House Hunt

If it seems like we haven't been up to our usual fun adventures lately, well, it's true.  All we do these days is drive by houses, look at houses with our realtor, talk about houses, dream about houses, talk about driving by houses... you get the picture.  

We are ready to buy and we could not be any more discouraged about buying a house here.  The house we left in Price would sell for about $375,000 here, if that gives you any idea of what we're dealing with here.  We have officially looked at everything in the entire county within our price range and we still haven't found one yet.  (Okay, not exactly true - we did find a perfect foreclosed home at the beginning of our search.  We called our realtor to make an offer and before she could even put it in, the bank that owned it accepted another offer.  We are still bummed about it...)

This is how desperate we are - last week our realtor found 5 houses that were for sale last year that the owners pulled off the market, had us drive by them to see if we'd be interested, and said she would call up the owners and ask if they would be interested in selling!  

 

And just to clarify, our standards are not that high anymore, so it's not like we're being too picky!  We just want a house that is big enough for a family of six that has a little bit of grass and that we can afford.  Is that too much to ask?!?!  

I know this is not the happiest of posts, so I'll sign off now, leaving you with photos of some other options we are considering.......

Declan's 1st Birthday!

Here are some highlights of Declan's first birthday party.  I can't believe he is one!  He is the cutest, best baby ever and we love him so much.  

Easter

Here are the kids on Easter morning.  It does not get any cuter than this....

....unless maybe it's this!   We had a great Easter.  Declan's 1st birthday fell on Easter Sunday this year so we got to celebrate that as well.  We had some friends over for dinner and cake and ice cream.  It was a great day!  

We got to go to several egg hunts over the past few weeks.  Here are Sam, Grace, and Liam at the ConocoPhillips company party/Easter egg hunt.  

We also did a hunt with all the neighbor kids in the culdesac.

Grace and her friend Annie.

Random Good Times

I'm not sure when the novelty of going to the ocean is going to wear off for us, but we've been here six months and we still LOVE going to check out different beaches.  This was a few Saturdays ago when the Muffolettos came up.  (Photography by Liam)

Low tide means lots of cool things to find!

Sam blowing bubbles

Rub a dub dub, three boys in the tub

Sam's "guilty face," one we get to see a lot of, as he might just be the busiest kid in the world.  This was after he had taken a bath and decided that I hadn't used enough lotion on him.  So while I got Declan dressed, he took matters into his own hands.... literally.  

A Little Bragging....

Not to boast too much, but we are so proud of Liam and Grace!  Last week at school they had an awards assembly, and they were each chosen from their class to receive the award for Scholastic Achievement.  What great kids!  We are so proud!

Little Trooper

This morning Declan got tubes in his ears, so I'm posting to let anyone who's interested know that everything went very well. He handled things in typical Declan-fashion, with smiles and the happiest attitude you've ever seen! It was done at the surgical center in Bellingham by our ENT doctor, and Declan had to have anesthesia because of how delicate the procedure is. I was very nervous about him going under but he did great - he didn't get sick at all. The procedure only took about 10 minutes and he was only under for about 20. When he woke up, he was just as pleasant as ever, charming all the nurses and smiling at everyone who walked by. What a kid!

Declan has been battling ear problems for four months now. Because of the way the interior of his ear is, he constantly has fluid behind there, which means they get infected easily. He has been on antibiotics five times since December, and even when he didn't have an infection, there was always fluid. I can't imagine feeling like your ears were constantly plugged up! After researching and talking to our doctor, we decided that this was the best course of action, especially since he's at a critical age for speech development... and you can't learn to talk if you can't hear well! Even now, four hours after the surgery, he seems like he's feeling better. The surgeon said that they drained a lot of fluid today, so it makes sense. We are just relieved that it's over, that it went well, and that our little guy will be feeling much better!

St. Paddy's Day

We had a fun St. Patrick's Day. Garreth went to the school and talked about Ireland to Grace and Liam's classes (dressed as a leprechaun, of course!) Last night we went to dinner at some friends' house. There were 5 couples there and a babysitter downstairs for the kids and we had a lot of fun. They even made up a quiz about Ireland and I got all 10 questions right.... Garreth missed two! I guess when your name means "Ireland" you've got a little luck! Erin Go Braugh, baby, Erin Go Braugh...

Ireland Flashback

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here are some highlights of our last trip to Ireland, in May 2006.  I know this is a long post... I got carried away and couldn't leave any of these pictures out!  It was such a great trip with so many good memories.  I can't wait to go back again!  

Downtown Dublin - Davy, Rachel, Garreth, Erin, Flo, Ciara, Liam, Saoirse, Breen, and Grace.

Hanging out with the cousins.  Breen, Grace, Saoirse, Liam.

We planned the trip around our niece Muireann's christening.  It was a really neat day.  Stephen and Ciara asked Grace to read a scripture in the ceremony.  She was really nervous, but she did a great job! 

Stephen and family after the christening.

