GILMANS

Been a while

2009-10-19T19:25:00.001-07:00

Ok so its been sometime since kathi has posted. Blame it on Farmville and Facebook. Alot has been going on since we last posted. I am not going to run thru everything though. But Sawyer has since turned 1, started walking, and says "Dazee" more often than Dad. Seth was in spring Soccer with me as coach, started Kindergarten which he is enjoying and went to the annual Father Son campout. Sam was in swim team and did REALLY good for her first year, started 3rd grade and is now in cheer. (Ricka Racka firecracker sis boom ba...Bugs Bunny, Bugs Bunny RAH RAH RAH)
Sean started swim team also and he did GREAT. He is on the safety patrol and is now in 5th grade. He is playing violin in school and made the transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts and is very excited about scouting. Steven is now a Junior in H.S. and is doing good. He is working now and is getting focused on wrestling this year. Kathi is working hard as a labor/Delivery/Post Partum R.N. and enjoying it at the hospital. They all went to Idaho for about 10 days this summer, while I finished out bookcases in our den, which I am a very proud of. I went to Cleveland in May to see the family and take care of Mom for a week. We just had Kathi's parents out the past week and that was fun. Always enjoy visiting with them. Anyhow thats an abridged version of the Gilmans summer. Will have some new pix also coming up.....stay posted.

Catching up

2009-03-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

As life goes along, I don't think we are doing anything to blog about. But when I reviewed my pictures there has been a lot of little things. So here is a picture by picture update on our winter months.

Steven Lettered in Wrestling last year. Then again this year. He Lettered at weight 215 and 175. This year, family members gave money towards his Letterman Jacket for his Birthday. We finally got it and $650 latter...

Here in Washington the kids get a "Winter Break" the week of Presidents Day. This is in addition to "Spring Break" which is coming up soon! It is hard to come up with things to do with the kids because the weather is still yucky and the house is still too small. That's when it comes in handy to live so close to the city! One day we went to the Zoo with our friends and neighbors.

While we were at the Zoo the people who worked there kept hurrying us out of certain areas. We were starting to get suspicious when they finally said that we had to "proceed to the nearest exit" I guess a monkey had gotten out of its cage and they were not able to keep it isolated in one part of the zoo! So we went to an enclosed Merry-go-round at the Zoo and ate lunch. By time we were finished they had caught the monkey and we were allowed back into the Zoo again! It made for great excitement and a good story to tell!

We also spent a day at Seattle Center and the Pacific Science Center! It is always a fun area and we can easily spend a whole day there and without getting bored and not having to spend a lot of money! Seattle is great! I love it here!

On another day...
A co-worker of mine directed me to a great deal on a dinner/show called "Under the Gypsy Moon" at Teatno ZinZanni! I didn't know what it was either! but the tickets were such a great deal that I couldn't pass them up. Brian was out of town that week and so I went with my girlfriend, Rebecka. It is an original Circus Tent downtown next to the Seattle Center, that has a wonderful variety of entertainment and acrobats while they serve you a 5 course dinner! It was so much fun! Here is the website so you can get the fun effect.
www.zinzanni.org
As I said before the show was "Under the Gypsy Moon" so we got to dress the part!
This is my Gypsy interpretation!
(I had to have a tiara!)

Our winter here has been colder and snowier than any we have experienced here in Seattle! Often this winter we have woken to snow on the ground, but it frequently was melted by mid-day.
This is my pond in the back yard. I love how it looks with a skiff of snow on it!
You have got to love my wagon wheel and milk can.
In Idaho you see that everywhere! Here in Washington...well people thought I was a little weird but it is growing on them!

Now you are updated on our winter months!
Tomorrow is suppose to be the start of Spring! Hopefully our adventures will become abundant.
Best Wishes to you all!

Happy Birthday Sawyer!

2009-03-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Girl's Trip Gone Bad

2009-01-27T21:35:00.000-08:00

My friend calls me up and says "Kathi, let get some time away from the babies." So she rents a FABULOUS Condo at Crystal Mountain and I rented my ski gear and away we go.
We have three nights to relax, ski and just have quiet girl time.

We went up on a Monday afternoon so we could get checked in and check out the area for skiing the next day. There was fabulous snow and the Mountain was so pretty. It had been awhile since I skied last, but I promised my husband I would take it easy and not do anything to crazy.

The Condo was newly renovated and the owners did a great job! It was a really nice place to stay with a big flat panel TV, a wood burning stove and a great kitchen. How could this not be the perfect get away!?

We woke up that Tuesday at our leisure! No crying babies! No "mommy I need breakfast". Just piece and quiet! Then we bundled up and headed for the mountain! I stopped someone to take this photo of us, Rebecka was so embarrassed. He he!

