The less important September Birthdays

Yes September is quite the month here at our house. Everyone but Jack is blowing out candles this month, starting with me and Wes. Ok Jack blows those out with us but it's technically not his birthday. Anyhow Wes and I had great birthdays this year. He got yet another pocket took/knife thing and I got a necklace and a very interesting shirt he and Reagan picked out! They let me fake excitement for quite a while before Reagan said it was a joke and that they tried to find a "funny shirt" for my birthday! Then she confessed that she also thought it was kind of pretty .... I need to figure out how to fit it into my wardrobe.

Mystical Powers affecting Lake Erie

We thought we'd go out and maybe do some fishing at this spot Wes new about by the lake. The wind and the massive waves had a different idea that evening.

Instead we got to throw rocks in the water and run from waves ...... these were the HUGE waves and Dylan was convinced that he was controlling them with his "powers." I'm not sure if he was using his Jedi powers or his Magical powers but whatever it was he spent quite a while pushing and pulling these waves up and back from the shore, and making some great sound effects at the same time. Once in a while a good wave would sneak up on the kids and they'd have to run or get some wet feet! We staying until sunset what a fun evening!

Out on the "Town"

Once in a while Wes and I do have a life, and once in a while it is Fantastic to get out of the Mom Zone and enjoy some time with Adults!

In April I got to go to River Dance with Jen and Erica! I had a Great time with the Girls. It was fun to have a night out with fun friends, going to dinner and a show! The show was Amazing, yes I said River Dance, and yes it was Amazing!

In May Wes and I got to go to a party for the CRNA Graduating Class of 2010 as well as the schools 2010 Graduation Dinner this year. Both were a lot of fun, as is any date I get with Wes! Wes tried an oyster for the first time at the party, and I finally got to see what kind of face he makes when he eats something he doesn't like ;-) They were fun nights and we are so happy for our friends who've graduated, but miss those that have moved on.

Mothers Day

I love that my kids are older and acutely get the Mothers Day concept a little better meaning Mom does as little housework as possible on Mothers Day :-) It was such a nice relaxing day for me and as I say to my kids all the time .... "I am SO lucky to be their Mommy!" They made me gifts and pictures that I love and will hold onto forever! They are each so different and unique and I really am blessed to have great kids! Happy Mothers Day!
We went to go throw rocks on the beach that evening and I had to include the cute pictures of my cute kids :-)

"It's the Milk Chocolate oh oh"

For those of you who have been to Hershey PA you know why I now have the singing cow song pop into my head now every time I think of chocolate or hershey. It's very catchy and who wouldn't remember a song sang by cows?

Wes just HAD to go to Hershey for an anesthesia conference, one of those education credit hour things for school and the rest of us of course HAD to go with him. It was a blast, really a fun place to visit especially since we got to go with not 1 but 3 great families that we consider great friends who were also there for the same reason as us ..... and that was the free mini sized Hershey's chocolate bars :-)

The amusement park was opened the Saturday we were there and the kids LOVED it! Reagan went on a ride that I didn't even want to look at! I got a pic. of her coming out of the gate at the end of the ride, pure shock! After that she was a little more "reserved" like her Mama when it came to rides. Both the boys enjoyed the rides a lot more than I expected them to, especially the rollers coaster they wanted to do that one again and again.

Dylan had a blast swimming in the hotel pool with his friends and got really brave jumping into the water from the pool deck. This was all thanks to the encouragement and example of his buddy Max, and of course the cheering of "Dylan, Dylan, Dylan" from Max's Mom Kortni! I was next to tears watching him actually ask for her to loudly cheer him on while he jumped into the pool with Max! What a great group of friends we have here, we are SO blessed.

And what a great trip this was ....... see ya Next Year Hershey!

Easter Again!!??

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, especially since we've moved east. I've never love spring more than I do living here, things really do "awake" and come to life after a long and cold, bitter winter. I am Grateful for the opportunity to reflect upon the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ during the Easter Holiday and I also enjoy the promise of spring here and it's symbols of rebirth!

Wow it seems like it was just yesterday that my parents were visiting for Easter and gave the kids those very popular Easter sombreros. (a dollar store find for Grandma) The kids have referenced them as such since then, thanks Grandma it's been fun :-)

This year the bunny had to hide stuff inside because of all the rain and soggy grass but the kids still had a great time and were overloaded with chocolate!

