These kids are gonna eat me out of house and home!

The boys are only "almost" 4 and 7 and already they are eating machines. We can go through 3 boxes of "Z Bars" (at $3.50/box) in a couple of days and the other day Fischer ate 4 regular Powerbars (about 400 calories each!) in a matter of 2 hours and that was on top of the lunch, dinner and "regular" snacks he ate. I don't worry because this kids goes at top speed pretty much all day.

Today he was eating his 2nd breakfast and I looked at him and told him "you are a pig." In the nicest "you are a pig" sort of way and he casually looked at me and said "I know" and kept on eating. Oh lord -- how much money is going to FLY out the door this summer on food?

Alaska --

May 2009 Headed North To Alaska

The entire Terrell clan - including Karen and Gene headed North to Homer, AK to visit Gene's brother and his wife (Hardin and Joan). They graciously allowed us to crash at their place, kids and all! We left beautiful weather to land in Anchorage to rain. It sort of looked like Washington.
We drove from Anchorage around the Turnagain Arm and down to Homer, AK. Everyone told me I would see a moose but I didn't see a one! I was starting to doubt that I would see a moose.
We arrive in Homer and had a wonderful dinner and settled in so that we could get ready for fishing. The kids had a hard time going to sleep as we were in the Land of the Midnight Sun but they finally closed their eyes and were sawing "zzzz's" around 10pm.

5:30am came quickly and we were all up for a day of fishing.....We headed out into Kachameck Bay and towards Cook Inlet and did some Halibut Fishing. As we were trolling for Black Sea Bass Hayden caught a nice 30ish lb Halibut that he reeled in himself (with the help of Grandpa who helped hold the rod). We picked up a few more "chicken buts" that day but no salmon.


After a long day of fishing we returned to Joan and Hardins' house and I finally got to see my Moose. I worked in Alaska but I never saw a Moose in Bristol Bay - I saw Grizzly Bears, Swans and Cariboo but never a Moose. Hayden spotted this one in the neighbors yard. That kid, has the "eye" for spotting wildlife. This was the same day we watched a yellow lab chase a little black bear cub down into the gulley on the side of the yard. Hayden and Shannon really wanted to go find the cub in the gulley but I wisely reminded them that it was a baby and his / her Mommy was probably close by ... Fischer was totally freaked out and he was in the house the rest of the night.






The next two days consisted of more fishing. I was able to take off one day and stay in town and explore. That of COURSE was the day that they were EN FUEGO with fish! Oh well, I found the Time Bandit Store (from the Deadliest Catch) and chatted up the gal for a while and found out all the 'scoop.' The boys came in a few hours later and spent $100 in about 30 seconds!

Time Bandit Sweatshirts with Homer Spit!

We had a real Alaska experience -- no salmon but I have seen my fair share of Alaskan Salmon but I have a freezer full of halibut. The boys saw a Grizzly on the way home on the Kenai Peninsula, we saw a glacier, we drove through a tunnel, we ate the best fish and chips, and we were together as a family. So all in all it was an awesome trip. I think that the boys have gotten the Alaska bug. Shannon has decided that he does not want to live in Homer...I think that he thought maybe he did...and we are working on a trip to Sitka, AK next year.

Fred the Eagle that came to eat at Joan's house everyday around 2:30pm. But we didn't feed him, that is against the law and we would never do anything against the law.

A family picture...and look I'm in it!



In the words of Hayden "Yo Griz....waz up?" He made eye contact with the bear when he yelled at it and that freaked out Fischer who screamed "ROLL UP THE WINDOW and DRIVE DAD!" uut Hayden just had a rolling converstation with the bear.

Alaska rocks because it is the only place I know that you can totally get away with wearing jeans, a hoodie and your Sitka Slippers (aka Extra Tough rubber boots) EVERYWHERE and EVERYDAY and you are totally in fashion. Next year, SE Alaska here come the Terrell's!

