Silliness

Today is silly day at preschool.  All of the kids came to school dressed "silly".  There were clothes that didn't fit, clothes on backwards, underwear on heads or outside of pants, crazy hair... you get the idea.  So, in honor of silly day, I thought I'd write about some of the silliness we've encountered lately.

Evan... dear, sweet, Evan... recently figured out how to "fake" sleeping.  During a recent car ride to Seattle, it was nap time.  Being in the passenger seat, I was on kid duty.  I turned around and told Evan he needed to "go night-night'.  His first reaction was to try to appeal to my heart...lower lip sticking out as far as it can, and I could see him trying to work up some tears, when BING! a lightbulb went on in his head.  I could see the delight in his eyes as a grin came across his face.  He then fluttered his eyes shut, keeping the satisfied smile on his face.  He was "sleeping".  I had to turn around in my seat to chuckle quietly.

Ryan comes up with some of the funniest comments...usually from out of no where.  Today we were playing, and he turned to me to ask me a question.  Now, I need to preface the WAY he asked... it was not with innocent curiosity, but more with the impatience of someone that has asked the same thing several times, and continues to be put off.  This particular question, he has NEVER asked before, in fact, the topic has never even really come up.  "Mom, WHEN are you going to buy me a wallet?!?"  I just about started laughing right then and there, unable to hide the grin that was emerging on my face.  He looked at me, seemingly a bit disgusted by my response, so I asked what he needed a wallet for.  The look on his face showed that he was less than impressed by my stupidity.  He raised his eyebrows, looked directly in my face, and enunciating each word, said "to put my money in!".

My boys are full of silliness.  I am so blessed to be able to witness this every day, and every day it brings a smile to my face (which is often hiding my laughter).

I've posted more recent pictures of the boys in the Hymas Photos section.... both in the January boys and the new February boys sections.

P.S..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA THOM!!
P.P.S...I find it rather silly your birthday is on "Silly Day"  :)

Time Runneth Away...

...since my last post.

We had a wonderful Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve in traditional style at the Hymas family and friends open house (hosted by Gage's folks).  Its a wonderful thing to catch up with family we only see a handful of times each year.  Christmas day we spent the morning opening gifts with the kids...first at our house, then at Gage's folks' house.  In the afternoon we went for the traditional Christmas dinner at Gage's grandparents house (oyster stuffing...YUM!).  I LOVE traditions... both new and old.  It will be interesting to see what traditions may be added or changed as our kids grow.

The week after Christmas we got a surprise snow storm.  The snow stuck around all of 48 hours...enough time to enjoy it some, but not so long that it caused problems.

New Year's Eve we ended up having a party at our house.  We had around 30 people at our house (including children).  The kids played hard and tested out the "santa seat" (see the Christmas 2009 pics in the Hymas Photos link), then they migrated to the spare room to snuggle in and watch a movie.  The adults played some poker (Texas Hold'em) and danced into the night.  Young and old then gathered to watch the ball drop and bring in the New Year with toasts, kisses and well wishes.  This was the first year Ryan stayed up to see the ball drop (before he  dropped, exhausted).  I think everyone had a great time.  I know we did!

Last weekend we took a trip to Redmond, OR with Brian and Kristi for a little vacation.  It was REALLY nice to get away and relax (well, as much as one can relax with an almost 2-year old!).  The kids all enjoyed playing, the adults enjoyed just being together.  We skied at Mt. Bachelor one day...well, more like a partial day as the visibility wasn't great once some heavy fog moved in.  Regardless, we got in some good runs and had a great time.  Calvin (Brian and Kristi's son) and Ryan went to ski school together.  We weren't sure how Ryan would do, but despite falling a lot, he LOVED it.  After his all-day ski school, he should have been exhausted, but he was jumping around...totally energized by his new experience.  He is looking forward to his next ski school day towards the end of February.  He is also really looking forward to his next trip with Ashlyn & Cal.  When we got home, and all was calm, and back to "normal"...Ryan started to get really sad, demanding to see Ashlyn and Cal, wanting to know why we couldn't go right then and there to their house.  I know I can speak for our whole family when I say that we all had a great time and are looking forward to our next trip with them!

Now we're back to "life as usual"... hoping that it isn't always so "usual", resolving to find our excitement and traditions daily in what we do and what we choose to do.  Life is wonderful!