One of the kids' favorite part of the whole trip.... riding a double decker bus into town!

Three brothers and their cargo.

Saoirse and Grainne at school.

At Newgrange, the most ancient, beautiful, mystical place I've ever been to.

The gang at Newgrange

More Newgrange - did I mention how much I love this place?

Port Marnock Beach

Kids in knickers

Grace at Powerscourt Gardens

Me, Grace, and Liam at Glendalough, an ancient monastery.

Glendalough

Powerscourt Waterfall

Liam and Saoirse - Sports Day at Saoirse's school, where there were at least 20 other kids named Liam, judging by the parents who were cheering on their kids on the sidelines!

The kids with Nanny Ratchford

Gimp

Last night I had to go out to the garage to get something, and since I wasn't wearing shoes, I ran out on my tiptoes to avoid getting my socks too dirty.  Well, wouldn't you know it, being the graceful woman I am, I tripped on one of the kids' rainboots and came down HARD on my foot.  After saying some choice words and sitting there on the concrete for a few minutes, I got up, got what I needed and went back in the house.  Limping around, I made dinner, bathed the kids, did a lesson and treasure hunt for Family Night, and finally got everyone to bed.  When I finally slowed down enough to notice how bad my foot hurt, I took a bunch of ibuprofen, put some ice on it, and laid down to elevate it, thinking it would feel better in the morning.   

But, no.  I woke up this morning to find that my entire big toe and half of my foot was black and purple and swollen to about twice normal size.  I got into the doctor this morning and sure, enough, my big toe is broken.   Apparently there is not much you can do for a broken toe except not bend it and use some pain killers.  Oh, and the doctor said the most important thing I can do is to stay off of it for the first week or so.  Yeah, right!  I laughed when he said that.  

So anyway, I am just really annoyed at myself for doing something so stupid.  I know I should be glad it wasn't worse, but it's just so darned INCONVENIENT!  

Grace and Liam's School Program

Misc. Photos

Liam's Field Trip

Every year the Ferndale High FFA hosts a kindergarten field trip day.  Students take the kids around and show them all kinds of cool stuff:  the welding shop, farm animals, the greenhouse,and the fish hatchery.   I got to chaperone and we had a fun time.  (Do all FFAs do that many cool things?  If so, I really missed out in high school!)

Learning about welding (as soon as they put these on, about five boys, including Liam, said "Luke, I am your father....").

Feeding the fish at the hatchery

Learning about banana trees

Holding a two week old bunny at the petting zoo

GRAINNE

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT GRACE

She is a great example to her parents and little brothers.

She is very fun-loving and silly.

She is a great, loyal friend and a natural leader.  Other kids are drawn to her because she is so confident, outgoing, and sure of herself.  

She is also very kind-hearted, compassionate, and perceptive to other's moods and feelings.

She has a great smile and the happiest eyes ever!

She sings at the top of her lungs when she showers.

She is very musically inclined.  She has a beautiful singing voice and is talented at piano.

She is endearingly quirky.  She wears her socks inside out because the insides are too "stringy." 

Grace is very intelligent.  Garreth has taught her how to play chess and she picked it up very quickly.  (I still haven't!)   She asks us questions that boggle our minds sometimes.

She is a great student and well-liked by teachers.

She laughs like a maniac while watching "America's Funniest Videos."

She is very creative and thinks of the most clever, fun things to do.  She is always taking charge and coming up with new games to play with her brothers.

She loves animals and is very nurturing.

She has gorgeous hair.

She started talking in full sentences at 14 months old and has been saying funny things ever since.  One of my favorites (she was about 5 at the time):  At church, her Primary teacher asked the class, "What are some things that the Spirit tells you to do?"  and Grace quickly replied, "The Spirit tells ME to recycle!"

She is very reliable and responsible.  (These were words always used to describe me when I was a kid and I hated it.  Now I can see the value of having these characteristics.)  When I ask Grace to do something, I know it will get done.  She is beyond her years in so many ways.

Grace is just GOOD.  She is fun, crazy, smart, beautiful, kind, and good at everything she does.  She made a mother out of me and changed my life forever.  She is one amazing girl.

LIAM OG O'FLYNN

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT LIAM

He has the greatest, most infectious laugh.

He is a hard worker.  Every morning when he gets out his chore list, he gets right to it and gets everything done quickly.  He loves to cross things off his list.  (I have NO idea where he gets that from!!)

He is a picky dresser.  He has very specific taste in clothes and is quite stylish.  Once we were watching something on TV and an old man came out dressed in shorts, black socks, and sandals. Liam was shocked and said, "Mom, you CAN'T wear socks with sandals!"  I swear we never told him this - it's like he instinctively just knows!  (One of his biggest tantrums ever happened when he was three years old and I made him wear denim overalls to get his picture taken.  He cried and kept screaming, "Overalls are NOT cool!  Overalls are NOT cool!")

