Jack Johnson Concert

Ok, before I get totally psycho, because I literally would have been acting like a teenage girl at a Justin Beiber concert if Jon hadn't been there with me, I must say a HUGE thank you to Jon for taking me to this concert! I've been wanting to go since I fell in love with Jack Johnson's music when I was 17-ish. His music got me through college and long nights with my babies. THANK YOU Jon! It was one of the best dates ever and I had a blast. It wouldn't have been nearly as great if you hadn't gone with me!!!
Now on to the nitty gritty! We got to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland a little early- because downtown Portland has incredibly HORRIBLE parking- and Jon gets a little... well... annoyed when I drive, let alone in downtown Portland. We found a parking lot pretty quickly and after driving around in circles, we realized it was right by the concert hall. EEEeee!!! I had to hold in soooooo much excitement, because I was afraid Jon would literally ditch me for my craziness. I wouldn't blame him either.
When we were standing in line I hear a bunch of people start yelling, I turn around and ask the lady behind me what the deal was. She said, "Jacks right there!" Oh my... I about wet my pants. I ran over by the window and VOILA, there he was. I took a picture of his back getting a picture with some other people. HE SAW ME, then he high fived me through the glass. We shared a high five. I could have died and gone to heaven right then and there. I kept saying... out loud... by all these strangers "this is the best night of my life." I'm sure if I had a camera on me, I would be laughing so hard at my craziness... but seriously people... this was Jack Johnson we're talking about. No shenanigans allowed here.
I went back to stand in line and I just hugged Jon and hugged him and hugged him and hugged him... until he about had to pry me off with a crowbar. I really needed him to know how incredibly loved I felt that he brought me to this concert.
Seriously, he was happy to be there, even though almost every picture he looks like he's about ready to ditch the place and leave me. He sure loves me.

High Five ladies and gentlemen... He pretty much loves me and knows I'm his biggest fan. Thank you.

This place was so incredibly beautiful! The architecture, the engravings... I was in awe just staring at it all.

Can you just imagine me? Hahaha I couldn't get enough of this awesome experience!!! Believe me... I have like 40 more pictures that I'm saving you from that I didn't post on here.

From the stage view before the show.

Before Jack came on (yes, we're in a first name basis relationship now), a group names Bahamas came on, they were really good!

And then Jack came out... I cried. I won't lie. I did... it was amazing. He sounded AMAZING... and yes... I did sing along to every song, and knew pretty much every single word. Ahhhhhhhh.

I so wish I had my good camera- no idea why I didn't bring it. This place was so mellow! No one was smoking, few were drinking, everyone was sitting!!! (except at some amazing songs where you pretty much had to stand... it was that amazing!) I walked right up to the side of the stage and took this picture.

Portland Night Out with Suzette

My good friend Suzette moved over here after she got married! It has been the best ride EVER with this girl. It's like we were never apart. We finally had a girl's night out and decided to check out downtown Portland. We had a lot of laughs. We checked out Powell's Bookstore and accidentally found an amazing little restaurant with a fantastic dessert and great live music!

The leg lamp! It was super fragile.

Powell's Books... Yes... it really is as amazing as people say!

Suzette... need I say more?

The water was pretty amazing.

Ahhhhhhh.... the pie was amazing.

The Falafal king... I couldn't pass up this food cart! It was all I dreamed it would be.

If You Think My Hands Are Full, You Should See My Heart.

We play a lot, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm so blessed to have these two beautiful and creative boys in my life. They make life worth living, that's for sure!

I had to take a picture of Jacob with his new haircut before he went on the bus... because I knew it wasn't going to last more than 5 seconds once he got on there. No matter how many times I told him not to touch it. I was right, when he got home I asked him if he left his hair alone for the picture. He said, "No, right when I sat down on the bus, my friends messed it all up." haha, such is life!

Ian and I had a picnic in the living room... umbrella and all.

I love this kid- seriously, I laugh my head off every single day at the funny things he does. He found this seat in the garage and I walked over to see him sitting on it and putting his helmet on.

Then he ran in the house with it, grabbed an apple, and continued to chill out on it.

Our spooky monster Halloween door!

Grandma Redford has been doing raffles for blankets that she quilts. Each kid gets to pick a number 1-100 and the first kid that guesses it, gets a quilt. Ian won on his first guess! Lucky number 63. A couple days later, Ian got a package with his awesome quilt!

