Look for her next album....A Day in the life of Marki

My daughter is hilarious. She picks up her guitar and sings about her daily situations. For instance today, the garbage truck came to pick op our garbage and she ran for her pink guitar and sang, "Every week the garbage truck comes to get our garbage...." And well, you can listen yourself:)

She is even sporting rock star hair!

~ I think we're in real trouble. I don't know how this started or why, but I know it's here and we'd be crazy to ignore it...

~ In Bodega Bay early this morning, a large flock of crows attacked a group of children who were leaving the school during a fire drill. One little girl was seriously injured and taken to the hospital in Santa Rosa, but the majority of children reached safety. We understand there was another attack on the town. But this information is rather sketchy. So far, no word has come through to show if there have been further attacks.~

~ The bird attacks have subsided for the time being. Bodega Bay seems to be the center, though there are reports of minor attacks on Sebastopol and a few on Santa Rosa. Bodega Bay has been cordoned off by roadblocks. Most of the townspeople have managed to get out, but there are still some isolated pockets of people. No decision has been arrived at yet as to what the next step will be but there's been some discussion as to whether the military should go in. It appears that the bird attacks come in waves with long intervals between. The reason for this does not seem clear as yet.~

Just a few quotes from the movie "The Birds". The point? I am being attacked on all my runs by birds. They dive bomb me over and over. It happens every time. So bad, as a matter of fact, that I have thought of quitting running all together. That can't happen since I want to get in shape for a marathon. I have to come up with plan B. I know the town of Kuna will be sorry to see me stop running on my usual route. I keep people thoroughly entertained while bystanders watch me run as fast as I can swatting birds with my eyes closed screaming and crying. I hate birds. It didn't dawn on me until a few days ago that I may be an actual target of these birds. We were in Boise early one morning when I pulled up to a stop light. Everything was calm when all of a sudden dozens of birds flew right at our car and started dive bombing the car. Keep in mind we are in down town Boise where there are plenty of cars to attack...They choose mine! It was very odd and then Mark turns to me and says, "It's like they are communicating and plotting against you!" Since then I have randomly been attacked by birds outside the Bardenay, at my house while playing with my kids, and well I could go on and on. All I know is I seem to be the target of these birds. Well birds, you better stay away or else. So far plan B has worked for my running. I can't say what that is...they might find out:)

Mr. MOM*

Well, it's been my time with the kids all week taking Levi and Marki fishing by themselves and getting some alone time with each. But today was mommy's turn to have fun with the kids while I hold down the fort. Mommy decided a fun day at the water park will due just fine. Things were off to a bad start when Levi constantly wined from about noon to 2:00pm and I was afraid that his temper tantrum was going to ruin Mommy's day so I told Cara to take Marki and I will drop Levi off to join them after he gets a nap, they left @ about 1 and Levi spent the next hour still wining before he would calm down enough to take a nap. I thought maybe he was hungry so I got him out of bed to have a snack and he threw it on the floor. i told him to lay down with his head on his pillow in his bed until he fell asleep. That's when I had my incident.

Disclaimer: The following is a depiction of a fictitious situation and the names have been changed to protect the Innocent.



I went into the bedroom after a while because things were quiet. TOO quiet if you know what I mean. As I opened the door there was no pitter pattering Eli scampering across the the room to his bed as if he had been there the whole time (like I still fall for that one anyway). I tip toed in so I wouldn't wake up Eli, but Eli was nowhere to be found. So I started my hunt. (you can play along too and see if you can spot Eli before the end of the show)

Maybe he is in bed and I just can't see him from here. I know a different angle will do the trick. I will just peek from over there and I am sure I will be able to see him with his head on the pillow just like daddy said. (can you see Eli from this angle?)

Huh!? His head isn't on the pillow. But I am confident that he has just tossed and turned his way under those blankets and if I just lift them I will see.....

Well that's peculiar. I would have bet the farm that he was right here under the covers. Hmmmmmm..... the hunt continues.

