So long...

This morning I decided to give Greyson his first hair cut. With his perfect, pretty little face - I decided after one too many "How old is SHE...SHE is adorable..." it was time. So I got him set up on a stool, watching cartoons and buzzed away. He wasn't too excited about it, but did pretty good for the most part. He wasn't a fan of looking down so I could fully reach the back...there's a little bit of a mullet going on...but he's all BOY! :)

Before - totally zoning out to the cartoons...

After - So long, long locks...STILL zoning out!

I always hate how old they look after the first haircut. Sweet baby boy...

That was my morning....then...

So, Josh & I have been going roung and round about selling our Land Cruiser and getting something a little more, say environmentally friendly. But really let's be honest...wallet friendly. It gets like 12 miles to the gallon and is a delightful $90 EVERY week to fill er up. Mind you, I really don't go all too many places or more than a couple miles away. Ugh. Yes it makes sense, but I've grown to love this car for many reasons. The day has come...a couple showed up at my door at 6PM with a check in hand, to take MY car away. Thanks for the heads up hon...so if you see me driving a beautiful 1991 powder blue Oldsmobile Cutless Supreme - don't do a double take, it IS me! Just cruising around in Josh's Grandma's ride!

So long pretty, blingy ride...

It's been a crazy day...week...month for that matter. I officially have felt like it's a good thing my head is attached to my body. For fear it would spin right off. Tee Off Against Trafficking is really coming together, really happening! It's very exciting, we have players, wonderful sponsors awesome donations for prizes and auctions items. But, for whatever reason...maybe just a combination of A LOT going on...I feel really down, sad and a little hurt today...sucker punched...like the wind has definately left my sails. I'm OVERLY tired which doesn't help. Tomorrow can only be better...right?

Prom 08'

As many of you know, each year Discount Tire throws quite the black tie event. This is to celebrate various milestones for stores in the PACWEST (Washington & Oregon). Overall it's the companies way of saying thanks for everything and enjoy this night on us. There aren't many, if any expenses spared. Roughly 500 people are in attendance. They put each person/couple up in the Grand Hyatt in downtown Seattle for the night. The evening begins with cocktail hour, this includes any/all the drinks you can imagine. Passed hors devours, an AMAZING jumbo shrimp and dungeness crab buffet display, to which I spent a good amount of time hovering over. YUM! Next a 3 course plated dinner with chicken and fish. If you manage you stay awake during the 3+ hour dinner/awards ceremony your golden. Here's were the fun begins. I love to people watch...the dancing...the drinking...all together it provides endless entertainment. This is my 8th party to attend with Josh (10th for him). Each year I am amazed at the extravagant dresses that showcase that night. The amazing hair creations and the insane amount of alcohol consumed. Which leads me to feel like I am at Prom over and over again. Well minus the alcohol...I think. :)
Around midnight they bring out mini burgers, pizza, cookies, brownies...lemon bars. Are they kidding??? Yum...can you imagine the calorie consumption all in one night!? It is only one night and a fun one at that. Here is our Prom pic...taking these makes me laugh every time.

Argggggggggggghhhhhh...

Levi & I went to Liam's pirate birthday party to celebrate his 4th birthday. The pirate garb was adorable and Levi was all over it. He totally rocked the whole outfit and even wore it after the party, until it got too hot. They all looked so adorable, thanks Marisa for a fun party and the Halloween outfit! :)

All of the sudden he looks very 'Arnold' with the 'stache'...he looks a lot like his Grandpa. Several times I caught him stroking his mustache.

At one point he was saving most of that chocolate cupcake for later...

Come ONE, Come FIVE...

My Mom, Carter and Greyson all share the same birthday. September 10th. Last Saturday we had quite the carnival in our backyard to celebrate the boys birthdays. Last I heard there were 32 kids...I think a total of 65 people in our backyard at one point...CRAZY!! Here are a few photos from the fun day...

Look at those beautiful eyes...such a handsome guy!

When no one was looking, Levi & cousin Connor got into the cake... :)

Check out Carlee's blog for more fun photos...

Training Days...

These days we are really working on potty training. They say the Summertime is the best time, since they can run around outside naked...well, confined to your backyard that is...

It's important to wear your baseball helmet at all times!

We have also moved Levi into a big boy bed as of recently. This was in hopes of giving him a better nights sleep. I'm not sure who is getting more or less...but I've woke each night to a "thud" or him crying since he's fallen out of bed...

Why does he refuse to sleep vertical???

ONE

Happy birthday to wee guy! Not so wee anymore, but still our littlest guy. It goes by far to fast the second time around. Don't blink....

9.10.07 * 7lbs 8 oz

9.10.08 * 20lbs 2oz

hApPy BiRtHdAy GrEySoN!

