And I Quote...

"Ow!"

Grant Spielberg

Here's Grant' first effort at film making, with a little "help" from Cole.

Judging from the voices and the saliva, I'd say it's definitely a horror film.

Let's Draw

I think Grant is a surrealist but Cole is definitely a pointillist... and a pest.

Importing

We drove up to Seattle on Friday to pick up our first official OakiWear order. It was waiting for us at a transfer station. And when we got there, we waited for it. (and waited, and waited...)

Until FINALLY...	...it came!
Cole inspected the inventory since one box was damaged. That got the forklift driver curious, and we sold him a pair at cost ($2) for his expected son (to be born in Sept.) Our first $2! (which we realized after doing the math a few minutes later that was slightly below cost, so we lost money, but - hey - $2!)
Grant tried 'em out.

Then we rode the boat across the sound... and went to visit Pop's sister's new "buckethead", Evy. (You can see how fascinated the boys are by the baby, although part of that might be because just a few seconds earlier, Pop yelled, "hey boys, there's a giant 'slug' over here!" and they practically knocked each other over trying to get there first. They're still thinking, "okay, a baby, but where's the slug?")
*We rented a U-haul for a 12 box order, that could have easily fit in our Expedition, because we had hopes of picking up our rain boots (50 boxes) at the same time, at another warehouse. But they weren't there yet, and when I read my email later that night, I realized it showed up at the warehouse about 1-2 hours after we left. Lucky us. Back again next weekend!

Coming Clean

After some recent dirty tricks the boys have decided to come clean. It started while helping with the dishes at the Zabriskie's home (after an incredibly delicious dinner.) Next thing you know they were in the huge jetted tub splashing and washing every nook and cranny.
Unfortunately, I don't think their new clean attitudes are going to last long. Like "the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire" is applicable here. Now if we can just find (or create) a convenient mire...

Cuddly Cousin

The Crunchers have a new cousin. My sister Laura finally got her act together and was delivered of a cute little girl. At birth she weighed (10 lbs 2 oz), almost as much as both boys combined (5 lbs 2 oz + 5 lbs 8 oz). I might not have devoted a whole post to this (not that she doesn't deserve it) but it gives me an opportunity to include a picture of the boys at birth for comparison.

A Dirty Job

Ma has been working on our garden. Recently we got some boards to make a planter box and dirt to fill it. The boys helped us unload the dirt. Remarkably, most of the dirt they scooped ended up where we wanted it.

Corps of Discovery

I was going to post a commentary about our activities on our 96°F Saturday but I think the pictures pretty much speak for themselves. Cole 's shirt explains the rest. Lewis & Clark, eat your heart out.

Buzzed

Before: Getting their first installment of previously negotiated chocolate. (Notice the Oaki Wear official logo shirts featuring Ellen Simper art.)

During: Grant with Chocolate in mouth.

During (cont.): It's not worth the chocolate to Cole. He spit it out in protest.

Enjoying the heat with a lighter head.

Bonus Reward: A snake caught in the yard.

A Scriptural Question

Some time last year the boys took an interest in the scriptures. Specifically, my scriptures, which I've had since before my mission. Fortunately they only tore out one page and partially tore another. Granted I recovered the page but I decided that it was time to get a new set of scriptures. Which brings me to my question: What are some methods of marking scriptures that you, dear reader, have found useful? I like my previous method of marking with different colors representing different topics but since I have a brand new unmarked set I thought I'd take my time before settling on a particular scheme, and I'm open to just about anything. The boys' suggestion that I scribble randomly with various writing implements is helpful and easy, but it doesn't seem like it would enhance my scripture study at all. So leave a comment, send an e-mail, give me a phone call, send a telegraph, smoke signal, whatever. Just let me know what you think.

Bathroom Reading

I sense a future bathroom reader...

Micropresent

After the destruction of the platter from our microwave last November, we have been making do with almost-fit-right platters and balanced plates. Finally, for Mother's Day the boys splurged and bought a new microwave for Ma.

But what to do with the old one?

Mystery Phrase Results

My sister, who obviously speaks fluent gibberish, correctly identified the mystery phrase. Grant was, in fact, reciting the punchline to the epic tragicomedy poem, "Monkeys Jumping On The Bed". Here's the phrase in context:

As her prize, she gets to celebrate Mother's Day, her anniversary, and her due date, all on the same day.

Mystery Phrase Contest

I've got a poser for you today. Watch this short video and decipher the phrase Grant is saying so emphatically. Leave a comment with your guess.

Clarification

My off-hand remark "Ain't she cute" has been taken as an definitive announcement of gender for our prospective infant. I apologize for the confusion. We're only 3 months along and we won't have a chance of determining gender for a couple of months. Until then, applying the pronoun "it" to the little nipper seems unnecessarily impersonal.

Truth be told, we would like to have a girl but if it's a boy we'll still be happy, although we might name him something like Whitney, or Pat, or Kelly, or Sue...

A Fine Line

There's a fine line between a hug... ...and a headlock.

Cinco de Blogo - Our Blogiversary

It's been a whole year since we began blogging. Hard to believe it's gone by so fast. 365 days, 187 posts. We hope you've enjoyed reading them as much as we've enjoyed writing them. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Our First Post It was groundbreaking, if not exactly riveting.
• A Trip to the Beach Great pictures of the boys, as still wobbly-legged toddlers. Compare to recent pictures to see how they've grown.
• A Mystery... Solved Just a silly story I made up
• Carpe Diem A guide to living each day to its fullest.
• A Love Story The pictures really tell the story. We miss you Missy Moo.
• A Parable Timeless tale of a boy and his blankie.
• Water Fight! They're better with the hose these days. Now when they spray something, they usually mean to do it.
• Ride 'Em Cowboy I just like this because it's got my grandpa in it. And a horse.
• The Infamous Pizza Order This was actually more fun to make than it is to watch.
• Dear Crunchers - Halloween Watch out Ann Landers.
• Cruncher Demolition Ma officially dissolved this, but they still do jobs on the side.
• Monkeys in the Mist Beautifully photographed and beautifully written.
• Entertaining Grandpa Those boys love their grandpas.
• Dear Crunchers - Grooming Uses the phrase "jibber jabber".
• Lugging Logs Illustrates Grant's growing yen for grand projects.
• A Screw Loose Where do boys come up with these ideas?
• Flying Spaghetti Monster The boys love their spaghetti, or kah-beddy as they say it.
• Popcorn Popping Cole conquers technology.
• High Five As sweet as it gets.
• The Big Announcement Great cinematography by Ma.

So, what was your favorite post?

Dandelion Dreams

I taught the boys how to plant dandelions today. What the heck was I thinking? In any case, they thought it was cool.