31 May 2010
26 May 2010
more snakes
This one was in the roadway in front of my house when I came back from town. I stopped the car about 30ft away and went to ask my neighbor to do something about it. He didn't answer the door so I drove around town looking for a brave soul to do something with it. I didn't know what kind of snake it was and I certainly didn't want a rattlesnake getting away to live in a nearby bush.
I finally reached one of the boys' friends dads on the phone. I asked him "Do you have a gun?" (who in lagrange doesn't?). He said, "what do you need it for?" I said, "A giant snake." He said, "I'll be right over!" He brought a bunch of other grown men with him. They seemed to hide their excitement. The first jumped out of the car and ran up to it. (Where is the caution?) He walked right up to it. and kicked it. Bummer. Already dead. It must have been run over. And it was a bull snake - a good kind - not even poisonous. They were clearly disappointed and threw it into a bush. only I wanted to keep it to scare Matt. So they climbed around in the bush till they found it and handed it back to me.
As they handed it to me, I thought in my head, "Be brave just take the snake. Its no big deal." I nonchalantly reached over to take it. No big deal. But as soon as my hand wrapped around that thing I could feel the scales and the backboney thing and it was so disgusting and gross, I screamed like a girl and dropped it. I totally humiliated my sons. yes. I did work up my guts and picked it up later. But unless I can help it I will move it with the toe of my boot.
24 May 2010
Embarrassing Moments
This Sunday Gideon dressed himself. I was so proud. All I had to do was help him with his overall straps.
Gideon needs to be reminded to use the potty or else he has an accident. So, during Sunday School Matt took Gideon to the bathroom and then dropped him back off in his class. When Matt got back to the adult class with me, he whispered in my ear that Gideon had made it to church without underwear. I thought it was funny and only a little embarrassing because nobody would find out.
During church time I didn't take him to the nursery and let him sit with Matt and I. Gideon laid down on my lap and fell asleep.
About halfway through the sermon I looked down to rearrange him and saw what the entire right side of the church had had in plain view the whole time. Matt hadn't gotten the crotch of Gideon pants completely snapped and he was hanging out in full view. All the parts. and no underwear. We were sitting in the front section at the edge of the pew. So all the people up the diagonal pews had the sight completely unhindered.
So much for nobody finding out.
Gideon needs to be reminded to use the potty or else he has an accident. So, during Sunday School Matt took Gideon to the bathroom and then dropped him back off in his class. When Matt got back to the adult class with me, he whispered in my ear that Gideon had made it to church without underwear. I thought it was funny and only a little embarrassing because nobody would find out.
During church time I didn't take him to the nursery and let him sit with Matt and I. Gideon laid down on my lap and fell asleep.
About halfway through the sermon I looked down to rearrange him and saw what the entire right side of the church had had in plain view the whole time. Matt hadn't gotten the crotch of Gideon pants completely snapped and he was hanging out in full view. All the parts. and no underwear. We were sitting in the front section at the edge of the pew. So all the people up the diagonal pews had the sight completely unhindered.
So much for nobody finding out.
Rattlesnake Den
We went to lunch at a friends house. We got the wild wyoming treatment. Rattlesnake lunch. no not really. We had BBQ chicken and burgers. But they had just gone to get some rattlesnakes at a den not far from their house. They brought 4 dead writhing ones home. They were still pretty fiesty. One dead one kept try to strike. They chopped off and buried the heads. And Abbey held one of the rattles. Wow. Makes me really not want to go hiking unless I have a 22.
22 May 2010
21 May 2010
20 May 2010
*warning* our nate and rylee puke week - nsfw - not for the faint of heart
Seriously do not move down the page unless you want to see vomit and poo. But Abbey and Rylee are very cute at the end.
We were enjoying a leisurely evening of snacks and carcassan and then Matt gave out some red candies to a boy with the stomach flu...
and then this happened....
and then matt goofed around about it. Who in there right mind gets that close to puke if they don't have to?
And then puts the candy that caused it right next to it?
Poor little TyTy
EEEE poor little mama. and poor little TyTy
uh oh. What happened?
Gideon dropped that wrench on sick TyTy's head
Then the rest of us got it. And I mean everybody and in everyway...