April and May Updates

Can it possibly be nearly 2 months since my last blog posting? I guess I have lot to catch up on. April and May were cold around here and not much went on. Hayden did finish is Spring Soccer season. He was on the same team as the Fall and he had a good season. Hayden lost his two front teeth. The were both hanging by a thread and boy are his two big teeth coming in fast.





Fischer is just Fischer -- he is 3 going on 8 and is full of bumps, bruises and cuts. This kids is a walking poster child for Band-aids! We've already used an entire container of that neosporin spray. The latest was his gigantic black eye he got hitting the ice cooler in Alaska. He is independent and has a fierce temper (not sure where he got that!)

Our New Baby

After much thought and discussion ST purchased a new baby. This one is 16ft long, silver in color and comes with two engines and seats several. We took it on a maiden family voyage yesterday up River on the Skagit River. Here is a little video from the trip. I think that Tyee was the biggest fan! I have not seen her this puppy like in several years. She reminded me of Bailey...




Here are the kids exploring the sandbar we stopped at for lunch. They found cougar tracks, deer tracks and tons of sticks that had been chewed up by beavers. Fun for all!

Silver Mt.

Skiing with the entire family is just a blast. We are close to having everyone on their "own." But right now, Fischer is still doing the between the legs thing most of the time.


So we were trading off with the boys and I had Fischer on the "magic carpet" while ST and Hayden were up ripping in the terrain park. We were making our 4 run down the hill. I was going backwards and holding his tips and making him "turn" and do it on his own. But of all things, he was a little bit scared. Yes, Fischer was a little bit scared. He was not having fun because Dad holds him between the legs and goes FAST and does jumps. So at the bottom of the run he looks at me and says, "This sucks, you suck and I want my Dad!" I expect this sort of thing from Fischer. He is such a feisty one. So after I stopped laughing, which pissed him all that much more, I told him that I thought "he sucked right now too and I wanted his Dad too!" We did make it to the top of the Magic Carpet and luckily there was Dad! So I took Hayden and we let Shannon with Fischer!

Of course things were all good at the bottom of the Gondola and I bought him some M&Ms and then we hit the water park. So Mom didn't suck all day.

Bowling Parties Rock

Here are a few pictures from Hayden's Birthday Party at Park Bowl. They are a little out of order in the blog but I had to post a few!

Birthday - Guess who turned 7

I hardly feels like seven (7) years ago that our lives changed with the addition of Hayden Charles Terrell. I can not believe that my little guy has turned seven. I know how cliche it is to say "time travels fast" but it is so true. A friend I know does a list for each of her kids birthday - so here are the seven things I love about Hayden (there are way more most days but these are the top 7).

1. I love the way he cuddles up to me in the morning and wakes up.
2. I love the way he can jump out of bed on skiing or fishing days and I even love the "Money never sleeps" when he is trying to roost me out of my slumber.
3. I love how sweet he "can" be to his brother and what an awesome big brother he is!
4. I adore how he is so kind and sweet to his friends that he's had since he was a baby.
5. I love his passion for all things fishing and nautical. I warms my heart to see he and his Dad out there sharing this passion.
6. I love his sweet smile and warm personality.
7. Most of all I love it when out of the blue he leans over and tells me he loves me.

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Blog Catch up - Part 1 Herring Story

Well it has been a while and boy do I have a lot to blog about. As most of you know, Shannon won a fishing tournament and at the end of February I made good on my bet that if he or his team won, I would pull an "Edgar Hanson" and bite the head off a herring. So here is a video of that wonderful event. Next year, I'm pretty sure that they can't pull it off again, so I'm going to be pondering my next bet!




Here is a shot of the Taco Truck in the driveway serving up Tacos and Burritos! A fun way to have a dinner party that you don't have to cook for!

some serious pre-school sledding adventures

This is my first attempt at uploading a video.  Here is a shot of Fischer the other day out sledding.

Here is Hayden out doing some sledding.  He didn't have his helmet on which did make me nervous knowing our history in our family and head injuries.

Can't wait for spring ... it is a big ol' tease around here.  One day spring like the next cruddy!

