I've had technical difficulties (SHOCK) and the only way I could get the pictures loaded was to put them all on at once, then write around them. So, it is what it is. And, they may be in a weird order.
So it's been pretty busy. I believe, when we last spoke, I was gearing up for a stretch of single parenthood-ness. (Is that even a word? Well, you know what I'm saying.) We did pack up and haul James to Gunnison.
He was living in a very comfortable little (but bigger than ours) house in town with a co-worker. The kids and I went up every other weekend. Just when we were getting used to that routine, a job came up here in town. Still with Nunn, of course. So, after about a month, he came back home. This current job is supposed to finish up in the next few weeks. After that, we'll just have to see if they send him back to Gunnison or what. But, it is WONDERFUL having him home now. We're soaking it all up, just in case.
(This is our friends dog and a "stick" he found)
(With Pipey at the beaver ponds.)
(I LOVE this picture. Kickin' it by the campfire.)
(This was Father's Day. Camping trip.)
The kids are great. However, I'm seriously considering changing Pipey's name. From Piper Tinley Blanton Cunningham to Piper FREAKING Tinley... I swear that child is running full steam into the god awful twos. Don't get me wrong, she's super fun. I'm especially enjoying painting tiny toenails and now...pigtails! (I'll try to get her to sit still long enough to get a picture of them. Super cute!) You can forget just how wonderful it is to experience those new things again. Somehow, the joy of throwing dog food just never gets old for her. Not to mention, feeding LeeRoy her food, with her utensils. Awe. Some.
Piper is also giving Fisher a bit of payback. (and you know what they say about payback...) My Mama likes to call Pipey a "fierce warrior". It's a pretty accurate description. Don't kid yourself, she'll kick your butt.
(drawing and wearing Daddy's hat)
(She never met a river, or muddy bank, that she didn't like)
(Or ANYTHING she wouldn't try and eat. Old coals from a fire pit anyone?)
(Did I mention she loves rivers? Cold, cold rivers)
(Helping her Daddy build a little kid picnic table)
(or catching a fish - start 'em early right?)
(I just had to include this, it's so funny. She found these in a friends toy box and WOULD NOT take them off! Not until they fogged up so much she couldn't see. But still, only after she kept falling down. You can see why...they look so cool on her!)
Mr. Fisher is just plowing along. Mostly defending himself from his sister (Karma will get you) and just being a big boy. He's officially been bitten by "The Bug" as James calls it. He was starting to worry that Fisher hadn't "gotten it". But, how wrong he was...
(This is Fisher, first thing in the morning, still in PJ's, headed to the river with a pole. I don't think we'd even had breakfast yet.)
On our Gunnison trips, those boys spent every moment they could spare (and some they couldn't) fishing. One weekend, we had an opportunity to go to a farm and see some baby goats. Fisher's response? "Baby goats suck, I want to go fishing." I know, I wish he hadn't said suck too but, can you actually hear James swelling with pride?? Can you hear it?? Yep, me too. I thought he was going to explode to tell you the truth. Fisher's really good at it too. James and Eric were freaking out over his casting skills. He still doesn't take the hook out (cause those are sharp and that's bad parenting :)) but, he's progressed to real rods now. Not the little toy ones. He's up for any adventure ... as long as we take a fishing pole with us. So it's official. We named him well.
(This is his first real fish. He cast, caught, and reeled it in. That's Eric. He helped tell him where to aim and to net it. All that pride in one picture. Can you stand it?)
(The boys also got to play at Jeff's quarry again. They even got to blow stuff up this time. From a safe distance of course.)
(That's Fisher driving.)
(We went on a hike and found "dinosaur" bones. Really they're elk but don't tell Fisher. He's positive they're from a dinosaur. And yes, he IS without pants. They got wet in the beaver ponds and he took them off. Practical, no?)
(Looking for bugs in Carly's backyard with Ruby, Zoya, and Storrie.)
(Holding a lizard Maddie & Em's dad found in the backyard.)
(Practicing. There are no fish in this pond. Ssshhh.)
(Still practicing. This one is my favorite.)
(This was where we found the "dinosaur" bones. Pretty, huh?)
I am doing pretty well. We are in the middle of an extreme home makeover. We mostly do a little at a time, when we have extra money. So it's taking FOREVER! But, it's getting done.
I'm really enjoying the heck out of my kids. (Most of the time.) We've had lots of adventures and play dates. It's just been so exciting.
I've also been sewing. A BUNCH! I've been making gifts and even a few things for myself. GASP! I really enjoy it. I'm considering, again, starting a little home based business. Sewing and selling. We'll see if I remain motivated.
(on the "dinosaur" hike - that's Pipey on my back)
Fisher and I have been having a summer of Shel Silverstein (that's the Where the Sidewalk Ends guy) We've been reading all his stuff cover to cover. So now I'll leave you with one verse of my current favorite...
If the world was crazy, you know what I'd do?
I'd walk on the ocean and swim in my shoe,
I'd fly through the ground and I'd skip through the air,
I'd run down the bathtub and bathe on the stair.
When I met somebody I'd say "G'bye, Joe,"
And when I was leaving- then I'd say "Hello."
And the greatest of men would be silly and lazy
So I would be king .... if the world was crazy.
(Loving on each other around the campfire. Crazy huh?)
Love to you all.
JKFP
