Mountain Ranch Day 4

Day four at the Ranch was pretty chill, as you can see from the picture of Fred below. Basically everyone relaxed, played games, napped, read, and did crafts for the first part of the day. Then after that we did a lot of things. Julie put together a puppet show for us. It was so cute and Eli loved it. After the show she let the kids play and Eli loved playing with the puppets. I made this cute snowflake thing. It wasn't perfect but next time I make them they should turn out really really cute. Then we had a Winnie roast for dinner. Eli loved it he ate 2 hot dogs and he ate them fast. Then he found a stick and it looked like a gun so he walked around shooting things and yelling, "watch out!' Hmmm I wonder where he learned that?

Then we pulled out Marshmallows to roast a long with shaking up some ice cream in bags. Eli would not eat the roasted Marshmallows, but he loved sneaking over and stilling the ones from the bag. He did however just love the ice cream which basically was ice chocolate milk...his heaven. The boys also brought back a fish they caught so we all could have a taste. I hate see food but Jacob said I had to try it. So I did and man was it GOOD!! I loved it. Eli tried it too and asked for more. I wanted Jacob to catch me one the next day and cook it for me it was so yummy!

Mountain Ranch Day 3

On the third day we road the train! I was worried it was going to be boring because the train moves to slow, but we had such a nice time. The train is really neat and it burns on only coal. It does move very slow but everything is so pretty. Eli enjoyed walking around and checking out the train. Before the train leaves they clean out a lot of stuff out of the engine. Well Eli was lucky enough to be in the head train when they pulled the whistle! It was so loud and long but Jacob just plugged his ears and Eli LOVED IT. The train stops at this spot called osher (sp?) where you stop and eat some food. We enjoyed a yummy lunch and they got on the train to head back to the cabin.

One the way back the guys decided to hope off and do some hand fishing on the way back to the cabin. I guess the guys a A LOT of fun because at some point they all decided to go skinny dipping. One funny thing is I guess there were 2 put put cars that day so one put put driver got a nice little show...haha. I guess they caught a few fish, but Jordan caught a snake and thought it was a good idea to bring it back and show the kids. Eli touched it, and even tried to grab it from his dad. I am sure if we didn't watch Eli he would try and eat it too. I guess the skinny dipping experience made the guys want and adventure so shortly after getting back from the train ride the boys left for an over night hiking/fishing/camping experience. (Jacob will have to write a post about their fun time as I was not there)

The girls stayed back and painted. We finger painted some papers for a craft I did the next day. We also painted some rocks, and then things started to get crazy. Allison and I decided to paint our boys hair. Then Aunt Julie let the kids paint her dogs. We had so much fun!

Mountain Ranch Day 2

The 2nd day at the ranch started with boat races. This was a lot of fun. Basically we all grabbed whatever we wanted and made boats. Some people used water bottles and wood and made actual boats. Other used random things like, three sticks tied together, or a tennis ball with a bunch of toothpicks in it. See what I mean WHATEVER you wanted. Jacob made out boat and he did a wonderful job because we won! I named the boat so Eli and I would yell and cheer Boo - ya! As the race was going.

After the boat races we all cross the the river to watch the train. Everyday and train goes by at noon and like 3. I did not want to get wet so I made Jacob carry me across. Fred thought this was a great idea and had Jacob do it for him too. Of course I got a picture. Eli was cute about the train he would say LOOK OUT! Warning people to look out for the train. We put a penny on the track and it total smashed it. It was fun to see that. On the way back Linda fell in the river which we all thought was hilarious, but Eli was very concerned about his Nana. She had to come and tell him everything was ok. As Jacob was carrying me back across the river Adam thought it would be hilarious to throw rocks right by us to splash us. I have to admit it was hilarious and Jacob and I were laughing so hard...and Adam too. After we got across we looked down and we saw Cecil... Oh boy was he a sight. He had his pants all rolled up and was using a stick to steady himself so he wouldn't fall. Of course we all cracked up and the boys ran down to throw some rocks at him too. I just love the Ash family...they are so funny!

Later that day Allison and he family got there so the men took all the children hand fishing. These Ash boys are pretty impressive and catch fish with their bare hands. Jacob caught the only fish that night...I was proud of him, and Eli got to see him catch it too!

I don't have pictures of the boat race or of the hand fishing...oops!

Moutain Ranch Day 1

I don't know how he did it but Jacob talked me into going to the mountain ranch again. I am impressed he got me to go because Liam was barely 7 weeks old and I don't camp. Jacob left on Thursday and I stayed back with the boys and flew out with both of them on Monday. My mom and sister thought I was crazy to fly by myself with the boys, but it went really well. Plus I was super lucky Adam just so happened to be on the same flight!

I was worried about Eli's ears because he was congested, coughing and had pink eye in both eyes. So I got him a big drink I knew he would love so he would drink it on the plane. Everything went great and neither boy cried. Ok Ok Liam cried for only a few minutes, but it was his normal crying that he does when he is sleepy. He went right to sleep and was and angel after that.

