboa Beach. It was only a 20 minute drive that time of the morning as traffic wasn't all that bad. Of course I stuck to the back roads and off the highways, i can't get used to the no blinker when changing lanes at 70- 80 miles an hour. What happens if we both are thinking about the middle lane and he's just not signaling??? If you're local and reading this your probably laughing at me. Mr. Tech just applies the "when in Rome" theory and cuts in and out like a pro, so I leave the highway driving to him if at all possible.
The beach was all fogged in this particular morning but that was great since Mom forgot the sunscreen. They have a great play ground right there on the beach plus bathrooms all in close proximity, very cool.

We hung out at the play ground for a brief amount of time...


Leroy vegging in the stroller...

"hey, it was an early morning guys!"


A quick swing woke him up and then they were ready to go out and find some sand.

The view of the Pier from the edge of the surf, very picturesque. There were some great waves crashing that some wake boarders (I think) were attempting to catch. Their boards were just a thin piece of wood not surf boards, and the rides were very short lived. Run out there, one quick u turn on the face of a wave and your fun is over till the next one. It looked like a lot of effort for not a lot of fun but that must be just me there were at least 4 guys doing it.

Phi with one of our "shovels" :0)

Some kind ladies took our picture for us.

Phi with cup of sand in hand...

In search of any unsuspecting birdies who might like some.

I'm not sure if the idea was to feed it to them or dump it on them but he chased them around with it every time one came near.

This was Leroy's first reaction of delight at being in the sand at last...

Then he started doing these little tough guy "uunh"s

Phi in "the mountains" since we just came from Alaska, just kidding. Actually this was our best attempt at sand sculpture as the sand is too course and won't pack or shape in general.

It was a very relaxing morning and by 11:00 we left to pick up Daddy from class and find some lunch. Daddy dropped us off at the hotel this time and took the car back with him. After a good bath and naps it was time for dinner which we were trying to have early as this is prayer and reading night down here. Daddy grabbed some Costco rotisserie chicken to go with our rice and corn and with that deliciousness in our tummies we headed off with an hour to spare before meeting started. The traffic was bumper to bumper which I think is pretty typical so we inched our way there. We followed our directions and got to the place with plenty of time to spare. The only difficulty being when we reached the YMCA where the directions led it was quite busy and no one seemed to know of anything like that going on. We didn't have our list of gatherings but thankfully A. Sus was home and looked up Mr. Ruga's cell number for us. He told us they had just moved...like a year ago.. to another building and gave us great directions from memory since they were actually out of town at the time. Soo, lesson learned, those little updates we get every so often are good for something. We proceeded to the correct place and found those of like precious faith gathered, and though few in number, as some were missing, very much enjoyed our time with them. Afterwards we enjoyed seeing the remodeling they are working on, the kitchen and one bathroom as so far have not had a kitchen at all, though still making due and enjoying fellowship Sundays together. The city required them to upgrade the bathroom so they're working on both together. It was fun to see the progress and also enjoy some snacks Bro. J. Hamilton brought for everyone. The trip home was uneventful, and so ended our Wednesday.

Story Time with Daddy

A favorite pass time of Phi's these days, Leroy joined for this one.

Love Leroy's expression.

Mr. Tech had the car all day today but this evening we made a quick trip to Balboa Pier. I never would have found it if Patty R. who grew up in the area hadn't told me about. We were there after dark so no pix, but lots of people of a different nationality were fishing off the end of the pier. They were having great success and I guess maybe to keep the fish fresh longer with out ice were pulling them off the hook and throwing them in bags or coolers were you could hear them flopping around for some time. A few had even caught what looked to be baby sharks?? What ever they were the fisher men didn't seem to like them and kept them flopping on the pier, as we walked by one flopped out from under a bench and the lady kicked it back under. It looks like it will be a fun beach to visit in the day time if things work out.

Among other things...

We're missing Miss Kate as her Daddy got a new job 5 hours away so she's not just across the river any more. We had to post some pictures of her just for fun.

A goofy grin as she enjoys the sand on the Oregon Coast.

Summer time fun with cousin Phi on a farm picking beans ... and eating them.