We went and got our ski passes and headed up the mountain. We were going to start of easy but that lift wasn't open so we just headed straight to the top. Well, it was raining and I didn't ski as good as I remembered I could. I think I ended up falling down the hill more than anything else. I finally told Rebecka to go on with out me and I would catch up to her later.
Well, later came and she called me on my cell. I told her that I was heading down to the lodge...I was the one in the sled with the Red Cross on it...ya, that last fall was a doosy!

I completely blew out my knee!
I had Brian come and get me that night. Rebecka stayed to finish the trip.
Well....that night it started to rain. Flooding closed the only road to the mountain and shut down the Ski Lodge. My friend was stuck up there for 3 more nights with NO skiing and no way out.

We both decided that next time we are going to the spa!

A Day with Granny and Papa

2008-12-20T21:48:00.000-08:00

After all the Thanksgiving turkey and Pumpkin pie, everyone went back to their everyday lives, but we got to have Granny and Papa all to ourselves! Well, It was just Seth, Sawyer and I the rest of the Gilman's had to go back to work and school.

We got to have lunch at Burger King and then go feed the ducks along the Snake River.

Then Granny finished Sawyer a crib quilt.
And Seth got to make play do clay with Granny.
It was another happy day in Idaho with our favorite Granny and Papa!

Thanksgiving Dinner

2008-12-12T22:04:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I am finally getting around to catching up my blog. So here ya go...

This is Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's house. It has been really fun going to my parents for the last couple of years. I love when we can all get together like this. I hope it is something we will still do even after Mom and Dad die!

This is the sister-in-laws wondering when they are done with their "day at the in-laws" duty!

I love how Lisa brought her own deck of cards! Jason and Bethany chillin' with Granny on the couch and my Daizee Dog laying claim to a lap.
Jason and his new wife Nichole.

Awe...newly weds!

Lyle holding my little Sawyer.

One of these ain't like the other.

(Sawyer was a little fussy)

Alan, happy and full of turkey! All the many cars in front of Mom and Dad's house. I think it made Dad happy to see so many people at his house. We had licence plates from Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington.
The 1st and 2nd cousins eating dinner.
We had three tables set up in Mom's little house.
Dad, Ann and Roger full of turkey and waiting for dessert.
Nichole, Susie, Lyle and Mom waiting for their dessert!
It was a happy day in Idaho.

My children always love to go home. But they are a little sad that Cheryl and her family are not there to play with.

Steven is Driving!!

2008-11-23T02:50:00.000-08:00

So this Friday Steven went in and took his drivers test. He passed and did well and got his drivers license! He was ready to rock and roll!

So, I gave him the motherly lecture..."drive safe, you don't want to get in an accident on you first day driving solo." and all the other stuff you tell them before handing the keys over.

Well, shortly after that I was out running errands and somebody hit me!!! So I called Steven and told him not to worry I did it for him!

Then...

When you are a teenager and just got you DL and your parents OK where is one of the first places you want to go?!

THE MALL!

Steven tells me, "Mom, I'm going to meet some friends at the mall. I'll call ya later."

So later he calls...

"Mom, I changed my plans. I'm leaving the mall and meeting my friends somewhere else."

"Why?"

"Well, I was in JCPenneys and heard some gun shots and I guess there was a shooting and I'm too young to die so I left!"

"OH!"

He said it was really close and he booked it out of there. Then he got stuck in traffic, cause EVERYONE was trying to leave! Two boys were shot and one died the other is stable. They believe that the shooter new the victims.

Boy, he has a great story he can reminisce on when his kids start driving.

Steven Potter

2008-11-16T22:39:00.001-08:00

This has a great story!
Steven wanted to dress up as Harry Potter for Halloween way back when the books first started getting really popular and Steven was still into Halloween. Well, we couldn't figure out what to do with his curly hair to make it look like Harry Potter. I tried to straighten it but it wasn't that great. He still went as Harry Potter with an Afro.

Well, fast forward to this Halloween. It fell at the end of Spirit week, so they got to dress up. He got a wig from someone at school and next thing I know he wants me to run out last minute and try to find Harry Potter glasses. All I could find on such short notice was the clown glasses that make your eyes look really big. They were round though and he could pop the lens out but he opted not to.

I didn't even get to see what he looked like but then I found this picture downloaded on my desktop. I guess he got to live out his life long dream of being Harry Potterish...

It makes me laugh!
You got to make it big to really enjoy it!