Ah crikey! I may have found a baby Eli. We need to get in there for a better look somehow. Hmmmmm.. I know I will just move closer to see if that is actually him. (for the record it is hard to be sure from here when I am only getting a split second view with the flash and then it is dark again)

And BINGO was his name O. Found ya. Now the trick is how do I get him back into bed without disturbing him. Also you have to keep in mind that if I handle him too much the mother may not recognize his scent and mistake him for a meal. You know how those mothers get when they are dieting.

*this doesn't prove anything and I will deny any possible incident that may have occurred while I was in charge..... crisis averted

Whoppers

We have a serious fisherman on our hands. Levi has taken to fishing and would do so everyday if he could. He loves it. He, on his own, has caught 4 fish in the past two days. He calls them whoppers when he is reeling them in. He enjoys playing with them after he catches them and when he comes home he bursts though the door yelling for me to come and look at his fish. He is feeding his family well. Just look at that cute little Benjamin face.

Fishing with Daddy

Levi asked his dad to take him fishing with a few instructions. No mommy, no Marki, and no Oliver. He wanted some time with his dad all to himself and that's just what he got. Mark took him to Swan Falls where Levi caught his first fish. I know he is only two but I really hope that is something that sticks in his mind forever. He was so excited to show us his fish when he got home. He couldn't contain himself. We called the grandparents and as soon as they'd answer the phone there was no hello, just Levi talking about his day so fast he couldn't catch his breath. It was so funny to listen to him tell about reeling the big fish in and so much we really couldn't understand because he was talking so fast. I love this boy.

Lee waiting on a catfish.
I think I got one!

Yep, I'm going to reel him in!

Almost got it in.

Here he is....Lee was pretty tired after the whole ordeal.

Dinner. Thank you Levi for providing the fish:)

Yummy!

Thumbs up! We did good dad.

Baking for Daddy

Getting ready to bake cookies for Father's Day.
Marki cutting out her heart shape.

Levi cutting out his heart shape.

The finished product made with so much love for their Daddy. They can't wait until you come home tomorrow and see what they have make for you.

Oliver saying "Hi Daddy. Hope you like the cookies!"

You are such a great dad and I am so thankful that you are the father of my children. What lucky kido's. We love you!!!

I Run For Chocolate and Champagne

My babies greeted me at the finish line. My kids ate up my chocolate as soon as I got it.
Mark's great photography.

The racers. My friend Hilary (right) was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. We walked it together. She did this one month and six days post chemo!

Princess Jasmine, Princess Marki, and Princess Belle. Lot's of free stuff at this race too! Mostly health food though. Yucky!

Marki and Levi chasing bubbles.

I love doing races. I can't wait til the next one. I am in shape and loving it!

For My Dad

Dad, I just wanted to thank you for being the best dad in the world. Happy Father's Day!

Poppy and all his grandkids.

View from the Farm.

Her Big Night!

Marki's dance recital was almost a month ago so I am late getting these pictures on here. But here they are. We are so proud of you Marki. You are such a beautiful dancer! Can't wait til the next recital:)
Marki getting flowers from her Daddy. She loves getting flowers from him.

Her debut.

All the little girls before the took the stage.
Marki and her friend.

Practicing backstage.

Waiting to go on.

Unlce D hugs.

Marki and Melanie.

Hilary and Oliver O. Marki loved the flowers Hilary gave her too.

Levi as an orphan. So cute.

Well I Heard It Through the Grape Vine...

That Tracey did a great job at the Hometown Idol! Mark and I went to support her in Saturday and I was truly impressed. I was really nervous until the competition started and I realized Tracey was the only one who could sing. She looked like a professional up there. I did a short video of one of her songs. My pictures didn't turn out because my camera was trying to focus on the rain. Here she is all fabulous.

Visiting Daddy at the Fire Station

We decided to go and visit Daddy at the fire station the other day. Marki just had to dress herself in her dad's favorite dress with cowgirl boots and a winter hat. I wish I had a picture of the hat. It was quite the outfit.

Levi wanted to sweep the fire station...your not a probie yet baby.

I have some really cute pictures of this conversation with her dad. She had so much to tell him and she went on and on and on and on...

I love this picture of Lee.

Wearing his turnouts like his daddy.

Firefighter Marki

Marki wanted this picture on the fire truck.

I can't wait until Oliver is a bit older. I have some great ideas for pictures:)