Angels?!?

Rocking out to Christopher's toy

Dancing... Christopher style

Wild Angel

Colton's Wish List

1. Ashoka and Rotta
2. Hulk car
3. Spy Gear
4. Sk8/parks
5. Lego sw (Star Wars) rebel attack
6. moon shoes
7. a guitur
8. a Nerf gun
9. Air wick
10. Heeleys
11. J-ello
12. baken (bacon)
13. humidifier

Can you guess, by looking at his list, when we moved from the toys to groceries? The air wick was for Christopher's diapers and jello was to make, I don't know about the bacon.

Sierra

A week ago we had to put our dog of 10 years to sleep. She was known for going on little "rendezvous" but was always back a couple of hours later. On Wednesday we let her out and she slipped away. She came back a little while later and was acting funny. I was certain that she got into something, but it had happened so many times before, that I didn't think much of it. Thursday night she left a present for me in the living room at 4:00 am and then Friday morning, she started throwing up. She spent the day outside while I ran errands and as soon as I let her in, she started vomiting blood every 5-10 minutes. Jesse and I decided that we couldn't spend the money that it would take to fix her (if it was something besides ingesting antifreeze, which we couldn't do anything for her), so we had to put her down Friday afternoon.

Colton had a hard time saying goodbye, but he saw that she was pretty sick and knew that it would be better for her. He was surprisingly mature about the whole thing. So after many tears, he took responsibility carrying her pillow for her to "go to sleep" on, we prayed for her and said goodbye. We went to Dairy Queen for ice cream and told happy memories we had with her.

I know she had separation issues and we couldn't trust her at home alone, she would follow me around-room to room, and the hair everywhere. But she really loved "her boys" and would not go to bed until she checked their room, she was always bothered when Colton stayed at his dad's, and she would pretty much let the kids climb and roll all over her. She loved us so much and was such a good watch dog (even to a fault). I'm all about my dog being a dog and not being put above humans, but there's something to be said for the way a dog moves into your heart and becomes a constant, non-judging companion. We love her and miss her.

Making sure the windows were being properly installed.

Christopher hoping to grab whiskers, Sierra hoping for leftovers.

Sierra loved to steal mittens.

If Colton could've only figured out how to attach the sled to her. (Yes, he tried)

3 years!

Happy Anniversary Jesse!
Thank you for always loving me. You are my best friend.

My lover is mine, and I am his; Song of Solomon 2:16

20042005

2005
2006
2008

Here's to countless memories yet to be made and endless laughs!
I love you!

Cowboy Night @ AWANAs

These were just way too funny not to share:

It's official

Now that I have told the "required-in-person" people, we are ready to share our great news!

Another little Atchley will be joining us June 30th (or sometime near that date)!

Yes, we plan on finding out what it is.

Colton wants a girl, named Mackenzie or Michaela (no clue where or why, he just likes them) and no we don't plan on going with Colton's choices for names! :)

And the walls came tumblin' down...

So if you have a boy (or girl with a penchant for building like myself), this will be useful information for you. I do believe at some time in your life you will feel the need to nurture their desire for building various things out of legos. Just understand that they come in boxes and you are supposed to use the provided instructions to create a specific thing. Well, one day the thing will be destroyed by a younger "naughty baby" (as said by Colton) and you will find yourself in my situation. Luckily Colton has a mom that gets enjoyment out of putting things together. (Yes, I get a sick thrill on Christmas morning when there is some assembly required. Especially if I get to use tools!) Anyway, some day the aforementioned instructions will get lost or thrown away. Thankfully the lego people have realized that I am out here and have provided all instructions for any lego set made since 2002. Walls can be rebuilt. Tears can be wiped away. Life can go on and Indiana Jones can go after the Ark of Covenant as many times as my sons' little heart desires.
Thank you lego people.

Yeah!

Hooray!!!

We are flying out on Thursday to see these three munchkins!!! Colton is very excited! Hope to blog while we are gone, if not, have a great Thanksgiving!

Crispy crunchy leaves

I really love this time of year. Especially the crispy, crunchy leaves that you walk through. Christopher and I visited our friends that have a fabulous leaf-dropping tree. ( Our tree that usually produces a great pile of leaves didn't deliver this year. Possibly since the garage is gone there was nothing to keep them contained.)

This time of year, for those who have not forgotten there is a holiday between Halloween and Christmas, should not be brushed past without really enjoying what it has to offer. Crisp weather that lets you pull out all of your comfy, sweaters and sweats. The little bit of frost on windows that allows you to "finger paint" frosty smiley faces on the glass. The comfort food of this time of year; chicken and dumplings, chili, and yummy baked goods! I am just glad that we got a little bit of fall before the snow really starts to pile up! (Then you'll get to hear why I love the snow! :) )

Anyway, we had to stop by LB's and get some good fall pictures. Sometimes just the thought of scrapbooking a page can inspire an event (or the guilt that I feel like I had more time to do "simple" stuff with Colton). Whichever the case, we had a great time with our little friends. Here's the pictures:

Christopher and Benjamin

Benjamin with that I've-got-a-handful-of-leaves-

and-my-sister-is-behind-me kind of looks!

