"Buddy, Hobbes is Dead." 9/9/09

(Well it was 9/10/09 for me, but early this morning) that I got text messages telling me my family dog passed away. It's past 2 a.m. but I've been crying so hard that I'm totally awake and need something to do to stop the tears. NO this isn't helping, but there is not much else I can do that won't wake everyone up so I thought I'd post a little Memoir for him.

His name was Hobbes Liddell. Named after our family's favorite comic book series Calvin and Hobbes (we also had a Calvin, it was a bird, but he passed away long ago now.)

Hobbes was a Miniature Schnauzer. He was lighter than most schnauzer's, almost a silvery white. I'm sure he was darker when we got him but for a long time now he's been almost white. That may have been because he would have been almost 100 years old in Human years and was close to 15 dog years.

For the most part he was a good dog, but he had two annoying habits: Running at lightening speed as soon as you opened the front door, and he'd be GONE! Down the street as fast as his four legs would carry him. He'd do who knows what, but was gone for at least an hour. I can't tell you how many times we've all had to get in the car to search for him. He'd always come back, but it was usually as people were leaving for the night that he'd "Escape" and we didn't want him to get hit, freeze, or bark.

He did get hit once, but what? Who knows. But he came back with his eyeball out of the socket and had to have surgery to put it back in. He was blind in that eye after, and would occasionally bump into the wall of couch if he wasn't paying attention. (Poor guy!)

Barking was his other vice. He was fine if no one was at the door, or if he couldn't see any other dogs through the windows. But if that door bell rang or someone walked past with their dog, he'd go berserk.


We got Hobbes when I was a sophomore in High School. He never bit anyone to my knowledge, and was really good with kids. He'd let them get to a certain degree of pestering, then he'd just politely run out his dog door to the three tiered backyard and be invisible until he wanted to be social again. He even let us dress him up for Halloween or whenever any of the kids decided he needed a costume. He HATED this as well, but tolerated it.

He LOVED for you to give him ANY attention. If you had a hand hanging off the couch, there was always a wet nose that would soon be under it begging for a rub.

He had a really funny bark, that I'm not sure we have audio of? Both my boys if you ask what a dog says, they saw woof woof, but if you ask what Hobbsie says, you'll get a Baruuu.

He also had this funny habit of mimicking the noise police, ambulance, and firetrucks make. My parents live at the bottom of the ski resorts so whenever there is need for an ambulance up the canyon (which was often) you knew they were coming long before they got there since his super sensitive ears would perk up and then you would hear him go: "whooOOOooo, WhooOOOoo." and he'd get louder as they got closer. It was hilarious. I always thought it needed to be entered into Americas funniest videos.

He was a beautiful dog when he had a haircut (which was less than he should have, he'd get so shaggy that he looked almost woolly, and then we'd have to shave him except for his beard and 3 ft long eyelashes that I coveted. He HATED when he was shaved. He'd hide for the first week and try to tuck that nub of a tail, saying, "Why? Why can't you guys take me to the groomers more often so I don't have to look ridiculous. (Sorry buddy, I tried to make sure you got a cut whenever I was in town and a good bath! There was not much else I could do from 2,000 miles away.)

Here is to a great dog, who truly defined the saying a Mans Best Friend. He will be missed by all. Especially me.
(I couldn't find a picture of him without being dressed up, but here is one with the fam.)

I love you Hobbsie!

Another visit from Nana and Bompa and a journey to the BIG Apple.

We got lucky again this month to get a visit from Nate's parents. They took the red-eye to NYC and spent a few days enjoying a Yankees game (Nate can't think of anything worse unless it's a Yankees game and the Red Socks have just slaughtered them.)
Saw a few Broadway shows, and did things that I only imagine doing Cause you can't do them with kids, like go to Shephora (Can you imagine what could happen in that store with two kids???), walk to SOHO and window shop, barter for purses in China town, or enjoy a dinner where you actually eat it while it's hot, and you don't go home wearing most of it or sporting the OH so cool, "I just peed my pants look" courtesy of the inevitable drink that spills across the table and lands in your lap because you have child number two sitting on your lap and your parent reflex of jumping at lightning speed is slowed due to the extra 40 lbs.

Unfortunately (like always,) Nate had to work so meeting them in New York wouldn't be possible. Or would it?...OK sure I'll do it by myself. Who can pass up New York City with personal tour guides and Mommy's helpers at your side? Tricky part is get to NYC where this help is awaiting.

