Our new (old) pad

And when I say old, I mean disgusting.
We moved back to Forest Grove, again, for Scott's FINAL rotation.
That's right, people, in a mere three months he will graduate and become an official eye doctor, and I will bust out a manic/delirious celebratory dance as I point and laugh at wave good-bye to all my remaining optometry friends.
Just kidding.
Though it has been a loooong road.
But I digress.
Back to my jacked-up apartment.
I am guessing it was built over 40 years ago, and has not had new carpeting since.
Awesome.
My baby has been crying ever since we moved here.
He is possessed. He hates it here as much as I do.
It smelled like a smoky bowling alley.
We are definitely living in Ghettoville, not to be confused with Crazytown, which is where my upstairs pajama-pants-loving, chain-smoking neighbors with the loud hanky panky at all hours of the night, live.
On with the tour.
Our living room:

Yes that is a sweet fireplace, which Scott insists on using.
He likes to, and I quote, "Unwind after a long day in front of a cozy fire."
Oh brother.
We also have amazing track lighting as well.

The only thing of note in this photo is my new clock.
Very mid-century.
That and our massive tangle of extension cords that power all the electronic devices in the room.
This is the kitchen slash dining room.
If it looks cluttered that is because it is.
Apparently people didn't need storage in the '70s.
And yes, that is my jogging stroller under the counter.

The tub in our bathroom.
WTH?
The brown "marbled" Formica is a treat, but nothing compares to the sheer size of our bathtub.
Our entire family could fit in here comfortably.
The kids love it.
I am confused.
Here is the reason for tolerating Hidden Pines.
A washer and dryer.
It may not seem like much, but it is what sold me on this place ... that and a month-to-month rental agreement.
Seriously, the apartment situation around here is slim-picking.

This is Scott's favorite amenity (other than the fireplace): our intercom system.
I have yet to use it. (Although Scott used it aplenty during our move by yelling, "Get the led out of your pants," and "Briiiiaaaaaannnne, can you hear me?" through it. Fun.)
I am not sure why a miniature apartment would need an intercom system when all I have to do to call the kids is turn around, but there you have it.
It also boasts a kitchen radio, which I will admit I do use.

Another shot of our living room.
I love my new rug and coffee table dish.
Another mid-century piece I snagged for my birthday (more on that later).

And finally, the face I wake up to every morning.
Sponge Bob, on the back of my door = classy.

And a few of the kids faking happiness in this dump.
He just woke up from a nap.
Isn't he getting big?

My princess, in another shot she took of herself.

And one of all three kids, doing what they do best ... ignoring me.
Well, now that we are settled, I am going to re-recommit to updating this blog a little more often.
In fact, I just had a little birthday (I am 30!) and want to brag about record all the nice things my family did for me.
Be back soon!

Watch and be amazed

Okay, so I am back to post something super important.
Change your life important, people.
These next few anticdotes will make you laugh, perhaps cry, and maybe even pee your pants a little.
Just take my word for it.
And prepare to be here for a few minutes.
Minutes well worth it.
What am I talking about?
I'll just come out and say it:
YouTube.
I am not typically a watcher of YouTube, but every once in a while something crosses my path and then I have to tell everyone I know to watch it too, while simultaneously confirming to them what a weirdo I am with my immature sense of humor.
Well, having said that, let's move along.

Numero uno: The Honey badger.
As a preface to this video, please pardon the narrator's French.
And by French, I absolutely mean profanity.
He drops the F-bomb twice.
So if you don't like cursing (I for one, love it) then you may just want to watch it anyway.
It is effing hilarious.

The Honey Badger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

(Just copy and paste the link I guess, 'cause I am not much of a computer techie and don't know how to post videos. Sorry I am such a loser.)

Next on the ticket?
The Sexy Sax Man.
You may have seen the spin-off on SNL, but this is much better.
So. Funny.

Sexy Sax Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaoLU6zKaws

And lastly is the band Walk Off The Earth.
This video isn't so much funny as it is awesome.
They all have really cool scratchy, sexy voices.
And are all playing the guitar ... the same guitar.
My dad and Heather showed me this one and I watched it like half a dozen times.
A little part of me wishes I could scream-sing too.

Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk Off The Earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2edxy-M

You're welcome.

So. Long .

