Drum roll, please....................

Out with the blue

and in with the brown! The furniture was picked up and put in place today. The loveseat is about the same size as the old one, but the couch is almost one foot longer. Wow, what a difference!
I totally am in love with the nailhead trimming.
And the stitching detail on the cushions.
Hmm.. What do you think? Now you all have to start coming for coffee so that you can feel the smooth leather under your rear, and use the nice side tables for your coffee and treats!!!

P.S. I have the best Dad. He got off work and pretty much came straight here to help Tyler move the new in and the old out, even though he's got to be up in the middle of the night to go back to work. Of course, I got plenty of grief as they both thought the old furniture was fine, and that Tyler was looking at half of a new boat parked in his living room, blah, blah, blah. Then, I hear that as they were unloading the furniture, Dad was giving Tyler grief about how beat up the old was, and it may not be good enough for his guy room. Good grief!!! :-)

Now stay tuned.... I've booked my personal decorator to come over and place pictures, sconces, mirrors AND all of my fall decor out for me! I have it all together in a pile. What she doesn't like will be donated to the next Beld garage sale, so be prepared for that Auntie Shelly!!! It's definitely time for some sprucing up around here!

One cool fall evening

three Silves boys sat on the couch.

Together.

At the same time.

Without screaming, fighting, or kicking.


And they were each adorably precious, impossibly cute, and insanely joyful.

Changes I love

I love change.

As soon as I had my own room, I would regularly rearrange the furniture, just to spice things up. When people ask what my favorite season is, I say none. I like the CHANGE in the seasons!

So, in honor of change, here are a few of my favorites lately!


1. I love the new pot and grass on the front porch. It rocks. I love to run my fingers through its "hair." 2. I love this new maple tree and flower bed in the front. I love the circular shape of the bed.
3. I love these dahlia's.

4. I love that Wayne's pumpkins actually grew. He planted them from seed, watered them every night, and now he has ten pumpkins that are all changing to orange. He is SO proud!
5. The trees at the park are changing color.
6. We resealed the slate, and it looks like we had new floors put in. Every time I walk on them, I smile. Ear to ear.
7. I love the new vanity in the downstairs bathroom. It doesn't leak, and it looks amazing. It doesn't make funky sounds when the water's running either.
8. I love our new sidetables!

First Smile

These pictures hands-down-melt-my-heart and bring big wet tears to my eyes. He is SUCH a sweet baby, and is growing too fast!

Family Room Option #3

Okay, she worked her magic, and here is the mother's recommendation. I have to say, I TOTALLY AGREE. It's got a good feel....A good flow.
And it hides the pile of blankies and pillows that accumulate down here.
Now, at some point I just need to rehang pictures and sconces, and it will be all ready for the new furniture. The new furniture is brown leather with nailheads. I'll post when it comes!

So, what do you think of option 3?

Furniture arrangements.... Argh!

Argh! To say I'm frustrated would be an understatement. We have ordered a new couch and loveseat that are arriving this week, and I wanted to have the furniture rearranged so that we could just swap out the couches. I've been bothered for some time now that when all my dear friends come for coffee, I only have one side table for them to rest their drink and goodies on. Sillyness! So, in addition to the couches, I also picked up two sidetables for a SUPER sweet deal. Everything came from Wiser's As Is Furniture on the Birch Bay Lynden Road.
They have one store that is their ding and dent, and the other is brand new furniture (we were on the new side.) They have AMAZING prices, and are wonderful people who go to our church too.
So that brings us back to the furniture arranging. How to make the couches sit, so that everyone has a sidetable, and the computer and tv look balanced in the room? Argh!


Here is attempt #1. The TV/Computer just look weird where they are.
So we tried again. This is the current setup. The desk is kind of "walled off" by the couch, but in a way it's nice. I'm going to BEG my mom to stop by tomorrow and work her magic. I need her! She is WAY gifted in this area, and I am not.

Once she gives the final okay, then I will hang the pictures and stuff back up on the walls. So, stay tuned! I'll post pictures of the new couches when we get them. I hope they aren't damaged at all, as they are the last ones available!!!
Go ahead and post your votes, option 1 or 2, or make a new suggestion!!!

A Blue Sky Day

Hey Blog Readers!