I packed the car the night before, made sure the DVD was good and charged, and had breakfast on the ready for our early departure.

The kids did good most the way, we had to stop for a pee break and a DVD swap out. And Owen cried (more like screamed OUT OUT OUT!!! The last 20 minutes then crashed.)
Then I parked in the parking garage at Newark Penn station, made sure my car was LOCKED, strapped Sleeping Owen good and tight into the stroller, (surprise he woke up.) Strapped on the backpack which also had another stroller strapped to its side, put on our rain gear (Yes it was pouring thanks to Hurricane Danny. I just can't seem to get away from hurricanes.)

We bought our tickets got a little lost finding the track. Found the right track, and hopped on the next train to NY Penn station. Thanks goodness it's a short ride, there are never any seats at the front where I can sit with the stroller so I end up standing between two cars in the breezeway.

We get to New York where open arms are awaiting grandchildren squeezes. We then head back out into the rain for a walk to the hotel, which sat in Times Square and our view was awesome! The boys also created their own game of hide N seek in our room.



We then took the kids to the CMOM (Children's Museum Of Manhattan) A hands on museum, with four floors of adventures waiting to be found. The favorite floor was obviously the Dora and Diego exhibit, but a close second was the alphabet eating dragon.



That night we took Liam to see Shrek the musical and it was Fab! It is just like the first movie, but with songs added. Liam Laughed and laughed at the Donkey, so hard that people were laughing at him. True to Liam form, he fell asleep the last 15 minutes and stayed asleep through the down pour we were running through to get back to the hotel. There were even water puddles in his lap, but he never even stirred. (why didn't little brother inherit this gene?)

The next day we headed out to get breakfast and a trip to FAO Schwartz and the Disney store but had to turn back when we could no longer see where we were going and the thought of driving three hours in wet clothes was sounding less and less appealing.

The boys took their first NYC cab ride (no car seats.) glad it was only a few blocks to the station. And both boys enjoyed the freedom of riding restraint-less.

We had another rush to find our track, got on the train as they were pulling out, and got home in time to get dinner with Nate.

But the fun didn't stop in Hershey I think it just began...




We enjoyed a day at Hershey park, and Nate got to come with. We even got to ride a few "Big Kid Rides" while the G-parents took the kids on a few rides. And a trip to Chocolate world. (A visit to Hershey wouldn't be complete without a visit to Chocolate World!)

We decided a visit to the Hershey Gardens would be a perfect place to let the boys get out and run around. They LOVED it, except the part where Owen face planted into the rock drinking fountain and got a goose egg and some lovely scratch imprints of the pebbles. Hew blew it off pretty quickly. (I guess this makes up for the light sleeper trait.)

POOR NANA! We thought this was the perfect photo opp, but it turns out this Cow is a little slipperier than you'd think. She is always a good sport and laughed at us laughing WITH her!

The Gardens were awesome! The boys got to run around, play with butterflies, chase bunnies and I never once had to stop Owen from an eminent death. I think we'll have to go there more often!



























And I had to take them to my new find; Lake Tobias. Nate REALLY wanted to join us, so he did a 24 the night before, came home; the rest of the house left for a walk up "duck poop pond trail" (aka: Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail at Bullfrog Valley pond) so he could get a little uninterrupted sleep, and three hours later we were off for an animal adventure.

And I guess it's good thing that we did cause I never knew that one of his life's dream was to pet a buffalo. Who'd a guessed? So I guess we can check mark that off the list since one of the huge beasts couldn't get enough of us scratching her back. In fact she turned around to the other side and looked at us like: "Oh, a little higher, a little lower, yeah that's the spot."
Here are a bunch of photos from the day,



The boys of course loved every moment of it, Liam I guess was a little pooped from all our partying the days prior and fell asleep during the safari. (I tell you that kid can sleep anywhere!) Thanks to Bompa for lending his thigh as a pillow.

But, here are the top 8 favorites!

And I'll tell you why...



Do you think they're related?



I noticed this Green fella poised and intense. So I got a closer look.



LUNCH! (notice the dragonfly on the rock. He was taunting big Green, and it was almost his last, but he narrowly missed seeing the inside of Big Green and will taunt another day.)



Have you ever seen such a fat relaxed ground hog?



Disturbing in SO many ways!