Pile of Leaves

2008-11-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2008-11-12T21:04:00.000-08:00

I got so focused on Steven's Birthday that I never posted the kids in their Halloween costumes.
Daizee was a pumpkin.
She really loves this outfit and now wears it as a coat! She hates the cold weather and this is a really warm outfit. But she wouldn't go for the hat that came with it.
Sawyer was Tigger.
He stayed toasty warm and happy. It had rained all day but cleared up by time we went out to trick or treat.

Seth was Ben 10.
Its a show from Cartoon Network. He had to have a "mask free" costume for school and he loved having a wild hair do!

Sam was Wonder Woman.
I have to admit I was living vicariously through my daughter. I wanted to be Wonder Woman but she looked better in the outfit then me.

and Sean was Phantom, from Phantom of the Opera.
He has been a fan ever since we went and say it at the Paramount in Seattle.

Steven is 16!

2008-11-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Steven!

We love you!!

Steven is turning 16!

2008-11-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

Steven wouldn't let me throw him a party for his 16th Birthday! So I recruited his friend, Ryan, who is also turning 16. He thought a party was a great idea. So I got with his parents and we combined the guys party!

This is the boys posing for pictures before the dance. They were too handsome not to share with y'all. Any-ya-hoo, I was in charge of putting the party invite together. I told the boys I need a photo to put on the invites. I don't think they took it very serious cause they showed up in their workout clothes.

But they started to give me their best poses!

And smiling faces!

All in all I think the invites turned out great!

Carving Pumkins

2008-10-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

We were late in getting into the Halloween mood this year with Brian being out of town and I not knowing up from down lately...

I had to work so Brian took them to the pumpkin patch, but they had nothing! They suggested that Brian just take them to Albertsons. So he did. He said there wasn't even a real good selection there.

I was a little bummed out with this report but once I asked the kids they were just as happy with their pumpkins as ever!

The next night we carved them up. Actually, Brian and the kids did, I fed the baby.

Seth wasn't too excited about digging pumpkin guts out. "It's yucky"

Sean watched TV and did pumpkin guts at the same time!
In the end we had glowing, scary pumpkins in time for the trick or treaters!

Steven's Homecoming Sophmore Year

2008-10-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Steven always gets a date for Homecoming. Last year I was in complete shock when I found out Homecoming was a FORMAL dance. This year I was a little better prepared. I even gave in a little and let him ride in the limo...Anyway, this is him getting ready for his big night!

He snuck into his dad's shaving cream and razor. I told him he had to let me take his picture or I would tell! Hee hee!

He was trying to decide who to ask to the dance I suggested to take someone fun. He asked Becca cause she was a "real good friend and fun to be with".

I got a wrist corsage to avoid those embarrassing "how do I pin it on her?" moments. Steven puts it on and says "ta-da!"

Then it was her turn with the boutonniere. She had a harder time. First she tried, then her mom came and tried....

but in the end on of the other guys got it on for them.

Then group photos...smile for your parents!

Climbing into the limo...

In the limo...smile again for mom!

They took the limo to an Italian restaurant in Seattle, then to Dairy Queen for desert. They did photos and then danced the night away. They have after parties too, but Steven has a curfew.

In the end he said it was a really good time and that Becca was really fun.

Seth's Field Trip to the Pumkin Patch

2008-10-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is Seth's first year in preschool! I kept him home last year since it was going to be our last year together before Sawyer came! His school does a field trip once a month. This one was to a local farm/pumpkin patch. His dad took him and they had a great time!

This is Seth as a Pig! This is Seth ON a pig! This is Seth with his new friend!

Fustrated!

2008-10-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

So I keep getting these subtle hints..."you should post that on your blog", "are you a blog drop out?"...from my loving sister! So I set the time aside to catch it all up. BUT! When I went to download pictures from the camera the battery was dead, so then I thought "I'll do my photo tag" but my husband hid the digital photos from me (something about a back up drive). So I changed my background and waited for Brian to get home and the battery to charge.

In the meantime; I took the kids to High School Musical 3. I...I mean...We LOVED it! To admit the truth I never sat down and watched either of the previous HSM completely, but I listen to the soundtracks a million times! This is my favorite! I kept getting into it and clapping and hollering, but was told(by my own children) that I was embarrassing and to be quiet. It's a cheering type of show, they just didn't get it.

Well, here is my photo tag. For this tag you are supposed to go to your picture folders and go to the 4th folder over and pick the 4th picture out of it and post it.

Well, believe it or not...this IS NOT Sawyer. It is SAMANTHA! This was Jul 2001, she was three months old. I loved this small cradle I had for her. I tried to find one similar for Sawyer but couldn't. I think this is about the time she really started smiling. Looks to be about bedtime, didn't I post one like this of Sawyer a little while ago?

