Memorial Day

We ended out 'long' weekend with a little trip to the Family Fun Center in Tukwila.

We went mostly for Hyrum. We couldn't think of anything else to do, so this is where we ended up.

I am starting to think that Hyrum is one very fortunate/spoiled little boy.

non stop fun for Hyrum around here!

I just stood back and took pictures.

Ricky took Hyrum on the go-Karts. (Loves go-karts, you can't see him in the pic..)

We let Hyrum attempt to 'drive' on the kiddie goKarts on his own but it didn't turn out so well!

The worker had to stand on the side of the cart and steer Hyrum around the track and would try to let Hyrum loose to drive alone.

He ended up either wrecking (doesn't know how to steer..) or He'd do 360s in his little police car.

(watch out PawPaw)

..and of course Hyrum couldn't pass up the train ride! I think he rode it 3 times in a row. there wasn't many kids lining up to ride rides.. so He took a turn on the ride all by his self.

After the train we moved him over to the AirPlane ride which he rode 2 times in a row as well.

First time as a passanger, 2nd time as the 'pilot.'

Next, he was off to the mary-go-round to ride the horsey.

I guess he had lots of fun.?  :)

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum

Basically, Hyrum Loves trains.

All day long "I wanna go play train." meaning, he wants to go to the mall and play on the train by Target.

Or, he has out one or two sometimes even all 4 or 5 (however many he has now) of his train sets.

You are guranteed to find pieces of train tracks or trains out at any given time around the house, or piled in the seats of our car.

A week ago, Groupon had a deal going for $6 tickets to the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum to ride the train.

How could I pass that up?!

I figured Hyrum would have a cow and absolutley love it, so Ricky and I decided to buy 6 tickets. I purchased 3 on Rickys account and 3 on mine.

The museum is open and does train rides ever Saturday/Sunday starting Memorial Day weekend up until the last weekend of September.

They also run a Halloween event on the Train, as well as for Easter, Christmas/and a Polar Express ride, and a few Dinner train rides, along with dinner/murder mystery rides.

The 'train' that pulls the coaches for the ride is a '1916-vintage steam locomotive'

one of few left.

We decided not to make Hyrum wait too long before being able to use some tickets to ride the train so we decided to use Memorial Day weekend to put use to 1 set of our tickets. (we have 2 sets left!)

As we thought he would.... He loved it!

Once we got on the road to head back to Federal Way all we hear was "I go drive train, I go drive train, I go drive train." without a single pause or bit of hesitation between each..

Luckily after eating a late lunch and getting on the road for good, he went to sleep for the rest of the drive home.

It wasn't one of the nicest days out, but it wasn't horrible either. It didn't rain on us, it was cool, but not too cool.

The ride its self seemed to fly by fairly fast. It didn't seem long and drawn out and we were not 'dieing' to get off at the end.

I'd say it was just right. The ride itself it about an hour round trip, and I know one little boy who would have loved for it to last much longer.

We have tickets enough to go ride the train two more times but I think we may give a set away or bring some people with us for the next trip.

I took pictures of our little adventure, and when uploading them to my computer I decided I'd try out a new free photo editing program that I downloaded a month or two ago and have not used yet.

I've never really sat down and edited or changed any pictures I've taken other than the typical 'crop' here and there.

I have posted some of the photos here that I played around with in the editing program. I ended up having lots of fun with it and am pretty sure I am going to use it a lot more now!

If you are wondering the program I have and used is called PhotoScape v3.5.

You can check it out and download it at photoscape.org.

In the photo block below you can compare the changes I made to the pictures in the editing program to the originals.. I, myself, think they look pretty neat.. I had lots of fun experimenting with these!!



 

Thursday Ramblings-Deep Stuff

Honestly, this may just be a bunch of ramblings and possibly even boring for my 'readers' so you can skip and ignore it... or read if you really wanna.!

With all of the birthdays going on the past couple of weeks, and after reading my friends blog post about her upcomming 23rd birthday I've been deep in thought about 'age' and life.. my life.

I know I've said this to many of my friends and when I do it may sound like something small or silly, but I really don't think it is myself... What is this you may be wondering..? I'm going to tell you now..

