Caleb vs. Les Stroud

Caleb and Daddy are having a "friendly"(?) competition. Caleb asked Dad if he would pay him to eat a can of anchovies. Daddy said yes. So the deal was $5 dollars to eat approximately 18 anchovies. They were NASTY! The anchovies won (or lost). Caleb ate three or four VERY slowly, gulping water between every bite. Paul tasted one, he said they were VERY salty.

He threw them up. Bryce verified that. Unfortunately, he did NOT get compensated for judging if Caleb had thrown them up (next time, Bryce, you might want to negotiate compensation BEFORE doing something that nasty).

Caleb has a LONG way to go before he becomes the Survivorman he thinks he already is!

That is one for Caleb, one for Dad. A couple of months ago Caleb ate a tablespoon of butter for a couple of dollars. (Bryce did too, and Isaac took a tablespoon of soy sauce).

Life with five boys.......

September 11, 2001

A friend posted on Facebook where she was when she heard about the Twin Towers. I can vividly remember where I was and what I was doing. I had dropped Caleb off at daycare and had just gotten to work when the first one happened. I walked in the door and it was on the Walmart televisions when you first come in the door.

I watched, frozen. It was like slow-motion of people walking in around me and stopping in their tracks when they saw the screen.

That day, my husband was supposed to be on an airplane for work, headed home from Detroit. I knew his final destination was not New York, but I never knew where layovers would take him. At that point I could not reach him and thought he was on the plane.

When the second plane hit, I left work. I went and picked up Caleb, listening to the radio the whole time, and we sat in front of the tv all day. I was 6 1/2 months pregnant with Isaac and had an almost three year old. I remember praying over and over not to let it be his plane, knowing it HAD to be SOMEONE's plane.

I have never been so scared in my life. I did not know how many planes were going to crash. Paul had only been traveling frequently for a few months at this point and I was still not used to him being on planes so often.

Obviously, we were one of the lucky ones that day. He did not get to come home that day, but he eventually made it home on a chartered plane, He got back to us.

Out of all the trips to this day that my husband has made, this was, by far, the hardest on me. It took me a long time to not fear him getting on an airplane after that.

I will never forget that day or where I was or what I was feeling. I am so blessed that my husband WASN'T on THAT plane. My heart still goes out to everyone who lost a loved one on that day. And to all of those who have lost a loved one to the war that came out of this. My prayers go out to those that are still fighting and their families. I was scared that day, for my husband, but the family members of those that are fighting have that fear EVERY. DAY! I cannot imagine.

To me, the families of those fighting are as much a hero as those that are actually there. GOD BLESS THEM ALL!

BRYCE HAS COOTIES!!!

Bryce came home with a HUGE smile. I asked if he had a good day and he said he did. Then he said he kissed a girl for the first time today. I asked who and he said Elizabeth. I asked where and he said her cheek.

As soon as he started talking about her he start blushing. We then had a talk about NOT kissing girls, being too young, germs, cooties, etc., etc.

Vacation Pics Part...(not sure what number we are on)

Pics of Madeleine on the Beach

I told you I had LOTS of pictures!! We aren't done yet! But, hey, everyone would rather look at pictures anyway.

I sadly did not get any beach family pictures which was what I was most excited about with the trip :( I did, however, take Mady down and try to get some pictures of her. They aren't great, but since she can't sit or stand, I have to roll with what she gave me in a short amount of time.

More pics of the family to come soon.