I tag Amber, Sharon, Alan & Sara, and Kimberly T.
HA! I found four to tag! Sorry if you got tagged already I have a small list!

Happy Birthday Sean!

2008-09-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

We Love You!

Back to School

2008-09-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Steven is a Sophomore.

Sean is in 4th Grade.
Samantha in in 2nd Grade.

Seth starts Pre-K.

Steven has early morning seminary, these two ride their bikes together, and I take Seth.

They are so excited and can't wait to see their friends!
They grow so fast:(

Reading Program Reward

2008-08-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

Every Summer, almost every place we have lived, I have tried to keep the kids involved with the local Library's reading program. We always start off with good intentions but by the end I think we all sort-of forget. I did it real good with Steven a few times...
anyway, we made it this summer!!

The theme this year was bugs! Sean and Sam read 1000 minutes each and was awarded some binoculars and a Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut.

Seth had the pre-school level program where we did a variety of book related events. He got a Dr Seuss book about bugs (and mom bought the pizza).

Then we just got crazy!

Don't know who the guy in the background is...that's what happens when you take pictures of yourself! Hope I didn't need a release form to post this photo!

I love that all of the kids are getting to be good readers. Steven tells me about books he had read that I didn't even know existed. Sean is starting to challenge his reading skills and Samantha is just trying to keep up with her brothers. Seth won't let me read him books, he likes to pretend he can do it himself but then ends up letting Sean or Sam help him out!
They are all doing much better than their mother did at their age!

Hot Dogs and Drive-in Movies

2008-08-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

We got to get out and enjoy more summer time fun!
When my friend and I were talking about what we were going to do for dinner we decided on a Weenie Roast. It is truly amazing how quick and easy you can through together a whole bunch of fun!

But when I told Seth we were going to "roast weenies" he got very upset. I couldn't understand until I realized that I should have been saying we were going to "roast HOT DOGS". I can only imagine what was going through that boys mind.

Later that night we went to the Drive-in movies! We have a great 6 screen drive-in move place! They always show a double feature and I can get my WHOLE family in for under $20. We went with our friends the Migilores. This night Steven and Brian had other commitments so they weren't around.

Brian had a hard time going to the movies mid-week anyway cause it can run quite late and he has to work in the morning while the rest of us sleep in.

Sam and Dazee Dog chillin out in the back of the Suburban! We always bring in our own popcorn, M&M's and drinks. My kids didn't even know there was a concession stand until the Migilore's went up to get something and Seth and Sean tagged along.

The big blue chair was were I was sitting. The weather was good and didn't get to breezy for Sawyer like sometime is can. Seth almost made it to the second movie which is real good for him. I can't believe how good these pictures turned out cause when I was looking through the view finder all I could see was pitch black!
Oh ya, the movies we saw were Mummy #3 and The Hulk.

Building muscles

2008-08-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

I caught Steven!
(who was suppose to be watching his little brother) doing bicep curls with Sawyer! He also did a few push ups too! Steven was watching out carefully for any spit up that may erupt.

Sawyer seemed to think it was pretty cool! He was giggling and having a great time (Sawyer and Steven)!

Take me out to the ball game!

2008-08-15T08:39:00.001-07:00

We went to the Mariners vs Rays game.
My friend, Rebecka, her husband, Jason, had invited us to a suite box at Safeco field for his birthday. Unfortunately the Mariners aren't doing very well this season but the environment and company was great! Just look at the great time Brian and Sawyer are having!

We were just over third base! The view was great! It was raining when we first got there but then it cleared up and we got to see them retract the roof then it was clear and nice for the rest of the night.

This is my friend and her honey! We work together at the hospital and her baby daughter is just six weeks older then my Sawyer.Just in case you were wondering what the inside of a box suite at Safeco Field looks like...they bring food in to you but it is still fun to go out and walk along the concessions and get some peanuts!

Sawyer got grumpy and the Mariners were down a couple of runs so we decided to take off. When we got to the car the Mariners tied up the game and they went into extra innings. But in the end the Mariners still lost and we were home in bed!

Pioneer Breakfast

2008-08-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our Pioneer History with a Ward breakfast! We got lucky and the weather was perfect! Steven got it started with a flag ceremony by our Boy Scouts...handsome boys!Then we got to eat yummy pancakes with blueberries or chocolate chips, fresh fruit, sausages and OJ. Plus good conversation with our ward family. The primary had a bike parade. The goal was to decorate your bikes to theme then the kids could ride them around the parking lot while being judged and ooo'd and ahhh'd at. I came up with last minute horseys. Seth won for best Wild West Theme.

