Our week with company

A few hours after we had arrived home from camping last Sunday, Heath headed to the airport to pick up his mom and her friend Honey and we haven't stopped going ever since.

Monday the 4th of July

The boys loved this day, the fun just didn't stop.  We first went shopping so they could pick out a new shirts to wear for the day, then Mawmaw Teresia took them shopping for new toys and a new video game to share, then Heath took them out to buy fireworks which the boys are just fascinated by (I just don't get it).  It was a mistake for me not to go because the boys went a little crazy and when they came back with a firework called "The Blood Sucker" that cost twenty dollars alone, I knew we had wasted some money. Once again we got together with the neighbors to celebrate, it's something the kids just expect now.

Just look at the fabulous five!

Red...White...and Blue

Ryan had no fear and every time we turned around he was trying to re-light something on fire he stayed in trouble most of the night.  His favorite fireworks are always the tanks, the kids would have two of them fight each other and name them United States and Russia and chant for who they would want to win in the battle.  Luke of course was most excited for the blood sucker which was the grand finale but also a huge disappointment, that was twenty dollars down the drain.  Cody didn't really have a favorite he just studied all of their names and what they were supposed to do and enjoyed them all.

It was a late night but the kids loved every minute of it.

Tuesday

Every day this past week you could of seen Luke and Ryan playing outside with the pool toys.  They had such a great time setting them up over and over then running and jumping through the sprinkler.  This was the night we also decided to have a water balloon fight.  Teresia and Honey weren't going to participate but went outside to set up their chairs in the yard while we went inside to get the balloons.  As I looked out the kitchen window I saw that the sprinklers had just come on in the backyard and they were getting soaked.  It was the funniest thing to watch them dancing around waving their arms not knowing which way to go to get out of it, this was something that we laughed about all week long!

Wednesday

It was a bummer that Heath had to work all week but we just saved the fun stuff to do in the evenings so he would be able to join us.  This night we headed to the movies to watch Cars 2.  The kids loved it!

The boys also entertained themselves by sumo wrestling with each other!

The boys each loved spending some one on one time with Teresia.  Ryan enjoyed when she would read to him every night and during the day too, Luke enjoyed when she would just watch him play and Cody enjoyed teaching her everything he knows about Lego's. They each have a very special bond with her.

Thursday

Heath and I went out to dinner and a movie while Teresia and Honey watched the boys.

Sadly I wasn't starving when we went out to eat because we had been eating non-stop all week. Not only did we have some great dinners but some wonderful desserts too.  We ate five pies in seven days and that doesn't even count the chocolate covered marshmallows, rhubarb crisp and birthday cake we had too!

The pies were excellent though, two Peanut Butter Pies, two Coconut Cream Pies, and one Apple Pie. The Coconut Cream Pie is a recipe from Heath's Aunt Imogene that she is known for and it is unbelievable!

Needless to say I know that I put on a few pounds so it was back to running for me tonight.

Friday

We decided to head out to the look out towards Swan Falls again to see if maybe we could find any lizards this time around.  I don't know what the deal is because there was not one lizard to be found but we did enjoy the beautiful views. 

We then continued on up to the dam to look around up there. Heath was happy to have his mom here but what little boy wouldn't be.  I couldn't imagine only getting to see my boys twice a year so I know these trips are very special to her and us too.

We had the most perfect weather all week which made for a lot of front porch sitting going on at the house.  Honey and Teresia loved to sit outside to enjoy the weather and watch the boys play.  They also tasted rhubarb and fresh cherries for the first time too, and loved them!

Saturday

We headed to downtown Boise early for the Farmer's Market, we really need to get down there more often because I just love everything they have. We came home with homemade and fresh everything from  pasta, bread, fudge, an Apple pie, lavender and even dog treats!   

Ryan insists on always wearing two different shoes these days, it's just his personality and what a personality he has these days!  This week alone he has had a few things to say. 

When I was busy talking and not making his chocolate milk fast enough, Ryan says to me,

"Excuse me Mr. Talk A Lot are you forgetting something?" 

When Ruby walked over and was in between the two of us Ryan says to her,

"Can't you see we're trying to have a conversation here?"

When I asked Ryan if he had been jumping on any of our new furniture, Ryan says to me,

"Well yes I did jump on the chair but it's because Luke took control of my head and told me to do it!"

This kid just might be my problem child! 

 All of us enjoyed watching the street magician. The boys really loved it that I got to be part of the trick. 

After the market we headed up to Table Rock, it had been years since Heath and I had been and the boys have never been. Everyone enjoyed the view and the little hike it took to get up there.  Ryan of course showed no fear and would walk too close to the edge for any of us to feel comfortable. 

Another beautiful view.

We then went out to lunch and headed to the Birds of Prey Center.  Cody was the only one who has been there before and he couldn't wait to share every fact he knew with us all.  I didn't really know what to expect but they had a few birds to look at, a museum with tons of information and kid friendly things to do, see and touch.

We were also lucky enough to be there when they brought out one of their birds.  The boys all sat up front right in the middle while we sat in the back.  I talked with Ryan before it started and told him to behave and not ask any questions.  Well as soon as Ryan saw that other people were asking questions it didn't take long for him to look like this the rest of the demonstration.

The lady talking was very passionate about the birds and would rather talk than answer questions, especially from the kids so I don't think Ryan was her biggest fan.  Ryan first asked, "Does the bird eat fish?"  When she said No, another little boy asked, "Do they eat small fish?" when she said No again another young girl asked, "What about a minnow, could they eat a minnow?" Later on Ryan asked, "Do they eat worms?" When she replied No, he said, "Do they eat small worms?" and when she replied No again he said, "Well all birds eat worms."  Needless to say, we were all getting a good laugh out of Ryan that day, he was much more entertaining than she was. 

 Sunday

We celebrated Tucker and my Mom's birthday's on Sunday at our house.  It was a Chinese feast, swimming at the pool and back for cake and ice cream. Tucker turning 17 and my mom 57, only forty years apart!

Two very special people to celebrate!

We had the best time with Tereisa and Honey here, we all loved it and enjoyed having the company!

You two are just the sweetest, we miss you already.