Freak Weather

Warning: this post is really scattered. My brain got scrambled in this heat.

I wanted to document this for history's sake, vs the sake of letting my small but faithful following of readers know what's going on...since they already know!

Portland (and Seattle) is experiencing an extreme heat wave right now. It has been over 90 for the past week, and it has been over 100 for the past few days. It got up to 112 at Hillsboro Airport on Wednesday. (It was 10 degrees cooler in Seattle and Seattle's temperature was hotter than Las Vegas, and Cairo, Egypt.) Our house is NOT air conditioned...and we have one small fan. Needless to say, we haven't spent very much time at our place this week. We have been driving Sean to work, going somewhere for a couple hours (Target, Joann's)bringing the kids home for a nap, then escaping for the rest of the day. We've been to Jamba Juice, Sean's work, Brad & Lorraine's, Sean's work, the library, Courtney's Dad's, Payless Shoe Source, Old Navy, swimming (twice) and did I mention Sean's work? I think they're getting sick of us there...but it's air conditioned! I haven't cooked dinner in a week since I refuse to turn on my oven. We've been eating sandwiches and cold cereal, or else eating out or at Brad and Lorraine's. This heat is not nice on the pocket book! Even at night, it only cools down to 80 degrees, so the house doesn't cool down to a tolerable temp. It's gotten so bad that at night, Sean and I put the fan at our feet and we use a spray bottle to shoot water towards the fan that then sprays all over us. Seriously.

We are supposed to be moving this weekend...but before we move, Sean wanted to build shelves in the garage. So Saturday he went and got the wood and started building. He was going to work on them after work this week but that hasn't been possible with this heat. He finally went over there last night and he will have to finish them tonight since we're moving tomorrow regardless! We haven't been home so I haven't gotten any packing done or anything. It is going to be an adventure this weekend! Oh, and we tried to apply the vinyl in the boys new room, but it's so hot, and the walls were so hot when we applied it, that the vinyl melted. Yup...didn't think it was possible. I think it would have been fine if the vinyl was already applied when it got hot, but the fact that the walls were hot and never cooled down had a lot to do with it.

Ugh...moving tomorrow is going to rock.

*Eyeball*

The other night for dinner we had a hamburger, rice, veggie concoction. As Brayden was eating it he kept saying "eyeball, eyeball" and I didn't get what he was talking about since he wasn't pointing to his eyeball. I then realized he was digging through his food to find the chunks of hamburger. Each time he found one he said "eyeball" and popped in his mouth.

Weird.

How Sweet It Is

8:48

Is the time Brayden woke up this morning. He woke up happy and energetic and singing "How sweet it is to be loved by you" which I taught him, in part, yesterday. (video to come later)

GOOD DAY!

Cannon Beach

This past week has been pretty hot according to Oregon's standards. It has been in the 90s every day...and not everywhere in Oregon has AC like you AZ folks! I have been jonesin' to get to the coast, so yesterday we loaded the kids in the car and headed to Cannon Beach. We had fun! We weren't there too long, but long enough to feel our the sand on our feet (and in our eyes), the wind in our hair, and the sun on our backs. The boys did great and now we're all REALLY looking forward to the Glen Harston Family Reunion that is in a few weeks at Ocean Shores in Washington!

Brayden pointing to the waves

Crash loved crawling through the sand!

Sean dug a really deep hole for Brayden to stand in, but Brayden wasn't thrilled...he never did let Sean put him in.

Asher and I posing

Brayden throwing sand...which is why he always managed to get some in his eyes!

Asher and I posing again

Brayden saying "Where'd it go!?" talking about the piece of burnt wood he'd adopted

Swimming

On Friday, my friend Georgia invited the boys and I to go swimming in the pool at her apartment complex. It was over 90 degrees and we had been inside all day so we jumped at the opportunity. It was so nice to get out! I had a lot of fun, and I'm pretty sure the boys did too! Thanks so much Georgia for thinking of us!

And one just for kicks. Sorry it's sideways!

"I am a Child of God"

Ever since Brayden was a young babe, we have sung to him every night before going to bed. We used to sing "I am a Child of God" all the time but I think we all got sick of it, so we quit singing it. About 3 months ago, we started singing it to him one night, and he got a huge frown on his face with big crocodile tears and he was so sad because he knew that song meant "bed time." So, we quit singing it. We've tried a couple times since then and every time we start it, he instantly bursts into tears. Well, today in church, the closing song was "I am a Child of God." The second we all started singing he burst out crying really loud. He was so sad and devastated. He knew that nursery was next and that he wasn't going to bed, but it is just wired into his system I guess. Every time he hears that song his heart panics and he breaks into tears. It's kinda sad but it's kinda funny as well! Anyway, after the first verse was over, he did fine, and again, he jumped up to go to nursery...but I just hope that he eventually realizes that it's actually a pretty good song!

