FROGGING

We went frogging in Othello at Mick's Uncle's golf course.

For those of you who have never been or don't know what it is...

You go to a pond after it's dark and shine a light on the pond and you'll see frog eyes shining above the water. The bull frogs will "freeze" in the light and you catch them. They're pretty big and "frisky" so it's not as easy as it sounds.

Here's Jake getting prepared to catch some bull frogs.

This is what you see when you shine a flashlight on the bull frog.
This is the first bull frog we caught.
Bennett and Jake would NOT touch a frog, but Bennett wanted a picture taken with one. So, Mick's Aunt Heidi held the frog for him.

Davis didn't have a problem holding a frog. In fact, he enjoyed it!

Kyle enjoyed holding the frogs too.

Me?...I just wanted to kiss a frog (you know they're my favorite).
I didn't really...

But we did help two frogs kiss eachother.

It was a lot of fun and I'd love to do it again. Anyone want to come??

Tree Vs. Tri-Cities Wind

Our poor tree that we planted 7 years ago - got blown over today. We watched it grow from 3' to 20'. It was one of my favorites.

Jake's shirt says, "Let's pretend you didn't see that."
I had my boys and a neighbor lay down head-to-foot to show how tall our tree had was.
RIP TREE - you will be missed and our yard won't be the same without you.

I Hate To Admit...

Three great friends of mine suggested we blog about things we'd hate to admit. For some reason this has been tough for me... I don't know if it's because I have too many to narrow it down or what. I know it's not because I'd be too embarassed by the thought of sharing personal/possibly embarassing things, because if you know me - I'm pretty open. Well, I guess I better try before the day's over...here goes:

~

"I HATE TO ADMIT..."

*I used to run around with my shirt off until I was about 8 years old and my mom MADE me put one on. I just wanted to be one of the guys.

*I used to sport a bi-level haircut (a female version of a mullet) in 8th grade.

*I always needed to have a boyfriend, so I'd rotate between three boys in high school.

*I need people to like me -- therefore I have a HARD time telling people "No."

*I wondered where the sound of a BB gun came from, so I put my thumb under the..I think it's called the hammer of the gun and pulled the trigger. Shattered my thumbnail. What was I thinking?!

*I think I have the cutest boys and want everyone to agree with me.

*I always wanted to be a mother of boys, but I sometimes get sad about the idea of never having a daughter.

*That it's REALLY hard for me to not be in good physical shape. I want to be able to do everything I used to be able to do and be good at it.

*I used to have a tail in high school. For those of you who don't know what this is, it's when you have a small section of hair in the back or on the side that's longer than the rest and you sometimes braid it. I had to hide it from my mom, so I'd tuck it behind my ear.

*I was VERY rebellious growing up...that's as much as I'm admitting there.

*I have a hard time cutting my boys curls.

*I can't handle bloody situations very well.

*That I still kiss my boys on the lips (except for Kyle - he won't let me anymore).

*That I know there's more fun and entertaining things that I'd "hate to admit" to but I'm getting older and my brain isn't working like it used to.

2009 Buck Family Reunion

Every other year Mick's extended family, the Bucks, has a family reunion. It includes Mick's Grandpa and all of his siblings and their descendents. Needless to say, a lot of people show up for a lot of fun! This last July (2009) we went to the May Family Ranch again in Clayton, Idaho (near the Salmon River). Here are some highlights:

They have a giant homemade waterslide. Which was hours and hours of fun for the kids. Kyle playing at the top of the waterslide waiting for his turn.
He got his turn...thumbs up.

There was a bump at the top of the waterslide. Bennett caught some good air.

Here's a picture of Jake hitting it just right - with "no hands."

I never could get a picture of Davis looking at the camera...oh well. He was one of the fastest kids going down.

I caught Bennett trying to climb over the side to cut in line. Look at that smile.

When we were playing some evening games, I noticed a deer on the top of the mountain. The ranch is in such a beautiful location, surrounded by mountains and wildlife.

Mick, Davis, cousin Dayne, and Kyle playing some frisbee golf.

Kyle up to bat playing "Danish Ball." A game (famous) cousin Jason Buck taught everyone. It was a FUN game!!

Bennett passing the ball to cousin Carly.

Some of the older folk playing some game in a giant "rubberband." It looks like a cozy fun game.

Cousins playing "karate tag."

~

The kids are already looking foward to the next Buck Family Reunion in 2011!

Peaceful Night's Sleep?!