Maybe this is why Rylee enjoyed her visit?
We were enjoying a leisurely evening of snacks and carcassan and then Matt gave out some red candies to a boy with the stomach flu...
and then this happened....
and then matt goofed around about it. Who in there right mind gets that close to puke if they don't have to?
And then puts the candy that caused it right next to it?
Poor little TyTy
EEEE poor little mama. and poor little TyTy
uh oh. What happened?
Gideon dropped that wrench on sick TyTy's head
Then the rest of us got it. And I mean everybody and in everyway...
Maybe this is why Rylee enjoyed her visit?
19 May 2010
Titus in a tree
Titus is fearless. I went to check on him in the back yard and he was up in the tree - about 10 feet higher than he was in these pictures.
The Boyd Life
Many time I hear people say, "If the Boyds can do it so can we." So I mean for this to be, in some strange way, encouraging.
This week we have 4 broken cars. The VW was at the garage in Scottsbluff. The Suburban was shimmying and then wouldn't start and it is stuck in Matt's parents driveway. The van wouldn't start then got fixed and now won't start again and is stuck in my driveway. Matt borrowed his dad's truck to take to training in Cheyenne and its "water in the diesel tank" light came on and it died on the freeway. He was able to get it home. Last night I picked up the VW in Scottsbluff and the check engine light came on on the way back. Thank you Lord for broken cars.
About two weeks ago I asked Matt if I could buy new towels. We got our current towels hand me down from my mom about 10 years ago. They look like they went through a paper shredder twice. One of them has a 1 foot hole in it. But they do dry you off. I figured I could find some on sale for 5 bucks or so and I needed at least 10 if you include hand towels and wash clothes. Matt looked through our finances and said lets hold off a little longer. Yesterday our neighbor came over and asked if we could use some towels. He gave us 10 bath towels, 8 hand towels and 8 wash clothes gently used. Thank you Lord for providing.
This week we have 4 broken cars. The VW was at the garage in Scottsbluff. The Suburban was shimmying and then wouldn't start and it is stuck in Matt's parents driveway. The van wouldn't start then got fixed and now won't start again and is stuck in my driveway. Matt borrowed his dad's truck to take to training in Cheyenne and its "water in the diesel tank" light came on and it died on the freeway. He was able to get it home. Last night I picked up the VW in Scottsbluff and the check engine light came on on the way back. Thank you Lord for broken cars.
About two weeks ago I asked Matt if I could buy new towels. We got our current towels hand me down from my mom about 10 years ago. They look like they went through a paper shredder twice. One of them has a 1 foot hole in it. But they do dry you off. I figured I could find some on sale for 5 bucks or so and I needed at least 10 if you include hand towels and wash clothes. Matt looked through our finances and said lets hold off a little longer. Yesterday our neighbor came over and asked if we could use some towels. He gave us 10 bath towels, 8 hand towels and 8 wash clothes gently used. Thank you Lord for providing.
18 May 2010
Elijah lovin on his brother and sister
Gideon must have been crying about something but I don't know what. He got over it anyway.
17 May 2010
16 May 2010
I like this picture because I look really thin
my tummy is hidden behind Silas. There's plenty there.
15 May 2010
14 May 2010
12 May 2010
Our time with grammy.
Yay we had a great time with grammie. Nobody got a stomach flu can you believe it? She split her time between my sisters family and ours.
Mother's day weekend we planned to meet up in Fort Collins. We had an itinerary! a plan! an arrival time! All very dangerous for the Boyd family. In typical Boyd style it started with an adventure.
On our way out we had planned to stop really quick at Emma Crouse's house to see her parents Doug and Stefanie. It was supposed to be in and out, hello and goodbye. 5 minutes.
Our "5 minute" visit was indeed short. They didn't open the door. They were sleeping in.
So we hopped back in the van... and the van didn't start. We were stranded in their driveway.
So Matt walked across the street and bought a battery, installed it, and the van didn't start. Eventually people started waking up. Doug and Stefanie Crouse woke up and came outside, to the Boyd van and family in their front yard. The pastor came over too, and then Mr. Klein, and then Doug's dad who has car experience. They discussed batteries, alternators, jumper cables, wires. whatever 5 men and a broken car talk about. Despite their best efforts, the van refused to turn over.