We've been busy obviously since our last post, one of the highlights though was a trip up to see Chatty and the Mr. for a four day weekend. I don't have the camera today or I'd have a few pictures at least. Chatty has an embossing set that she generously shared and we had fun making cards one afternoon while the kiddos slept and the guys played disc golf and racket ball.
We had some fun times with Drooler and his family and IOI and The little nuggets. We even got to visit Granville Island one evening. It was great. I'll try and do a post about it with pictures though as we went to some gardens at a park up in Richmond, very beautiful!
This last week Jon and Deb moved on Saturday but they wanted to be out of their house here Friday night so the carpet cleaners could do their job before they left. So we got to have a dinner for them and Dad and Mom B. and AJ , and Sus before meeting. Then J and D and Miss Kate spent Friday night with us, this was fun cause we didn't get to go along to help move since we'd already been gone the weekend before. It was our All day meeting here in town plus young peoples meeting (which we still attend ;) so it made for a busy weekend anyway. Now were trying to get plans under way for a week long trip to Kalamath Falls that we've had planned for a while now but we leave in 12 days or so. Definitely looking forward to that one, especially since it means we get to see Miss Kate (and her D & M) again so soon. Of course a week out of the ordinary sounds great too.
And now this little man had some news he wanted to share...

"I'm gonna be a big brother next April!!"

we're all looking forward to seeing who this little one will be!?!

Verse of the Day:
HE shall feed HIS flock like a shepherd: HE shall gather the lambs in HIS arms and carry them in HIS bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

Spring Days

About a week ago Phi and I were weeding in the back yard

And he got his first "big" ouchie.

He fell against the small deck we have back there and
poked two of his front teeth into his upper lip.

We came inside for awhile after that and
he ate crushed ice cubes which he thought was
fun since he likes to eat them any way.

It didn't slow him down for long.

He is all better now and getting his first year teeth on the right side.
The top one is finally showing, he's been fussy off and on and I didn't know why
but the reason is now apparent.

A. is now starting to smile, focus and respond a bit.

It's fun to see the boys interact though most of the interaction is on Phi's side so far.

He's started "asking"to "hold" Little A.

And I've let him a few times.

Phi also finds it fun to play this little piggy went to market with A.'s toes.

Little A. doesn't seem to mind and they get along well most of the time.

Phi has started saying a few words at last
along with little A.'s name he now says
"Hi"
Cousin "Laura"'s name with an accent
and instead of NO has started "ung unhh".
Now when ever he's going to do something naughty, usually before the act occurs he'll go "ung unhh" and I know that he's plotting something forbidden and knows he's not supposed to do it. It's been helpful when I can't see him but hear the word and tell him Phi don't do it. He'll come running around the corner looking guilty. Kids are so funny sometimes.

Sunny Days

Today is a cloudy rainy day here and I am trying to get some house cleaning done. We have been having a problem with those microscopic Sugar Ants in the kitchen. I think it is because of all the food that ends up on the floor under Phi's chair, but that is not the only place they congregate . I "deep cleaned" the counter tops and then floor yesterday with Lysol and that has seemed to help the problem a little, have to try and keep up on it more often. Today the schedule has "folding the mountain of laundry on the guest bed" and ironing some mandatory items along with baths for the boys and making sure feedings, lunch, and naps stay on track. I have found that it's less overwhelming if I write out a approximate schedule in the morning before getting out of bed as to what project to tackle for the day and when to fit it in among the mandatory things like naps, feedings, lunch and dinner prep. Seems to help me get motivated to get out of bed and start the day instead of laying there overwhelmed by the seemingly endless mound of possibilities. It has helped to get me more on tract with morning readings, as I feel like I have time, (though that shouldn't make a difference) and also with diet and exercise. It would be great to lose 20 pounds in the next two and half months, I guess that's my goal and we'll see if we can do it. After all that here are some pictures of a walk we took with Gramma, A. Sue, A. Deb and Kate on a sunny day last week. All are compliments of A. Deb as I forgot our camera again. Enjoy!

Phi keeping track of cousin Kate. He was having fun peeking at her
and wanted her close, this was his solution.

Who's in my glasses??

Strollering along!

The baby sitters!

He did pretty good about keeping these on until he got bored.

Cousin Kate in her shades

doing her stretches before the walk.

Kate is looking bored or maybe tired.

What are you looking at??

She has two teeth now on the bottom and loves to make growling
noises which sound so cute and funny coming from a little girl.

Verse for the day:
Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth...
Is. 42 :1

I have had this verse on my mind and finally found it's reference. Over the course of the last few days Sat. night was a Y.P. meeting, Sunday was all day meeting and Mon. night we were invited to supper and a reading at T&H Blakes home. The thought that has stuck with me from it all is how we ought to keep our eyes on HIM and it makes the wiles of the way much let tempting and the enemy get the victory a lot less. "If the eye be single the whole body shall be full of Light".