Hope you don't mind, but it's me, Wayne. Mom lets me play computer games on here, I usually go to pbskids.org or to Playhouse Disney, but today I thought I'd say "hi" to you and show you what Weston and I have been up to. We like to go outside. We like it a lot. Mom likes us to go outside too, it makes the house a lot quieter. She even lets us play outside by ourselves while she's in the living room, but only if I watch Weston and keep him from climbing the ladder to the monkey bars. He likes to climb. He tries to push me too, but I won't let him. Mom says I can't push him back either, he's too small.

Weston climbs the ladder, then goes down the slide on his belly, feet first. He does this over and over. I think he should get tired of it, but he doesn't.I just figured out how to climb the rope ladder. I like to climb very high, but think it's a silly ladder because it doesn't go anywhere. Isn't the sky blue? I thought I could touch it if I climbed high enough, but I couldn't.

Weston thinks he's pretty big when he climbs up. He doesn't even get in trouble anymore!
This is my farm. I like to make farms in my sandbox with all my animals. I have a bull. He has his own pen because he's mean.

See? Wesson and I play together nice sometimes. He's my brother. I love him lots.

Well, Wesson's bugging me. He's trying to grab the mice. I better go get Mommy. Bye!

check, Check, CHECK!

We here at the Silves domain or checking some major projects off of our list. I think the coming of September, and how quickly September is going, and the fact that I'll be working regularly again come October, coupled with the fact that life is settling down again has kicked us into HIGH gear! Oh, and Tyler not fishing/crabbing so much has helped too! In the past few days we:

• sealed the front sidewalk
• made a trip to Kent's to get 25% off their plants/pots, then planted everything
• sealed our slate floors; they look AMAZING and we should have done it a long, long time ago!
• moved the arbor, and replanted all the plants
• potted a new grass on the front porch
• pressure washed the dog kennel and gave the dogs one last bath
• painted the "man door" at the back of the garage

Whew! On top of that, we did all of the usual too... Mowing, edging, flower beds, ripped out the garden, did MASSIVE amounts of laundry, etc. The boys and I have had a great day, and they even all took naps/rests for 2 hours, TOGETHER, so that I could review a few tax plans for work. yippee! Now I don't have to stay up late tonight to get them done. I'm all about an early bed time.

The boys really are doing well. They say and do the cutest things each and every day. I think I am more aware of how fast they are growing and changing now that Wyatt is here, and I can say that I much prefer our days now, as compared to before Wyatt was on the scene. Just yesterday Wayne and I were talking, and I was being funny, and he turn his hands palm-side up, and said, "Are ya kidding me?" Where does he get these things?

And Weston. Weston is convinced that if he has his blankie, so should everyone else. He brings Wayne's to him, and then throws Wyatt's on top of him. Silly dude! He's also quite the snuggle bug, which we are loving.

Okay, post's over. All three boys are up, and it's coffee time around this joint!

Costco - we broke our record!

I knew the day was coming, I knew that it was. My Aunt Shelly warned me that the more kids you have, the more your trips to Costco run. I remember when we got married, every two weeks I would go on a shopping run, first to Walmart and then to Costco. I'd spend around $100 at each place, then head for home. My new usual? Well, it's usually a little more! About $350 between the two stores. But today, today was a new high (or low, if we're talking about my checkbook!) Between the inside trip AND the gas, we spent $490!!! That's a record for us folks. And, I even saved $35 using coupons!!! Unbelievable. Granted, there were a few "extras" in there, and two diapers (they were on sale.) And dog food, so we won't have to get any in Everson, but... $490!!! Ulgh. For history's sake, here's the official record of what it took to BREAK all previous records. (Sorry for the low quality scan, I'm too lazy to redo it!)

Sunday 9-20-09

it's a sad day

Seahawks score aside (they are down 10 to 20 at the moment. Oh shoot. Don't tell Tyler I actually watch them when he's at work!) today is a little sad. I got an email from Treasury of Memories yesterday saying they were closing their doors. I remember when they opened them, and traditional scrapping was just getting going, and to have an ENTIRE store devoted to it was SOOO amazing. I have spent countless hours perusing their aisles, checking out their latest product, and trying to imitate their techniques. Not to mention falling in love with their vinyls!

And now.

They are done.

Finnito, finished, closing up shop.

It makes me sad.

No more stopping in there the day after Thanksgiving to take advantage of a 40% off coupon. No more one stop shop for creative inspiration. When they opened, Tyler and I were dating. Now, we're married with THREE kids. I could never have dreamed that one up folks! :-) Where will I be and how will I be srapping it 10 years from now? 15? 25? Heck, in 25 years I'll be past the big 5-0! Ulgh. My heart just sunk and skipped a beat all at once. Wayne will be my age in 25 years, Weston will be 26, and Wyatt, 25 (tough math on that one!) What will they look like? What kind of MEN will they be? Right now, I don't want to know. I just know that they will always be my babies. Okay, that's enough. I'm all sappy now and need to go hold my baby.