At one point, the plan was to tow it.
Here is Doug thoughtfully contemplating the problem. Did I mention it was freezing cold out and super windy?
The kids and I hung out in Emma Crouse's already crowded tiny apartment. Doug was super helpful as obvious in this picture. ; )
We sat on the stairs.
Her grandparents, mom, dad and sister were there along with the Boyd 9. Emma's husband never came out of his bedroom. Probably a good idea. : ) It was about 9:30 in the morning and they had come home in the middle of the night after graduation.
The van never started that day so we towed it (with the Suburban) all the way across the street to the Lagrange Garage. And still made it to Fort Collins! Just 2 hours late. So long arrival time and itinerary.
Here's the family. My mom rented us a hotel suite. It was bigger than our house and had a jacuzzi tub in our room.
She left us there to party and went to my sisters house to rest. We had so much fun with the Auchs. We got to swim together and then went ice skating.
Part of the Boyd's life is Matt's insistence on adult education. He has been going to school his whole life. He had a final project due. 6 math problems. not too bad right? except they took 5 hours each!!!!!!!! Needless to say he didn't get to participate much in the fun stuff. He did swim and loves to play with the kids in the pool.
After swimming we went ice skating. Ice skating with Matt is only fun for those ice skating with him. It is hysterical. Its the funniest thing. Plus he cracks me up with his jokes while he is slipping and sliding around the ice. Kelly and I were really disappointed he had to stay at the hotel with Abbey and do homework.
Here's Sam tearing it up.
Titus taking a rest break. The last time he went ice skating he was wearing diapers.
I don't get to take many pictures of a candid Elijah, but this is one of them. If he knows I'm taking his picture he gets a really serious look on his face. So I caught him on camera actually having fun! : )
Sam.
Ugh pictures of us?? Why would we do that?
"Fine, if I die the kids should have a picture of me." We'll take one of us.
The Auch family and Elijah and Luke ran in the Old Town Marathon the next morning. They did a 3k. They had so much fun. Elijah loved it and wants to run another one. Luke has loved to run his whole life. He is a speedy little bullet and never never gets tired. Kelly said he kept asking, "Can I run full speed now? Can I?" They were running all together so nobody got lost. Finally at the end he got to run "full speed". He ran the entire 1 mile race.
I'm not that slow of a runner and one day Luke and I raced to the post office and back and Luke beat me. I was running full out. Luke beat me going both directions. On the way back he was even carrying a box on his head and beat me. It was humiliating.
We didn't go to the race because, oh yea, Matt still had 24 hours of final project to do. We spent until 11am working on homework. Then we had to check out of the hotel. We needed internet for him, an outlet for the laptop, and entertainment for the kids. Ah yes, the library. Fort Collins has very awesome libraries by the way. We had to move quickly. The boys and I cleaned up the room and loaded the car. Matt came out last with laptop and book in hand. I did a quick walk through of the room, but definitely not my thorough look through.
And he started up his homework at the library.
Sam in library heaven.
Here is Joe on the second floor reading his book on the window seat.
I love what is happening here. Gideon was trying to move a chair to the children's book section. He got his body stuck in between the legs of the chair and couldn't get out. The following shots were taken in absolute silence - as we were in a library - absolute silence except for my uncontainable laughter at watching Titus try to free Gideon from the chair.
He is still stuck in the above picture.
Ah success. Titus was so proud to be a helpful big brother.
We all met up in the library after the race. Then we split up. Matt Auch and Matt Boyd aka Matt A and Matt B took all the kids except for Abbey to a buffet where they absolutely gorged themselves. When they came out of the buffet, the Matts found 4 of the kids lying on their backs on the sidewalk. The dads then took them to Fossil Park to run off the calories.
My mom, sister, Abbey and I went to East Moon Asian sushi and bistro. 10 small pieces of rice and seaweed. But it was really good. And we didn't overeat.
After that we took my mom shopping. Target! She looked great in everything she tried on. I think we spent 3 hours trying things on her. She came out with some nice work outfits that fit! and some exercise clothes. She has dropped several sizes by eating healthy food and swimming in the morning before work. She looked so good.