Sam disappeared when the parade was being judged, so she didn't an award but I think she was one of the cutest. We got the pioneer dress given to us by a friend in MS and she just now fits it. It's so cute!

Great Wolf Lodge

2008-08-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

I had miss placed my camera for awhile...that's why my postings have been lacking. Anyway, now I found it and have some catching up to do.

We went to The Great Wolf Lodge for our summer family vacation. It is a resort/water park Hotel just south of Olympia. It had just opened in July and is offering great discounts so we took advantage of it. It was a great time! The park wasn't too big and I didn't lose any of my kids (Steven was at High Adventure Camp) and it lots of age appropriate stuff for Seth. It was great fun!

Sean is trying to get me wet! Stinker!

Do any of these look like me (minus the freckles)?

Or just like the dad (minus the facial hair)?

Sawyer just hung out and had fun playing peak-a-boo!

It was a great time. We are definitely going to go again on a rainy day (did I tell you it was indoor?) this winter to overcome the winter blahs!

Keepin' the kids afloat

2008-08-05T18:47:00.001-07:00

We have only one more session of swimming lessons before we accomplish our swimming goals for the Summer. We wanted to get Seth floating on his own and out of his life jacket when in the pools and Sean and Samantha ready for swim team next season!
They all have surpassed that! Sean got told they can't teach him anymore and Seth is getting a pretty good start on his front crawl!

On the last day of the session they get to climb on this big slide!
It's quite a challenge to climb to the top but worth the ride.

It is a lot of fun and this was Seth first year that he got to do it!

His teacher thought he was very brave!

They let him and his sis go together

They are all waterproofed!
Now I hope I am still this motivated about lessons when it is Sawyer's turn!

The book

2008-08-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I got my book! You know, THE BOOK...Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. I tried to say I wasn't that concerned about it coming out. I could wait till I went to town to run errands. But I knew when it was midnight...I knew all that I had to do was run to the Walmart store and I would have it in my hands. I joked with Brian, just in case he said "go ahead and go get it" but he didn't...so I went to bed. Then the morning came...I jumped up and got in the shower and was out the door. I couldn't stand it anymore! I also had to work this weekend. I have been carrying it around with me in hopes I would have a moment to sit down and read it. I know a lot of people have already finished it! My sister, Cheryl, looked at the cheats online and I have forbidden her to call me! (cause she blabs) I have been slowly wittling away at it and I am loving every moment! Don't ruin it for me!! I might be slow but I am savoring it like sucking slowly on a chocolate Hersey's Kiss! YUM!

Seth's B-day

2008-07-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Seth turns four!
He knows he is a big boy now!!
We had tons of Family B-day fun!
Here are the pictures!

Summer Fun!

2008-07-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well, the sun has finally started to shine for us here in Washington State!
It is about time!
It has really been a gloomy, gray spring.
The kids got out of school on June 20th (the first day of our sunshine). I wanted them to be able to celebrate the beginning of their summer break so I and some of my friends spent all morning filling up water balloons. We placed them in a kiddie pool in the front yard and had a HUGE neighborhood water fight!
About 500 water balloons lasted 10 min but it was great fun. A few neighbors pulled out their water hoses and Slip-n-Slides too!
We were definitely the party house of the block that day!

Brian decided to get in on the fun and soon became the target for all the kids to gang up on, but I think in the end he still came out on top!

The next week I met a couple of my friends at the zoo in Seattle, Woodland Park Zoo. I had never been there before! It was a really pretty zoo. Most of the paths were shaded and it kept things nice and cool.
We saw monkeys, zebras, giraffes and HIPPOS!
I liked the hippos!
It was fun to hang with my girls and our kids were in good spirits! It was a REALLY fun day!

This is Rebecka, my friend from work, and her two little girls. Her baby is just a few weeks older than Sawyer.
Then there is my friend from church, Jessica, and her three kids.

Having a teenager is a new challenge for me.
You always have these illusions that they will be perfect from all the good things you provide for them, but then you realize they have minds of their own!
Crazy!
Anyway, youth conference came up for Steven and he was really put out! He said "this really messes up my weekend plans, Mom!" but he went.
The theme was "M&Ms Missionary Moments".
They went and stayed with host families within the stake and acted as if they were on missions. They did service projects, had devotionals and a dance.
Well, one day Steven called me and said "Mommy!" ( he never calls me mommy) "Mommy! we are at Safeway getting food donations! Come and donate!" So the kids raided the pantry and we loaded up in the car and went to donate! Steven had a large smile and was having a great time! The kids went over to him and made a big fuss over the big brother. It was cute!