So I am back for what is becoming a bi-monthly check in.
If that.
We are living in an actual house here in Eugene, with a lot more square footage and a second bathroom.
Cleaning it is obviously taking all my extra time.
That and playing on my new Kindle Fire.
Which is why I cannot blog.
So be forewarned that this is a catch-up post and will be approximately 52 pages long (or the equivalent) with far too many pictures.
Where to begin?
How about a Christmas butt shot.
You're welcome Dad.

The cute grandpas and all the kids watching Merry Madagascar.
For the twelfth time.
In fact, I am pretty sure we all had this little treasure memorized by the time Christmas was over.
Next was gingerbread houses (or hot glue-gunned graham cracker houses, whatev,)
And a picture of the other Uncle Scott (a.k.a. Mitchell Mitchell) taking a picture.
His pics were far superior to my little snapshots.
Look at that rad camera.

Ezra's candy-laden house.
Now watch carefully.

3.5 seconds later the candy has disappeared.
If that isn't a guilty face than I'm a monkey's uncle.

Ryan and Annie posing with their masterpieces.
This year, the older girls were able to decorate their houses all by themselves!

This is what my dad was doing while we were laughing/screaming/listening to carolers singing at the door decorating said gingerbread houses.
Yeesh.
I think one grandchild may have even given him a pile driver to the groin yet he continued to sleep.
It had been a very long day.

On Christmas eve, the kids opened their special jammies.
For the first time, we had our own little Christmas at home.
We watched a sweet video about the birth of Christ, and put out cookies and milk for Santa.
Every year the holidays get better and better.
The older the kiddies get, the more excited they become which in turn leads to loads more fun.

Christmas morning was also spent at home.
Ezra received a bike from craigslist Santa.
He also received a dart gun, which I certainly regret buying because it inspired Scott to go purchase a second one with which he may or may not hide behind the couch waiting for me to come out of the bathroom only to shoot me in the head like the child he is.
That and I find those damn neon-orange suction darts in every crevice of this house.
And p.s., Ezra's helmet is indeed an angry gorilla face that is truly heinous and has been banished to the garage.
Ryan received a lot of Ariel the Mermaid paraphernalia.
As well as a treasure box I lovingly made for her to keep every single thing anyone has ever given her keepsakes in.
Papa and Heather also gifted the kids with a lot of fun new games.

Scotty looking handsome, and possibly gearing up for another round of Hungry, Hungry Hippo.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Moving on.
Baby Micah has started solids.
He was not impressed at first, and lets face it, still remains unimpressed.
Swallowing the food still continues to be a challenge.
He spends the majority of the time spitting it out onto his hands and smearing it around on his face and in his hair.
You know, typical baby stuff.

What did I tell you.
Not. Impressed.

And on the hair front, Ryan is still growing hers out.
We tried experimenting with the straightening iron, just for kicks, and Ryan loved it.
She kept running her fingers through her hair and examining herself in the mirror.
She couldn't believe how "long" her hair looked.
She is the prettiest little thing I have ever seen.
I can't stand it.
So cute.
Seriously, I can't stop staring.
And Auntie Britney made her a Rapunzel crown with hair to tide her over until her hair reaches the desired length.

And one, no two, more shots of the big little boy.
He is learning to sit up, sorta.
We are still working on our posture.
And the boppy is to prevent us from tipping over.
And on a fun side note, this little maniac has started screaming.
On purpose, for fun.
Screaming because he has discovered his voice box and finds pleasure in exercising his vocal range.
Screaming for hours on end in an octave I am sure only dogs can hear which absolutely does not make me want to throw myself in traffic.

And what would my post be without a picture I took of myself.
But in my defense, I have very few shots of the two of us.
And none of me with my new ombre hair.
I am so trendy.
Holla.

We are not dead

It has been a month.
A month of fun.
And, apparently, no blogging.
In fact, the more time that passes, the more I avoid blogging due to the sheer size of the post that will inevitably need to be written.
Not because I feel there are droves of followers awaiting my witty repartee but because my camera is becoming clogged with photos and I need to put them somewhere.
Somewhere for bored friends/family to see documentation.
So without further adieu, I will now give you the Reader's Digest version of all our shenanigans.