First off, the fact that I am turning 24yrs old! in just a few weeks now is mind boggling to me! How did I come to be 24yrs old, and where in the world have the last 24yrs of my life gone..?? Aside from that, never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be married, living in WA! and a mother...

Yes. I, like most girls fantacized about my future husband and getting married and having children, but it wasn't something I thought would ever be REAL for me. Why? I dunno..

If you haven't figured out by now, I am a 'live by the moment, one day at a time, whatever comes next' kind of person. What will I be doing a year from now? I have no idea.. what will I be doing this weekend.? yah, I don't know.. I have 3 potential plans and ideas of what to do this weekend, and it's likely I wont do any 3 of those and might even do a 4th thing that comes up randomly.

I guess you could say that I have a "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never no what your gonna get" mentality. It's hard to plan anything to far in advanced for me because I feel like anything at anytime, any moment, can happen to completely change those plans.

Back to the age thing... Like I said, I can't believe I am going to be 24 soon. I honestly feel like I should still be 18yrs old, graduating highschool, getting ready to pack up and move out on my own to UT...

24 sounds old to me. I'm already thinking about how much closer that bring me to 30!! then before you know it I will be 80yrs old and possibly nearing my death bed!

Maybe I'm just crazy, but age.. my age in particular really bothers me.

I feel like life has happened and passed my by and I don't know where it went! What am I doing? What will I accomplish? What will I make of this time here on earth?

I feel like I should be out doing something big.. like I should be out in Africa or some thirdworld country rescuing all of the poor little orphaned babies and children. (yes, a dream of mine would be to adopt a child from a third world country!!)

I understand that there is lots of preparing for us to do in order to do such a thing..

What do I do in the mean time? Go back to college and get a better education.. a degree, pull out and master my guitar and percussion? (not for fame, but as a home activity with Hyrum and future children, for fun) become the average 'mormon mom' and start doing arts and crafts and sewing, and dedicating every waking moment of my spare time to raising Hyrum (and furute children) to be the best human beings they can possibly be.??

The idea of getting my health in check and popping out 5 more babies right in a row and getting the child reering/birthing, part of my life started sound appealing.. I love being home with Hyrum but I sometimes don't feel like that is enough for me!

Maybe I am doing enough and doing great.. but, 'enough' doesn't seem to be pleasing me lately.. I want MORE than enough..

So.. What do I do..? Where do I start.?

Time to sit down and make a list.. goals.. a plan.. and get busy!!

Just Another Tuesday

and I have lot's on my mind!!

but I will wait 'till later to share those thoughts.

Hyrum and I had a lazy day. I was really tired this morning, but also in lots of pain!

my back in killing me...

So.. I'm still tired (just took pain meds), back still hurts, and I can't wait for tonights episode of Deadliest Catch to start at 9pm.

yep, you heard me right.. Deadliest Catch. :)

I'm not your 'typical' gal I suppose... My favorite shows consist of;

 Deadliest Catch

Swamp Brothers

Desert Car Kings

Man, Woman, Wild

Dual Survival

Sons of Guns

Dirty Jobs

Flying Wild Alaska

Swords

Myth Busters

Swamp Loggers

Basically.... I watch anything and everything on the Discovery Channel and enjoy it very much, and only venture off to a diffrent channel if a new Episode of Grey's Anatomy or Glee is on... :)

p.s. Maybe I should take up Huntin and Fishin.... ?.

Dare Devil

Hyrum Loves this trampoline thing.. He's done it like 5 times now.

People walking by stop to watch him because he absolutly enjoys it and laughs and others walking by think its odd that a 2yr old is having sooo much fun flying up so high in the air!

 

Untitled from Laurie Leiser on Vimeo.

Shark Water

Hyrum hasn't always been the best 'water drinker.' When he was sick last week we wouldn't let him have any milk or juice..

 We would only give him water and have wanting to get him drinking him more water these days any way so it was kind of our perfect oportunity.

The day after purchasing my Vibrams from REI I decided to go the next size smaller on the pair I got after wearing them around home for a bit.

While we were at REI exchanging the size of my Vibrams, I looked at the Camelbak water bottels and found a kids one covered in swimming sharks/hammerheads.!

I though it would be a good "water cup" for Hyrum to keep him drinking more and more water.

So, I baught it.. Came home and cleaned it and filled it with nice cold water and presented it to Hyrum.