Baby Abe and Ithaca

Grandma Ewing came out in March to meet new Baby Abe! Yes another flight east for her, she had time to wash her clothes and pack up again! We were all really excited to go to Ithaca and see the new little Chunky Spud and of course the B&B, I&A Ewing family! Eli was super proud of his new "little" brother 9lbs 3ozs! He was such a cute baby and is growing like a weed! The picture of Dylan by the TV shows his mario kart 1st place win, it's what he was doing while we were cooing over the baby :-)

I love Ithaca, probably not as much as Brady and Brooke do but it is a very unique and beautiful place that we've enjoyed visiting. Thanks for letting us invade you guys once in a while.

Blogger M.I.A.

So I know I have been Missing In Action the last 6 months, sorry! Truth is things have been crazy with lots of activities and places to go, things to do and people to see ..... Stuff I should probably be blogging about right? So I am playing a little catch up, mostly for the Grandmas and family who cares to see the "Ewing Action." I will be trying to go in chronological order and will probably backdate the posts so that they fit into the months that they actually happened ..... ya know cheating to make it look like I posted things when I should have :-) (including this post, yep it's going to be labeled March and not August)

Sorry to all those dedicated bloggers who update their blogs regularly and never have blogging black outs that I know have been going NUTTS while checking mine and seeing the same post up for months !

I will be on the ball from here on out!

Oh and I also decided to give the blog a facelift and shake it up a bit, I like it hope you do. The family picture was done by my good friend Suzi and I will be posting more soon!

New Mommy ????

It has been SUNNY and Warm'is here in Erie! I am loving the healthy dose of Sunshine and Vitamin D we are getting. The kids get outside recess and Jack and I are getting out of the house daily to catch some rays :-)

So this past Sunday after Church Wes was walking out with the kids to the car, they had found me once ..... and then I had lost them again ..... so he just got sick of waiting and decided to go to the van. (I had the keys) As soon as I came out of the building Dylan came running up to me and said: "Oh, Mom I thought you were lost" and started crying ... just broke my heart. A big hug later and some reassurance from me that I was not lost and he seemed fine. He then jumped into Wes's car with him to head home. Everything seemed hunky dory.

When we got home Wes told me that on their way out to the car after Church Dylan asked: "Where's Mommy?" and Wes responded with a casual "She's lost." Dylan than panicked and said: "Oh no what are we going to do?" and started crying Wes then said: "Don't worry we'll get a new Mommy." (nice right...) This brought and eye roll from Reagan, and massive tears from Dylan follow by: "Oh, I'm really going to miss her" (it's good to know that I am loved). So this explains Dylan's tears and relief when he saw me coming out of the Church. Later that day I explained that I would always be his Mommy no matter what!

Good to know that I am so quickly replace by some, and truly missed by others ..... you know who you are!

Happy Kids Make Me Happy !!

Lately I have been a little "down" sick of being in the house, wishing I felt 100% physically, and trying to get back to myself again .... whatever that is :-) My kids are great at helping me find out what normal is and how to get right back into it. They have been a great distraction for me and my recent useless self pity ...... blaaahhh. Between running them from one thing to the next, to attempting to keep up with the regular Mom stuff I don't have a lot of time to sit and wish and worry, or think about my current miss-comfort. One of my goals for 2010 is to write something in the journals I have just for them, at least once a week. Wow this has made such an uplifting and positive difference in my life lately! I love writing down the fun things they say, or making little notes to them about how amazing I think they are, and how impressed I am with their talents and abilities. It has been really good for me to get out of myself, and really enjoy the more important silly kids stuff! As I have said many many times .... Reagan, Dylan and Jack you are amazing and I am So Luck to be your Mommy :-) Thanks for helping me see the bigger picture through your little eyes, Love you!

Happy Heart Day

Hope you all had a fun Valentines Day we Sure Did .... I LOVED the Heart Day weekend with the Kids, and of course Wes too! Cookie decorating with friends was full of sugar and fun. Jack's first cookie decoration was quite the masterpiece, he was making it for his Daddy. Me and the kids made some Valentine cards for each other, and we all swapped a few little gifts as a family. We didn't get anything mailed out to the cousins or grandparents this year, sorry.

Hope ya all know we love you!

January ... The Fun Stuff!

New Years Party!!

We had a little New Years Eve party here at our place. It was fun! The kids of course had a blast running around, dressing up, playing games and staying up way to late. We ate (obviously) and laughed and played a few games with our friends. Wes was talked in to games to begin with, but was excused when he started drifting off at the table with cards in his hands. The kids ran outside and yelled Happy New Year for a while and then came in and started wrestling Andy, guess who won that fight?

January Snow Days !!

