Grandpa's Rock Collection... 5.11.2015

My kids love rocks.  They pick them up everywhere they go and ask if they can keep them for their "rock collection".  They don't have to be special, pretty or unique, any old rock will do.  We were at my Grandma and Grandpa's a few weeks ago and I wanted to show them what a REAL rock collection looked like.  My Grandpa is a pro!  He even has a tumbler to polish them up.  I told the kids to go ask if they could see it and they were off to ask Grandpa (with me following close behind so Grandpa could understand them :D). 

On a side note... My Grandpa's shop (in the picture) was their first house.  My Grandpa built it after they were married.  This is where my mom spent her childhood.  It has a tiny kitchen with a cinder block pony wall that separates the living space from the kitchen.  My mom would stick her peas down in the holes of the cinder block.  There is a tiny bathroom (you almost can't turn around in it), a mud room and two bedrooms.  My grandparents slept in one and my mom and her five siblings slept in the other. 

This is the wallpaper from the kids room, poodles.

Grandpa did not disappoint!  He showed the kids rocks of all shapes and sizes.  He also had petrified wood and the kids favorite... petrified dinosaur poop! (Grandpa said "dung" but they had NO IDEA what that was.:D)

I love this picture!  My Grandpa has a beautiful smile!  It is one of my favorite things about him!

I am so glad that my kids get to know my Grandma and Grandpa Gurney.  They are two of the most amazing people I know!  They have set incredible examples for their family and I am grateful to be part of it!

The Monsoons...

It has been a really long time since I blogged, in fact, too long.  As busy as I've been with other things, I've missed it.  I miss grabbing my camera and capturing all the little things my kids do every day, the precious moments that make me long to have the power to freeze time and keep them little forever.  

Madi and Easton are so full of questions, wonder, excitement and imagination.  I need to be more diligent so I can remember these days forever!  So, today I grabbed my camera. :D

We had a SUPER mild winter but our spring has had some INSANE rain storms!  Being an Oregon girl, I love the rain.  It doesn't bother me.  I love the smell of it, the sound of it and the beauty it leaves behind.  Our afternoon thunderstorms make me smile and we have had a lot this year (almost daily for the last couple weeks).  Today was no different.  

We got to school and since it was already warming up and there was not a cloud in any direction, I left my windows down.  By the time school was over the rain was coming down so hard that we were soaked through every layer before we got to the car... and then had to sit on wet seats. 

They both kept telling me how cold they were but quickly forgot when we pulled in the driveway and noticed that "Our Hill" had become "Our Swimming Pool". They both headed straight for it!  I stopped them before the violin was dragged in and made them bring the stuff inside while I grabbed my camera. Then it was time to test the water...   

 

I never felt it but it had to have been cold because there was big balls of hail in the grass!

 Madi was brave and it didn't take long until she was all wet!

Easton took a little longer to warm up to the idea.

My little man found a lady bug.  He said he's always wanted a pet lady bug...

...but then he lost it in the grass.

Madi had a blast splishing and splashing around!

Easton finally went in, actually he JUMPED in, and I missed it. :/

What's with the crazy smile?  He looks like he is ready to bite me!

When they had had enough we went inside for a nice warm bath.  Oh how they have missed the bathtub!  Look at them enjoying a good soak!  I gotta be honest, I am looking forward to having the bathroom done too!

After their outsides warmed up it was time for jammies and to warm our insides with hot chocolate!  Snuggles and a good movie are the plan for the rest of the night since Derrick is working late again.  I sure love these two!  They make me want to be a better person.  Derrick, Madi and Easton are my whole world and bring me more joy than I ever knew possible!