Today before church Sean and I both had a meeting with a member from the bishopric. We knew what this meant...Calling Time! Sean got called to be a Ward Missionary and I got called to be a Sunday School Teacher for the 12-13 year olds. I ALSO was asked to speak in church next Sunday on "Temple Work." Oh, and we're moving next weekend... Somehow I'll manage to get it all done...I hope

(Why doesn't Sean ever have to speak?)

Nursery

Brayden has been going to nursery for 7 months now. He hasn't particularly enjoyed going...but once he gets there and we leave, he usually does fine. This last Sunday...the second the closing prayer was done he jumped off the bench, threw up his arms and said "Nursery!" Uh...okay. So before he could change his mind I sent him with Sean while I picked up books and Kix. Sean said that once he opened the door, Brayden ran into nursery without even looking back. Weird! I can't say that I mind, but I wonder what made the switch in this little guy's head that all the sudden he looks forward to going to nursery!

Freezer Jam

I've had a few people ask me how I made my freezer jam with only 1 1/2 cups of sugar. I can't take the credit...my mom told me about it...but this is how! I used the pectin that's shown in the picture. I bought it at Thriftway (my Mom bought hers at Winco) for $1.85. You mix 1 1/2 cups of sugar with the pectin until it's well mixed. Then you add 4 cups of berries and stir it for 3 minutes. DONE! Seriously, it was SOOOO easy, I couldn't believe I'd never done it before. It filled two 1 1/2 pint freezer jam containers (also found at Thriftway and Winco). 3 pints of fresh strawberry jam with only 1 1/2 cups of sugar? It's DELICIOUS!!! The recipe says that it stays good in the fridge up to 3 weeks and in the freezer for up to a year. Sean was nervous that we wouldn't go through the 1st container within 3 weeks. Well...it's been less than a week and there's about a half inch left in the bottom of the first container. Yes...it's that good! It's berry season here in the Northwest...so go pick some fresh berries then make some jam! Or as Brayden would say... "Joomy!"

Update

We got 5 cups of pre-sliced strawberries from my mother in law and I decided to make freezer jam. Why have I not done this before!? It took what...3 minutes? And it's DELICIOUS! And it only used 1 1/2 cups of sugar for 4 cups of Strawberries. Most of the recipes I looked at called for 3 cups of sugar and then Corn Syrup on top of that! Yuck! Anyway, it turned out PERFECTLY! I'm stoked :)

Brayden just came up to me and said "Mom! Bite!" So I opened my mouth and he stuck all 5 fingers in. I bit softly and he pulled his hand out and said "Good job! Bite! Good job Mommy!" Uh...okay...

He says "Mommy! Mommy!" and I say "What honey?" and he says "I'm two!" while showing his 2 (or 5) fingers...about 10 times a day...He's so proud to be 2.

Asher and Brayden are getting a lot better at sharing a room! We always put B down first...then A goes down only about 15 minutes later and they both sleep! Yay! And Asher usually wakes up first but I'm usually back from my workout by then so I hear him and run to get him before he wakes Brayden. I nurse him and Brayden sleeps a half hour longer. Yay! I'm so glad that they're making it work. It makes me SO happy.

Brayden found a lightbulb from one of our boxes we aren't unpacking and carries it around EVERYWHERE and pretends it's his microphone. Where does he learn these things? He makes me sing "Wheels on the bus" or "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" several times a day into the microphone. Right now he's rocking out to Keith Urban, using his mad dancing skills. He literally cannot hold still...then he gets all embarassed when I watch him. It's adorable!

Asher is attempting more and more to let go of things while he's hanging on to them. He doesn't get the "walking" thing yet while behind his little car walker but will walk along ALL the furniture and walls as I've mentioned before.

I can't paint the walls in our new place, so I've come up with a vinyl project for the boys room that I'm DYING to put up. But, alas, I have to wait until we move to make it worth it. But stay tuned! It's gonna ROCK :) I love being creative :)

Running has slowed down...I only go twice a week now but I don't go very far. I still do my spinning class for an hour twice a week which I like. It makes me sweat like I've never sweat before. It's crazy! After my spinning class, I do 300 crunches. I have the six pack...now I just need to get rid of the fat over it so it's visible! (Did I just say that? I, Kimberly, have a six pack? Super weird.) So yeah, my next goal is to be able to see it, not just feel it!

I love the summer! This morning was the PERFECT running weather. The fresh fruits and veggies are to die for. I love having the windows open so I can feel the cross breeze. I love not having to bundle to stay warm!

Day Worth Mentioning

Today was the first day of Asher's life that he didn't spit up, throw up, puke, regurgitate, or vomit AT ALL.

Trust me...it's a day worth celebrating.