Spring Cleanup

Today was number three in a row of some beautiful sunshiny days. So I decided to have a random yard sale and clean things out of the garage that have been taking up space most of the winter. I only made $25 but that didn't seem bad for not having any signs out and the items that went were some of the bulkier ones. Hooray!! Less clutter and more clean space definitely make for a less cluttered mind and life in my experience. Any way I also have not gotten a chance to blog in a while so this is sort of a catch up of some random pictures from the last few weeks. Enjoy!

Little A being held by Beth, Lily's daughter.

We enjoyed BC conference very much though I was a little busier then I in the past! :0) With help from family all went well. We enjoyed Chatty and the Mr.'s hospitality the last night and on Monday. It was fun to spend the last night and following morning with them after the busy days of conference. The guys relaxed in the usual way, a bit of competition on the Ex box.
Phi doesn't look so sure about this. He found plenty of things to do and had fun with Chatty snitching grapes ( a favorite of his) from the breakfast salad she was making and meeting Thumper (not so sure about him) . Chatty kept him busy while I got our things all packed which was a great help to a busy Mom.
Phi also enjoyed the piano. He has fun with them as Gran'pa and Gramma have one too. He tries to help A. Sue play theirs by pushing the peddles for her! :) He's been learning a lot new things, so much comes so quickly now it's hard to remember to write things on the calendar I keep as a marker of their accomplishments. He is not very social as far as words go and only says Little A.'s name so far along with momma and dadda. These are still used at random. He likes to make people laugh with his cheesy grin that he does and that is his way of interacting I
guess.
This picture is more of his giggle which is fun to hear and comes readily with a tickle, a game of peek a boo or this little piggy went to market. He love that one and starts laughing on the first toe in anticipation of the end. He still loves food but has gotten a little pickier, he likes to try using a spoon now though most of it still gets to his mouth via his fingers. He likes ice chips, (this came in handy when he banged his mouth) beans/chili, and most fruits and is always ready with a reach of his hand in your direction and an "uuggh" to share what ever desert your eating or pretty much any food for that matter. He's mastered a cup as long as it's not too full and thinks that is fun stuff.

He likes shoes mostly if they're about three times his size, more often just to drag around the house and leave in random spots than to actually wear them. This makes for some fun moments when it comes time to go places, (where did I put my shoes??)

He enjoys the out of doors now that he's old enough to explore them on his own and it's warm enough to do so. Sticks, rocks, dirt, and water, be it puddles or other wise are all things of great attraction to small men, and he is no exception.
Thankfully he is mostly past putting things into his mouth although the occasional rock finds it's way there. Dirt clumps used to be the morsels of choice when we would work in the garden but now they are just great for destroying with a small shovel.

He's gotten a few bumps and bruises but keeps on in spite of them. He fell and put two of his upper teeth into the back of his lip for the first time a day or so ago his first "big" ouchie. It hasn't slowed him down much. He's so busy and goes around in such a hurry he is always falling and bonking something. This post is turning into a journal of the stage he's at now, read on if you care to... :)








He is not potty trained but we have tried on occasion ever since 10 months.

"I'm bored here Mom, can we be done yet"
































Oops! our wagon shrunk!
He enjoyed this ride but his usual preferred mode of travel is standing, hence more bumps and bruises. Will you not learn child?! He seems to like to be taller and any box, book, toy, item that will make him so is happily turn over and climbed on. He is starting to copy what he sees or hears others does but still no words.

Little A is our man of many expressions, we'll let some pictures tell the story.

"If you say so"

" Speak up I can't hear you'

"Oh my what shall we do"


"I'm a thankful man"


He has been having more tummy troubles of late but other wise is filling out and getting bigger every day. He likes to stand but not quite as much as his brother did at his age. Hopefully this means he won't be attempting to walk (w/ help) at 3 months. He is very snuggly and likes to be wrapped up tight "like a little burrito" as A. Sue put it. He has still been giving us at least 4 hours at night which is very kind. When he does have tummy troubles we use Gripe Water by Baby Bliss and it seems to help him a lot. It's great stuff!




"The Thinker"















He's gotten much more alert lately and started focusing on people, voices and noise. It will be fun when he actually starts responding! He looks to be pondering every thing now.


He fits in a 7 quart bowl!!


This guy used to, yikes! where does the time go!

Verse of the day:
Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov 22:6