Not again...

From the photo, you just cannot appreciate how much vaseline is in Luke's hair, on his face, pajamas, the carpet- but look at his hands. You can kind of see it glopped in between his fingers. Luke is really making Allie look like quite the angel. This happened shortly after the chocolate syrup incident. Jason didn't want us to post it because for sure you all would think we were staging these things. Or completely neglectful as parents. Neither one makes us look that great.

OKRA - Oh Karamba (it's) Really Awsome

I know, ¡caramba! is spelled with a "C" not a "K". It's the best I could come up with. I had never had okra before this summer. I don't think that I even knew what it looked like. A friend convinced us to grow it. Wow, that is our new favorite vegetable! We sauté it in olive oil with onion and garlic and oh YUM! It is sooo good! We all fight for the last bite (yes, that means Allie and Luke too).

Many thanks to Dave Cook

Luke got the biker bug! Dave- he told me to tell you he is challenging you to a road race- you on your bike, he on his!

The "3 Hour Tour"

We had a GREAT time this past weekend- our trip to AZ for Jack's baptism! We got to see Grandma and Grandpa Jackson (and Bear), Peggy, Sam and see Wendy together with her fiancee-to-be! And of course the Robinsons. Unfortunately I didn't take very many photos with our camera (we are going to have to wait for the Robinson Blog). On our way home, we were almost to Payson when there was a tanker truck explosion. They turned us around and sent us all the way back to Mesa. Jason had a big presentation on Monday so we had to keep going. Which meant driving home through Superior, Globe, Show Lo and around that way. Ugh. The Toure de Arizona took an extra four hours atleast. Could of been worse I guess and the kids were really great sports. We stopped at the Salt River Canyon Rest Area. We "made" Luke crawl up all those stairs for a little excercise. He started down at the river bottom. I don't know if you can appreciate it from the photo. Luke obviously looks miserable.

Sunday Best

Today was the first day that Luke has ever worn a tie. And he never tried to take it off either!

A Wish Come True

My whole life I have waited to hear these words from my daughter (I always knew I would have a girl first)... "Mom, will you curl my hair?" Now, if only she would have said this back in June for the weddings. All the same, it has finally happened! So we both put our hair in hot curlers today. She got lots of compliments at church so hopefully her little curly head was distracting enough to not notice the fact that she had no shoes on. She refused to wear any because of her injury. I guess there are more important things than bare feet at church.

Urgent Care (again)

It was the same doctor (I wonder if he remembered Jason's name) but it was with Allie this time instead of Luke. She stepped on a piece of broken porcelain and sliced her foot. It was a pretty clean straight slice so they felt like they could get away with glue again instead of stitches. I don't think stitches would have gone over well with Allie. The glue was dramatic enough for her.

New Media

Lessons learned:
1. Whenever you don't hear any noise from a little boy, something very bad is happening.
2. This is what happens when you take away all of the pens/markers/crayons.
3. Leather scores one over microfiber.
4. Look down when the refrigerator door is open.
5. Modern art is not dead.
6. Idle hands are the devil's new media.

The Great Belly Debate

Ilene is due first so she should be bigger. However, Jenny has had three kids and they say you get bigger with each one. And I have been on "be a fat lazy slob" rest (or at least that is what it felt like- it is so great to get out on foot/baby jogger again). So the question/challenge is to my sister and sister-in-law - how's your belly?! By the way, this shot is a request from Peggy who promised me she would send me a photo of her stomache if I sent one of mine. So Peggy... you're up!

The Warm Up

We returned last night from Red River where Jason finished his 100 mile bike ride (a "century"). Here are a few pre-race warm up shots. Take a good look at what he is wearing so you can recognize him in the video. And isn't Red River just the cutest little ski town!

Red River Century

This is a short quick video so be ready to watch FAST (or watch it several times). This is the very beginning of the race, just seconds after the gun. There were some 500+ riders so the take off was really exciting. It was so exciting to see Jason race past amongst all the riders. It was also 39° F- a bit chilly but Red River is a ski resort town (kind of a mini version of Telluride. A very mini version).

Sweet Victory!!!

Yes- Jason Won!!! He is a winner in the game of LIFE! He trained hard, pedalled hard, made great time and never gave up! And we, his adoring fans, were thrilled to see him come across that finish line in triumphant victory of accomplishment (music playing... grab tissues as you see the family hug... and... roll credits!). Seriously, he came across in 6:33 (hours and minutes ;-) and wanted to die shortly thereafter.

Enchanted Circle

Contrary to what Chris thought, the Enchanted Circle has nothing to do with princesses or Barbie Ballarina or any of that. New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment" (the state slogan) and from the map you can see these small town ski areas form a circle -- about 100 miles long.

We are hoping it is a phase

And presenting....

Darth Allie!

We are hoping it is just a phase...

Cousins

We stole this picture from Jenny and Chris' blog. Haily's smile cracks us up. Jenny and kids came to Albuquerque in July for a quick visit and had a nice time.

Off to see DADDY!

Only one more week before the big race! Jason rode out to Double Eagle II airport (in a round about loooong way) and we drove to meet him for lunch at the little cafe in the top of the hanger out there. And it is out there.... the middle of nowhere. There was a B-17 landing and taking off - giving rides? It was fun for Dad and Luke seemed equally enthrolled! Jason's 70+ mile ride was cut short when he got a flat on the way home and tried to fix it. Apparently two little sabatours switched out the brand new good tube for an old one that already had a hole in it. Mom has been trying to update (piece by piece) his colorful 10 year old gear. In the next photos posted Jason will be sporting his new "outfit."

P.S. Allie likes the planes too!

Millions of peaches... peach for FREE

Our neighbor has a peach tree. We have had peach cobbler, peaches and cream, peaches on oatmeal, crepes with peaches, peaches on waffles, peach smoothies, peach jam and of course peaches eaten as is. Yummy! And, for the first time ever, two of my friends and I got together and we CANNED peaches! These are the fruits of my labor. Literally. So that is one thing I did this week. (I wish I had taken a photo WHILE canning- what a fun sticky mess! Thanks Lottie and Analisa!)

Microfiber vs. leather

When Jason and I were shopping for a new couch a couple of years ago, we debated over leather or the microfiber fake suede stuff. I had heard great things about the microfiber and eventually that is what won out. Thank goodness because EVERYTHING we have seen so far seems to wash off. Last week, Luke found a writing utensil every single day and every single day drew on the couch! How many places can you hide those things! This is something Allie never did. I am grateful it comes off, but I am tired of washing my COUCH!

Also, Luke climbs and gets into things in ways Allie did not. He was unshelving the pantry at my friend's house while I was at a dr. appt. and he dropped a can on his toe splitting it open. Talk about BLOOD. This shot of his toe is 4 days later. You just cannot appreciate the gore. Also note the scar below his lip from when he split his chin/lower lip open. ALL BOY! That will make a great 'Harrison Ford' scar.

Our Nightly Ritual

Allie and Luke are now starting to fight over the available lap space (which is getting smaller and smaller). Allie's favorite book of the week- Curious George Gets a Medal. Luke's favorite book- Big Bird's Farm. You will note the pink paint on the wall (poor Luke- he's 16 months old already) but it will soon be changed to blue "The Boys Room."