When he came home he said "Mom, I bore my testimony (at the testimony meeting) and I made people cry! A girl came up to me at the dance afterwards and said I inspired her."
I asked him what he said, he told me "I can't retell it, but I started by saying ... I'm glad my mom is not here cause the last thing she said to me when I left the home was to enjoy being a missionary I might like it. Well, she was right, I like it and can't wait till I can serve a mission of my own."
MAKE A PARENT CRY!

I have been nagging Brian to get a back yard pool for the summer.
Well, it was a lost cause as long as there was no sunshine. But after the sun came out Brian went and got the pool.
We were so excited!
It about 12 feet in diameter and only 2 1/2 feet deep but it is just perfect to cool us off when we don't have AC. The neighbor kids try to say it's not that great but they sure do love coming over and swim in it! We had a pool party, BBQ'd, and made smores with three other families. It was soooo much fun and just in our backyard!
Saved a ton on gas!

Baby Sawyer had been cookin' and was relieved to cool off a little with mom in the pool. It took him a little while but then he started to get his legs kickin' and was splashing and having a great time.

Back to Work

2008-06-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well, did you think I had abandoned my blog?! NEVER!! I just went back to work :( In reality it has not been so bad. I have been fortunate to get routine deliveries so I can ease back into the rhythm of things.

Just in case you don't know I am now a Labor and Delivery Nurse at our local hospital here in Renton. It is a LDRP (Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum) Unit. We average approx. 350 births a month. I am trained in postpartum care and as of December I now do deliveries too. It has been great fun and I love all that I do. Some days we have sad stories but on the whole it is a happy experience with healthy people and babies. I never knew nursing could be so great. I only work 3, 8hr shifts a week. You can't beat that!

See that Nurse, that would be me on a normal work day. But in this picture I am the one writhing in bed and that is my co-worker taking good care of me.

The Gilman family has tried to make changes to accommodate the fuel crunch. I have given up driving my Suburban and am driving Steven's little Mazda. Brian's office has allowed him to work from home every Monday and Friday and the other days he car pools with a friend. And we are looking at family vacation options here in our local area.

This is the little car of Steven's I am driving. (I found a picture of Steven to post! ah, ha!) He can't drive it anyway till he is 16.

I have been hearing the prophet's words on preparedness echo in my ears lately and I am feeling the crunch! It reminds me of when our State President was really pushing preparedness when we lived in Mississippi. That was the season Katrina hit. I am REALLY feeling the crunch!!

This is Seth and me in the shelter during Katrina. Seth was 13 months old and it was HORRIBLE HOT!! He was so miserable. Plus, there was no water, so that's why I have the greasy hair pulled back in a ponytail!

In all of the things we are suppose to have ready, my advice to you is to remember your spiritual preparedness, cause above all that is what will get you through the pearly gates when you don't survive the large tidal wave....

Well, I don't want to end on a sour note so here are those pictures of Brian and Steven going out on the Scout camp out. I will let Brian tell the story about them...

This is Brian, the Dad...Here we are the morning we went fishing. We are eating the ever popular staple of oatmeal and hot cocoa. Mmmmmm. It wasn't too bad of an evening in tents. I think it was about 50 degrees that morning.

This is me, James and Steven out on the boat. It was us three, Scott Birdsell and Keith who owned the boat. As we motored out to the spot, a Bald Eagle swooped down and was flying around us. Talk about motivational!

Contrary to what my Father in Law thinks, I can catch fish. Here is one of five (the limit) of Rainbow Trout. I cleaned them later on and unfortunately lost one as I was cleaning it. Seriously thought about jumping in after it. Grilled them up when we got home and must say they were pretty tasty. Dad out.......

A couple who blogs together, Stays together! Till the next post, loves and hugs!

Brian's "I Am"

2008-06-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

Got this from Kathi and she was mad that it took me about 5 minutes to do:

I AM.....

I Am: loyal

I Think: too much

I Know: things usually work out

I Want: security for my family

I Have: a good life

I Wish: I had no bills

I Hate: pettiness

I Miss: my family

I Fear: not being able to provide for my family

I Feel: good, nada nada nada na

I Hear: not so well

I Smell: not often

I Crave: sushi sometimes

I Search: for answers

I wonder: if it is all true

I Regret: stupid decision I made in the army

I Love: my wife

I Listen: not often enough

I Confuse: my wife

I Ache: more often than I use too

I Care: for my friends

I Always: am thinking

I Am Not: a liar

I Believe: in my country

I Dance: not often enough

I Sing: to Billy Joel

I Cry: too much

I Don't Always: stop and listen

I Fight: with my 9 year old

I write: the songs that make the whole world sing….