I love how they are both looking at whatever they were looking at with the same interest.



My little animal LOVER. He had to give loves to ALL the animals he could. (Can you say hand sanitizer???)



This one on the other hand wanted to love them from a better, safer view. About 6' 5" safer to be exact. Who can blame him, those buggers are aggressive.

It was so fun to have company, especially for a last summer Hoorah!

Our next Poulson adventure....

New Orleans, LA October 2009!

I'm gonna call the police man...

The other morning I was rushing to get out the door. The kids were dressed, diaper bag packed, shoes on, and I thought "Hey I should put the sunblock on the kids now so I don't have to take it with me." I grab it spray down Liam's arms and legs, then tell him to close his eyes while I spray his face. (I don't normally do this, I usually spray it in my hands then rub it on his face so I can avoid getting it in their eyes, but I was in a hurry and thought it would be fine.) He closes his eyes and as soon as he hears the spray sound he opens them and looks straight at the spray.

enter SCREAMING HYSTERICAL FIT!!!! (For good reason. It hurts when you get sunblock in your eyes, and I imagine even worse when it's a direct shot.)

So I have to hold a wet cloth on it until the stinging stops. (I'm now late.)
Scramble to get the kids in the car, am driving down the street, the tears have stopped and it seems the incident has been all but forgotten when I hear Liam say: "Mom if you spray sunblock in my eyes again, I'm going to call the police man."

OUCH...

ME: "Buddy why are you going to call the police man?"

LIAM: "Well because you hurt me and he will give you a ticket, cause you did something bad."

ME: " I didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident. Mommy would NEVER hurt you on purpose. I love you and it makes me sad when you get hurt; or are sad. I would be sad if you called the police man."

LIAM: "Well, then I'll call him if you do it on purpose next time."

Agreed.

I wanna move to San Diego!

A few weekends ago I was able to take an all girls trip with my sister-in-laws for my Step sister Sissy's wedding.

When Corinne called to see if I'd be up for a weekend trip to San Diego sans Kids and Husband. I think I replied YES before she could even give me the details.

I wasn't sure how all us girls would pull it off, but I was going to make sure that it happened. Thanks to the generosity of my Dad and Corinne, the whole trip cost me, well basically nothing!

It was so fun to spend a few days with my SIL's. I haven't seen Sandy in almost three years now, since my brother is doing a residency in San Antonio and our vacation times never match. In fact, she has never met Owen. Guess that will have to wait another two years...

We got to go play at the beach a few times, I even tried to surf, (will have to perfect it another time I guess. I just keep thinking there are sharks under me I know it and then I freeze!)help with the wedding decorations and setup (what are sisters for?) we ate some fantastic Mexican food, (My fav was the shrimp and the mahi fish tacos.) We also visited Yogurt Land (I won't tell you how many times to be exact. But I would have gone a few more times if we could have squeezed it in!)

And best of all, I got to go see my Sissy get married in one of the most beautiful LDS temples I've ever seen. I felt like I was in a fairytale. She married a great guy.!(Jason. Welcome to the fam!)
The trip went way too quickly, but not quick enough at the airport on the return flight. My connection was in Atlanta and was originally i supposed to have a layover for 2.5 hours but that turned into more like 5.5 hours. This was when I was really happy my kids didn't come. (Not so for my friend who happened to be waiting for the same flight with her three kids, who were angels might I add!)

Well, here are some pictures from the trip.

All I can say is, "La Jolla" (pronounced in Jen lingo LA Halla.) I hope to see you again someday soon. You have it all! The nice beaches, great food, better frozen yogurt, and your temperatures never rise above uncomfortable or fall below the I'm too cold mark...Hmmm do they need anesthesiologist out there?

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Executed perfectly!

The other day, out of nowhere Liam say's "Knock. Knock." To which Nate and I reply, "who's there looking at each other wondering where he's come up with a knock knock joke.
Liam: "Ivan."
Us: "Ivan who?" Seriously perplexed now..
Liam: "I-van working on the railroad all the live long day..."
Us: Seriously laughing. "Where'd you here that joke?"
Liam: "Super Why."
Me: "See you can't say Super Why isn't educational!"
Nate: "That's amazing! He told an entire joke from start to finish and even got the punch line right."
Liam: "Knock. Knock."
Us: "Who's there?"
Liam: "Ivan."
Nate: "Liam it's not as funny to tell the same joke more than once..."