To see more pictures of the above events, go to the Hymas Photos link.

Cookie Creations

Early in December, Ryan surprised me by asking if we were going to "do cookies" this year.  I was somewhat surprised by his request... a bit amazed that he remembered... and with a warmed heart, I quickly responded that it was a wonderful idea.

I baked up the cookies ahead of time, and a few days later we took advantage of one of Evan's naps and dove into the decorating.  I gave Ryan some simple instructions, and then started dipping cookies in the glaze frosting.  At times he needed reminders that "a little bit of decoration all over the cookie is better than a lot all in one place".  He stuck with it throughout the entire batch, diligently decorating each one.

This "cookie tradition" stems from my great-grandfather (who was a baker).  The recipe for the cookies and the glaze frosting is unchanged, and making/decorating the cookies as a family has been a tradition now for 5 generations.  Ryan and I had decided that we would ship cookies to Papa Thom & Grandma Dar as this is one of the first years they weren't able to participate in this long-standing family tradition.  We also decided to send some to Grandma & Grandpa Soldner as I learned that they would not be able to participate in the tradition this year either.  At one point during our decorating, Ryan picked out a couple of cookies for Papa Thom and Grandma Dar, and decorated them especially for them.  He then did the same for Grandma & Grandpa Soldner.  We wrapped those cookies separately as they were made special just for them.

We both had a lot of fun, and there was something a little magical about passing on this tradition to the next generation.

I posted some pictures of our cookie traditions in the Hymas Photos section.

Tree Traditions

The first weekend of December, we braved the frigid temperatures and headed out into the woods (well...a tree farm) and searched for the perfect "Hymas Family Christmas Tree".  Thankfully we found one without all of the challenges the Griswolds ran into (one of the best Christmas movies ever....National Lampoons Christmas Vacation)!

We went to Farrell's Tree Farm in Washougal.  One can find a wide variety of Nobles, Grands, and other fir varieties at this family-run farm.  They always have a large campfire roaring and hot chocolate flowing to warm weary tree hunters both inside and out.

When we decorated the tree, we had our new friends/neighbors Max & Angela, their daughter Olivia, and Italian exchange student Ariana over to help.  Ryan and Olivia are the same age, and really got into the decorating spirit.  For Evan, it was a hands-off affair.  Later in the week we went over to Max & Angela's house to help decorate their tree.

Family, friends, and traditions...both new and old...make this season truly great!

Check out the pics of our tree traditions in the Hymas Photos section.

Thanksgiving and Beyond

Thanksgiving was spent in Sunriver, OR again this year with Gage's folks, sisters & their families.  Both Gage & I really love that area, especially around the holidays as it has a rustic and "holiday-ish" feel.  Sunriver is a small community with many amenities, but if there is something you need that you can't find in the village... the city of Bend, OR is only about a 20 minute drive away.
We enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings (more than once due to the leftovers).  Turkey, potatoes (both mashed and sweet), stuffing, green bean casserole, and of course PIES!
We all used that time to unwind during these unstable and stressful times... playing games, watching Christmas movies, hiking, exploring, and just enjoying each others company.
The cousins all played, watched some kiddo movies, and "swam" in the hot tub.
All in all...we all made some good memories and kicked off the holiday season together.
Check out some pictures from Thanksgiving in the Hymas Photos section.

Scene from my life...

Two boys...brothers.
At times the best of friends... playing, sharing, caring.

During this fine moment, the eldest is playing quietly... unsuspecting of what is soon to come.
His younger brother, feeling a bit mischievous, comes up from behind.  He wraps his arms around the neck of his older brother and tugs backwards in a failed attempt to get him to the ground.  The eldest is able to pull him off and push him away... this time.  Words and frustrated glances are exchanged.  The youngest will try again, perhaps today, perhaps another day... in hopes that his efforts will result in brotherly rough play.  My hopes are that it will result in laughter and no one getting hurt.

For My Mom...

...and anyone else who gets a kick out of old jokes.

I was out taking some pictures today and captured the shot below.  It reminded me of a joke my mom cannot hear without bursting into uncontrollable laughter....


SO... a horse walks into a bar.  The bartender says, "Why the long face?"

Hope everyone is having a great day!!