He was really excited about the Camelbak and took his first sip..

"momma! mmmmm, good Shark Water!"

The things it takes for a parent to do to get their children do something thats good for them! I think that is my favorite part of being a mommy... finding out new fun ways to introduce something to the little one and getting them excited about and hooked on it..

Here is Hyrum drinking his 'Shark Water'



I DID IT!

Thanks to my awesome hard working husband, I now own a pair of these awesome

new shoes!

They are the Vibram FiveFinger Jaya Multisport.

...and they are extremely comfy!

Break a Sweat?

Wow, we have FINALLY had some really nice weather here lately.!

Today was one of the warmest days of the year/season so far at 72 degrees.

Hyrum and I went to have lunch with Ricky at work, then one the way home we stopped at Carters at Southcenter to look at some summer clothes for Hyrum.

After that we came back to Federal Way and went to Target, played on the train, then came back home.

Once back home I let Hyrum run around outside for a bit because it was so nice out.

Plus he had some new summer shoes to break in. A nice pair of black crocs.

While at Target he decided to try on a few pair of shoes, after trying on a few pair he put the crocs on his feet and said "Momma, I like shoes!" (meaning, momma i like these shoes.)

He insisted on wearing them through the store (he was in the cart). As we went along through Target he kept saying "I like shoes, I like shoes."

He liked them so much that he proceded to rip off all of the tags and price tag.. How can I tell him no after that!? It was cute and I didn't mind buying them because I've been shoe shopping for him this last week and he made the decision for me.

Any way, this was my first day to literally 'break a sweat' while out running errands. Hopefully the weather will get with the program soon so we can have more nice warm days like today!

yes, they immediatly got 'dirty' from him swinging on the swings like superman and tragging the toes through the dirt.. luckily these shoes just wipe off!  :)



26th Birthday

So, I don't have any exciting photos or anything of Rickys birthday this year..

We just planned a real low key bday for this year.

I got up and made him a homemade confetti cake with chocolate icing.

I was going to cook him a yummy dinner of grilled chicken and backed potatoes

but he ended up being very sick for his Birthday and not wanting to eat anything.

He woke up to get ready and go to work, before leaving to work he threw up outside of his car.

He got to work, threw up some more and decided to come home after a couple of hours.

Ricky ended up staying home both Tuesday and Wednesday due to the bug.

Hyrum had the bug earlier in the week/weekend.

No Fun.

Ricky was able to muster up some strength to go to the movies on his Bday Tuesday.

The three of us went and watched Rio. It was pretty cute and we were lucky to be the only

three in the entire theatre!

Ricky got some new books, new addidas tennis shoes, gift card to Sears, gift card to Ihop (from mom/dad) and a nice little check to buy himself a new tool or tool bag or something fun for himself.

He has searched online and gone to at least 5 hardware stores and has come out empty handed every time! This boy can't decide what tools he wants to spend his money on because there are soo many that he wants!

 I hope he makes his decision soon.

Other than being sick, he had a somewhat relaxing birthday to sit around and rest and do nothing for a change.. even when he's not at work... he's busy working.. he LOVEs to stay busy and will pick up extra work anywhere he can find it, though he does love to sit and do nothing once in a great while.

I see him running his own 'handy man' business one day..



Melt Your Heart Moments

Ok. So, I was going through the photos on our computer trying to find a picture for a diffrent post that I wanted to do.

 Instead of finding the photo I wanted to use for that blog, I ended up comming across all of these heart melting "aww" photos of my little man Hyrum in his 'younger' years of life.

I decided I'd just take some of my fav's. and share them in a post instead.

It was a great reminder of the early years, and I miss having a tiney little baby around the house. :(

Hyrum is such a big boy now!

(These are in no particular order, just cute!!)

(first bday party)

(drumming on the pots)

 (few weeks old, in preemie clothes!)

(after first haircut with Aunt Marjourie)

 (first b-day cake)

 (bath time 5mos old?)

 (about 8mos old)

 (month and a half old)

 (2mos, first halloween)

 (roughly 10/11mos)

 (one and a half)

"Ahh.."

Although both Ricky and I wear glasses, I am somewhat hopefull that Hyrum will not inherit the bad eyesight..

but then again, ALL but 1 member of my immediat family wear glasses...