I don't know if you are aware but Reagan and Jack LOVE the snow! Dylan likes to sled and make footprints in his snow boots, but in most cases would rather be playing the Wii. Wes had a little time over the holidays and took the kids sledding. Then while my Mom was here helping out she got to re-live her Canada childhood in the snow! Reagan really had a great time with her building snow people and a little throne for she and Wally. Jack just really likes to wear his mittens and eat snow, yuck, stay away from the yellow!

Grandma Bev Came !!

As I mentioned earlier we were so lucky to have help from our Mom's while I was recovering! Couldn't have done it without them that's for sure!
While my Mom was here Wes decided to get me out of the house and take us to breakfast. We went to this locally owned place called Dominic's, it was really yummy. They had a frog statue and a fish statue inside so the kids had to have a picture. (there are a lot of these frogs around town but most are outside) They also had a painted mural of Erie on the wall, we love these old places in town. It was dang cold during her visit, Grandma Bev hadn't been here in the winter before. (and may never come again!) We had to stop by the frozen bay to show my Mom the ice fishing huts, I think she thought it was kinda cool. And Wes and the older 2 kids took her to an old Church in town that has some really beautiful windows and features. We also had hot dogs and smo'res in the fireplace downstairs for F.H.E. with Grandma, the kids Loved that and can't wait to do it again. Hopefully she had a little fun and it wasn't just work, work, work while taking care of us. It was great having her here! Thanks Grandma Bev!

Grandma Ewing Came !!

The day my Mom left Wes's Mom came to help, we really are blessed. It was great to have her here with us. Unfortunately for her this was her second winter visit to Erie, we need to try for a spring or summer visit so she isn't to bias, and frozen! She and Wes got to go see Avatar one night, and the next week she watched the kids so me and Wes could go on a date. (to see Avatar, apparently Wes liked it) Wes also took Susan and Reagan to a Greek festival where Reagan ate some little hamburger and rice wrapped in a grape leaf thingy, I was impressed that she tried it. They also took a swing by the old Church with the cool windows in town, I really need to see inside this Church. And Grandma also bought the kids a fun new Wii game called Out Door Challenge. It's a really cool game where you have to jump, run, lean, slide, stomp etc. to win fun games. The kids LOVE it, and I love seeing them play, they even do the team setting once in a while and work together! WOW! It was great to have her here taking care of us, I hope it wasn't to exhausting, next time in the summer ..... hitting the beach! Thanks Grandma Ewing!

While Susan was here the kids had their first basket ball games, it was SO fun to see them play. Wes snapped a few shots, and I am now wishing I had the camera and video camera at ever practice and game since then. Last practice Dylan made a basket (you should have heard the cheers!) and during his last game he dribbled the ball all the way down the court twice. Reagan was on FIRE her last game, she got 3 rebounds and made 4 of the 8 points to help her team win the game! The only girl to score all game! The love playing basket ball :-) January was a great month that's for sure.

Snow, Snow, Snow ...... Ho, Ho, Ho !!

We got some good snow last weekend and we hit the hills! The first sled trip of the year was Fantastic! Everyone had a great time sledding down the hills. Last year the only child who really enjoyed it was Reagan, so this year it is really fun to see the boys loving the snow, sledding, rolling down the hills and getting back up from a face plant or two!

That night we had our Ward Christmas Party! The Primary kids sang a number so we got to see Reagan doing some sign language. (Dylan stayed "backstage") Santa came for a visit and the older 2 kids were able to sit on his lap, and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Reagan's list went from an ipod to a rubik's cube, and Dylan asked for a new Wii game. Jack wasn't at all interested in talking to Santa, maybe next year when he figures it out more. It was a great party, we have a fantastic Ward! This was a really, really good day!

Right NOW!

A couple of weeks ago Dylan was playing Wii bowling and caught Jack in the nose on his back swing .... ouch! This resulted in Jack getting a pretty fast running bloody nose. From there we have the following dialog in our home:
Dylan: "Mom, Mom oh no Mom my brother I'm sorry it was an accident my brother is bleeding I died my brother, oh no my brother is died!"
Me: "No Dylan he's ok Dad has tissues on his nose he is going to be ok, he will stop bleeding soon and he is NOT going to die." Dylan then runs into his room crying ....
Dylan: "oh no Mom oh no, Jack is bleeding and I hurt my elbow at school and it was bleeding ..... (more tears and panic) Mom we need Jesus RIGHT NOW Mom Right Now!" what can I say after this .......
Me: "Yes we do Dylan, yes we do"
Jack was fine shortly thereafter and Dylan was playing the Wii again within the hour.

