Hey, Hey, Hey, Good Bye

One of my favorite things to do to my boys is to threaten to tickle them. I don't actually even have to tickle them to get the laughter I desire because the threat of being tickled is just as effective. One usually tries to pull me off of whoever I have pinned down but at this point in their lives they just aren't strong enough to stand a chance. What are the chances in 10-14 years they will be getting me back for this?

On a more serious note, I'm sad to inform you that Gilbert passed away sometime last night. I will say this morning when we woke up and Gilbert was floating I was a little relieved because I imagine that he was in pain the past 24 hours. Cullen opted to dig a grave for him in the back yard as opposed to flush him. Some tears were shed and Cullen even said, "I'm sure going to miss him."

We are headed up north early tomorrow for a little while. I'm not sure quite yet if I will update while I'm up there. But if trends from the past summers continue there will be no update until I'm back. So for all you blog followers out there, don't be worried about me I'm just busy...

Poor Gilbert

Do you remember Gilbert? This was the fish that Cullen got for his birthday this year. Last night before putting the boys to bed I fed Gilbert. This morning after I had made the boys breakfast I went to feed Gilbert again.

But instead this is what I found...

I couldn't find Gilbert in the fish tank. I immediately started to panic. I call the boys to come to the living room and help me look for Gilbert. I started to sort of shake the tank around thinking maybe he was hiding in one of the shells or under some of the rocks. I asked Geremu and Cullen if they took Gilbert out of the tank. They both told me they didn't and I believed them, Gilbert was in the tank right before I put the boys down for bed.

We all had our heads smashed up against the table looking into the tank when out of the corner of my eye I spoted something. I screamed, the boys asked me why I screamed. At his point I started yelling for Nick to come downstairs.

He sees what I see...

Gilbert smashed between the edge of the table and the hanging table leaf, dried out and not looking good. Ugh... my heart sank and I'm not a huge animal lover but I can't stand the though of any living thing suffering.

Nick picked up the fish and asked the boys how Gilbert got out of the water. The boys just looked at Nick. I'm pretty certain that were as bewildered as we were. All of a sudden Nick throws the fish back into the water.

I looked at him wondering what he was doing and he says, "I think the fish just moved." We all bend down to get a closer look at the fish. Holy Aunt Hannah, Gilbert's gills were moving. He was so dried out that his body didn't move much. After a few minutes of soaking up moisture Gilbert started moving around a little more. His scales started sort of flaking off at this point and I start to video the early (or late depending, on how you look at it) Christmas miracle.

We are assuming that Gilbert jumped out of the water at some point this morning. His gills have been moving most of the day and he goes between short spurts of swimming around really crazy and just bobbing on the bottom of the tank. I think that we are just prolonging the inevitable at this point. We don't know what to do because his gills are still moving but he isn't his usual self, if you know what I'm saying. I don't want him to be in pain but I hate to flush him alive. An import lesson was learned today, always keep a top on a fish bowl.

As if we didn't have enough animal drama today Cullen caught a toad. This provided quite a bit of entertainment for the boys. I couldn't take my eyes off of them for fear that they would hold the toad just a little to tight.

They did a pretty good job offering the toad a place to stay...

as well as, a form of transportation during his short stay.

But all good things must come to an end, the toad is hopefully now back safe with his family.

In other news, Geremu's shoes went missing recently but don't worry, Nick found them.

Chubby-Wubby

Cullen and Geremu do this thing to each other that they refer to as chubby wubby. They grab each others cheeks, probably too hard, and say, "chubby wubby". It started off as a sign of affection and has evolved into a way for the boys to annoy each other. I usually end up telling them to knock it off because in the process of doing this they end up scratching each other on the face.

Yesterday Geremu ended up pretty sick. I had to take Cullen to the doctor with Geremu because Nick was out of town roofing my grandparents house. We ended up having to go from the doctor to the hospital for some testing. Cullen was AWESOME through it all and Geremu was lethargic. When we got home we were talking to my mother on the phone. She asked Cullen if he was being extra nice to Geremu because he wasn't feeling well. Cullen responded with, "Well I haven't chubby wubbied him at all today."

Family Time

Before we left to come home from the wedding we were able to spend some more time with family and enjoying the one nice day of weather we had.

Cullen giving a little lovin' to his Aunt Angie

Geremu showing off his sexy legs.

Geremu rode the Jet Ski the same way he watches fireworks, ears plugged.

If Geremu wasn't climbing on rocks then he was balancing on this wall.

My boys spending time together, Geremu tried his best to peddle with his short little legs.

Wedding Bells

We have been enjoying a long weekend with lots of family up north. Nick's brother Dan got married this past weekend. The weather was unusually cold, 60's, and misty but a good time was had by all. Cullen and Nick were both part of the wedding party.

Here Cullen is during the rehearsal getting ready for his practice walk. Cullen took a liking to the bride's sister, Kelly and wanted to spend time with her all weekend.

Here's a picture of the reception hall, this was during the decorating phase.

The day of the wedding I dropped Cullen off so he could get ready with the guys. I wasn't a part of his tux fittings so I hadn't seen him dressed up this much until...

he came walking towards me looking spectacular!

Nick walked with Cullen's girlfriend Kelly

Cullen walked with a pillow

Dan and Shana looked fabulous!

Here are the wedding party guys

Nick's mother Sue, Brynly and Geremu

Cullen couldn't control his dancing, he danced all day long. Here he is with his cousin Campbell.

Before the meal they did the grand march, I was looking for Cullen because he wasn't with the rest of the wedding party and when I looked up at the head table I saw him all by himself singing and dancing.

Cullen getting his groove on with his cousin. Geremu's turn to workout his dance moves.

Cullen and Kelly dancin'

The boys had great afternoon naps so I thought they would last until late in the evening. They were both pooped out much earlier than I was ready for and we called it a night around 10pm, upon Cullen's request. Nick stuck around into the wee hours of the morning.

Jam Packed

We woke up early this morning to get a jump start on the day, we had BIG plans.

Geremu on the other hand had some plans of his own.

Here he is preparing his plan.

I'm not sure if he was having trouble seeing from his old seat or what but the milking stool seemed to fix whatever the problem was as you can see from the below picture.

After a little play time it was off to Bay Beach. Geremu loves every ride.
Cullen on the other hand would rather cheer Geremu on than go on the rides. I'm not sure what the fear in the rides is about since he didn't have this last year but he did go on a few of them.
We had lunch at the park. The kids all stayed busy chasing the seagulls.
After lunch we headed over to the wading pool. This is a picture from across the pool of Cullen yelling at Nick.After Bay Beach we headed over to the bird sanctuary to feed the ducks and geese.

Did I mention we did this all with our friends Katie, Billy and family?

Chuggin' Along

Thanks so much for the comments and e-mails we've been receiving. We are keeping ourselves very busy these days. We spent everyday this past week with friends or family. Yesterday morning we headed to the town my father is from and spent time with my Aunts/Uncles, cousins and their kids. Here are LOTS of pictures from our fun day.

Mama swimming while the kids & Dad nap!

Sandbox fun

Geremu had a smile plastered on his face most of the day, he loved all the action.

Cullen's new favorite treat.

The Get-Along-Gang

Cal and Nick had a good time playing in the water together.

Little Jersey relaxing.

Turns out Cullen loves water wings.

The second cousins born within a 6 month period.

Grandma Great made an appearance, it was good to see her out and about.

We had a doctors apt today on our way home. Afterwards we stopped at the local state park to spend a few hours. Cullen caught a butterfly, it was his first time touching one- so cool. He let it go shortly after this picture.

My little tree climbers.

Geremu's a quick one.