We sure love you little guy, you bring so much joy and excitement to our lives. Were crazy about you!

Maleria takes a life every 30 seconds...

By the time you have finished reading this, one will have died from Maleria. A friend sent me this link...so I'm passing it along. http://www.nothingbutnets.net/its-easy-to-help/ $10 saves a life.

What choices did you make today?

"An estimated 600,000 - 800,000 are trafficked across international borders each year...further it is not limited to SE Asia. Seattle is #2 in the US and play host to many types of trafficking, both domestic and international." These women and children, some as young as 5 years old are held prisoners in brothels and sold into sex slavery. They DO NOT have a choice, WE do. DO SOMETHING!! www.teeoffagainsttrafficking.com

The final rose?

Lately, I've felt incredibly overwelmed. Between Tee Off Against Trafficking, Assisting the wounded one (Mom), Preparing for a CrAzY b-day and trying to be the best Momma & wife I can be. All of which I enjoy and gladly do.
I have a hard time turning off my brain at night with all the thoughts, ideas, logistics, etc. swimming around in my head. These days I seem to eat...breath...sleep 'TOAT' as we all refer to it. I'm constantly thinking of people in my sphere of infuence. Who do I know...who do they know? Where do they work...what do they do? There is a reoccuring stream of how can they help...what can they do for TOAT? To which the Bachelor, our own local celebrity Jason Mesnik is brought to light. Naturally any sort of celebrity is wonderful for drumming up added attention in turn generating a wider awareness. So, why not? We pondered how to get it touch with him. Strangly he was listed in the white pages, albeit not anymore! I offered to try and connect with him. (rough work, somebodies got to do it!) Surprisingly I recieved voicemail each of the four times I called and even more surprising, no call back. Weird.
I had decided I would put a packet of info with our brochure in the mail to him. Why not? My plan was to drop off some folders and mail the envelope after my spin class this morning. I managed one quick drop, but the rest would have to wait, Greyson was a wreck. The thought of unloading and loaded for the post office sent me over the edge. Having his address I punched it into my GPS and walah, we were on our way. He's close by, I'll drop it on his porch...why not? As I turn down his street I was talking with my sister Carlee about the party and I hear little miss know it all..."ding, ding, you have arrived your destination is on the left." Blondie (me) looks to the right and THEN left. Well, I about had a heart attack...there he was in all his darling glory. Standing in his driveway doing yard work. You would have thought I was a 17 year old girl seeing NKOTB for crying out loud. I turned into a pathetic mess. I told Carlee I couldn't do it, I would come back when he WASN'T home or mail it! I'm pretty sure Carlee said, "Sadie this is the final rose" or maybe it was "Sadie hang up the phone, you have to talk to him - this is your opportunity." Either way I kept imagining Chris Harrison standing there with his knowing look. I did what I find myself saying a lot these days to my almost three year old and pulled it together! I'm really not all too sure what I said when I hopped out of the car. But he was friendly and yes ladies L.O.V.E.L.Y. He confirmed what we had thought, he begins filming for the new Bachelor next month. So he won't be able to play golf in the tournament. However he did say he was very interested and happy to help in anyway he could. I would like to think this is the first rose...for now I will continue to wonder why, WHY I didn't bring cuter clothes to change into after spin class!?

Cannon Beach, OR

My favorite pic of the weekend, yep that's sand and I'm pretty sure he's about to take another mouthful!

Building sand castles

They call this Haystack...I told Josh it was because that's what it looked like...I have no idea though! :)

Outside Bruce's Candy Shop, moments before the sugar induced mania!

Maybe the only time Greyson sat still for longer than 5 seconds

Look at those dimples, such cuties I have. :)

We loaded up early Friday morning with the Calkin's for Cannon Beach, Oregon. Having never experienced the Oregon coast we had no idea the fun that awaited us. It was a blast, the kids played and played and PLAYED on the beach. Greyson must have consumed at least a pound or two of sand. Why not? The sandy beaches were so soft and really we found ourselves saying over and over..."this is like Maui, minus the temperature and TONS of people..." It was absolutely beautiful. After about 30 seconds in the water barely reaching your ankles your bones began to ache and a moment longer hypothermia would set in (no joke). It was hardly a damper on our weekend of fun though. Each night everyone comes out to stoke up a bone fire right on the beach with a few fireworks here and there. I wish my camera could capture the scene...complete darkness on the beach with the sound of the waves, the bone fires and moon as our shining light.
The quaint downtown of Cannon is so lovely. Darling shops and cafes line the streets, Bruce's Candy Shop is a huge favorite and historical site. The fresh salt water taffy they make right in front of you, is delicious!
How is it that's I'm almost 30 and have yet to experience such a wonderful place only a few hours away?? We are already planning next year!