It looks like we've got ourselves another joke teller. His Papa Liddell will be so proud! Even if they are cheesy and lame like most my Dad's (Just kidding Dad. I love you!)

Gold mine!

Living in Hershey PA has it's perks and disadvantages.

Perks: I live super close to an amusement park.
Not a whole lot of traffic, unless there is a concert at Hershey park, then kiss your plans goodbye. You're going to be stuck behind a suburban full of 13 years old's on their way to the Jonas Brothers for a long time.
All the chocolate you could ever want...

Disadvantages: All that chocolate makes for weight gain.
Taxes, Taxes and more Taxes
Nate's long hours.
The whole tinted window law...

But recently I found a new Perk. Lake Tobias Wildlife park
We went there for a playgroup outing, and it was awesome! It was our own jungle safari in good ole PA. My kids were in heaven!



Basically this guy brought home some exotic pets and he just kept doing it, the neighbors would all want to come over and see what new animal he'd come home with, and so they decided to make it public and today they have all sorts of animals.

They have a petting zoo which was mainly goats, a camel, a dwarf pony, and some alpaca's. I had on a skirt, and the goats kept trying to eat my delicate trimming. Liam was terrified after he saw Owen who got a little too close for comfort get rammed to the floor. Owen wasn't phased and kept trying to poke it's eyes out.

Owen was so excited to see they had ducks. He LOVES ducks and Geese and quacks and honks anytime he sees them. I warned him (as best I could an 18 month old) that they bite. He was good for a bit, I turned around to get some more food for him and my friend starts laughing. She said he got snapped at and jumped about 10 feet. Actually I think it was a good lesson, I took him to the local zoo a few weeks later and there were some birds behind some glass and he didn't want to go near them, said ouch ouch. Until I pointed out they couldn't get to him.



We then took the safari tour. You can buy crackers (which is a must!) to feed the animals with. They come right up close to your open air bus. In fact, they even climb the steps to try and get a little closer.



All in all it was well worth the $12 it cost to take my little guys. I think this will be a new spot to take all those who come out to visit. Oh wait that means Dan and Marie.

Mt. Gretna

Every year the anesthesia department has a welcome picnic at this fun little lake. My kids love it more each time they go. It's so fun to meet all the new people, but to also get to swim, slide, and be in a somewhat "mountain" environment.
I couldn't find a picture without Liam smiling ear to ear. Owen's expressions were sometimes terror looking, but he couldn't get down fast enough to say "more more more..."


We actually had a big rainstorm come through during part of it. Liam thought it was cool to get to stand out in it.

Here are some clips of the boys coming down the slide.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Just call me Jen the Protester!

Today me and some of my "Too Well Dressed, Angry Mob ladies," headed out to Lebanon to try and get into the town hall meeting with Senator Arlen Specter. To "Discuss" Obamacare. Well I didn't get as far as the back of the building next to the building it was being held in.

They held it in the tiniest auditorium they could find, and only allowed 250 ACORN, I mean people inside the doors. Once those people were let inside, they were then told that they weren't going to be able to actually ask a live question. Here is a video clip of one of the outraged protesters. Oh how I wish I could have witnessed it in person.

I agree that the health care system is messed up, but this is not the solution either. And really I worry that my husband after going to school for the last 12 years will never be able to pay back the debt we accrued, so if Obama wants to pay Doctors less, by all means do so, but you're going to have to help us pay off our debt while your at it.

Anyways, it was a fun morning full of mostly happy people who at one point were signing God Bless America at the tops of their lungs. It made me proud to have my freedom of speech.

I only got this one picture with my camera phone. And it's not one of me or my Posse. But I think one of our signs got some of the biggest smiles! It read: "Socialism + Health = Death (But with a pain pill.)






Although I didn't get into the meeting it was obviously heated. I do feel a little sorry for Sen Specter. I know that he is only doing his job, and that he is trying to see what the people want. It's more than some senators out there are doing. But I hope that he listens to the people, but like all things, that people act with dignity and respect. And may I remind you that it doesn't say RSVP on the statue of Liberty! (Thanks S)

Before I forget...

I know this is now over a month old, but this is the only thing close to a journal that I do, so I have to put this in here as well. We had a wonderful 4th of July. We spent the day in downtown Harrisburg listening to live music and eating an awesome Gyro. (NOT pronounced GEYE-Row)



Have you ever seen such a cute fire hydrant?


