January 21, 2011

Ramona all over again

Did you love the Ramona books when you were little? I loved them.


We checked out two Ramona audio books from the library recently. Avery is crazy for audio books. It took a little while to get him to agree to these books because they look like "girl books" but they are great! I havent read them in over 20 years probably and I completely forgot the stories.

Ive enjoyed listening to them as much as he has I think. They are so cute and witty.

Also check out the audio version of Henry Huggins, also by Beverly Cleary. Its read by Neil Patrick Harris and he does a fantastic job!

January 19, 2011

My Grandpa: A Real Cowboy 1919-2011

Lee Brimhall


My Grandpa was a for reals cowboy. He wore Wranglers, had a cattle ranch, had racks on his truck, wore a cowboy hat, and of course wrote cowboy poetry (and he was good at it!). After his ranching days were over, he build houses with my Dad (but the racks still stayed on the truck of course).


He was a hard worker, had a funny sense of humor, and loved his grandkids and great grandkids. He was always did what was right and respected others who did the same.

I feel like a lot of the creativity I have was passed to me from my Grandparents. And Im forever grateful for that!

He passed away yesterday at the old age of 92.


His poetry is classic. He wrote about what he knew: ranching, horses, cattle and bulls, and "damn environmentalists" and so many more cowboyish things.

I love his poems, they are actually pretty hilarious. This is one of my fav's. Read to the end, its great...

Bull Power

My neighbor Pierce bought a prize bull
His cow herd to improve,
Which made his calves wean heavier
He had things in the groove.
But then that prized bull lost his stuff
And became impotent,
Pierce called the Vet, said "Help this bull,
Because of what I've spent."

"To buy him and take care of him
Has sure cost me a lot.
And the program I have going here
Has just gone all to pot."
So then the Vet prescribed some stuff
That brouhgt that bull right back,
And he regained his influence
And got back on the track.

Some time later I had a bull
That went the same darned way,
So I got a hold of Pierce
To try to save the day.
And find what that prescription was
To restore my bull's power,
Because the program that I had
Was starting in to sour.

Old Pierce then said "I've lost the bottle,
Can't recall the stuff's name,
The main thing I remember is
It tastes like sugar cane."

Check out my cousin Julie's blog here for more on Grandpa and more poetry of course!

January 08, 2011

Christmas Crafts Pt. 1

This is actually just a partially homemade gift :) But Im counting it!

When I was little one of my favorite toys were Woodsies. A little family of squirrels (?) that lived in a little cloth log. They had a cute little table and chairs. My sister and I loved our Woodsies. So when I came across some modern day Woodseez I snatched them up for Christmas presents for my boy and my niece.

They dont have a cloth log to live in so I decided to whip up a cute little bag so they would be sure to stay together as a family.


Baker got the little mice, they seemed the most "manly"

And adorable little beavers for Emily

These Woodsies are so cute, their clothes come off and on and their limbs move. The baby is my favorite, the diaper kills me! Plus they each came with a little storybook about their lives.

January 05, 2011

Da Boots

This kid loves his boots! I think every little kid in Hawaii is sporting a pair of these babies. They come in every color. Im partial to these aqua ones.

I think its adorable when he clomps around in his boots all day,
just enjoying the SUNSHINE!
(Its 80 degrees here today :) )

Have you heard of Hipstamatic? Its my new favorite app.

January 03, 2011

Holiday Aftermath

The Bird of Paradise in my yard today :)

I have a ton of catching up I want to do, but its not going to happen today. We are still adjusting to life after Christmas. For me it means :
Jetlagged kids
Too many unpacked suitcases
Christmas decorations that are still up
A disaster for a house
The leftovers of a cold (for the whole fam)
And my children realizing they are not at Grammy's anymore!

It was all worth it though, we had a super busy and very fun vacation! Im was sad to leave. I always love Prescott. Some highlights:
My little brother got married!!!
Shopping
Seeing my family
Lunch with my girls
The Office
Christmas extravaganza!
THE basketball game

But today Im getting our guest room ready for our very first Hawaii house guests! Which sadly included taping and pinning curtains. Im pretty ghetto today. I blame it on faulty bobbin tension. Few things get me angrier than messed up bobbin tension! For real.

Hope you all have a happy new year and a great week!