3rd Annual Feeney Family 4th of July Camping Trip

Last weekend we packed, loaded, strapped and stuffed our truck full of all the little luxuries that car and kid camping allow...pac'n play, ladder ball, air mattress, not one but two coolers, jumbo sized tent, loads of toys, one dog, and two boys and headed north to our favorite section of wilderness only accessible via Timber Hill an ominous stretch of road. Timber Hill had been gnawing on our conscience since we survived it last summer, but for some reason it didn't seem so bad this year, "no problem" as Conor put it. Maybe this was because it wasn't 9 months pregnant (I don't recommend 4 wheeling in this condition), or maybe it could have been because our Toyota was 20 years younger this year, or possibly because Flex had his own secure place in the back of the truck and wasn't jumping out the window at every lull in the road. Rocky roads aside we made it and found a perfect spot for families and fishermen alike. Conor got in some good fishing (surprise). I'm not sure which tales are taller the fish stories or the moose tales (we had 3 moose sightings). Cully had a massive breakdown when it was time to go and said "next time when we go to the mountains can't we just stay" as if 4 days in the wilderness with 4 kids under the age of 3 is not ENOUGH!

The theme at our house is independence!

Wow, it's been 8 weeks since I've last posted anything! Hmmm, I wonder why? My life is getting busier my the minute. The only difference really is that Grady is now on the move. He just trucks around the house trying to find anything to get his hands on and get into his mouth. Cully calls him "grabber boy" and everything he touches gets destroyed. Along with Grady's newly found Independence, Cully is bursting at the seems with the desire to do everything "all by myself". He insists on making his own lunch (see the picture with the cheese mountain), pee standing up just like daddy, dress and undress himself buttons and all, and buckle own car seat. I love that he is getting so independent, but need patience to allow him to take his time with these skills.

I'm so glad the eggs were hard boiled!

Happy Easter and Happy Spring to all! We had a nice visit to Crested Butte last week to see cousins Leigh and Will. It was a great time if you discount not sleeping the entire week due to Grady's first two teeth! I was on my own for the drive on the way up which actually went well, it was nice to be on the road with the boys (we did have to stop often for Cully to pee...potty training adds a new dimension to traveling!) On the way back we had Grandma Lynn riding along and reading stories, but mostly listening to stories...my favorite had something to do with a bowling fox, complete with bowling shoes! Easter was a lovely celebration the only hard part is trying to discreetly get rid of all that candy!

The Feeney's go green!

As you can see we had fun on St. Paddy's and there's not enough green in the world for the Feeney boys. We went to the Pub to say hi to aunt Bailey, but it was so packed we could barely move. After getting our Irish spirits up we decided there was no better way to celebrate than a Mexican fiesta (tip to all...Mexican restaurants are deserted on the 17th of March). So what's up with the boys lately? Cully has taken to strange night wanderings and sleeping in sunglasses (yes he is asleep in this picture). One night after many attempts at keeping him in bed I caught myself very flustered and tired saying "just put your sunglasses on and GO TO BED!" A phrase that I can imagine has never been uttered before. He also has been bumping (due to the shades) around the house at night and trying to find an audience for his "tricks" at 2 am. I'm sure this too will pass, you know they say that kids sleep is interrupted as they master major milestones. I'm hoping this means he's going to master potty training soon. I think we are getting closer (I'm an optimist). And Grady is just too sweet for words, always happy and smiling and chewing on something! He really wants to move and get into all of Cully's meticulously parked trucks! As you can see in the picture Grady has been reading up on his milestones too!

Waiting for spring

Officially there are 25 days until the first day of spring, but probably many more until spring comes to Durango. As these pics will show I think we need some fresh air...

Grady's gone bananas!

Grady had his 6 month birthday last week and is now pounding down the food! I think it's safe to say that he was ready for solids. He started with bananas and hasn't looked back. Every food we try seems better than the last, and he squeals in anticipation when we put his bib on. At his 6 month doctor's appointment he is measuring almost three inches longer than Cully did at that age. Watch out big brother...your reign of power may be short lived, Grady will remember all those times you thought it was funny to knock him over just as he get his balance to sit up!

"I want that!"

While watching the superbowl this Sunday Cully saw the huge image of the superbowl rings and announced..."I want that". Conor had never been so proud for about ten seconds until Cully demanded to have lip gloss.

Here are a few pictures of us enjoying the winter.

Christmas in January

I wouldn't call myself lazy, but it's pretty bad that I am just now posting a few pictures from Christmas...well maybe lazy does sum it up nicely! See, now it's been too long and I can't remember Christmas, it was just a blur of paper, lights, reindeer, trees, eating and snow, lots of snow. Why do we bother spending all that money on gifts and toys? Cully spent the entire afternoon today hammering nails into a piece of styrofoam while his new toys lie in the bottom of the toy box. Note to self, next year spend less! I do remember the best quote of Christmas this year, on Christmas eve Cully said he heard "bells of two maybe four reindeer ".

Mush, Flexi, Mush!

I'm running behind on posting Christmas blogs, but both boys are sleeping at the moment so I'll update real quickly (cause it's CRAZY to be awake when I could be napping). These pictures are from the days leading up to Christmas, we were lucky to get lots of snow and quality cousin time. I now have proof that Flex's roots are truely in Tibet and not Siberia...he loves the snow, but refuses to pull the sled. Why is it that the ONE time I want him to run he stands there flat footed? Maybe we should dangle a chicken out in front of if him. Mush!