Costco Run

Our cupboards are bare. We have been getting through the end of our busy season depleting our reserves. Our list was getting longer and longer and we made the mad dash today. We got there as it opened and Dave may have snagged the best parking spot, ever. We can tell we're old because we're excited about the parking spot. Funny because we were among all the older couples who were shopping. I told Dave we could come here and feel like the youngun's. He said, yeah, that would work only for a few more years.

We go in with a list and just look for our items. We NEVER wander and see what they have. J asked us to look for a swim vest for T so I suggested we wander in to the middle aisle and see what they have and we found the swim vests and bought two. Now, I should explain the importance of this event. My husband HATES (and I do not think I'm exaggerating when I say that) to shop. He is a hunter. He goes for exactly what he needs, buys it, and leaves as quickly as possible. We get back on task and then as we round that last corner, I say "hey, let's see if there's anything that would be useful for the boys". I'm expecting him to, well, I'll say it kindly, not take this suggestion well.  My husband shocks me and keeps me on my feet by saying, YEAH! We found matching PJs (remember, they LOVE to match) and a pair of shorts for E.

The boys came over this afternoon, we showed them the stuff, and they STRIPPED ON THE SPOT and put on those PJs! They wore them all afternoon and wore them back home. I'm pretty sure they slept in them tonight.

Never mind that T only wanted to put one shoe back on, and that G.Pa put Octonauts on the TV and they didn't want to pose for photos, they are still adorable.

Traditions - Easter

I have been remiss in posting. I've been a little busy wrapping up my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad tax season. Here's a little something until I have the time to post a bit more.....

I make Easter baskets...I've tried to break the habit like a few years ago when we were gone on a ride to SoCal so I wasn't around to deliver a basket. I just can't help myself. Here's a quick photo of the 2013 basket.

There were chocolate bunnies for the boys (or their parents if they're the ones who actually ate them), some gummy bunnies from Trader Joe's, and a complete swim wear set from Land's End. We went all out.....swim trunks, rash shirt (all the rage, SPF etc. and to think we all just wore swimsuits, how did we ever survive?), towels, and goggles. Oh, and I should mention that they match because my boys LOVE to match. Ezra did explain to me that they aren't real twins because they were not born at the same time. Thanks, E. And there is a homemade (of course) card with gift cards inside for the big kids.

We had a fabulous dinner with friends and family. A special shout out to Teresa for the delicious scalloped potatoes, and wine from John, along with the ham from Lucille. The dessert was the only disappointment...should have stuck with my first choice and not been sucked in by the lovely looking (yet dry) cake eggs.

We begin the day with worship because, well, it is Easter. This is the one day where I round up everyone and they attend with me. I would like to say it was for something other than what it really is.....our GREAT egg hunt!!! Seriously. It is FABULOUS. I think the boys believe that's how we worship every week. Oh, and the playground is so wonderful too.

We had a wonderful time celebrating the resurrection of our Lord.

Trudging Through March

This is our toughest month of the entire year. We are so close to the end of our busy season, yet so far away. Really people, bring your tax stuff in early because we are zombies by the end of March. Oh, and there is ALWAYS something big that happens in March. Like the straw that broke the camel's back. Many times it is an event that if it occurs after April, we can handle it in stride. When it happens in March, well, it is drama multiplied by a million. Sometimes it is even something good that happens, like a brand new baby girl arriving. We're just so weary and short on margin in our lives for anything extra.

You should be so proud of us since we are continuing our Family Night Dinner. Our oldest grandchild is enamored with Family Night Dinner. He LOVES it. And I get to try out new recipes, most from Pinterest. Last night was Ginger and Cilantro baked Tilapia

So I may have gotten a tad bit carried away with the garlic (Dave disagrees, he says you can NEVER have too much garlic) and it was still delicious. Very healthy too! This most definitely will be seen again on the dinner table. We served this over brown rice (LOVE Trader Joe's frozen rice) along with fresh steamed asparagus. Oh, and as an added bonus, I may have met a new best friend while purchasing the Tilapia at the fish counter.

Again, dessert was a big hit. I think my little boys have a major sweet tooth. We had Angel Food Cake and I cut it open to add sliced fresh strawberries and Cool Whip (yeah, I know, I got lazy and didn't make real whipped cream...can you forgive me?). I covered it with even more CW and fresh berries.