After the plane ride Cecil and Fred picked us up from the Airport and we started our 3 hours drive to the mountain ranch. It was so funny me traveling with these 3 men. There was a time when all the car seats, luggage and boys had to be loaded and all the men looked at me like deer in headlights. I still crack up when I think about it. Adam decided he was going to put in one of the car seats on his own. At one point Cecil walks up to me and says I think Adam needs your help I hear swear words. Another time I over heard the three men talking as they were trying to feed Eli say, "this is like 3 men and a baby!" haha and boy were they right. Needless to say I had a fun time on the drive with these funny men. I was thankful for the entertainment and their help.

Once we got to the Ranch we had dinner and headed back to the hotel...yes I got a hotel room. However Cecil, Fred, and Allison did too. I guess not everyone likes roughing it like Jacob would like me to believe.

How Did I Get so Lucky?

I am sitting here at my computer at the end of a very crazy day asking myself over and over again...."how did I get so lucky?" In order to understand why I am thinking this let me review my last few days...but mainly the last few hours.

On Thursday Jacob left for the Mountain Ranch. Leaving me alone for 5 days by myself with the kids. (he has left me for 3 days for a Vegas trip too). I don't know what I was thinking letting him leave so early before us. I have been left here to pack for everyone and take care of the kids all by myself. Then to make matters worse Liam is very mommy attached right now, and Eli is too because he is sick! Eli has pink eye in both eyes, a cough, runny nose and congestion. All I hear is Eli saying, 'hold you" and Liam crying for me to hold him. I only have two hands which makes this very hard just to hold them let alone pack for this trip!

Today I realized I was in way way way over my head and I needed help. Plus I forgot to buy some things I really needed for the trip. My mom was up at the cabin so I called my sister to see if she would come over to watch the kids while I ran to the store really quick (yes I know it is Sunday...yikes) My sister being the sweetheart that she is said sure and said she would be right over. When I answer the door expecting to see just my sister I see the ENTIRE Gilmore family. They said they were there to work and work they did. While I ran my errands they cleaned my entire house plus when I got back Steph and Jerel stayed a little longer to help me put everything in my luggage bags since I had to nurse Liam! I was honestly brought to tears by their kindness. Not only did they just come right over to help me with out blinking, but they came to do more then what was asked with smiles on their faces. HOW DID I GET SO LUCKY.

After I got my luggage all packed and dropped off to Cecil I went to my parents house for a quick dinner and then home to finish getting everything ready for the plane. My mom and dad volunteered to come over in the morning to help me and to take me to the airport. They also watched my kids for about an hour while I finished a few things! On top of this Jacob called me and calmed me down. He is so great and getting me to relax and help ease my fears. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such sweet loving people. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing family and I love and am so thankful for each and everyone of them.

Speaking of amazing family tomorrow I am leaving to hang with all my in laws, and I am really excited. I don't get to see them very often and I really enjoy all of their company. I know most people don't like their in laws and butt heads with them but I again got really LUCKY and I just love mine! I may not like camping, but seeing them will help me enjoy this trip more...well I am off too bed since I am flying tomorrow with Liam 7 weeks old and Eli not even two yet ALL BY MYSELF!! Hopefully I am still lucky tomorrow!

What a hoot!!

Eli's at the age where he as started saying some really funny thing. So I figured I should start writing them down so when he grows up he knows what a funny boy we thought he was. Here are some of his latest...

1. When we walk into my parent house there is a tree that drops these little pods that looks like brown pea pods. The other day Eli asked me what they were I told him dead leaves. He looked up and me and said, "ummm Dead leave yummy"
2. The other day we were running a lot of errands. This day was a very hot day and Eli and I looked like we were melting in the heat. When we entered the house we felt the cool air right away Eli looked up and me and said with a smile on his face, "ALL DONE HOT!"
3. Eli is very intrested in Liam's nursing when I am done nursing a few times I have heard him say, "Eli's turn." and then try to climb up my lap.
4. Liam is such a sweet boy but if he stays up too long he looses it. One day while driving Liam lost it. Jacob and tried to calm him the best we could but from the front seat it can be hard. Jacob and I started talking about what we needed to do once we got to where we were going. All the sudden we he Eli yell, "I DID IT!!" Eli got Liam to take his binky and Liam stopped crying Eli was so proud of himself. Now sometimes when I hear Liam start to cry in the back seat I hear Eli say, "I GOT IT!"
5. I was nursing Liam and Eli walked in the room looked at me and said, "Hi Mama, What's up?"

As you can tell Eli is tons of fun.

What's up 7 up

I can't believe it but it has happened. My tiny little Ethan turned 7! Our little talker is growing up so fast. Ethan's birthday was the 1st and only birth I was a part of that wasn't my own children. I remember a lot of details of that day 7 years ago and I will treasure them always. Ethan has been such a sweet addition to the family. He is so fun, sweet, kind, caring, talkative, outgoing, thoughtful and many more great things!

To celebrate the life of this wonderful boy the Gilmore's invited a few of his very close friends to Jump Street. Eli was on the invite list so of course Jacob, Liam and I came along. It was so much fun jumping on the tramps and blow up toys with all the kids. Eli was scared at first when he saw the giant blow up alligator, but he just went right up it and down the slide without even shedding one tear. All the kids just ran and ran and ran for two hours. We had a great time!

I thought Liam had thrush so I gave him some Genitine Violet...that is why his whole face is purple!

These two pictures of Jacob and I are of us trying to do t his funny thing the kids did. We would run up the trap ramp and then flip back and slide down on your back. Jacob could do it. I always rolled around kind of funny.