Matt wanted to go with the family that weekend instead of staying home to do his homework because he doesn't want his schooling to keep him from family stuff. Also because he likes to have me sit there while he does his homework. It helps him to have someone to have to explain the problem to and think through it with him. We still had 3 problems to go (or 15 hours left). It was due at midnight and it was 8 pm. not lookin good. I settled down for the long haul. Other computer, headphones, coffee, snacks. I could barely keep my eyes open. Around 10:30 Matt says "I finished." Usually that means he finished the next problem. but he had done the whole thing!!!!!!! He was very comfortable with last 2 problems and finished them in record time. Ah bed. even with 2 cups of coffee I crashed. It was great.
The next morning Matt couldn't find his car key. Remember the VW key and the manure story? I had last seen it on the wet bar counter of the hotel room that I did not thoroughly check when we left. The hotel did not find it. Matt took the suburban to work. I looked through all our stuff. no key. I began to research what I knew was coming. Going to the dealership, 2 hour drive, ordering a "fake key" towing the bug to the dealership, $$$ later a new coded key. ok. Take a deep breath.
I stopped by the LaGrange garage to check on our van. It had started right up for the mechanic. : ) He couldn't get it to break.
Matt and I prayed and readied ourselves to do a deep look in the suburban for the key. Kelly drove over to the hotel and looked in the bushes by the parking lot. On Matt's way home from work there was a faint glimmer in the Suburban windshield of something shiny. He reach up to see what was causing the reflection. He stuck his hand down into the heater vent on the dashboard and pulled out the VW key. God had made the sun light be in the perfect angle to shine down into the vent, hit the key, back up, hit the windshield, and then over to Matt's eyes.
: ) A True Boyd Weekend.
Mother's day weekend we planned to meet up in Fort Collins. We had an itinerary! a plan! an arrival time! All very dangerous for the Boyd family. In typical Boyd style it started with an adventure.
On our way out we had planned to stop really quick at Emma Crouse's house to see her parents Doug and Stefanie. It was supposed to be in and out, hello and goodbye. 5 minutes.
Our "5 minute" visit was indeed short. They didn't open the door. They were sleeping in.
So we hopped back in the van... and the van didn't start. We were stranded in their driveway.
So Matt walked across the street and bought a battery, installed it, and the van didn't start. Eventually people started waking up. Doug and Stefanie Crouse woke up and came outside, to the Boyd van and family in their front yard. The pastor came over too, and then Mr. Klein, and then Doug's dad who has car experience. They discussed batteries, alternators, jumper cables, wires. whatever 5 men and a broken car talk about. Despite their best efforts, the van refused to turn over.
At one point, the plan was to tow it.
Here is Doug thoughtfully contemplating the problem. Did I mention it was freezing cold out and super windy?
The kids and I hung out in Emma Crouse's already crowded tiny apartment. Doug was super helpful as obvious in this picture. ; )
We sat on the stairs.
Her grandparents, mom, dad and sister were there along with the Boyd 9. Emma's husband never came out of his bedroom. Probably a good idea. : ) It was about 9:30 in the morning and they had come home in the middle of the night after graduation.
The van never started that day so we towed it (with the Suburban) all the way across the street to the Lagrange Garage. And still made it to Fort Collins! Just 2 hours late. So long arrival time and itinerary.
Here's the family. My mom rented us a hotel suite. It was bigger than our house and had a jacuzzi tub in our room.
She left us there to party and went to my sisters house to rest. We had so much fun with the Auchs. We got to swim together and then went ice skating.
Part of the Boyd's life is Matt's insistence on adult education. He has been going to school his whole life. He had a final project due. 6 math problems. not too bad right? except they took 5 hours each!!!!!!!! Needless to say he didn't get to participate much in the fun stuff. He did swim and loves to play with the kids in the pool.
After swimming we went ice skating. Ice skating with Matt is only fun for those ice skating with him. It is hysterical. Its the funniest thing. Plus he cracks me up with his jokes while he is slipping and sliding around the ice. Kelly and I were really disappointed he had to stay at the hotel with Abbey and do homework.
Here's Sam tearing it up.
Titus taking a rest break. The last time he went ice skating he was wearing diapers.