Leaves are NOT tasty

The clean-up crew

Baby Levi all bundled up

Thankful for my kids

Colton

Christopher
(I can't keep socks on his feet, but he
loves to put them on his hands... go figure.)

So if you haven't noticed, I am trying to blog everyday about something that I am thankful for. Following in the footsteps of my friend, Amber. Although I am not doing a Gratitude Journal, I will try as hard as I can to do a blog everyday. So today I am taking the easiest... my kids.

These two make me smile, cry, laugh, scream, energized, exhausted, but most of all, they have shown me a world that I sacrifice all, but am rewarded abundantly. I can't imagine how selfish and uneventful my life would be without them. I love them beyond my own understanding and I am privileged that I was chosen to be their mom. Thank you God.

Vote Now

I'm proud to be an American.
I am thankful we live in this country.
I was born on Flag Day, June 14.
I served in the Air Force.
I still get choked up during the National Anthem.
I scowl at people that talk or don't take off their hats during the National Anthem (though it is their right).
I am thankful that we can openly pray.
I am thankful that everyone can voice their opinions, even when it doesn't fall in line with mine.
I am thankful that we get to vote.

And I will instill this in my children.

Halloween Pics

After all the excitement, this is the best I could get out of them. Colton got a fit of the giggles.

Note to self: Next year make them take pictures before you let them get sugared up.

So this year I feel like I was kind of a slacker on the costumes! Colton was Obi Wan Kenobi and Christopher was a Jedi (recycled last year's Yoda costume). Colton said that Trick or Treating was "required" on Halloween, so we did a quick lap around our neighborhood and then went down to the Harvest Party at the Trades & Industry building on the fairgrounds. Here's the pics:

Colton did a great job trying to be patient while Christopher would keep up.

By the second house, he learned very quickly that when they open the door, yell "Eeiighhh!"
(or something like that), hold out your little bag, they put goodies in it!

Colton, er, Obi Wan coming off the slide at the Harvest Party.

Christopher kicking a soccer ball into the goal at the Harvest Party.

Colton and his light saber... very serious.

Christopher-time to call it a night.

Colton spinning with his light saber and "kazooing" the
Star Wars theme song on his kazoo he won from the party.

How could we end a night like this without an epic battle?

Did Christopher win, or is this a last attempt to stay awake?

Notice kazoo still in mouth, now humming the Darth Vadar song...

Fav YouTube videos

Jesse's is "Pinky the Cat"




Mine is "Evolution of Dance"



Colton's is "Charlie Bit my Finger"



Christopher's is "Andy McKee's Drifting" (It just hypnotizes him! and Jesse, too!)

Beware of Chocolate Coins

Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold milk chocolate coins

Please check your children's candy for these Sherwood brand pirate chocolate coins. If you have not heard this story please read it on Snopes.com. It is imported from China and is sold in bulk at Costco and also at dollar and bulk stores! "

"It has tested positive for the industrial chemical Melamine, the substance at the center of the tainted-milk controversy in China that has been implicated in the deaths of four infants and the sickening of 54,000 other babies."

Lego land Star Wars weekend!

Colton and a life size Lego Chewbacca

So if the previous post doesn't give away the fact that I am a nerd, I must reveal that I am raising up a couple of over-the-top Star Wars fans. (only one step cooler than Trekkies, ok probably two steps cooler). Of all the weekends, of the entire year, that happen to be, the weekend that we went to Legoland, it happened to be Star Wars weekend. Plus we got another use out of last year's Halloween costumes! Colton was SO jazzed that it was Star Wars weekend! And they really went all out and it was hard not to get caught up in all of the fun!

There were so many people (adults) walking around in FULL Star Wars attire, ready for pictures and they had a couple of different events. (To include a costume contest, which we got in line for, in 80 degree humid weather, with about 100 other kids in the 6-8 age group, along with their 500 family members. Needless to say, after dragging it out and Colton not getting picked for any of the trivia questions, we decided to ditch the mob and try to jump on more rides while the lines were low!)

Another great thing about Legoland, is that most of the rides are interactive. For example, you pedal the cars that you drive, and pull yourself up and down a tall structure using a rope. It's hard to explain, but just trust me. It was more than just sitting on a ride.

So sorry it took a while to add these. I completely forgot my camera, so had to buy a disposable, then carry it around for weeks in my purse, then finally remember to get it developed, so without further ado...

Colton with a Jedi and Clone trooper

Mummy Colton

Colton in between Darth Maul and Jango Fett

Colton and I on a pretty cool ride.

Colton in between Lego C3PO and R2-D2

Colton with Oh-my-gosh-the-real Boba Fett!!!

Christopher not minding that there were only a couple of the rides that he could go on.

He was just happy to get out of the stroller!

Colton with a Tusken Raider

We decided to finish the day with a leisurely boat ride around the park, which traveled around the world (appropriately everything was made of legos!)