Summer Adventure Part 2- Mendocino

On Wednesday we ventured out to the coast. We hopped in Grandpa's new car and headed to Mendocino to visit Uncle Mike, Aunt Susan and their dog Ollie.  Thankfully we did not have to be on Highway 1 for more than 3 miles. (For those of you not familiar with that road, it is extremely windy, not for the feint of heart!)  However, we still did have to drive on some windy roads to get there.  The night before I was worried about myself getting carsick.  Windy roads tend to do that to me.  However, once we were well on our way it was Connor that started to feel carsick!  Ooops! I wasn't anticipating that one!  Thankfully he didn't actually get sick in the car.  Since we weren't in a hurry we were able to make a few stops along the way for him to get out once in awhile.... even if it was just along the side of the road. Here are the boys all loaded up and ready to hit the road!

 Here are the boys on one of our pit stops along the road. Lucky for us we were able to stop in the middle of a Redwood forest. Breath taking landscape for sure! 

Once we got to Uncle Mike and Aunt Susan's house we got the grand tour!  I forgot to take any pictures!!  I was so amazed just looking around and taking in the amazing views from their home.  Then we made some sandwiches and headed for the beach.  Here you can see that there was some fog heading in.  (Or "foggy fog" as Connor told us.... I guess he learned that from his friend Dora!)

 We found this big log to sit down and eat our lunch.

 Typical. While we are eating Connor is playing and taking in the action!

 Young Hawes brothers.....

 Not-so-young Hawes brothers! (haha!!)

Uncle Mike kept trying to give the boys a "science lesson". He didn't think they were listening, but I think they heard more than he thinks they did! I love it when people take my kids under their wing and teach them things that are new to them.  They really enjoyed their time with him and I would like to think that they did learn something!

As you can see, Travis took a special liking to him!

 Connor was still too busy playing in the sand and water to pose for a picture.  So here are Aunt Susan, Uncle Mike, Travis and Ollie. Ollie is so cute!!! What a great little dog.  Travis suggested they change his name to Charlie.  Silly boy!

 Connor finally graced us with his presence for a picture!

I LOVE the beach, I LOVE the ocean and I now LOVE Mendocino!  I do NOT LOVE the drive to get there but at least now I know I can do it without getting sick in the car!  As long as you keep your eyes on the  road it is a beautiful part of the country. If you haven't seen it you are really missing out!

Summer Adventure Part 1

Well, Connor and I couldn't let Travis have ALL the fun in California!  We headed out on a jet plane on Tuesday morning. I must say, Connor is becoming quite the traveler, just like his big brother! It is sooo nice when they reach the age where they can take off their shoes and push their things through the security system. No stroller, diaper bag or holding a baby for dear life because he might run off any minute!!

 Checking out the planes... he wanted to know what the plane's name was. As I was trying to explain that I didn't know a man said, "Oh, his name is George!" Now why didn't I think of that?? It satisfied him immediately!

 On the plane...yes his teeth are blue...sometimes a sucker is in order to keep him entertained! (and still!!)

 Connor enjoyed his airplane snacks.

 FINALLY!!! I see who Travis missed the most! He ran right for Connor first!!

 Once we got to grandma's it was all about saying hello to Charles... the cat!

 We wasted no time at all. Straight to the park we went. First we took a train ride.

 Then Connor got his first carousel ride. I didn't realize he had never been on one until we were standing there waiting for the ride to start!

 We had to ride the horses too.

I have so many pictures from each day that I have decided to do them in a few posts over the next few days.  The first day we got there it was pretty hot, for Santa Rosa anyway.  After that the weather was absolutely beautiful! I miss it already!

Shhhh!

It's not that my 8 year old will be reading this blog.  It's not that he won't see these pictures hanging up in the house. It's just that he is out of town right now. Every time we talk on the phone (several times a day) he asks what we are doing. When I tell him I hear, "That's no fair!!"  Then I remind him that he is in California.  By himself. With two grandparents doting all over him. However, if I had told him that Connor and I went to get pictures taken I think it might have sent him right over the edge!  I snuck into a few pictures as well. A few years ago (before Connor) I snuck into one of Travis' photo shoots.  So, I think it is fair that I get a picture of me with Connor.  Let me preface this by saying that I did take both boys into JC Penney for pictures on Monday.  Their programs won't let me down load pictures other wise I would have posted those earlier in the week.  One thing I wanted was to get a picture of Connor in a shirt I bought him in Moscow.  I had a shirt for Travis and had his picture taken when he was about 2 1/2.  When we went on Monday I didn't like any of the three pictures she took in his shirt. I wanted to be able to see the whole thing. That is why I decided to take Connor in today. Then when I called of course they told me about the cute  beach scene they just got.  Sigh. I am such a sucker!  Of course I got him a swimsuit outfit (of course he will get a lot of use out of it as well) just for the pictures.  I must say he is so darned cute. It also helps that he is 3 now.  Taking pictures of a 3 year old is so much better, hands down!  For that, I am thankful. I shudder to think about how much money I spent (and Grammy too!) on these pictures. I just love pictures. I have a weakness.  However, the last time I took my boys in was a year ago. I usually do it more than once a  year.  Also, I have bought countless pictures of Travis this year (basketball, soccer, baseball, fall and spring school pictures... for example) so I figured I owed it to Connor. After all, when Travis was the only child I took him in at least twice a year.  Keep in mind they took 93 pictures... I got the CD and narrowed it down to these to show you.  Enjoy!