I allowed Hyrum to put my glasses on for a minute the other day, and once they were properly on his face he looked through the frames and screamed

"AHHH, Fall Down!"

looking through my lenses he thought he was going to fall.. he clearly, so far doesn't have near as bad eyesight as his mommy..

Vibram FiveFingers

Call me crazy but.... I REALLY want a pair of these....

or these...

actually I'd like to own a pair of each of the Vibram FiveFingers.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/womens_footwear.htm

What are they? Water shoes.? Sure, the could be used as water shoes. You can also go cycling, mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, do yoga, gym workouts, sky diving, 'traveling' (wear as normal every day shoe), running.. you can do pretty much anything in these Vibram FiveFingers.

They are an extremely light weight shoe that allowes for strong, healthy feet, and 'brings you closer to your environment'.

other things they do for you are as followes

•  Strengthens muscles in feet and lower legs
•  Improves rang of motion in ankles, feet and toes
•  Stimulates neural function important to balance and agility
•  Eliminate heel lift to align the spine and improve posture
•  Allow the foot and body to move naturally

I don't remember where I came across these, but it was last summer and I have been checking them out over the last year... I think I'm ready to own some of my own!

plus I actually really like the style of them.. weird I know, but I do..

you can buy them on various websites online, or at big sports and outdoors stores such as R.E.I.

Pantsed..

Don't let the cuteness and the smile on this little boys face fool you!

He has tricks up his sleeve and knows the perfect way to make someone laugh while embarrasing someone else..



Ever two weeks I go to the chiropractor to get an adjustment.

On Monday, Hyrum and I went to my apointment as usual, only it didn't turn out to be a usual apointment.

I get traction done before the actual cracking and popping of the back and neck. I lay face down on the table and Dr. Jex turns it on and the bottom end moves up and down.

Hyrum is at the point now where he loves going to the 'doctor.' He wants done to him anything that is done to mommy and daddy, especially at the chiropractors office.

he loves the moving table, so much so that he trys to get on while I am in the middle of my adjustment.

Well yesterday he decided he wanted to get on the table with me only this time he reached up, grabbed the waist of my pants and pulled them down to try and pull himself up!!

No, he didn't make it up onto the table, he did however give Dr. Jex a good 'mooning' at mommies expense!!!

Both Dr.Jex and I grabbed hold and pulled my pants up.. It was pretty funny, Dr. Jex got a great laugh and said that everybody needs to watch out for that little booger!

Dr. Jex was still smiling at the end of the apointment. Hyrum gave everybody a great laugh. I myself keep laughing because I can't believe that that happened, and it's soo embarrasing.

I was telling myself that if it HAD to happen, Dr. Jex was probably the best person for it to happen with as he is also LDS (mormon) and he just has the type of personality to handle a mishap like that.

until.... I was home and realized that I was wearing carinessa bottoms.. for all of you mormon women that wear carinessa garment bottoms,  you know that they are practically SEE-THROUGH!!!

that little booger!! I still love him though! :)

Mothers Day 2011

For Mothers Day, Hyrum got me a super cute card filled with money for me to buy myself some new books.! (if you know me, that is the best gift EVER)

The Federal Way Borders is in it's final week of closing out. The section I like to buy books from was all 70% off.

So, I went to Borders and grabbed these 5 new books and 1 new CD for $35.

The bottom two books were originally $30 a piece! So, I definitley got a great deal on this purchase!

The books I purchased are (from top to bottom)

On Maggie's Watch- By Ann Wertz Garvin

Jesus Land- a Memoir by Julia Scheeres

Admission- by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Left Neglected- by Lisa Genova

and

The Family Dinner (cook book)- by Laurie David

And the CD I baught was 'Sound Like This'- Eric Hutchinson

Oh yah, I forgot to mention that Hyrum also got me a New York Style Cheesecake from Marie Callanders!

Mustache

We went to a Mario birthday party this weekend. In the goodie bag was a mustache.

Today Hyrum really wanted to put it on so I helped him take it off of the sticky paper and placed it under his nose.

I took him to look at himself in the mirror and he screamed "Ahh PawPaw"

"'I' PawPaw" pointing to himself.

He sure does remember his PawPaw.

But I think it's safe to say he remembers PawPaws mustache the most.!