I Win: not as often as I’d like

I Lose: less often than I think

I Never: turn my back on a friend

I Can Usually Be Found: in my man cave

I Desire: a new truck

I Need: nothing

I Am Happy About: my life….

I AM...

2008-06-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

I stole this off of a friends Blog. I thought it was fun! I told Brian to do it too and post it, we'll see if he does. Anyway, see if you discover something new about me. I know I did doing it.

I AM.....

I Am: a child of God

I Think: my kids are great

I Know: I am forgiven

I Want: my children to succeed

I Have: a great husband

I Wish: for lower gas prices

I Hate: cleaning the house (it just gets messy again)

I Miss: my mommy and dad too

I Fear: failing my family

I Feel: content

I Hear: my dog snoring (or is it my husband)

I Smell: baby diapers

I Crave: chocolate

I Search: for meaningful friendships

I Wonder: if I can endure to the end

I Regret: not going on a mission

I Love: evenings around campfires

I am Scared: of masked men wielding a chainsaw

I Listen: to The Backyardigans…a lot

I Confuse: my kids names (who names their kids with the same beginning letter anyway?)

I Ache: in my back (bad posture, out of shape? Just need to see the Chiropractor)

I Care: if my husband is proud of me

I Always: look for the stars at night (not out that often in WA)

I Am Not: in the PTA (PTSA) just not that kind of mom

I Believe: in eternal salvation

I Dance: who has time to dance with 5 kids?

I Sing: silly songs to the kids

I Cry: when my feelings get hurt

I Don't Always: send “Thank You” cards

I Fight: with my husband…when he is wrong...which is often to always (JK)

I Write: awful (I had to take English 3 times)

I Win: at “rock, paper, scissors”

I Lose: my mind, sometimes

I Never: say my words right

I Can Usually Be Found: in my bedroom(my office is my laptop, on the bed, next to the baby crib)

I Desire: chocolate (yum)

I Need: hugs in the morning from my kids

I Am Happy About: my new, nifty blog!!

Summer Beginnings

2008-06-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's June! There is just something about the months that start with the letter "J"...they mean summer fun to me! Unfortunately the weather just is not cooperating, but we gave it a try anyway. Valley Medical Center, the hospital I work for, has an annual family fun day. They give two free tickets to each employee, then I beg for four more tickets from coworkers who are not going to attend. This year it was at the Wild Wave Amusement Park in Federal Way. With mine and the donated tickets we have a great FREE family event.

They gave out these collapsible Frisbees.
Anyway, the weather was not IDEAL. It didn't rain...but the sun didn't shine either. We tried to press on. The kids were so excited about the water park that they jumped right in.

But soon decided that the hot tub was the best place too be.

After warming up and drying off we ventured the the amusement park rides! This year Samantha was right on the line for the passing height! She got to ride the big roller coasters and other spinning stuff! Then her and Sean were still small enough to ride the kiddie rides with Seth. I think we got almost every ride in.

Sawyer slept and ate, smiled some and slept again.

You might wonder how come I never have any pictures of Steven...well he is a teenager and if he was around us long enough to actually get a picture of it, it would be like catching a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster. He did go with us but found some friends and escaped quickly. He and Brian went on a church camp out Friday night. I will post that when I get the pictures. Maybe we can spot Steven in one of them.

Memorial Day Hike

2008-05-27T22:31:00.000-07:00

For Memorial Day we went to Snowqualmie Falls. All except for Steven, he wanted to hang with his friends. The falls is really big with the spring run off. We even got some sunshine for our happy day.

We had to hike down to the base of the falls to get this great shot. Look at how little the people are compared to the falls!

We had to conquer steep terrain and relentless tree roots...

leap tree stumps in a single bound...

search for mystical creatures found in "Author Spiderwick's Field Guide"...

finally reaching our destination to bring you this fantastic shot of my adorable kids:)

2008-05-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

May 24th was Samantha's 7th B-day. We got up and sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Then we went swimming for a couple of hours. After that we went home and had lunch and gave her her cake and gifts. She got a small pair of diamond earrings, a Nintendo DS, the dog game for the DS and tickets to the "High School Musical". She had a great time! I can't believe how fast they grow:(

In the video we didn't have a number 7 candle, so Brian took a six, made a plus sign and then a one. Very clever man of mine! Sean was the one with the birthday song extras.

San Antonio Vacation

2008-05-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

May 19th - 23rd Brian had a business trip to San Antonio, Texas. Since I am still on maternity leave I decided to tag along!