Walking to soccer games... love the NorthWET.

After that soccer game, we went to our friend's baptism! The boys loved it, I had to get a picture in the bathroom of us, we had to hurry and change in the bathroom- since we came right from the game. I was in my coaching workout clothes and Jacob in his soccer uniform beforehand. 

The boy's friend, Ian, was getting baptized and Jacob drew him this picture. Melted my heart.

We went to Costco for a green smoothie treat after the baptism! The Vita-Mix guy was there!

Barber Shop

Picture Day was coming up- my mom wasn't in town... and Jacob needed a haircut really bad. I broke down and took Jacob to the barber. He was so excited! Of course a bribe to go to Chuck E. Cheese's helped a bit. This was an expensive haircut after all that! haha! It was worth it- they looked adorable, and we went to a local guy here- and I'm always for going to small businesses in town. The boys had fun and the barber was a sweet guy.

I couldn't get Jacob to take a nice picture, so I gave up and told Ian to join him.

September 2013

So much has been going on! Jacob has been loving Kindergarten and is doing really well. Every day he gets off the bus he runs to give me and Ian gigantic bear hugs and is excited to tell us about his day. He is really enjoying writing!! Which is a HUGE change! For the life of me... I could not get him to hold a pencil correctly. I researched different techniques and I was so scared he would struggle with this. Some times it just takes someone else to teach him things.
Jacob has been having a great time in soccer this Fall season. I'm the coach of his team, "The Omega's"! It has been a fun ride. Our last game is this Wednesday. It's a bitter sweet feeling really. Soccer has been one of the best things we could have done for Jacob. He has learned so many things he couldn't have learned any other way. Jacob has a true genuine heart- and I love seeing his amazing sportsmanship on the field. He is the first one to high five every kid on the team when a goal is scored, and the first to congratulate anyone on the team. I have loved seeing this side of him.
Ian is really enjoying the alone time with me while Jacob is at school. I take him to my exercise classes and he does my Insanity workouts with me as well. We enjoy our walks to the parks and with the walking group as well as trips to the grocery store together. I've forgotten what it's like to only have one child with me- and I'm really enjoying the one on one time with Ian. Usually he's Jacob's shadow- so it's nice to see him shine and see his true personality.
Ian is also enjoying being on the soccer team. He isn't officially on the team, but we have a boy that doesn't regularly come to soccer practices during the week, so Ian fills in. You would never know he's two years younger than the other boys. He's a true Duvall through and through! He has a sports brain and aggression.

Jon and I have been doing great! Jon has been working hard and getting ready for the peak season at FedEx.
I started a beach body challenge group since I quit my gym membership back in July. It has been a huge blessing. I've forgotten all that goes on in the evening with my family, and I'm enjoying having that back with them. My gym stopped teaching spin classes and that was the main reason why I was a member. So, it was good thing- I've branched out to different exercises and have grown mentally. My beach body challenge group has been a huge support as well as my family and friends. I couldn't have done any of this without the support of them and Jon. The down side is... I don't leave for "me" time like I used to. I looked forward to getting out of the house and being just me at the gym. It took me a couple weeks to get used to that! But, it has gotten loads better and I really do enjoy it. It will take big convincing for me to get a gym membership again.
Now... for the pictures :) These are just some things that we did in September.

Jon and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary this year! It has been a crazy ride, and I honestly can say that I'm so much more in love with this man than I ever could imagine.

The Sunday of the Primary Program! Jacob's part said, "I love family home evening, because we get to wrestle with my dad and make snacks with my mom. Family home evening has made time for more love in our family."

Waiting for the bus... in the rain...

I love it when these guys play together... quietly... and nicely!

Ian... being himself...

"This is my game face mom." Getting ready for our soccer game!

Love this kid! A year ago he would have thrown a gigantic fit if he didn't have a hood on his head in the rain! He played this entire game in the pouring rain and wind. He's growing up!

This was a beach body challenge. We had to post a picture of something we couldn't do before starting beach body, but can do now. This stretch... I couldn't do. It's a popular one on the Insanity DVD's. I couldn't get my one foot flat while the other was all the way stretched out and my arms out. The morning the challenge was posted I finally was able to get this stretch down. It was a Monday morning and I yelled for Jon to come look because I couldn't believe I was doing it correctly!