The Grass Family Chronicles

To inagurate the warmer weather, we went to the zoo this week with our friends Benny, Gracie, and mom Becky. The Portland Zoo is one of our favorite places to go to in the summer. We usually go once or twice a week then, but never during the winter (for obvious reasons!). That first trip is so exciting because everything seems new again, and the boys had a wonderful time. Not that we really looked at many animals. Most of the time was spent digging at the sand pit and running around at the outdoor auditorium. I guess the boys have caught spring fever! We did our traditional ride on the train and the boys sat with with Benny and Gracie in their own row. It was a great time complete with a kiss between Andy and Gracie! We're going to have to watch those two. :)

Posted in: on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at at 9:01 PM 0 comments  

We are embarking on a new era with Caleb. He used to call me "Mom" and laugh, as if it were a silly novelty. This week he has started to use it as a way to get my attention. "MOM!", he'll yell at the top of the stairs. "MOM!", he'll yell as he's trying to get me to help him look for a toy. He still uses Mommy the majority of the time, but it's just a little piece of his toddlerhood that is quickly fading. I guess "Mom" is a word I'll just have to get used to. *sigh*

Posted in: on at at 8:57 PM 0 comments  

Need I say more?

Posted in: on Monday, April 16, 2007 at at 9:41 AM 1 comments  

We received this lovely outfit from a co-worker of Paul's for Jakey and I think it's one of Paul's favorite gifts. Our boys are being trained at an early age to be Seahawk fans. Every time there is a sporting event on our TV, be basketball, football or whatever, Andy shouts, "GO SEAHAWKS!". When Caleb was testing out of his speech class, his teacher gave him phrases to complete, such as "a painter... " and he would say "paints". Her next phrase was, "a winner..." and he immediately shouted, "is a Seahawk!". Ah, such a smart boy! It seems that Jakey will be following right in his big brothers' footsteps.

Posted in: on at at 7:39 AM 0 comments  

We went to our friend Josie's 4th birthday party on Saturday and it was a very unusual experience for us. Honestly, we are usually very good guests when we go to people's houses, but today was an exception. Caleb had been complaining on and off that day that his stomach hurt but he seemed to be okay. Well, we got to the party and right after Josie opened her first present, Caleb started to heave. Paul grabbed Caleb and simultaneously ran to the door as he shoved Caleb's face in his nice, new white shirt. I was feeding Jakey in the car at the time and was very confused to see Paul and Caleb standing outside the door. That is, until I saw what was between them. Gross! It didn't help that it started to pour down rain and hail at that moment. Paul and Caleb stripped off their clothes (on the sidewalk), kicked Jakey and me out of the car, and drove home to get cleaned up. The Lundgren's were very gracious about it and the party went on. Andy, Jakey and I had a great time at the party and when Caleb and Paul came to pick us up, our hosts insisted that the come back inside. By the time we left, Caleb had spilled red wine and Andy had spilled milk. All on the carpet. Do you think they're going to be inviting us back any time soon?

Posted in: on at at 7:25 AM 13 comments  

Caleb and Andy are always so excited when their aunts and uncles come to visit. Some of them came for Easter and we've been having so much fun with them! Uncle Paul and Aunt Peggy are in from LA and Uncle Michael came from San Francisco. Aunt Becky wasn't able to make it this time so we put the beautiful blanket she made for Jakey in the picture. Uncle Joshua wasn't here either, but he's planning a trip soon. It's always so nice to have lots of help around!

Posted in: on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at at 5:16 PM 0 comments  

We had a wonderful Easter this year. It started off with a yummy breakfast that we hosted for our extended family. It's so nice to have them visiting! Then we went to church where we has a celebratory service complete with jugglers and unicyclers. Grandma and Grandpa hosted a delicious Easter dinner with all the fixins' and then... Easter baskets! Caleb and Andy had so much fun with the baskets that Grandma made them. She sure knows what they like!

We also had a great Easter egg hunt on Saturday afternoon. The boys searched high and low for all their eggs and amassed a huge pile each. They were plastic eggs stuffed with fruity cheerios, little cars, Goldfish crackers, and, of course, candy!


Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Posted in: on Sunday, April 8, 2007 at at 8:38 PM 2 comments  

Friday was forcasted to be in the upper 70's, so Paul took the day off and we headed for a spur-of-the-moment trip to the beach. The boys were so excited to go and Caleb kept asking me, "Can you see sand yet?!" as we drove on the freeway. The weather was the best you could ask for for Oregon Coast weather, and we had a great time digging in the sand and flying our kite! When it got a little too windy, we headed toward downtown to have some more fun. Caleb and Andy rode the Carousel and then we found a little train that they rode on twice. We all had such a good time and Jakey was wonderful, as always. What a great day!

Posted in: on at at 8:26 PM 1 comments  

Caleb saw a couple ants on our driveway today and decided that it was his job to get rid of the "ant problem". He enlisted Andy to help him and they immediately got to work. I'm not quite sure why they needed the boots and the hats, but they looked cute so I didn't say anything. They got their shovels and hacked away at those ants. I don't think they actually got any ants, but they sure had fun and I was happy because they cleaned the moss out of the driveway cracks!

Posted in: on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at at 5:10 PM 2 comments  

I know that "fast" and "home remodel" may seem like an oxymoron, but it certainly seems true in our case. I think that the actual remodel may be quicker that the permit approval time (but that's a whole 'nother rant!). Roy, our contractor, and his assistant are basically building this two-story addition by themselves. It's amazing to see what they can accomplish in a day! The framing will be done by tomorrow, then they're doing to tear down our family room and laundry room walls next week. It's crazy!

We're adding on a 600 square foot, two-story addition to our house. That will give us five bedrooms, a bonus room, and a den. Oh, and a storage area that you access from the outside. I told Paul that we need to hire a maid because that's a stinkin' mansion!

Posted in: on at at 2:10 PM 3 comments  

I especially love the first and third Thursdays of the month, because that's when I have MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers). It conveniently meets at the church that Caleb goes to preschool at, so I drop him off at one room, Andy goes to his "school" in another and Jakey and I head off for two and a half hours of fun. Andy cried the first few times I left him (it would start in the car - "I don't want to go to school!") but one day he said to me "Mommy, I won't cry.", and that was the end of it. What a great kid. Anyways, today was another great day at MOPS and Caleb had an Easter party and egg hunt at school so he and Andy shared some Easter egg candy on the way home. I love that they are so willing (usually) to share everything with each other! Then they had lunch outside and played while I ran on the treadmill. What did Jakey do this whole time? Well, sleep of course! That kid is like a cat - he sleeps his whole day away! So, now all the boys are taking a nap, I have exercised and showered, and it is sunny outside. Best of all, I have a free, quiet hour. What should I do? Well, iron, of course! :)

Posted in: on at at 1:58 PM 2 comments  

I guess the groundhog was right - spring seems to be here early this year. We have been taking full advantage of it! Caleb and Andy are so excited to be able to play outside. It's so nice living in a cul-de-sac because I don't have to worry about them as much when they are playing out there. Their favorite things to do right now are riding their bikes, moving dirt (via shovel or dump truck, from one pile to another!) and playing with their train table in the garage. The sunny weather is making us all excited for SUMMER! I think we'll have dinner at the playground today...

Posted in: on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at at 2:30 PM 0 comments