Amelia Island: The abridged version

We just got back from Amelia Island and it was GREAT! It was long enough that it felt like a vacation instead of just a long weekend. Reed flew down to his off site on Monday. The boys and I were planning on going down Thursday morning. However, once Reed arrived he found that he had a suite on the beach, so I packed up the boys and we were off the next morning. We then spent the week playing on the beach, hunting for snakes and Caimans in the marshes and just relaxing. But, more importantly, we had a Navy filled vacation.

Playing in the jet simulator at the Museum of Aviation

Snake hunting in the marshes of Amelia Island

Matts testing out the newest flight trainer right before take-off. The boys and Commander Mark on base.

My Boys

Goodness, how my standards have changed. Ignore the pajamas, the sleepy daddy and the uncombed hair and what do you get? A great picture of my boys.

Snakes and snails and puppy-dog tails

So, while some of you may know about Matts' current obsession with armyish-navyish things his other, slightly less publicized, obsession is reptiles. Specifically snakes. Specifically snake-hunting.

LOVELY.

I'm beginning to think that the action-packed, violence filled world of Star Wars wasn't so bad after all. Seriously, his new show of choice is "The Jeff Corwin Experience" and his activity of choice is snake hunting. This was all just slightly creepy at first. I mean, who wants to step on a black mamba in the middle of the night or jump back from a python in the cat food? But, it was also kind of funny and educational. Who knew that the aforementioned mamba can out run a human? Even Gray got into the act "attacking" me with hissing boas and turning the snake bucket into a hat :)

But, last weekend Reed took it one step to far. He actually took the boys snake-hunting. Yes, as in leave the trail, wade through the weeds, turn over rocks snake hunting.

When Matts saw this toad he reached down and muttered "this is how Jeff does it" before scooping up this guy. He then proceeded to educate us on "this little beauty".

Lastly, as mentioned earlier, Gray (or "GG" as Matts likes to call his partner in crime) likes to get in on the act. This is particularily wonderful when Reed's not around and Gray is turning over every rock in sight and poking at whatever he may find underneath. (Including BLACK WIDOWS)

One afternoon; two snakes, a toad, a turtle and a salamander. Enough said.

Just a reminder that I live in the world of boys where snakes are a key ingredient.

Check out my Slide Show!

Happy Birthday Mattson!!!

I cannot believe my Mattson is 4! Time truly does fly. I love my buddy so much. He is full of life and spirit and everyday with him is an adventure. I've already learned so much from him and not just about dinosaurs, trains, space, snakes, Star Wars, the world, snakes and currently, the Navy. I've learned more about patience, fun and love than I thought possible. So here's to my tender-hearted, spirited Trooper.

Back to Life

So, I've totally been putting off a new post because it just makes me happy to see our Barcelona trip at the top of the page. It seems I was tempting fate.

The week we got back I took Gray into the doctor's for his 15 month shots. He was just supposed to see the nurse, but he'd been super cranky and not sleeping well. Plus, his nose was still all gunky (yes, that is the technical term). Well, the doctor came in and spent an awfully long time looking at him and listening to his lungs. To make a long story short, we left the doctor's with a strong antibiotic, an inhaler (to use 4 times a day) and strict instructions to call if Gray got even a little bit worse. Since then (2 1/2 weeks ago), Gray has struggled; the antibiotics have done a number on his poor little belly and his diaper and he keeps getting random fevers.

So sick, but trying to be happy.

But, I delayed posting because it was just too depressing to replace Barcelona with sick kids. Matts forced my hand.

Today I convinced Reed to take a half day and hang out with us. We ended up at the outlets. (Did I mention, I've caught the decorating bug and am finally decorating our house? But, that's a post for another day). After dragging the boys to countless shops we took them to Petco and Dick's sporting goods to even the score. There as Mattson puts it; "Grayson threw a ball at me and I fell and bonked my eye on the shelf." A quick trip to the ER, some dermabond (purple, our favorite color) and 3(our favorite number) steristrips, and we were on our way to McDonalds and home.

He was "injured bad"

The procedure
Home at last with PURPLE glue and 3 steristrips.

Here's to hoping it holds.

