Hope Springs Eternal

Well, it is Spring and the time of new birth, thus I will be making a better effort to post to my blog - at least once every couple of days. Life has been happening since I last posted (the day after getting Abby) November 2. Here are some highlights

• I had a birthday (38)
• Ian turned 8
• Julie had a birthday (not telling)
• I wrecked my Jetta
• The kids have grown
• We've visited the beach a lot
• Life has happened

For an overview, you can visit http://gallery.mac.com/sitecrafting

Also, if you really want to know what's going on you can follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/brainfroth or SiteCrafting on twitter is www.twitter.com/sitecrafting

July 4th at Seabrook and More...

We spent a great last weekend out at Seabrook for Fourth of July. We went out Wednesday evening and I returned Monday night after some fishing on the Quinault and Queets Rivers (Thanks to Rob for joining me fishing).

There are some pictures now finally in the July Gallery as I've just now got them uploaded. A few highlights from around here from the past week include:

• Trip to Seabrook
• New Hot Water Heater (Thank goodness I noticed it leaking right before we left Wednesday evening or Julie's return Sunday would've been even more hectic)
• Tall Ships Festival in Tacoma with Grandma
• Overnight with Golf and a Movie with Grandma and Grandpa Omar (Ian and Charlotte)
• Lots of work for Mommy and Daddy
• A wagon ride and walk last night with Alec

Below is a video of Alec counting as he climbs the 45 steps from the beach to the trail...Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

A couple of video messages for the Birthday Boy!

We love you!

Brian, Julie, Ian, Charlotte, and Alec

I'm Two - Birthday Videos

Alec turned two yesterday and you can see some of the video highlights below! Enjoy!

Presents

Book from Charlotte

Lawnmower from Ian

Happy Birthday - Blow out the Candles

Eating Cake

Don't forget about the June Photo Gallery!

Candy Land Cake

This past Friday was Charlotte's Birthday! Well, not really, but it was the day they celebrated her summer birthday at school. The occasion was made even more special by one of Mommy's famous cakes. This time, a Candy Land cake. The cake featured, lollipops, an ice cream cone castle, rollo swamp, candy canes, gumdrops, and more. It made a big hit at school! I added some of the in-process shots to the June Gallery!

Samiclaus Christmas Ale

Meant to add this entry yesterday, but did not want to preempt Mother's Day with a post about Christmas, especially when it included Ale. However, the bottling was a success. 23, 22 oz. bottles with gold caps. Look for these this coming winter.

Note to self: New tradition, brewing 12/6...Nice, this year it's a Saturday.

Mother's Day 2008

So there's a lot to be said for Moms. I have a wonderful mother and I am blessed with a wife who is, in turn, a fantastic mother to our kids. Everyday she greets it with a loving consistency worth noting. Lunches, packing the car, snack, stuffed animals, juice, milk all make up the symphony of the morning routine. Some mornings are easier than others. Tantrums or kisses the love and care are the same. Rarely are there thanks and that is why we have Mother's Day. While every day is kid's (and husband's) day, today is for our Mom.

We got up and headed to church. It seemed like forever since we've been there. We've had a lot going on and it was nice to all be together. We were joined by Gramiano (Julie's Mom) and step-dad Omar.

Following Mass we hit the Olympia Farmer Market for gingerbread boys, tomato plants, roasted cashews and a crash course in navigating crowds. A good time was had by all.

Our appetites calling us, we stopped at Casa Mia for some pizza and then home for gardening and relaxing.

In the end it will probably not be the sort of pampering day Julie deserves or needs, but it was fun and we were all together.

So for all the days we forget to say thank you, we thank and honor you today, our Moms. We love you.