Palmyra ..... 1 Flat Tire, 3 Tired Kids, and Lots of Grinding Gears

So we braved a trip to Palmyra on this past snowy Saturday. I was our Ward Temple trip and we decided we needed to make sure we got there this time! (the last couple of times we have had a sick kid or been out of town) After waking up early and loading up the car we thought we were set to go we were going to pick up a Sister in the Ward and hit the road. Wes walked in the house and announced that he'd discovered a flat tire on the van, and not a slow leak a nail in punctured flat tire. So we had to switch to Wes's car, much squishier and no room for the extra gal we were supposed to bring. After a few phone calls and rearranging all our "stuff" (kid paraphernalia) we were gassing up and on the road with our kids pack in the back seat like little sardines. 3 hours later we arrived at the Inn to help watch the kids of those doing the first session. Wes and I did a session later while other ward members watched our rambunctious kids. So very nice of them, we had some of the oldest and craziest kids there! We had a great time in the Temple, it was so nice to go together! I can't wait to go back in the Spring with the family and see more sites around town, when it's warm.

Me and the kids at the Sacred Grove & The kids in front of the Palmyra Temple

They had The Life of Christ bronze sculptures up in the visitors center. We were so glad we stopped by. We got see these these Kirtland this past spring and now again, they are so beautiful and worth the drive to see again! Dylan wanted his picture near the statue of Joseph Smith, he thought that was cool. He also loved all the buttons he could push and learn about the "warrior guys with painted faces" Helaman's army from the Book of Mormon. Reagan is between a sculpture depicting the Savior in his ministry, and another display of our living Prophet President Tomas S. Monson. She thought it was cool learning more about the translation of the Book of Mormon and seeing the first one ever printed on display.

On the way home we had some really snowy weather, and some 4wheel drive issues, hence the grinding gears title. We were on the shoulder with flashers going for almost an hour on the freeway going about 35mph. After some tears from the kids, and at least a dozen prayers we were blessed to find the car running perfectly just as we hit our exit. We didn't get home until midnight, who knows when the kids got to sleep, they were too excited for the snow! .... still a great day and very worth all the effort! I am grateful for the blessings of the Temple, and the opportunity we have to attend and feel The Spirit, while we are serving there!

My First Half

13.1 and it is done! I finished my first 1/2 marathon November 7, 2009 on Presque Isle. A great gal from the ward Lacey organized this "Keeping it Holy Run" for those of us interested in running a 1/2 marathon. Most of the races here are on Sundays and therefore we don't get to participate. This was a lot of work on her part and we all really appreciate her willingness and time!

I spent 10 weeks training for the run. I was enjoying myself quite a bit, I discovered I like running even more than I thought I did. I got to do a lot of runs with Micah, we pushed the little kids in the strollers, so we were all getting a little break at the same time. Things were going pretty good ...... then Reagan and I got sick, blahh. I ended up with Strep and Pneumonia and was out of commission for a couple of weeks for everything, let alone any race training! The closer race day came the more and more worried I got. Between the weather, sick kids and life the last 3 weeks before the race I only got in about 6 miles TOTAL! I tried to be prayerful, but come race day I was scared. I considered not doing it but I have wanted to do a 1/2 for so long and didn't want to give up yet. I started out running with Micah, she had her kids with us at first and things were going good. About half way through my lungs started to tighten up and things got rough from there. I ended up walking a little and then running a little. Micah (who was probably sick of me by then) jetted ahead and I was on my own .... and struggling. The last 3 miles was the killer for me, I ended up doing a lot more walking then I wanted to. At this point pretty much everything hurt and I was ready to call Wes to come and pick me up. As corny as is sounds I kept thinking of the Pioneers and how far they walked everyday for months, without asics or Ipod's. I kept praying and walking and trying to jog as much as possible, I felt beaten down and wiped out! As I got close I could see Micah and her girls waiting to cheer me on! (what a friend!) I wanted to finish strong so I started jogging, Micah said "just around the corner Jodi seriously just around the bend!" (she had said this a few times along the way) She was right this time and as soon as I turned the bend Reagan and Jack started running toward me, my family and the whole bunch of runners were there, I was touched. I thought for sure they'd gone home tired of waiting for me, but they were there cheering. I hit the finish line and hugged Wes, I wanted to cry, I didn't think it would be that hard! I was so glad to be done and so happy that I did it, what an accomplishment. So with the help and support of The Lord, my Family and Friends I finished my first half marathon! I am excited to try again in the future. Thanks everyone, Yeah!