Bennett woke up last night around midnight wanting a drink of water. So I went downstairs with him, which I usually don't. Our house was comletely dark and as I'm turning the kitchen light on, Bennett said, "Why's Jake down here?" I looked at the couch and see the back of someone's head. I about had a heart attack. In the dark, you can't tell who it is, so I called out, "Jake?" - no answer and no movement. I slowly come around the couch and sure enough, Jake's sitting there...in the dark...holding onto the remote (the TV wasn't on). I asked him what he was doing and he just looked at me. I knew he was sleep "walking" because he's totally afraid to come downstairs at night - especially in the dark without turning any lights on. I escorted him back to bed and he closed his eyes and I'm assuming stayed in bed the rest of the night. But talk about freaking me out. Seeing someone sitting on the couch...in the dark...in the middle of the night. Hopefully that was a one time thing. I'm getting older and I don't know how much my heart can take.

Super Bowl Party

Our Super Bowl party started off by me painting the boys faces and they were all smiles...

All of them were cheering for the Colts to win except Bennett...And the men at our house.
Mick and his brother Cody were pretty excited that the Saints won!

The kids however, were not too thrilled. Maybe they'll chose the winning team next year.

The End of "Innocence"

It all started like this...

Davis came downstairs one night and said, "Mom, I know..."

Me: "Know what?"

Davis: "The truth about the Tooth Fairy."

Me: "What do you mean?"

Davis: "I know it's you."

Me: "Why do you think that?"

Davis: "Because my tooth's been under my pillow for four days." (oops)

Me: "Okay, you're right."

(Davis smiles real big and you could tell he was deep in thought)

Davis: "Does that mean you're Santa too?"

Me: "What do you think?"

Davis: "I think you are."

Me: "Yep, you're right."

Davis: "I KNEW IT! Because Santa's writing looked like Dad's."......"Does that mean that the Fingernal Fairy is you too?"

Me: "Yes."

(Davis is still smiling)

Davis: "I figured it out all by myself!!!" (I'm thinking it only took you almost 12 years)

Me: "Good job Davis! You know you have to keep this secret from your brothers. We don't want to ruin the 'magic' for them."

Davis: "Okay. I'll even say things like 'Thanks Santa!' to make them think I still believe."

Me: "You know what else? Now that you know you can be Santa's Helper."

Davis: "OKAY! I can write on the presents because my brother's won't recognize my handwriting."

Me: "We'll see... You're not disappointed knowing the truth?"

Davis: "No. I was pretty smart to figure it out."

Me: "Yep, you were."

THE NEXT MORNING...

Davis: "Are you the Easter Bunny too?"

Me: "Yes, Davis."

Davis: "I knew it!" (smiling)

Me: wondering if there's anybody else we forgot...

I don't know about any of you, but I have been dreading the day my kids find out the "truth" thinking it would CRUSH them. I kept going back and forth wondering if I should break the news to Davis since he's in 6th grade this year or let him keep believing. My mom and others would tell me they were sure he knows the truth but doesn't want to admit it yet - but I knew he was still a true believer. He's one of those innocent kids that wouldn't doubt anything someone told them to be true. He even told me he doesn't let any of his friends know that he still believes because most of them don't anymore and he KNOWS Santa's real because we met the real one. And that he was afraid that if he said he didn't believe in Santa anymore, Santa would be mad and not give him any presents.

Well...Finally the pressure of whether

to believe or not to believe

is off and he knows the truth...and is HAPPY about it! I'm thrilled! :)

The Many Faces of Bennett

My "baby" boy Bennett turned six on December 12 and to celebrate his life I thought it would be fun to post the craziness and fun that is him... I love this boy of mine! :)

Bennett wanted me to take a picture of him while he was "asleep." He came down and said, "Take a picture of me NOW while I'm sleeping." Does he look asleep to you?

Just Normal Dress-up...

Bennett on His Kindergarten Pumpkin Patch Field Trip...

His Biggest Smile...

He's Always Listening to His MP3... He LOVES Music...

"Picking" His Nose...

Funny Face...

Bennett "Breakdancing"...

Our Shepard Boy Bennett...

Trying to Be Cool Like Ronald...

Chillin' At The Pool...

What Big Brown Eyes...

I Don't Know What To Say About This Picture...

Lookin' Cool at the Skate Park...

Cat in the Hat at Kinderheights Preschool...

Not Too Excited About His 1st Day of Preschool...

Easter Treats...

Stick 'em Up...

His Brother's Crazy Hair Day...

Bennett Playing Dress Up at His Friend Kennedy's...

Crazy Hair Day at Kinderheights Preschool...

Is it any surprise he has 102 girlfriends (that's his count anyway)?!

I know Bennett will be making us laugh for YEARS to come!!

He's such a joy and so much fun!

Hanging Christmas Decorations

I had to post this...

"Well, there's good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations. The good news is I truly outdid myself this year. The bad news is I had to take them down after only two days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). She was one of the many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard. I think I made him too real this time. But it was fun while it lasted. " -Kerry

P.S. I should get back to "real" posting soon. Life has been CRAZY!