Once upon a time Tone' and I used to be avid mountain bikers. In fact, our very first "date" was going to look at mountain bikes for me. I had been wanting one and knew that Tone' was into it and so I asked him to come along and help me choose a good bike. He, of course, thought it meant that I just wanted to be with him. Perhaps both were true:) At any rate, after that first outing together I ended up with a mountain bike and a husband. Good deal!
We haven't been able to go on a bike ride together for exactly 3 years and 9 months. Every summer since I became pregnant with Nikolas I have looked longingly at my bike, wishing I could strap my helmet on, click my shoes into the pedals and take off for the bike path and Powell Butte. We have tried using the bike carriers, 3 different kinds in fact, but the fact of the matter is:
my bike is a midget bike. Those would be Tone's words.
So the bike carriers just don't work for my bike or little ol' me. Instead, we finally decided to make the plunge into the world of bike trailers. Off to REI we went a couple weekends ago to use our 20% off coupon and our dividends. We came home with the Burley Honey Bee.
Now Tone' and I are finally able to bike ride together! We have gone a couple times already and it has been so much fun for us to be able to ride together and to have our boys along as well. Nikolas absolutely loves being out with us, though once in a while he wants to get out and run down the bike path next to us. That would be just fine if he knew the rules of the path and how to run in a straight line:} Instead I am constantly yelling out, "Nikolas, STOP!" "Don't move!" "MOVE!" "Get out of the WAY!" "WATCH OUT!". So that part gets to be a little stressful.
Lukas, on the other hand, isn't so sure about this new ride. The whole time he just sits there with his lower lip out, his head down and a pathetic look on his face, like he is having the most miserable time in his life. I know, we're just terrible parents.
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Hopefully Lukas will begin to like it as Mama really needs to get out of the house this summer and this seems to be the best option. Last summer I nearly went insane from not doing any regular physical activity. I'm hoping this bike trailer will be enough to satisfy my need for outdoor adventure so I don't go crazy. Our home isn't very fun when mama is cooped up like a chicken all summer, and as they say:
"If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."
My little water baby
He had been washing the truck one minute, I turned around and when I turned around again he had stripped off his shorts and unders and was jumping into the wash bucket! I had to grab the camera, of course, my fellow scrappers and bloggers understand. What a crazy kid!
Who wouldn't love getting their hair cut in this place? Nik chose the Blue Angel jet plane to sit in while he watched a Thomas the Tank Engine video. 
Lukas looking on in wonder.
No joke! That is all I paid out of pocket due to all the coupons and double coupons and store coupons that are all found in the Sunday and Tuesday paper and online.
Not Joking Again! The cashier actually handed ME a nickel. Once again, I used manufacturer coupons, double coupons and combined them with a sweet sale. 
Even though I was taking a break from my own children, I still was more than happy to hold my friends baby. Never too young to start climbing:)
Easter was a bit different this year. My family typically spends Easter over at my cousins house with many of my extended family, but this year she was just getting back from seeing her very first, brand new granddaughter and wasn't able to host it. Instead, Easter was at my Dad and Sue's home and included her whole family as well! It was a full house and we had a wonderful time. In fact, three sets of grandkids (my great uncles as well) made the Easter Egg hunt much more exciting!
Morgan and Nikolas searching for eggs. Nik found his allotted eggs quite quickly as everyone was being extra generous and helping him find them. 
Lukas, that is one BIG Easter Egg!!!
Now Tone' and I are finally able to bike ride together! We have gone a couple times already and it has been so much fun for us to be able to ride together and to have our boys along as well. Nikolas absolutely loves being out with us, though once in a while he wants to get out and run down the bike path next to us. That would be just fine if he knew the rules of the path and how to run in a straight line:} Instead I am constantly yelling out, "Nikolas, STOP!" "Don't move!" "MOVE!" "Get out of the WAY!" "WATCH OUT!". So that part gets to be a little stressful. .jpg)
One makes do when one's house has no bathtub. In fact, I think I am cursed as far as bathtubs go. Growing up I took a bath in an old galvanized metal wash tub. The kind you see pictures of kids washing their dogs in. We lived in an old farmhouse and it just didn't have a tub. Going to Grandma's was exciting as we could then play in a real bathtub! Now my boys have that same excitement when they go see Grandma as that is where I take them periodically to give them a good scrubbing. 
As cramped as they are in their little Rubbermaid container, they don't seem to mind it one bit. Nikolas has fun squeezing water all over baby, and Lukas has fun splashing water into Nik's eyes. 
Saturday morning Tone' came in to wake me, as he was leaving and the boys were awake. He leaned over me and said, "I'm going to pick you up and take you into the living room.". I sort of heard what he said, in my hazy sleepy state, but then all of a sudden I decided to turn over. I don't know what happened, but I swung my arm back as fast as I could and then I heard, "CRACK" as my elbow hit Tone's cheek bone with so much force that I sent him reeling backwards.
Well, maybe not for Tone'. :}