In keeping with tradition, a pic of Britney, Kari, and myself at Breaking Dawn.
We have been to see all the previous movies together, and this time Heather (who has so generously lent us her home, which is for sale ... and if you would like to buy it, call me) and her cousin Heidi joined us.
Three words: Best. One. Yet.
Yes, I may be a bit of a Twi-hard.
And yes, my shirt says Team Edward.
Don't judge.
Thanksgiving was delicious (have I mentioned my sister is a genius in the kitchen? Well, she is. Go to her blog www.eatitupfood.blogspot.com and you will see why. You're welcome)
So dinner was amaaawwww-zing.
This is the only picture I managed to capture in focus.
Yes, I am a stellar photographer.
Loved spending time with my family and all the sibs.

Christmas tree decorating was a little hectic.
The kids started the evening by running in manic circles in anticipation of the festive fun.
After I yelled at them to stop and that we would certainly not be having any fun, they started yanking out ornaments left and right.
You woulda thought it was speed decorating at the pace we ornamented that tree.
There was no messing around.

p.s. Never mind that I had a lapse in judgment when getting dressed that morning. What am I wearing, and why does my hair look like Flock of Seagulls?
I am never wearing those pants again.
There are no words.
After, we had hot chocolate and cookies.
Well, basically the kids ate all the marshmallows off the top of the drink, scarfed a handful of cookies, and then continued their frenzied race around the house.

Except my angel Micah.
He watched, happy and drooling in his bumbo.

And fiiiiinally, we took some family photos.
We haven't taken any since Ezzy was about 10 months old.
And we have all changed quite considerably since then.
That, and we have added a whole new person to the family.
I have included a few of my favs.



I am not sure what I am doing with my foot here.

There are at least 30 more where that came from.

The rest of my time I spend with my sister and her kids (crafting, chit-chatting, doing Jillian Michaels' workout video, and visiting Goodwill).
And my husband.
Who is able to come home every night, without having to study.
It's glorious.
It's like having a real job, except that we pay for him to work.
Anyway.
There we go.
All caught up.
And I am pooped.
Good-night!

Spectacle?

Here are my new specs.
I love them.
They are a little retro.
But still modern.
I really like the cat-eye silhouette.
And black glasses go with everything.

And the other pictures?
Mostly to tease Scott.
He makes fun of me for taking too many pictures of myself.
But in my defense, he never snaps 'em so I need to document myself, myself.
Am I the only one who does this?

Whatev.
This was supposed to be my model pose, but now that I look at it, I realize I have two chins.
Cute.

A few things

1. Halloween (yes I am still blogging about it) was a success. My children made quite the haul. We still have at least 8 pounds of candy sitting around that will probably find its way to my love handles.
2. My friends are incredible. They took such good care of my and my kids while Scott rotated in Tacoma. Our time here in the Grove would not be what it is if not for them. (Does that sentence even make sense?)
3. I hate my neighbor.
4. Okay, hate is kind of a strong word; let's just say I will not miss her or the music that she plays loud enough for us to listen to as well.
5. All hours of the day and night. When does she sleep?
6. Ryan got her ears pierced for her fifth birthday. It was all her idea. She begged and begged. Really. She literally said, "I'm begging you." She was really excited, until this point:

And even though I held her hand,

the grape lollipop was ultimately what took the pain away. (p.s. She loves her new earrings and doesn't remember it hurting. Whew.)

I love how cute they are on her. So pretty.
7. I cannot for the life of me, get Ezra to eat dinner. Most nights he elects to go to bed hungry rather than eat what I fixed for him. Waffles, macaroni and cheese, it doesn't matter. It makes me livid. I end up stomping into the kitchen and flinging his food into the sink all the while trying to convince myself that his reaction to my cooking must be induced by a sensitive gag reflex. That boy.
8. I am getting excited to move down to Eugene (temporarily) for Scott's third rotation. Two words: washer. dryer. That and I will be 15 miles away from my sister! Oh the fun we will have!
9. I must go to bed. Micah has been nursing a cold and hasn't been sleeping very well. If I don't hit the hay soon, I will be regretting it come morning.
p.s. I got new glasses that I have yet to take a picture of. But they will knock your socks off. Scott is still scratching his head. hehe

It's coming

My brilliant Scotty, fixed my camera (that Ryan dropped on the ground while snapping pics of herself) by unscrewing the whole thing into 6,972 little pieces and then putting it all back together.
So all the pictures of Ryan crying while getting her ears pierced, and the kids dressed up for trick-or-treating will be yours to enjoy as soon as they are uploaded.
Tomorrow perhaps.
I am pretty tired.
And watching Dancing with the Starts: The Results.
Nancy Grace, kiss your dancing career goodbye.
Watching you was a little painful.