September is Gonna Kill Me!

I really don't know what to say here! I think the title says it all! September is going to KILL me! I am exhausted ......... I "broke the news" to Reagan that we may be doing Birthday parties every other year, or trading off with Dylan or something. Because I can't do this every September, bunch of nothing but party planning and prep for a week, and then turn around and do nothing but party planning and prep for another week, oh and one more week of party planning and prep added right onto that! Did you catch that .....???.... 3 parties between the 10th and the 27th (not including my own Birthday, I don't plan that one ..... anymore, it's Wes job, or it's skipped) And each party is for a completely different person, with completely different tastes and interests ..... and ages! 2 down and 1 to go! I am done ranting, good night!
p.s. Party pictures to come!

Put us together we are 66 ....

Wes and I turned 33 this month! Yeikes! That sounds old! Why do I not feel any older than 20? Whatever the fact that I said that makes me sound even older .....

Wes made me dinner and his famous Chocolate Cake, and we had some friends over for my Birthday. It was fun, and of course the cake was Sooooo Good! Thanks Wes!
The next day we did a little mini golfing. The kids had a good time. Reagan has a good little swing, she took it pretty serious (as usual) and kept score, but did manage to have a little fun! Dylan had a good swing, especially considering his full arm cast! He loved it until the last hole when the ball was gone forever. Jack figured golfing out really quick! He started swinging and attempting to putt but pretty soon he'd just wait for his turn, and set his ball down perfectly about 1 inch from the hole, then just tap it in! Flawless shot every time!

For Wes's Birthday we had some dinner and Strawberry Shortcake (Wes's favorite)! A couple of days later we went to a State Park here in PA called Pymatuning State Park. Wes knew of a place there called, "the place where the ducks walk on fish." It's a spillway where HUGE carp beg for bread and people feed them, kinda yucky! The ducks really do walk on the fish to get to the bread people are throwing. The carp are kinda gross a little nauseating to see them, they are ugly and their mouths are huge. They would follow you along the shore line sidewalk with their mouths opened .... yuck.
Dylan was done sooner than the other 2 and wanted to find a map and our hiking trail. I had seen a trail online in this park that took you past 2 beaver damns and sounded kinda cool so we thought we'd find it. We've missed hiking a lot since we left the desert so I was really excited to find somewhere fun for us to hike. Well we didn't! After asking 3 different people, (including a park ranger who gave us a map and pointed out the hike for me!)taking about 6 wrong turns, and being in the "right spot" 4 times we parked our nearly out of gas van and walked along a train in the woods near some cabins. They obviously don't have the same idea about hiking in PA as they do in UT! Mark your trails better Easterners! But the kids had fun and it was still pretty walking through the woods!

All in all it was a good 33 for Wes and Me!

Ithaca in the Spring

We got to go to Ithaca for a weekend in May. What a beautiful place! Brady and Brooke and Eli let us invade their house for a couple of days and showed us around their NY town.

Wes got to go sailing on the lake with Brady one morning. The we all played at the lake (forgot the name, it's one of the finger lakes) played at the park, got to see a couple of water falls and ate some really yummy NY pizza oh and how could I forget Nathans hot dogs ... the Best! Reagan was dared to jump in the lake (still pretty cold) and was bribed with a new outfit from Brooke if she did it. She got everything but her head wet, so of course us girls just had to do a little shopping, yeah. It's Brooke's specialty and Reagan and I love going with her! Glad we have them living sort of close to us again, it sure has been nice to see them once in a while. Maybe we can just keep following them around the country .... the USA not the world B&B.

Thanks for a fun weekend guys!

Time

So really I am wondering when I will have a second to myself to catch up on my laundry, house organizing, photo books, boys curtains (sorry Mom), closet de-junking, and the list goes on and on!  SO is it any wonder that I am so very behind on my blogging, no it's not!  But in typical Jodi style I will, in the near future spend a couple of long nights "catching up" for myself and the family who likes to see what's new with the Ewing 5.  

In short; life is good, Wes is immensely busy with school, the kids are happy or bored or fighting or playing and giggling with pure joy (my favorite), ya know typical kids summer, and I am surprisingly loving all the rain and cool summer Erie days and the lightning bug shows at night!  We would like to be able to enjoy the beach a little more and see the fantastic NW PA summers we have herd about, apparently it is unseasonable cool this summer.  So ya get what ya get and ya don't throw a fit!  And that's what we are doing!