What a good idea!
We flew down on Monday and my sister Cheryl, who now lives in Taylor, Texas, picked us up from the airport. I was so happy to see her:) We went out to eat and then dumped Brian at his hotel. Then Cheryl kidnapped me and we went to her home in Taylor (approximately 2 hrs north San Antonio).
I got to stay with her for two nights. I got to see how life is for her and her family in Texas. I went to my nephew Jordon's (age 7) field day at school.

And I got to see his brother Joshua's (age 8) baseball game.
This is him practicing before the game in the batting cage.On Wednesday, Cheryl had to take me back to my spouse in San Antonio...but not without stopping at the shopping outlets and spending lots of money!
That is just what sisters do:)
That evening Brian and I walked along The Riverwalk. This is Brian in front of a picture of the Alamo.
We also saw the Alamo, remember?

Did you know that the Alamo is right downtown? A lot of people didn't know that (to include myself). Well, across the street is "Ripley's Believe it or Not" Museum. They had this moving dinosaur head, when I stood next to it it moved towards me and startled me.

Part of the Museum was a wax figure area. This is Brian jumping on Oprah's couch professing his love for me!

One of the displays was this African Birthing Pot. Since I am now a Labor and Delivery Nurse I thought this was cool. They used it to place the tools they used to deliver the babies. Then they would bury the pot, placenta and umbilical cord for 45 days to ensure the child a long and happy life. After 45 days they would dig it up and use it for the next delivery. (I'm sure they would clean it out first)

Sawyer endured the trip very well, but he did get a runny nose from going in and out of the air conditioned buildings. Look how cute he is! The other children stayed with our brave friends, the Migilore's, and Steven was at home with the dog and cats.
All in all it was a great week!

Shots for Sawyer

2008-05-16T07:16:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that Sawyer is 2 months old already! I took him in for his 2 month check-up! The nurse came to take us back and first thing she said was "boy, he is really filled out for a 2 month old". Then the Doctor came in to look at him and commented "Looks like breastfeeding is going well". I guess they say my baby is fat?! No, but he is growing too fast for me. These are his stats: weight 12lb 10oz, height 23 1/2 inches, that is 75th percentile for his age group.

He also got 3 shots. I give baby shots all the time in the hospital but it still breaks my heart, especially when it is my own baby. They had me hold his hands and another nurse held his legs while two other nurses administered the shots simultaneously. Two in the left and one in the right. Sawyer was not a happy baby, even for awhile after we got home.
See the band-aids on his legs! :(
He was running a low grade fever (which is common after immunizations) and was very grouchy when you touched his legs. I held him for awhile, then Brian took a shift. Brian had him laying on his lap and Sawyer would try to sleep and make these whining/complaining noises. It was so sad! Steven couldn't stand it and knew he could do better. So he took Sawyer and held him tight. It was so cute, and Sawyer did feel better.

As the evening progressed (and a dose of Motrin) Sawyer was feeling better.

In fact by time it was bedtime he want to smile and play.

But eventually he settled down and slept very well.

Another happy ending :)

The joy of children

2008-05-13T21:27:00.001-07:00

It seems lately that by time I get out of the house to run my errands Seth is getting sleepy. He usually does real well but sometimes he get grouchy and doesn't want to cooperate with me at all! So I decided to whip out my camera and start taking his picture so he can see himself being grouchy. I think he is still so cute even when he is grumpy so I thought I would share. We were at Round Table for the lunch buffet.

I think he was mad because there was sausage on his peperoni pizza

Then he really started working the camera.

The funny part is that his shirt said "My parents are exhausted" I didn't realize that the flash on the camera was drawing quit a bit of attention from people in the restaurant. It ended up being kind of fun!

Then on another day when Dad, Steven and Sean all had their own events of fun the rest of us went swimming. Samantha was shooting water in Seth's face, she thought she was funny!

Then she decided to see what it was like so she did it to herself.

I guess the moral of the story is who needs TV when these kids of mine keep me entertained!

Weekend of Family Fun

2008-05-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

The weekend of May 2nd was such a good time! My sister Ann brought my parents up to visit us here in Seattle (her daughter Rachel too).

We thought that this would be a good time to get Sawyer blessed. So we also invited my little brother Brandon and his wife Lisa for the blessing.

After the blessing we went to "Salty's on Alki beach" This is a really nice Seafood restaurant with a wonderful view of the Seattle skyline. Lucky for us it was a sunny day.

We also spent time in Seattle and at our home. They went to Samantha's soccer game and Sean's baseball game.

More to Come!

2008-05-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

I have a ton to post! I am just lacking the time right now...at naptime, I'll get it done then, if I can get the kids to nap at the same time, I swear! I can't wait to join the in group and tell you all my yummy news! see ya then!