Both boys were "exuberant" last night. Right after bath they took off running around the house buck naked. I'm pretty sure Mama took video of this event. What is it about freshly cleaned babies running around naked? They were careening with reckless abandon, pure joy. They were loving it. Well not so much when E whacked his head against the marble topped island. He's just at the perfect height, which we discussed several days ago and cautioned him. Really though, does a three year old comprehend "caution"?

We trudge on....loving these sweet moments. Well, not the whacking of the head, but the rest of it was spectacular.

Loving Vesper

Big Brother Ezra LOVES to hold his little baby sister. This is extra special since his younger brother is being put to bed and he gets to stay up a little bit later since he's older. So funny how Ezra is so aware that he's the oldest. I can only imagine how this is going to play out over the years. I just don't see Theo going along with this his entire life. Anyway, here is big brother Ezra holding his little baby sister. Doesn't this just melt your heart?

Here are all my grand babies getting clean. Or as we sometimes refer to them, Swenson Version 1.0, 2.0, & now 3.0!

Vesper was very happy in the warm water and didn't mind those two big boys hanging around. Good, because those two big boys are not going away any time soon.

Vesper's First Family Dinner

Tonight was Vesper's very first Family Dinner. Ezra was so happy. He likes to have everyone together. He's asked several times if his baby sister was going to come to Family Dinner. He really missed her not being in attendance last week. 

Dinner was very simple this week, with it being our busy season and all. We had spaghetti with meat sauce, Caesar salad, and bread. The bread was good, and very funny story. We were both in the kitchen trying to get it on the table. Dave decided to help out with the bread. The plan was to put butter and garlic on the bread, when Dave grabbed my one-half cup of crust that I had set aside. Granted, I did have the cup sitting very near the bread prep area. The bread actually tasted good. Sweet, but good.

This is Ezra "cutting" his food. First he announced that he was cutting his own food. Then he called out to each individual to watch him. Waiting until he heard "good job" until he moved on to the next person. He even invited his brother to watch. Theo was not the least bit interested. He was playing peek-a-boo and that takes precedence.

Even without the full crust, the dessert was fabulous. Then again, with enough sugar and ice cream added, everything is fabulous! Here's a photo of yet another snag off of Pinterest, Peach Cobbler.

Zero Birthday and Counting

How do you celebrate the birth of your new baby sister? With a Birth Day Party of course!!!!!

Cake? check. Party Hats? check. Candles? check. Oh wait, no candles because she's ZERO!!!!!

Three's the Charm and We are Charmed

We now have THREE grandchildren! So hard to believe. It's just like our daughter to overwhelm us. Everyone is healthy, happy, and exhausted. Dare I saw the exhausted part is the "new normal"?

After two boys we now have a girl. She's fitting the stereotype too, she was due on the 20th and made us all wait...until the following month! She does have a cool birthdate of 3.1.13.

The birth of #1 was filled with drama and #2 was so fast we didn't have time to fret. W & J birth the babies at home. This adds a whole new dimension for us. We think of all the horrible things that can go wrong and require technical medical intervention. Then there's always the fielding of questions and comments from people. We did receive periodic texts and photos as the labor progressed. We were tethered to our phones. We received the text that #3 had arrived while Dave was meeting with a client. Dave's client was as excited as we were when we received the photo and passed around our phones so they could see too.

We brought the boys to meet their new baby sister the next day. W & J had presents for them from their sister. E didn't really understand that and asked questions.

Please pay no attention to the fact that E has not combed his hair and his sweater is hopelessly wrinkled. I think we earn medals since he's alive, clean, and fed. That is my new gold standard.

Here's Ezra filled with glee at the sight of his brand new baby sister

And of course he had to touch her

I'm certain he hasn't washed his hands in the last hour and I have no idea where his hand has been. Forgetting all that, is this not the cutest image of Big Brother's hand, Papa's hand (that looks as if the first finger is half missing), and sweet baby girl's tiny little precious hand?

So now it's Theo's turn to meet his new little sister. It is exactly 18 months and his position as the baby of the family has been usurped. Guess how he's going to take this. Go ahead and guess. He was busy exploring and touching everything while we were all distracted and here's how he looked when we all said "Theo, come meet your new baby sister"

He took one look at her, turned to J and began to cry for his Mama. Actually it was more like wailing. This broke Dave's heart and he swooped in to comfort Theo.

Jessica assures us, she even sent a photo as proof, that after a two hour nap he woke up and cuddled with his new baby sister.

Vesper Wren Swenson has arrived and we will never be the same.