rover

I'm pretty sure I've never brought this up before, but Darren bought a Land Rover about a year and a half ago. It cost $350. Seriously. He really wanted a Land Rover that he could work on and not worry too much about if he screwed it up royally. So, a friend of a friend heard that Darren was looking for one and just happened to have a Land Rover sitting on his farm property. It had been sitting there for years and was in rough shape, hence the $350 price tag. It didn't run, but that got Darren even more excited about it. He bought it against my wishes and it has been taking over our third garage spot ever since. It didn't move for a year and a half, but Darren was busy working on it (as time and money allowed) on and off during that time. Darren pulled the motor/engine (not sure the proper term here). He chucked it and rebuilt the entire area under the hood from scratch. I had no idea that he had such talents (well, I had an inkling as he changes our oil, rotates our tires and can easily fix whatever is broken on the Sequoia), but still that's not an easy task. I didn't doubt him though. I knew he could do it. I just didn't know it would take quite so long and cause such a mess on our beautifully painted garage floor. Oh well, it's just a garage. At least that's what I keep telling myself. Maybe one day I'll actually feel that way!

Darren finally completed the motor/engine (whatever it's called!) and IT RUNS!!!! It took tons of work and for a while he was even questioning if it ever would, but after lots of blood, sweat and tears, he started that baby up about a month ago and finally drove it around the block in the last week or two. I will never forget the look on his face after he took it for it's first spin around the block. He said, "Tonight was the maiden voyage!" Cracked me up, but it was cute seeing him so proud of his accomplishment. I don't think he believed he could do it. I never doubted that he could. He may not be handy around the house, but by golly he can fix anything on a car. I think I'll keep him around! :)

OK, on to why I'm finally posting this. Tonight, after dinner was served, homework was completed, and Cale had been bathed we piled in the Land Rover for a family drive (just to the in-laws who happen to live in our neighborhood about two blocks away). I had to take pics to document this momentous occasion in case we all blew up or something. Trust me. I was worried! I said that I knew this car would start, but I never said that I didn't have concerns that it might blow up.

Darren detests having his pic taken (hence the fake-o smile), but I told him we had to document this big day!

This is when D got really tired of my pic taking and was ready to hit the road. Notice Cale is in the back sticking out his tongue at me. :) Just a typical day 'round here!

Yep, he still needs to work on the interior. Maybe one day he won't need the SCREWDRIVER to put the shifter into drive! ;)

Umm, me thinks Connor is hiding either from the camera or out of embarrassment from riding in daddy's LOUD car. Coby was happy though!

Cale was SUPER excited and wound-up. He was so excited to finally ride in the SUV he'd watched daddy work on for many, many months.

Poor Connor was wishing he'd stayed home!

Oops, did I forget to mention that while this car may look really good under the hood, the rest is still pretty rough looking? Ot that the interior has yet to be put back together? Did I fail to say that Darren has to use a SCREWDRIVER to put the car into drive because the shifter-thingy is still in a box on the garage? That there are wires hanging from the ceiling because he took the ceiling panel out to recover it? OR that the exterior is in serious need of a paint job/body work? Not to mention that it needs a muffler (wow is a car loud without one of those...trust me, the in-laws knew we were coming before we ever hit their street). I'm sure eventually these things will be taken care of, but for now I'm just proud that it starts and drives! I'm choosing to celebrate small victories!

Can I just be honest here and say that I still can't believe this is my life? It sure does makes me laugh A LOT though! Darren and I are polar opposites, but I guess it would be pretty boring around here if we weren't. I'll never know.

off to school

The boys started back to school a little over two weeks ago (August 19th to be exact). This has been the easiest transition back that we've ever experienced. I know it's early, but so far the boys are loving their teachers, excited about the friends in their classes and they come home happy every single day. It makes my heart happy to see my boys doing so well. I was especially concerned about Connor starting middle school this year, but he just loves it and seems to have made the adjustment flawlessly. Whew! Here are a few pics from the first day back...

I couldn't help but torture myself. I HAD to see how much the boys have changed since last year. They've changed A LOT. wow

The pic of Connor is the only one I got while actually at school. I love his face. He's like seriously mom? After I snapped this he was off and running to the middle school as quickly as he could! (Our Elementary school, middle school and high school are all in the same area which is so handy!)

Darren and I first took Coby to his class (not that he needed us to). We I insisted!

Then we were off to take the bug to his first day of Kindergarten (which was painless for me and him since I chose to send him just half day...first grade is the year that gets me with the kids. I hate sending them ALL day. Yes, I am THAT mom. :))

He did great. We barely even got a goodbye from him. He was too busy working!

Hooray for a wonderful first day of school and hopefully the beginning of the best school year so far!