All the Silves Boys at 2 months old

What do you think? Do they look like brothers? Can you believe that Wyatt is the smallest?

I've got issues

I know this isn't news to you all. But it's true. Issues. Serious issues. Mostly centered around photography and my kids. Case in point: We were just in the kitchen making cookies, and Wayne was playing in the family room. Normally Wayne bakes with me, but today it was Weston who snuck away from Wayne. He was sitting on the bar stool, patiently waiting, when I gave him the beater. He snuck a look at Wayne in the other room, giggled, then dove into the tasty treat (peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough!) Of course, I grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures. I took 20. TWENTY! Once loaded to my computer, I deleted 12. That's pretty good, right? But now I have EIGHT that I just can't part from. They are so cute. But who scrapbooks a kid eating a dough from a beater with EIGHT pictures. I have issues. I can't help that he's so stinkin' adorable now, can I?


And just for you... TWO of my favorites. Just two. That's good of me, right?

P.S. New music playing today.... "The Sign" by Ace of Base. Last night the boys were WAY crabby and this song came on the radio. We rocked out and danced, and their moods were instantly better. Nothin' like getting your boogy on to brighten the mood! Oh, what our neighbors must think.

Tanya-ology

Be warned: This is a little long! But hey, it's me and the boys at home alone, and they are being surprisingly good at the moment, I don't feel like cleaning, and no one has been blogging lately so there's nothing to read!


***********FOODOLOGY***************

What is your salad dressing of choice?

Ranch

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Black Forest, Everson (or whatever they're calling it now.)

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?

Polish hotdogs

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Tomato, canadian bacon and pineapple

What do you like to put on your toast?
Mooscas. I don't know how to spell them or what they are really called, but they are Dutch chocolate sprinkles. I NEVER have them, but I sure do like them!

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house?
3, living room, master bedroom, and in the garage by the treadmill.

What color is your cellphone?
Silver

Do you have an iPod?
Yes, but I rarely use it. It was a Christmas gift from work.

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
3 babies via c-section

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
Totes full of baby/kid clothes, or the new bathroom sink/cabinet combo for the downstairs bathroom.

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Nope.

************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Yes, I could plan.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Nothin. I like my name just fine.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1,000?
No. I can think of easier ways to make $1,000.

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season?
Fall

Holiday?
my birthday. Yes, it is a holiday.

Day of the week?
No real favorite here, sorry.

Month?
January. The Christmas hub-bub has settled, and I can hole up like a hermit.

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone?
Tyler. He's fishing with Dad.

Mood?
A little tired, a little short tempered. (bed time for Wayne and Weston is 2 hours and 20 minutes away.)

What are you listening to?
The music on Wyatt's swing.

Current worry?
Will my to do list and projects EVER get done?

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning
Straight into the shower. It's the only way to start and the best way to finish my day!

What’s the last movie you saw?
"Deliver us from Eva" It was on some channel, and gave me a good laugh. The girl reminded me of my sister!

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
One pair, and it gross's me out every time I wear them because of all the germs I get on my feet!

Last time you had a run-in with the cops
I waved at one at the Everson parade, does that count as a "run in?"

Last person you talked to?
Tanya. Shocking, I know. It was a 46 minute phone call.

Last person you hugged?
Weston. I saved his life by catching as he fell head first, backwards off the couch. I was on the phone with Tanya at the same time too!

Do you always answer your phone?
Yes. I feel obligated.

It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
Who cares? I have no idea nor interest in trying to figure that out.

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Blue.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic
I don't go there.

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes, three. A Nikon D60 and a powershot SD1100IS, and an older Kodak easyshare.

Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yes, when we were first married we had two. One jumped out of the tank and died, and the other died when the tank sprung a leak while I was at work and dumped 10 gallons all over our floor. No water left for the fish.

Favorite Christmas song(s)
Silver Bells.

What’s on your wish list for your birthday
Time away. By myself. New couches, or a new sink and faucet.

Can you do push ups?
Um, no. Too much to lift at this point.

Can you do a split?
I used to be able to. When I was in my late teens I could actually jump into a split. Now my sorry excuse of a body would not take it, heck, I’d probably end up in the hospital if I tried.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Excited. I love what life has to offer.

