Shafer time...

We had our yearly Shafer Fam gathering. It was so much fun and as always, not long enough. The first few days were spent building a deck at my parents' house. We all helped out in some way or another...mostly the guys, but the ladies totally played a part.
The adults got to go out without kids one night and we ate at Applebees. It was great and just nice to not have to deal with the kids for a bit.
We spent some time out on Mom and Dad's boat. The boys just loved it. We did a little tubing and Carter, Joel, Kadin, and Mason gave it a try. Kadin was the brave one who wanted to try it first!
Silver Lake is a very shallow lake, but it is more shallow than you might think...we stopped the boat somewhat near an island, but still out there and everyone got out and walked around...even the kids could walk around in the lake...funny huh! Ben and Doug and Joel walked out, seriously more than half way across the lake and then turned back because we were worried they would get run over by boats that were speeding around the lake...
We played a little Bocce Ball which was fun. A game for all ages. I thought this would be a cool shot to take it from the ground with the balls...turned out okay...
My Uncle Chris (Dad's brother) and Aunt Jeannie came for a short time. It was so much fun to see them and get to be with them even if it was for just a short time. They are so much fun and we wish that we could see them more often. I totally appreciate them coming...all the way from Chicago...just to see us.
Dad took the kids to go get the mail. They had fun in the wagon together, though I'm told they didn't last on the way back...
My brothers are the best! I seriously love them so much. They are such good people and married wonderful girls and all of them are so much fun to be with. They are being goofy here, which is typical, but they really are the greatest.
It was hard to get a good picture of all the kids in the hammock, maybe someone else got a better one with their camera. The boys really have a great time together. It is fun to see them playing so well. They are good friends.
It is always sad to say goodbye. Carter and Joel really had a great time together. After they left he had to take a nap and kept asking if Joel was going to sleep with him. Mom made the storage room the kids room for sleeping and so Carter and Joel and Kadin slept in there together.
It was an awesome week and a half! I'm so grateful that Doug and Jackie were able to come too. They are off to Virginia for dental school, which is awesome, but I will miss them so much. Thanks to Ben and Doug and their families for traveling so far to be with us. Thanks so Uncle Chris and Aunt Jeannie for visiting as well. And thanks mucho to Mom and Dad for housing us, feeding us, and putting up with us! We had so much fun and can't wait for Christmas!!!

Funny kids...

Kids can be so funny. The kids have said some funny things lately and so I wanted to write them down before I forget. Maybe you'll get a kick out of them too. I wanted to
post these pictures because the kids love to go to Jamba Juice. I think Mason is so cute holding his cup...he looks like a little man when we go...he walks
around the store constantly sucking the straw. So funny. Also, I don't know why, but I just thought of this. Carter...and actually Mason too...don't like peanut butter. Weird huh? Infact, if I have even eaten peanuts or anything with peanut butter in it and then go and talk to Carter, he covers his mouth and says, "What did you have in your mouth? It's disgusting. Don't talk." It's hilarious.
Anyway, here are some conversations I have overheard or had...Mason was playing with Carter's Leggo Mack and was taking the pieces off and then couldn't get them back on. Mason would say, "Elp...elp" (which is help) and Carter would say, "I'll help you Mase." and then Carter would fix it for him. Sometimes Mason would get it back on by himself and he would yell out, "I di it." (I did it) This was awhile back, but was so cute to me because they were playing with each other and Carter was being a good big brother.
Another day Carter was playing with his "Car movie cars" and Mason was sitting by him and I hear Carter say, "I wish I could share with you Mase...maybe another day when you get bigger. Okay Mason?" To which my sweet Mason responded, "Okay, Mason."
Carter gets in trouble and has to go to time-out when he hits his brother and Mason loves to tease Carter by taking the cars he is playing with, so Mason had taken some of Carter's cars and Carter then hit Mason and so Carter had to go to time-out. When Carter came out of his room, I said, "What do you need to do...go and say sorry to your brother and give him a hug." As I was saying this, I could see Mason in the doorway and he put down the cars he was holding and stretched out his arms and starting walking towards Carter. They then hugged and all I could see was Carter's back with these two little arms wrapped around him. That was too precious.
Mason loves Carter. Every morning and pretty much all day long I hear Mason calling for Carter...but he doesn't say it very well and it comes out as "Cah-ku". It is so cute.
We were riding in the car the other day and the new Coldplay song came on...which we love...Viva la Vida and so we turned it up and sang it...amazingly, Carter already knows the words, and after the song was over I was saying how awesome I think the the song is and Carter says matter-of-factly, "Those guys rock Mom." Cool.
I love it when kids start talking. This is one of my favorite things. They are so funny and so amazing. I remember when my cousin was just 3 and I would take him with me everywhere because he just cracked me up. He was so interested and excited about everything and it's fun to hear them learning new words and phrases. Carter never ceases to amaze me with the things that come out of his mouth...good and bad...we have to start watching even more how we talk. The other day Carter told me, "I'm just going to freak out and go nuts if you don't do this." Maybe it's just me, but hearing your kid say "freak out" doesn't sound that great...I don't think it's a big deal for me to say (though I guess it is), but I don't like hearing my kid say it for some reason. Anyway...kids are funny.

Visitors!