Pre-school sledding adventure!

Many emotions

This has been a rough week couple of weeks for me. I have experienced some of the highest highs and some of the lowest lows and caught a cold in the meantime. I attended a funeral for a friend who had lost her 8 year old son to an inoperable brain tumor/cancer on Monday. It was a very personal, emotional and beautiful ceremony. Kyle was friends with Jake Locker (UW QB) and Jake and his family attended the memorial and a private celebration later that day. They even drove the "Ferndawg" RV in memory of Kyle as he was a bit tailgate fan! Hayden came with me to the "party" later that day and spent some time talking with Jake. He told him about fishing and that he might have to go to WSU but he still would root for him. It made Jake laugh. He even wore his Jersey and Jake asked him if stole it from the equipment room, Hayden immediately said "No - I got it at GI Joes." I was in trouble because I forgot my sharpie. However, the way that guy treats the kids that are around is super cool. He is one of a kind and it really wants to make you root for him. It was one of the saddest days that I can remember. My friend Christin was so poised and was even able to give the most beautiful eulogy. She is truely inspirational. I am so lucky to be able to call her a friend!

With ST gone this week I took the boys to Vancover. We hit the Telus Science place near BC Place. It rocked by the way! We did a dinner at Earls in White Rock in honor of Shannon. The boys were on the end (it was 7:30pm!) but they made it through dinner. On our way out, this older lady pulled me aside, I thought, OH NO, what did the boys do? Instead, she complimented me on the wonderful manners and behavior of the boys. She said she was impressed with them. Boy did that make me feel good! We didn't have a long wait at the border. I was able to actually make the guard laugh. After asking where were had been and where we lived, he asked if we were brining back anything, I said "No, I was able to navigate them past the overpriced plastic crap in the gift shop." He busted out laughing (first time in a long time I've been able to get them to laugh) and he sent us on our way home. They want to take Dad back and this time we'll go earlier so we can take some walks through Chinatown.

So today I love my boys more than anything! Even the one that is missing....I'm not mad at him anymore. Amazing what a few weeks apart will do!

Batman at REI

Here's a little Fischer story.  I told myself that I needed to write these down because this kid is one of a kind and I want to remember these little dittys!

So I took him to REI yesterday to do a little shopping and I bribed him with a Robek's smoothy.  I needed some new warm socks because my feet froze last time we went fishing and I figure after this past weekend, we'll be in the boat a lot.  So there was a great sale on kids stuff.  So I thought I would stock up on some new fleece for the boys. 

Oh forgot to mention that Fischer was dressed in him Batman PJs (outfit) and he would only reply to the name Batman...so I was talking with him and I turned around, literally about 30 seconds and he was gone.  I called for him, Batman!, Batman! but not reply.  I asked the sales gal, "Have you seen Batman?"  She was not perplexed and said, "well he was just here..." so off I go searching for him over in the tents and the rock.  No Batman.  I sort of freak out for a second.  Then this young gal comes up and says, "He was outside."  Outside!  Okay - so I head that way.  I can see him running towards me at this point.  Doing all these Batman moves.  I ask him, "Yo Dude, where have you been?"  He replies, "Mom, I had to go pee!"  Oh, I am sort of shaken for a moment, "Where did you go pee?"  I ask.  His reply, "Outside...." with this sort of duh...like where else would you go in a camping store sort of tone.  The shoppers around me totally bust up laughing and I couldn't help but smile.  "Okay, I say -- but next time, let me know and we'll use the bathroom."  

BTW -- we are now officially Diaper free in our house....day and night.  It rocks to be able to walk past the baby section of Target and Costco and not have to pick up a thing!!!

Roche Harbor Derby

Here is Shannon with his winning fish!  Why I find this so funny is beyond me.  But for some reason I find this hilarious that he won this fishing tournament.  Gotta love the Aquasport as this is the 2nd time that a winning fish has been taken from that boat.  

Now the next post I am sure will be eatting the herring I promised if the "jokers" won the tournament.  When will I learn to keep my mouth shut?  Probably never as I am over 40 years old and I still have not learned!