In case you were wondering, Travis is having a wonderful time in California. Hopefully the cats in the house/neighborhood are doing well.  Connor and I will fly up on Tuesday, I am sure by then we will be more than ready to see each other!  I am not sure how much Connor misses Travis... on the first day it took him ten hours until he realized he was gone!!  It was at dinner time and he noticed "a body" was missing so he went looking and calling for Travis.  I think he is enjoying his time as "an only child". Who wouldn't??!!  (As for me, I miss his hugs, and sense of humor around here!  Thank goodness for cell phones, I always know where he is!!)

Road Trip

I just sent Travis and Grandpa on their first road trip together. No mom and dad allowed!  They are headed up to California where Grandpa also lives.  I think they are going to have an awesome time!  I told Travis he was going to remember this trip for the rest of his life.  He was feeling some anxiety this morning. Mostly he was upset that Daryle had already left for work (he left at 5:15 this morning) and he couldn't say goodbye. However I know that they did say their good byes last night plus they went to the baseball game together.  Here he is with his bags packed, ready to get in the car!

Here are Grandpa and Travis all packed up and ready to go!

Connor wanted to say good bye too.  (I don't think Connor has realized that he won't see Travis for a week yet! I wonder how long until he starts asking for him!)

Good bye!!!!!!! 

For those of you wondering... no, I did not shed any tears! Probably because I know that Connor and I will head up there on a plane next Tuesday. I will miss him terribly but I know Connor will keep me just as busy! I had to laugh when I came inside.  Travis wanted some milk with his breakfast this morning. He scoffed when I only filled his up half way. I reminded him that he never finishes his milk (and that he leaves it on the counter to spoil) and that if he wanted more I can always give him more.  I had to laugh when I saw this cup of milk in the fridge just a few minutes ago! I can't believe he didn't just leave it on the counter, he is turning into such a great boy!!!  (Seeing this cup did bring a small tear to my eye!)

I wonder how many more things I will find around the house over the next week??  He may not be here physically but something tells me we will not stop thinking about him!!

Oh man.. I wondered why it was so quiet... just found Connor covering his legs with markers!! Ahh!! I can tell there will be no rest for me!! LOL!!

Lazy Summer Days

This week Travis has been going to baseball camp in the mornings.  Since it is so hot out right now we have been taking it easy in the afternoons.  This leaves us time for LOTS of photo opportunities!  Here are my boys before they went to the Dbacks game on Sunday. They had so much fun!

I have been letting the boys play with the hose in the evenings since we don't have a pool.  My intentions were to get some water on our dying grass.  Last night I went to check on them and they decided to make "a bathtub" in the dirt.  Do these two look "innocent" or what??!!

"Mom, what is the problem??  We're just hanging out in the mud. We ARE boys you know!"

"Hmmm, can I get that bird from here??"

I recently cleaned out the bedroom closets.  Evidently now Travis can reach the old Halloween costumes. I am glad to see them get some use!  The boys wanted to "sword fight" with these plastic bats.  As you can see from the helmet and gloves Travis was preparing to ease the pain from his little brother!  I was cracking up. I had to run for the camera. How could be be afraid of this little guy??  lol  (Even though he is little he packs quite a punch!)

Connor is "the police"! Watch out, he likes to give out tickets!

Here he is in his police car.

This was so ridiculous I had to get a picture.  I figure I can use it at some point in the future for bribery, payback or whatever!!

After the sword fight they needed an ice cream break. You can always use one of those, especially when it is 114 degrees outside!

Later on Travis decided to put his old police costume on. As you can see he has grown. (Somebody needs to tell Travis!  LOL) Kinda reminds me of the Incredible Hulk when he breaks through his clothes....

Yes, we were getting silly by this point.  Travis wanted to see how high he could jump so he wanted me to take pictures of him doing this.  He actually can jump pretty high!

 Connor wanted in on the action... oops!  You jumped too high sweetheart!

This is the perfect picture to show you just how my days raising two boys feels sometimes! Crazy, blurry, but lots of fun!

I just love these two guys so very, very much. We have our moments... time outs, screaming, yelling, arguing, hitting (boys do this!), while I do lots of redirecting... but then we have the sweet, loving, kind, sharing, caring, hugging moments and then it all seems so "normal". Whatever normal is anyway!     

I have to say I am really enjoying my summer this year.  It has been a few years since we have had a summer just to kick back and relax. Three summers ago I was starting the mountains of paperwork for the adoption. Two summers ago we went to Russia and brought Connor home. That summer and last summer I also was taking summer classes for my Master's degree.  Lots of adjusting was going on the last two years. I think it took us a year and a half to finally feel settled and adjusted as a family.  (Most of this was Travis adjusting... Connor had no issues whatsoever.)  Last summer was ok, but we were dealing with a lot of behavior issues with Travis. After getting some counseling we were all able to get through it and move along.  Finally, this summer I feel like a  mom of two very active, very energetic little boys. Connor is potty trained which means no more diaper bags.  I feel happy and sad about this all at the same time.  Connor is napping a little less and we aren't on as strict of a schedule this year.  We can go where we want and do what we want.  A whole new world is opening up to Connor and he is having a blast!  He has realized he has been missing things... and now he is old enough to participate.  Life is good.

Not sure if you notice or not, but Connor's birthmark is getting much lighter.  He is looking different to me around his eyes.  Gosh are his eyes beautiful! Actually, I know I am biased, but both of my boys are just so HANDSOME!!  They already have girls chasing after them ... I am still considering locking them up during those teenage years... lol! If anything it would be to keep the girls safe!!!