check out these giveaways!

Visit here for some really awesome giveaways from a brand new shop!
So far they are giving away lunchboxs, diapers, body care products and more!

The shop is called Natural Family Supplies, and they are carrying some awesome products!

The turtles

After having eluded to a disaster with the turtles the other day... here is the story::

These cute little turtles... Pinky, John Deere, Mariner, August, Yin and Yang (guess who named what, and I will give you kudos!)... we don't know their fate, but we can only hope for the best.Here is a link with a little info on the program.

What they don't tell you is that if you release the turtles with birds nearby, they will QUICKLY spread the word that cute little morsels (turtles) are bobbing their way in shallow water... easy picking. It was like a horror film.
We get to hold the cute little almost helpless turtles.
We get the go-ahead to release them into the water.
They make their way through the sand to the surf.
We watch them floating, bobbing their cute little heads.
Then, we watch them being dive-bombed by seabirds!!

Yes, about 500 were released, but it was really sad. We told the kids the truth, but felt bad doing so (they don't seem to be scarred by it). But my mother-in-law, whose favorite animal is the turtle, I think is permanently damaged from it!
After the biologists saw what was happening, and that they were helpless, they gathered up the ones that hadn't made it to the surf, and we saw (and helped) release them later that night when there were no birds around.
Talking with people after the horror show, we quickly came up with some things they could have and should have done:

use fireworks as bird deterrent.
have a shotgun on hand.
released them all later at night (the obvious one!)Here is some really interesting baby turtle facts::

Hatchlings use the horizon and the crests of waves to make it to the ocean.

They also wait under the sand aftyer they hatch until it is cooler, which indicates nighttime, when they are less likely to become prey on their first leg of the journey.

Go here for more facts too.


It was really neat, but sad at the same time. I hope Pinky, Mariner, John Deere, August, Yin and Yang make it to adulthood.

Mexico. part 1

Mexico is fabulous. This morning the kids said they were packing for Mexico... they think it is fabulous, too.
We got back from our trip yesterday, and traveling went well. The kids got lots of compliments on what great little travelers they were; and I have to say, they were AWESOME! Kellen slept on most of the 6 plane rides, and the others behaved wonderfully.It was beyond great to have the grandparents there in paradise with us. Papa and Granna would take the older two one night, then Grandma and Grandpa would take them the next. I got a massage, some boogey boarding, played some tennis, finished my book, and even got a little tan. Oh, and of course drank many mango margaritas!We even got to help release some baby sea turtles into the ocean. It was a wonderful experience for the most part... the little guys were so cute... although it ended badly (more on this within the week). I need to do more research.So wonderful. So relaxing. And also so good to be home.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Amanda SouleYes, he is asleep.
we are off to Mexico EARLY tomorrow morning! See you all in a week!

2010 family pics

Click here to view this photo book larger

Things I am thinking about

There are some things that I have been contemplating. Some are completely random, while some have to do with the seasons. Don't question, just roll with it!

*what knitting project should I start/bring to Mexico with us?
option one:: vests for each kid (or see it here) so cute!
option two:: poorboy hat (not sure if this would be for me or ??)
option three:: cute toasty hat for Kellen (in Irish, his name means fierce warrior)
option four:: this cozy neck thing for moi
and there are other options, I just haven't narrowed it down enough!!

*I would like to get this or something of the sort for Colton and his lunches... not sure on the price though!

*which boots should I covet more? Rising Sun boots :: or :: Bucolic Fields boots? Someday, right?

*wondering if I should actually put extra effort into actually planning meals for the week that work together and just kind of stick to it. I know it would help with the panic feeling I get in the afternoon thinking "what is for dinner tonight?" and our weekly/monthly food budget.

*last night, I had my good friend and neighbor, Becca, over for a sewing class (if you can call it that!). We made a set of kid napkins, and they turned out so CUTE! I didn't get a picture of hers, but here are mine....I hope to have a couple more "classes" before Christmas with some of my favorite local ladies. It is actually my dream to own a fabric shop and have little "classes" for useful projects. So I am testing out my skills!

*Christmas. Hmmmm.... we have decided this year to try the ONE gift per kid (a really good one of course) and stocking stuffers. AND THAT IS IT! Maybe, just maybe we can convince the family to follow our lead. It is quality, not quantity. Remember that people.

*wigs do not belong on babies. But it is funny.*backyard ball is fun, especially at night.
*Ayla is becoming quite the photographer. She takes the camera every chance she gets and just snaps away. Cute, but a little scary, considering she has no regard for the $$ involved in the camera! Only money though, right?

Glacier in Fall

The weather has been beautiful in these parts the last couple days. The blue skies are inviting us to come out and play before the winter is here. But it has been COLD! Freezing at night, and pretty cold all day. Yesterday we did manage to get out and about. We headed to a place where Tyler goes fishing. And it was beautiful.
Tyler did a lot of fishing while the kids and I were gone a couple weeks ago. He says it has a major calming effect on him, and he just loves it. I don't see the draw, but I do love to eat most of the fish. I would love it if salmon were out here!
When we arrived there, we walked on the train tracks and heard a slow approaching train. we thought it was just being past, but we found out that they were waiting for the track to be fixed. Colton, Kellen and I walked up to the train and the female (!) conductor came out and talked to us. She was so nice and even gave Colton a special train pin... he loved it!
A rail scraper train went by with sparks coming out from under it, that was cool too.
We ended up seeing 7 trains.
The area Tyler fished had a nice little beach, and lots of rocks for the kids to climb on, so all was enjoyed.

Colton asked today "Can we go back to that place soon?"this is one Ayla took (below)