Going on a Hawg Quest

Okay - I know two posts in one day -- but I was taking ALL the pictures/videos off the camera and I found this video. This is early spring at Toad Lake in Bellingham. If you are not familiar with Hawg Quest - go ahead and visit their sit. http://www.hawgquest.com/ It is a Terrell Family Favorite show around here. They even read the credits!

Season Opener

Okay - what can be better than fishing in Feburary? Well, let me count the things...I made the trek with the boys for the opening of Winter Blackmouth fishing in Area 7 (San Juan Islands). It was damn cold (like 39 degrees on the water!) and it was a little windy and the rain did spit a little. Not really my idea of ideal but it was not Ukie rough so I have a new point of comparison now.

We had to wait in line to launch the boat and it was not EVEN dark out! What is up with that? Seriously! Hayden was awake and waiting for his Dad to come and get him, seriously! What is up with that as well? Fischer, he's my child and it took a little coaxing to wake him up but he leaped out of bed as soon as he figured out it was FISHIN' TIME! Seriously, what is up with that too? I drug my lazy ass out of bed and put on several layers and got in the car to go to Starbucks. The boys ordered doughnuts for breakfast and we were off....

It was a little bouncy in Bellingham Bay but as soon as we rounded Pt. Francis it was smooth and we drove by the beach house and around Pt. Migley to Pt. Thompson. There were a lot of boats and we stayed outside and ended up getting some strikes and finaly got a fish. We had enough action to keep us busy and my only complaint was that I got cold at the end of the day. We were home in time to see most of the Super Bowl too!

Happy Birthday to Shannon!

Yesterday was ST's big ol' 42 and I am a day late and a dollar short and didn't get my post up!  But we still want to give him a big ol' shout out and tell him Happy Birthday!! 

Shannon is in So Cal. this week so we called him yesterday morning to sing to him.  Hayden is so "7" and he had all the end of the song phrases that reminded me of when I was a kid.  You know the "cha cha cha" and the "You smell like and Monkey and you look like one too."  Glad to know that some things just don't change.  Oh - and the kids were adamant that they have cake for 

Dad's birthday even if he was not there...so we did!

Holiday Season

The holiday season is over and things are back to "normal."  Whatever normal is in our household.  We had a very busy and long Holiday season but it was a lot of fun.  

We started the season off with two "snow days" and no school.  I think that those two extra days and the snowed in factor added a few too many days to our togetherness but we made the best of it.  The boys headed off to Cle Elum a day before Shannon and I and spent a day with the Terrell family.  All of them, including their Uncle Brett who is one of their heros.  It was super snowy in Cle Elum and Grandpa Gene managed to find a killer sledding hill.

Shannon and I made it over the pass and were there in time for Christmas Eve.  We spent a few days over there playing cards, walking in the snow, eating and helping Kay and Jay (Shannon's Aunt/Uncle) break in their new home.  

Then it was home for a few days.   Mid-week we loaded in the car again and headed to Eugene, OR for a few days of fun in Oregon with Shannon's Uncle Wade.  The boys were able to go fishing on the Siulsala River for Steelhead -- none were taken but they had a good time.  Helen gave me a bad name, as she gets up at 4:30 to make them sandwiches for fishing!  Who does that?  Not me - but now it is "Hey Mom, Why don't you make us sandwiches?"  Thanks Helen!!!

They were rained out for more than one day of fishing as the rivers rose fast and were "out of shape" so it was a day of duck hunting the following day.  They got one and almost had a goose.  Tyee went and had a Bailey moment where she would not put the duck in her mouth.  What kinds of bird dog is she?

We hit Costco for a new TV in Oregon and decided to head home via Portland for some REI shopping.  I got new ski boots - now I just have to get some skis.  Then we topped off the two weeks to a lunch at Hooters.   Yep the boys love their hotwings - oh and Hayden discovered he likes their Mountain Dew Red Blast, or something like that....sure.....whatever!