Ride em cowboy!
Our State Capitol. I have to say, I'm of fan of the green dome!

I don't know why but this picture made me laugh. Maybe this is in memorial of his Dad?




















We then spent the evening at the Bakers. There was good food, fun and even some fireworks. Owen spent most of the firework display time in the car (With the windows rolled down of course.) to watch them since he kept trying to touch the "OT's."









This was Liam's big sparkler debut. He thought it was fab!

We almost had Owen convinced his was hot too, but that lasted about five seconds.

























The boys thinking they could hold off the inevitable bed time...

We also had to say goodbye to our sweet neighbors who were moving on to bigger and better. They have been sorely missed, so please come back!




















Cutest kids ever! I miss our Ava and Yash and those beautiful brown bear eyes!!!



























One last trip to the ice cream shop before they left!

Liam Potter

Right before we left to Utah, I decided I was going to watch Harry Potter in anticipation of going to see the new one while we were there.
The kids were in bed, Nate was on call and really it was on in the background while I started packing and folding the mound of laundry that needed to be packed.
Suddenly I hear little footsteps. "Mom, whatcha watchin?"
Me: "A movie called Harry Potter. It's about wizards and witches and giants and goblins..."
Liam: "can I watch it with you. Please oh please oh please." (His stall tactic.)
Me: check the rating. PG. "OK, but if it gets too scary for you we will turn it off."
as I'm "flying through the house still packing, cleaning and folding, I come in to find him under the blanket and it's at the part where they are trying to get passed the 3 headed dog. I tell him, "I'll turn it off it you're scared."
Liam: "Oh I'm not scared, I'm just not watching this part. See it's all done."

Well now, I have an obsessed child. Everything is about Harry Potter. That is what he's being for Halloween, but I reminded him that he wanted to be Super Why to which I got the reply, "No, Mom Super Why is LAME. (Lame? He's using the word Lame now?) Owen can be Super Why."

I have to go online several times a day to show him the Harry Potter costumes and he asks us to draw lightning bolts on his forehead daily.

So don't be surprised the next time you see him if he's either carrying around a paper that I've drawn his costume on, or has a lightening bolt on his forehead, or is carrying a stick and says, abracadabra, disappear!

Going Green...I guess

So when I was driving Liam to the hospital last week, I was telling how fun it was going to be and that he was going to get to have a sleepover at the hospital with Dad to which he replies "OK Mom, but when we brush my teeth, I'm not going to use any water."
Me: "Why?"
Liam: "Because, that's being resourceful!"
Me: "Uh, where did you hear that word from?"
Liam: "Super Why"
Me: "well maybe we'll just use a little water. That's still being resourceful."

Vacation Bliss

Well Nate just had one of his three weeks of vacation for the year, and we spent part of it in Utah with Nate's family and the other part boating in Wyoming with my family. It was so fun, but WAY to short. Liam has packed a shoe box, a backpack, and found "things" that he has to take back to Nana or Papa's immediately.

He said that he wants to live in Utah, not Pennsylvania. I told him we were going to try and go back to Utah when it snowed, so this morning he ran to the window and asked energetically "did it snow? Can we go to Newtah now?" Not yet buddy.

Here are some pictures from the vacation.

There is nothing Owen like better than playing outside, except maybe playing outside naked and since Nana lets my boys do about anything that's what he did one day. However older brother wouldn't go without his rashguard on. They are so polar opposite!





Poor unsuspecting Owen had no idea that once he was close enough, brother was going to release the cold water. Or when he was pleasantly playing by himself get sprayed. I guess that's what big brothers are for, to TORMENT!





Who ME? No, I was just running from over there and Owen ran into the prinklers...




Almost to safety...



Save me Nana!


Liam has never cared if the water is cold, and he decided it was so funny to sit on the sprinkler.



Owen on the other hand likes the water to be warm, say like a bath or hot tub. Oh perfect!




We also got a surprise visit from Aunt Andi who also was in town for a day while we were there. She got pulled into a game of Blues Clues that Uncle Justin and Kristin had been playing with him, I'm sure that's exactly how she wanted to spend her time!




We had a great time with the Poulsons eating at Lonestar, Cafe Rio, Greek Souvlaki and many other favorites. We also got to see the new Harry Potter, thanks to Bompa not being a fan and offering to watch the boys.

Then it was off to the Lake...