He is a total sweetheart and he loves his mama.  He frequently makes up songs about me.  The latest went something like this:  "I love my mom, she is so lovely.  I love my mom, she is so nice. I love my mom."  How sweet is that?

He is a lunatic and will try anything.  He will jump off anything, including the high dive, and usually does tricks in the air while jumping.  The child has no fear.

He loves to wrestle and be tickled and be thrown onto the beanbag.

He sees things that need to be done and often does them without being asked, like cleaning up toys or playing with the baby when he gets fussy.  Tonight Sam was crying because he left Dottie in the van, and without a word Liam got up and went out to get it.  

He is dashingly handsome.

One of his favorite songs is "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure.

He is very tender-hearted.  One day we watched a SpongeBob episode where SpongeBob loses his pet snail, Gary.  I looked over at Liam and saw that he was very teary-eyed and emotional about it.  What a sweetheart!

He is strong and athletic.  He loves to ride bikes, jump rope, swim, play soccer, and his latest, climb trees.  

He calls sneezes "bless yous" and frisbees "hisbees."

He always offers to scratch my back.

Liam is such a fun, sweet, charming, loving little boy who keeps me smiling constantly.   I couldn't ask for a better son!  

SAM JAMMERSON

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT SAM

He loves to help me with laundry and cleaning, but his favorite thing to help with is cooking or baking.  He's the next Emeril.

He is a great sport and fun to take places.  He loves a new adventure!  He is a champion hiker and never complains.

He says "Hustraunt" instead of "Restaurant."

He eats anything.

He is always the first to say "Thanks, Mommy" at mealtimes.

He asks to go take a nap or go to bed when he's tired, and he's a great sleeper.

I love his obsession with Dottie (his blanket), even though there have been times I've cursed that thing.... mostly when we've left her at home or thought we'd lost her somewhere.  But Dottie will always be a part of our family - I can't imagine Sam without her!

Sam is a big time bath-lover! He would love to take a bath three times a day if we'd let him.

He would also love to be read to all day long.  He has many favorite books and loves to hear them over and over and over again.  This week's pick is "A Fish Out of Water."  I love how he memorizes parts of the stories and uses lines from them in everyday life.  The other night at dinner, I asked him if he liked his food and he said, "I like it!  I like that party hat!" (That week's book was "Go Dog Go!")

He has beautiful hands, with very long piano-playing, surgeon fingers.

He is very tall and a bit gangly.  He has an adorable baby giraffe run and he falls down awkwardly at least three times a day.  People are always surprised to hear that he's only two, since he looks like a four year old.  

He is a terrific big brother to Declan.

He idolizes Liam and copies everything he does, good or bad!  I love the way those two wrestle! 

I love Sam's beautiful big brown eyes and his three-inch long eyelashes.  (So unfair!)

He is very brave and daring, a true nutcase.

He loves to be naked.  When we undress him for a bath, he runs away and says, "I HAVE to shake my booty!"

He gives great hugs.

He says, "I love you, Mama" at least five times a day.

He is such a sweet, crazy, loving little boy.  From the day he was placed in my arms, he has taught me so much about myself.  He is an amazing, beautiful child and I am so blessed to be his mom.  

DECO

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT DECLAN

He has the greatest smile ever and all you have to do is look at him to get a huge grin.  Every time we go anywhere, someone tells us what a beautiful smile he has.  He will stare and smile at people until they look at him and talk to him! 

I have had some very happy babies, but he might just be THE happiest.  He is almost always in a good mood.

He loves to dance and drum on anything and he's got great rhythm!

He is very snuggly with me and gives great hugs.  He also will give "Bonks" (a gentle headbutt) on demand and thinks it's hilarious.

He's a very good clapper.

He is so mellow and easy to take places. 

He has the chubbiest, most kissable cheeks.

He is a big Mama's boy.  Even when he's happily playing, he's always watching me out of the corner of his eye, and if I leave the room, he will fuss.

He does a great army crawl.

He loves to sleep in our bed, especially when teething, and he's super cuddly and fun to wake up with.

He is a big talker - he loves to chatter constantly and tell stories.

He LOVES to read books and will sit on my lap reading for a very long time for an 11 month old!  He also loves to read on his own in his own cute language.

He is a food connoisseur and has been since birth.  He won't take a bottle if it's not the perfect temperature and he is pretty selective about what food he'll eat.  He doesn't like most fruits, but loves his veggies.  

With three older siblings, he has already learned how to tease!  He loves to grab Dottie (Sam's VERY special blanket) and laughs like "Come and get it, I dare you!"  If he does something funny or cute that gets a laugh from us, he'll do it again to get another laugh.  What a ham!

He loves to take baths.  If we walk by the bathroom when the bath water is running and don't go in, he freaks out.  He will also stay in the tub for as long as we'll let him. 

He is our little miracle.  We are so incredibly lucky to have him in our family.  He has blessed us in so many ways and he brings so much joy and happiness to our home.