Memorial Day weekend we had Joel's brother Connor and his family come and visit. It was so much fun. Michal's (Connor's wife) brother was getting married that Saturday
in Portland and so they extended their trip to be with us for a bit as well. Can you tell in the first picture that all of the kids are Thompson's or what? I think they all definitely have a Thompson look. Corbin is so darling. He
was about 3 1/2 months when he was here and he is such a good baby. So cute. Mason just loved Corbin and would come and just look at him and smile at him and say "baby"...that is
a big step for Mason, seeing as how he usually doesn't like anyone other than me, Joel, or Grandma...I asked him to hug him and he did. It was seriously cute. Carter was in heaven. He loved playing with Dylan. He loved playing with him so much that he didn't want to take naps, eat, bathe, sleep...do anything other than play. They are such a fun family and we really appreciated them coming all the way from Ohio to visit...especially squeezing us in with a wedding and all. It was awesome to be with them and play...we can't wait to see them again.

Ah wedded bliss...

Joel and I recently celebrated our anniversary. It's been 5 WICKED-AWESOME years and Joel is totally COOL!

Growing up, I always wanted to get married and have a family. I pictured it as being so amazing and wonderful. I had this mental list of all the things my husband was going to be like. Joel has by far, exceeded all expectations. I knew it would be wonderful to be married, but I had no idea it would be this good. I honestly can't think of a word that describes how awesome it is. Joel is amazing. He is the most wonderful man. I can honestly say that everyday, I am in awe of him. He is most definitely the spiritual leader in our family and I am so grateful for him in making sure that we are doing what we need to be doing...though I fight him along the way sometimes.
He is such an amazing father. He loves his children so much and is always amazed by them. He says often, "Aren't these boys so cool?!" He does such a great job of taking care of all of us. He is willing to do anything and everything. I had a really bad delivery with Carter and after I was amazed at all Joel did for me...I mean he did everything. I swear I didn't change a diaper until Carter was 6 weeks old. Joel is a humble man. There is never a disagreement where he doesn't come to me apologetic (even when it's not his fault or problem) and ask what he can do better.

He is a hard worker and is constantly serving others. Joel is totally smooth in the things he does. I remember when we were dating it was so fun to watch him drive a stick or cut up broccoli or roller skate...he's just smooth. He loves to find his way places and as we were dating we were always getting lost around the Portland area...all roads lead to Milwaukie, OR...though I'm not complaing, it's always fun to drive around with him. Joel is so much fun to be with and is so funny. It's hard to get mad at him because he always has some witty remark when I'm about to blow. He is a very doting husband and is always asking me what he can do for me. He treats me better than I ever dreamed of being treated. I love Joel so much. I am thankful for everyday that I have with him and I look forward to eternity with him! He is the best! Joel, you're golden man.

Multanomah Falls...

Back in April we went with Joel on a work trip to Richland, WA. While there I got to see my friend Shelly and her family. Her baby Tatum, I should have taken a picture, is so adorable. He's this chunk that's always smiling. On the drive back we stopped at Multanomah Falls. We drove back on the Oregon side, on I-84, which is one of the most beautiful drives I've been on. You've got the Columbia River on one side and on the other lush green trees down jagged cliffs...anyway, I think it's pretty. The Falls were amazing.





My boys are getting so big! Carter is more than half as tall as me...I swear my kids are going to be taller than me by the 1st grade...how embarrassing. They are so much fun. I especially can't believe how big my Mason is...it seems like just the other day he was this chunky little baby and now he doesn't even look like a baby...he looks like a little boy. Carter is somewhat protective of him...though sometimes he's the cause of tears...he holds Mason's hand now because he doesn't want Mason to "get lost". It's sweet.

My little sugar cookies!

I hate to cook and I don't really like to bake, but Carter loves to make sugar cookies...so for Family Home Evening one day we made sugar cookies. Carter and Mason were such good helpers. Mason helps out by eating the measuring cups and taking up space on the counter. Carter cuts out the shapes for me and picks the color of frosting and then I eat most the cookies...needless to say we don't make these very often. Carter is not a big sugar-eater, which is great, but when he wants to make sugar cookies and then not help eat them...you know what happens. He seriously takes one bite of one and says he's done. Mason on the other hand will eat them, but he's not a big kid yet and so doesn't eat as many as I would like him to and Joel is not a huge sugar-eater either. It's definitely more work to make the cookies with the kids, but they sure are cute about it...so maybe next year we'll make them again.

Me...Alone...All by myself!

Joel is the greatest husband in the world! He let me go and have a weekend all to myself. A few weeks ago in April I flew to Utah...just me. I stayed with Doug and Jackie and it was so much fun! I wish I could post some pictures of my awesome weekend, but I was having too much fun and did not take one picture. Sorry. I needed to get away, not from Joel(I wish he could have come), but from life(mainly my kids, though I love them). It was seriously so good for me. Since I have come back I feel happier and ready to take them on. Life hasn't changed and it is still hard to take care of everything, but I feel better. I got to be in Utah when Ben and Whitney were there and so that was fun. We watched them finish the Salt Lake marathon. I got to see some friends and family that I hadn't seen in awhile. I also went and stayed with Joel's parents' for a night and that was fun too. It was so funny though, when I got to the airport I kept thinking that I was forgetting something...I mean all I had to carry on was a purse. It was so nice not to have to chase any kids around or carry a bunch of extra stuff. People would ask me if I missed my kids and I really didn't...I mean I did, but I was glad to not be with them for a time. I am so appreciative to Doug and Jackie for letting me stay with them and for them giving up their whole weekend for me. They are so fun and I really had a great time with them. Carter was so sweet when I came back. He had missed me...though I think a little too much because for the next few days he wouldn't leave my side. He wanted me to be with him all the time...in the same room with him or holding him. Mason could have cared less. He didn't want me when I came back. He only wanted Joel or my mom, which made me kind of sad, but don't worry he soon loved me again. I'm so thankful to my family who helped me be able to take a short break...Joel and my parents' for taking care of the kids and Doug and Jackie for taking care of me. I can't wait until my next "me alone" weekend.