Some quotes from the day included:

"But Mom, my team NEEDS me to play tomorrow"

"So, I'm the guy who was right" (in reference to a McDonald's being close by)"

"Grayson..." (whenever a doctor/nurse/bystander asked what happened)

So, Todd, the bet is OFFICIALLY over and at just shy of 4 years our spirited, active boy made his debut at the ER. For all who missed it there will be an encore performance in ????????

Wonderful...

Reed and I just got back from Barcelona and all I can say is "wonderful, marvelous, lovely". The only possible way I can record our trip without an exorbitant number of redunancies and superlatives is the ever faithful top ten (cheesy, but oh so useful). So, in no particular order (because I just can't load the pictures in the order I want)...

1. Grandparents
First, I have to thank our wonderful parents, brothers, sisters and friends ("Jacob and Justin's family") who watched our boys while we were galavanting: especially when they were so sick.

2. Sleep

As pathetic as it may sound, sleeping was a definite highlight. Being able to wake up when you want to, without an alarm, or boys jumping on you is a true luxury. Luckily, the spaniards believe in a more relaxed lifestyle, so this worked out perfectly.

3. My Boys

Yep, about half way through I began to notice a big something was missing. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my time away I missed them dearly. Also, I realized that my life will NEVER be the same. Since when are caterpillars so fascinating? Well, when there are about twenty of them playing follow the leader and they look exactly like a snake, that's when.

4.Gummies
I know, I'm a dork. But, ever since growing up in Sweden I LOVE European gummies. One year for Christmas my sister-in-law gave me a bag of gummies she brought back from Sweden and it was my favorite present. Anyway, our hotel was right next to La Boqueria, the open air market. Imagine my delight in discovering an entire stall of gummies. Let's just say I ate my weight in gummies and spent most of my Euro there as well :)

5. Time alone
Although I arrived Tuesday morning, Reed had to work until Thursday. This meant that the first few days Reed and I would just meet up for dinner/parties at night. At first, Reed was very concerned that I would feel neglected, but it was AWESOME. It made for the perfect balance of personal and couple time.

6. Food, glorious food
What would a vacation be without food? We ate at the most amazing resturants with great atmosphere and wonderful food (I warned you about an excess of superlatives). Thanks to some great recommendations we were able to have some very memorable dinners. Interestingly, most Spanish restaurants don't even open until 8:30pm and dinner takes at least 2 hours. This of course, gave us complete licence to indulge in #2.

7. Reed
What can I say? I love this wonderful man. I am so grateful for the opportunities he works so hard to give our family. Although I'm still not entirely sure what he does for a living, I've decided it's really cool and involves a lot of really cool people. It was great to meet most of his colleagues and to see just how amazing and extensive GSMA is. But, of course, I loved most just being with Reed; talking, walking and laughing.

8. Walking
Our hotel was located next to the gothic quarter and we wandered those tiny, cobbled streets for hours. During the day they were charming and quaint, steeped in history. Because of it's location on the Mediterranean and it's proximity to Africa, Barcelona is a fascinating mix of cultures. At night, they are truly GOTHIC, and let's just say I'm glad I never finished reading The Historian

9. Gaudi
I tend to be more traditional in my likes, but Gaudi is a master and his work is truly awe-inspiring. Sagrada Familia is a masterpiece on so many levels. First, the minute detail is breath-taking. Second, the sheer magnitude is overwhelming. Finally, the dedication and sacrifice it represents are humbling. Gaudi dedicated the last 16 years of his life to creating this church. But, work still continues TODAY! Amazing, especially in light of the fact that it is funded entirely by private donation. I was very touched by the sense of consecration that is present throughout the entire structure.

10. Remembering my past life...art, architecture, literature

I often wonder what, exactly, I studied in college. Well, as I browsed museums without being pulled by the hand it all came rushing back. Now granted, half way through the Picasso museum, I realized Reed is still one of my boys (it involved re-titling works, don't ask). But, I love art. I love what it conveys about people and cultures. I love being where art was created and feeling the weight of generations of hardship and creativity. I love...well, I'd better stop before I use Reed's new favorite word, existential.