I don't get to take many pictures of a candid Elijah, but this is one of them. If he knows I'm taking his picture he gets a really serious look on his face. So I caught him on camera actually having fun! : )
Sam.
Ugh pictures of us?? Why would we do that?
"Fine, if I die the kids should have a picture of me." We'll take one of us.
The Auch family and Elijah and Luke ran in the Old Town Marathon the next morning. They did a 3k. They had so much fun. Elijah loved it and wants to run another one. Luke has loved to run his whole life. He is a speedy little bullet and never never gets tired. Kelly said he kept asking, "Can I run full speed now? Can I?" They were running all together so nobody got lost. Finally at the end he got to run "full speed". He ran the entire 1 mile race.
I'm not that slow of a runner and one day Luke and I raced to the post office and back and Luke beat me. I was running full out. Luke beat me going both directions. On the way back he was even carrying a box on his head and beat me. It was humiliating.
We didn't go to the race because, oh yea, Matt still had 24 hours of final project to do. We spent until 11am working on homework. Then we had to check out of the hotel. We needed internet for him, an outlet for the laptop, and entertainment for the kids. Ah yes, the library. Fort Collins has very awesome libraries by the way. We had to move quickly. The boys and I cleaned up the room and loaded the car. Matt came out last with laptop and book in hand. I did a quick walk through of the room, but definitely not my thorough look through.
And he started up his homework at the library.
Sam in library heaven.
Here is Joe on the second floor reading his book on the window seat.
I love what is happening here. Gideon was trying to move a chair to the children's book section. He got his body stuck in between the legs of the chair and couldn't get out. The following shots were taken in absolute silence - as we were in a library - absolute silence except for my uncontainable laughter at watching Titus try to free Gideon from the chair.
He is still stuck in the above picture.
Ah success. Titus was so proud to be a helpful big brother.
We all met up in the library after the race. Then we split up. Matt Auch and Matt Boyd aka Matt A and Matt B took all the kids except for Abbey to a buffet where they absolutely gorged themselves. When they came out of the buffet, the Matts found 4 of the kids lying on their backs on the sidewalk. The dads then took them to Fossil Park to run off the calories.
My mom, sister, Abbey and I went to East Moon Asian sushi and bistro. 10 small pieces of rice and seaweed. But it was really good. And we didn't overeat.
After that we took my mom shopping. Target! She looked great in everything she tried on. I think we spent 3 hours trying things on her. She came out with some nice work outfits that fit! and some exercise clothes. She has dropped several sizes by eating healthy food and swimming in the morning before work. She looked so good.
Matt wanted to go with the family that weekend instead of staying home to do his homework because he doesn't want his schooling to keep him from family stuff. Also because he likes to have me sit there while he does his homework. It helps him to have someone to have to explain the problem to and think through it with him. We still had 3 problems to go (or 15 hours left). It was due at midnight and it was 8 pm. not lookin good. I settled down for the long haul. Other computer, headphones, coffee, snacks. I could barely keep my eyes open. Around 10:30 Matt says "I finished." Usually that means he finished the next problem. but he had done the whole thing!!!!!!! He was very comfortable with last 2 problems and finished them in record time. Ah bed. even with 2 cups of coffee I crashed. It was great.
The next morning Matt couldn't find his car key. Remember the VW key and the manure story? I had last seen it on the wet bar counter of the hotel room that I did not thoroughly check when we left. The hotel did not find it. Matt took the suburban to work. I looked through all our stuff. no key. I began to research what I knew was coming. Going to the dealership, 2 hour drive, ordering a "fake key" towing the bug to the dealership, $$$ later a new coded key. ok. Take a deep breath.
I stopped by the LaGrange garage to check on our van. It had started right up for the mechanic. : ) He couldn't get it to break.
Matt and I prayed and readied ourselves to do a deep look in the suburban for the key. Kelly drove over to the hotel and looked in the bushes by the parking lot. On Matt's way home from work there was a faint glimmer in the Suburban windshield of something shiny. He reach up to see what was causing the reflection. He stuck his hand down into the heater vent on the dashboard and pulled out the VW key. God had made the sun light be in the perfect angle to shine down into the vent, hit the key, back up, hit the windshield, and then over to Matt's eyes.
: ) A True Boyd Weekend.
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