Leeming Family Reunion

I LOVE MY FAMILY! I can hardly wait until we can see each other again. And I think the majority of the Leeming party felt the same. We ended our trip trying to schedule our next get together.

The Schwark’s trip to Reno went like this:

Our plane trips were great. The boys were super. Nolen spent most of both flights sleeping and after a minor melt down on the first leg of the trip Aiden straightened up and behaved. I must say the DVD player was a BIG help. Aiden was cute saying things like “bye Seattle” and “hello Reno”. I can’t give the airlines any commendations. Southwest was cheapest and that is the inconsistent, unhelpful, uncomfortable service we got for our money.

We flew in Friday and unpacked at our “home base”, Aunt Carrie’s, aka super aunt. She was so awesome with my boys. Aiden and Nolen equally adored her. Although, the backyard baby swing with running fountain and pond came a close second for Nolen. After we dropped our stuff off we headed to Aunt Jody’s for dinner. All I can say is YUM. She put out quite the spread, appetizers, drinks, a fabulous dinner and dessert. And to top it off all our family was there. This is also where James (cousin) unveiled the much anticipated family reunion t-shirts. These completely lived up to all the hype. A bright obnoxious green with coded numbers on the back. By the way James, I wore my shirt out since I have been home and had several compliments!

The Schwark’s plus one cousin Leiya headed to Aunt Jody’s pool for a bit. This pool was awesome. 3 ½ feet deep with a big slide and fun water features. Aiden adored Leiya enough to actually go down the slide and follow her around in the pool. He wanted her in eye sight at all times and when she wasn’t he would say “I neeeeeed Leiya”.

Saturday Aunt Carrie set up lunch at Grandma’s house and we all gathered for sandwiches. It was fun to see the sea of lime green invade the living room. This prompted the slogan “The Leeming Family Goes Green”. We spent the afternoon swimming, chatting and soaking up the sun.

Saturday evening my grandmother had a dinner catered at her club house. It was so delicious and no one had to worry about dish clean up! Then we sat in a big circle and shared funny stories.

Sunday we headed to Tahoe. Everyone gathered at Meek’s Bay. We spent the afternoon playing in the water and eating. My mom, aunt Nancy and aunt Carrie took turns holding Nolen and playing with Aiden. Nolen does not care what the temperature of the water is he just wants to be in it. Maybe he is so well insulated that he can’t even tell the temperature! We did have one tragedy while though. Steve’s brand-new $$$, father’s day gift, sunglasses found a new home at the bottom of the Lake due to an unfortunate capsizing of a small water craft.

We spent Sunday night at the Reno Rodeo with My mom, brother Chris, cousins Brock, Erica, April, Aunt’s Carrie and Nancy. Aiden had a blast seeing all the bucking broncos, bulls, and cowboys. He kept saying “I need to touch another horse”. He clapped and yelled and jumped around, which could have been impart due to his first experience with cotton candy – thank you Erica!

Monday was a perfect day of Starbucks for breakfast, swimming at 10am, and lunch with the family. We packed up our stuff and headed to the airport, where we ended up waiting an extra two hours, but that was not about to ruin all the fun we just had.

We are home safe and sound and all avoided sunburns but soaked up lots of vitamin D. I can’t wait to do it again!

Father's Day

Fathers Day makes me think about all the wonderful men I have in my life. So, I just want to take a moment to brag about them.

First, my awesome husband. He is consistently the most wonderful person. He is the only person I want to be around all the time. He is patient, oh so patient. Patient with the kids, the dog, ME, with life. I want to be more like him. He is SO smart. I am constantly amazed at all he knows. He is funny, he has to have a sense of humor to live in our crazy house. And last but not least, he is a hotty. I got the best man on the planet and I am thankful everyday for him. Plus, he wasn't even mad that we had left over waffles and starbucks for Father's Day breakfast :)

Second, my boys, the men in my life that stretch me the most. They test my patience just about every waking moment of the day - and night. They make me laugh. They make me be creative - like what is the solution to your two year old pooping in his underwear at a fancy bellevue baby boutique? Toss the undies, clean up the kid, let him go comando until shopping is complete. I didnt drive 15 miles on $4+ gas, and load up the infant in the front pack, to turn around and go right home! (I know, I know - bring extra undies....but what fun would that be?) These boys give me a sense of purpose, and for that I am eternally greatful.

My dad's. I got two of the most wonderful, wise, caring, Godly, hardworking dads in the world. They pray for me and give me good advise, and give me the peaceful feeling that come what may they are there for me.

My grandfathers are full of wonderful life experience and wisdom. They are funny and kind. They are authentic and loving. I love my grandpa's.

I even have amazing brothers and uncles and cousins!

Thank you Lord for all the wonderful men in my life.

Smoothie Machine Makes Baby in a Basket

So, I recently purchased a new blender which happens to be incredibly loud. This volume worries Aiden to no end, and he will cry if I don't give him fair warning and time to run to the couch. So, being the considerate mom that I am I place Nolen on the couch and tell Aiden I am about to turn on the machine. He climbs on the couch next to Nolen while informing me that he would protect Nolen.

I hit the smoothie button and wait for the deafening sound. After about three seconds I hear another incredibly loud alarming noise - Nolen - SCREAMING, pretty much the same scream he has when he gets shots. I look at the couch, no Nolen, I run to the couch - oh, there he is, in the empty laundry basket!

Aiden is screaming at me now too. "FEED HIM" "FEED HIM" "FEED HIM" and looking more worried than I have ever seen him look. So somehow Aiden either picked up, pushed, or rolled him off the couch into the empty laundry basket. Poor Nolen. I was angry at Aiden, but realizing this would not be scarring for Nolen, but if handled improperly could be potentially scarring for Aiden. Yelling "Aiden what did you do???" Probably wasn't the most calm collected thing I could have said, but that is what came out. Fortunately that was the end of my tirade towards Aiden. I ended up comforting Aiden more than Nolen.

I believe Aiden's plan was to indeed protect Nolen from the loud noise (which incidentally doesn't bother him) by transporting him to a safer, quieter location via the laundry basket. At least that is the version I am willing to go with at this point.

I am happy to report everyone has come through seemingly physically unscathed, emotionally I guess time will tell :)