Do you have any saved texts?
No, I don’t text. Period.

Have you ever been in a car accident?
No.

Do you have an accent?
No.

What is the last movie to make you cry?
This is embarrassing.... The Hannah Montana movie.

Plans tonight?
Baby watching, feeding, and digital scrapping. And two loads of laundry, and making BBQ's pork for dinner.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Yup. After each baby was born. Too many drugs, and I don't cope well with being incapacitated.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
Hey, I left the house yesterday, so I can answer this! Coffee, coffee beans, and a cookie for the boys.

Have you ever been given roses?
Yes, but I really don’t like roses. Maybe if they're yellow

Met someone who changed your life?
Yes.

How will you bring in the New Year?
Sleeping, I'm sure!

What song represents you?
It is Well with My Soul.

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
No.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
Not a one.

Does anyone love you?
Yes. Lots.

Would you be a pirate?
No. Couldn't hurt or upset anyone.

What songs do you sing in the shower?’
Shout to the Lord

Ever had someone sing to you?
Tyler has. Usually an 80's love song.

Do you like to cuddle?
Depends on how the kids have been. I know that's terrible, but sometimes after a long day of three clinging to me, I just need some personal space for awhile.

Have you held hands with anyone today?
Wayne. He likes to hold my hand.

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Wayne. I'll post it later, it was last night on the stairs, again.

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Old. I don't need many, just good ones.

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
No.

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
Anal organization, methods to my madness.

Wyatt's First Haircut!

At not even two months old, it was time for Wild-Man Wyatt to get his haircut. It's been WILD lately, and I can't do a thing with it. It's also a little thin in places, so it resembled more of an "old man's" style. I must say, it was hard to do it. Wayne and Weston were both 9 months old, and over one year old before having their first cuts, and little Wyatt... he's still little! I even ventured out and did it myself. It turned out pretty cute! He looks so different now, and yet of course still the same. Here's his BEFORE shot....See what I mean about the patches? His hair has never fallen out, only grown longer, but it only grows in sections! Here he is after the first round of trimming... Hard to cut the hair of a baby who can't hold his head up, especially when you're the only one around! Wayne and Weston were here, yes, but I wasn't about to have them help, no way!
The "barber's" chair.
The evidence. It doesn't look like a lot, but remember that I was snip, snip, snipping little by little, and his head isn't very big to begin with!
And the AFTER!~ What a cutie pie guy!

we ran "ewands" today

The boys and I went to run errands this morning. This was a new word for Wayne, and he was v.e.r.y excited to go do "ewands." He even shouted/squeeled at the lady at the coffee shop, "I go do EWANDS!" with a big ol' grin on his face. Of course, half way through, Wayne told me "I no like ewands, I like stores!" How do I run errands, some of you may ask? That's easy....


WE STAY IN THE CAR! Here's what we got done...

1. Coffee from Master's Blend in Everson (a must for me if we're going to run errands.)
2. Dropped off Trisha's 9x13 at her house in Lynden
3. Dropped off cardboard at LC
4. Stopped at Larson Gross so that I could sign a tax return
   
5. Went to the bank (drive through)
6. Went to Starbucks for beans (drive through)
7. Drove out to my sister's new house on the Pangborn Rd. Walked through the house while the boys watched a movie in the car!
8. Headed for home. 90 minutes after leaving we pulled back in!

And that, is how you run errands with three boys, aged 3 and under.

Why haven't we seen this dog?

Here's an email I got today. Funny, I've never seen that dog around here! :-)

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks. Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.' The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow? My guess is, it's going to be awhile before he comes to our house!

When sleep comes, it comes, and we'll take it!

Oh Wayne... He's not been taking naps for awhile now, which is helping him to go to bed at night at a more reasonable hour. However, he gets EXHAUSTED around 4 or 5pm and has to catch a second wind to make it through without passing out on the couch. He's also had a hard time staying in bed, since Wyatt's joined the family. I think he hears us at night, and comes on in to our room instead of falling back to sleep. However, there's no way anyone's getting sleep if he's in our bed, because I wake him up every time I get up to feed Wyatt! So, he has a permanent pillow and blanket stashed on our floor to curl up in and be close to mom! So the other night, Tyler and I were downstairs and were pretty proud of ourselves, having Wayne and Weston in bed by 8pm and both were sound asleep. We thought. Turns out, this is where we found Wayne! We did say he was in trouble if he came downstairs, so technically falling asleep in the hallway at the top of the stairs doesn't qualify, right?