Forest Park

On Saturday, Sean and I took the kids to Forest Park. It was a gorgeous day and it was good for the boys to get out. Asher slept through the first part of it, but we had a lot of fun running around with Brayden! He was especially intrigued with the fountain. I went picture happy and took a bunch...you are forewarned!

Asher *loves* scrunching up his face and breathing in and out of his nose really fast. He finds it highly entertaining and I find it hilarious...That's why all the scruncy face pictures!

Thanks for lookin!

Asher's 9 month Checkup

Today was Asher's 9 month check up. And to my surprise he didn't need any shots! I was excited :) Here are his stats.

Weight: 18 pounds, 11 ounces (20th percentile)
Height: 27 1/2 inches (24th percentile)
Head Circumference: 45 cm (39th percentile)

To see where Brayden was at this age, you can click HERE.

Asher is a busy body. He is always crawling or cruising from room to room. Playing with everything from toys to tupperware, toilet paper to books. He loves climbing the stairs and he is getting pretty quick on them. He has tried a couple more times to stand on his own...but every time panics before he falls to his hands and knees. He definitely prefers kneeling to sitting, and his balance seems to be a lot better when kneeling. Asher loves to give hugs, and I love squeezing him tight :) It totally makes me happy. He is still a really spitty child. He's a really good eater, and he still has no teeth, or even signs of teeth for that matter. He signed "more" today for the first time! That was pretty exciting. It was more like knocking his fists together but it was after I have been showing him how for the past couple days so I know that that is what he was saying! It's pretty exciting.

So, the other day Brayden was taking a bath, and got a hold of my razor. He sliced 3 lines down the pad of his thumb. It wasn't pretty! He handled it pretty well considering, but it was still really sad for me to watch! I felt so bad for him. He has only complained about it a couple times since it happened...he's definitely a good sport!

This morning, on the way to Asher's appointment "Poker Face" by Lady Ga-Ga came on the radio and Brayden started rockin out. "P p p p p face" he loves it. When it was over he started crying that I couldn't turn it back on for him. Oh well, such is life.

Asher is sleeping and Brayden is watching the video of his and "Baca"'s pillow fight. He loves that thing. I'm sitting here, feet reclined, clicking away on my keyboard with a living room that desperately needs to be picked up before Daddy comes home from work.

I'll get there.

4th of July Weekend

This weekend was awesome! The boys and I were able to drive up to Washington on Thursday, and Sean met up with us on Friday. It was so nice having an extra day in Enumclaw! Friday morning we woke up and went hiking around Deep Lake. It was 1 1/4 miles and we weren't sure how Brayden would do so my Dad carried Asher so that I could carry Brayden if he got tired.

This is my Grandma, and my Dad's oldest brother, Uncle Rick. I love him! I hadn't seen him for a couple years but he came into town for the weekend. It was so much fun hanging out with him and we had a lot of bonding time so it was fabulous!

This is what Asher looked like when we started. He loves being outside and loves going for walks! He didn't cry or whine at all and was just so good!

Probably because he looked like this...after about15 minutes :)

There were a lot of huckleberry bushes around the trail, so we stopped and picked a bunch. Brayden loved them, and even ate the ones he dropped on the trail. Yes, they're THAT good!

When we got back we picked rhubarb for dessert that night. The stalks and leaves were huge! This is my cousin Corina using the leaf as a parasol.

Grandma and all 7 children. This was the first time they'd all been together for a few years.

Aunt Beth, Me, Asher, and Grandma

Okay, now that all of the pictures are out of the way, I can talk about how we celebrated Independence Day. Any of you that know me, know that I LOVE Enumclaw. I am so proud to say that I grew up there. I'm sure the main reason behind that is because I had an amazing childhood. This is due to the fact that my parents are A.MAZ.ING...and super cool. A couple years ago my dad put up a zipline on our property. You have to climb a really tall ladder and it goes pretty far. Well, my Dad had the ingenius idea of setting it up and putting a slip n slide at the end of it. And he did! How cool is he!? Because of the shading, you can't really see the top of the zipline, but you get the idea in the videos that follow. And for you siblings that weren't in Enumclaw...aren't you so jealous? Maybe you shouldn't all migrate to Utah next year! ;)

My mom spoils her grandkids. I feel like this weekend was especially great for her and Brayden and they got a lot of quality bonding time in.

My brother got kittens while we were there and Brayden would have played with them the ENTIRE time we were there if we let him. Fortunately, Sean likes kittens too and didn't mind playing with him! This video is super long but I didn't want to edit it. Even I haven't watched the entire thing :)

The other Harston Family Tradition for the 4th of July is Dry Ice Bombs...gotta love living on 5 acres! Clearly Brayden doesn't like them though...

4-wheeler

Monday night Sean and I took the kids over to our friends' house to try out their new quad. Brayden liked it at first but once we started going up the hills, he wasn't too thrilled.