Saturday, August 13, 2011

Day with Granny (and the dogs)

Darren had a convention this weekend so we headed over to Grannys house for the day. And what a day it was!
We fed the dogs.Played with the dogs.

Laughed with the dogs.

Watched TV with the dogs. Are you catching a theme here?


We also played w/ squirt guns / watered Granny's plants.


And blew bubbles (with the dogs). I'm so glad Granny has dogs. Maybe I can get away w/ having 3 boys and no dogs? Maybe? They can visit her when they need a dog fix... right? RIGHT?


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Smiths.....

They moved in across the street several years ago. Being the only 2 stay at home moms on our street we quickly became fast friends. I was honored to be able to spend their last 2 days in Portland with them. Tomorrow morning she heads off on an adventure. She, her husband and her son are moving to Costa Rica for a year! I am so excited for them. What memories they will create! But here on the homefront they will be missed. A lot. Little Myles. He is so sweet. He was one of those high-needs babies. Poor Melissa used to come over and cry while I took a turn holding and rocking him. You'd never guess it now at almost 1 1/2 he's such a good little guy. The boys have had fun playing with him....


He fit right in w/ my brood of little men.


Bye Bye Myles & Melissa (and Morgan too). Skype us please.



Saturday, August 6, 2011

ROSES!!

My mom and I took a guided tour of the Portland Rose Gardens this morning. It was her birthday present. I love my mom. We had such fun and lovely views...... Happy belated Birthday mom!







Monday, August 1, 2011

Soccer Camp

We signed Calvin up for a soccer camp this year. He sort of gets the short end of the stick a lot.... Oscar gets to do everything first (school, tee ball, etc) and Jack is the one lately who has been getting all the attention because of his fall. So we thought Calvin needed something all to himself. He LOVES soccer and from an early early age we noticed his oddly advanced ability to handle a soccer ball. So we signed him up for a weeks worth of tiny-hawk Skyhawk soccer. He LOVED LOVED LOVED it. There were only 7 kids there. And the "coach" Amy was super sweet. She had them take water breaks every 10 mintues (the whole camp only lasts 1 hour a day).


Notice towards the end the other 3 & 4 year olds had dropped due to lack of attention, stamina... whatever. Calvin is still loving it. Maybe it's just me but he looks like a soccer player... you know how they have a "look"?


The camp is held at Riverdale Grade School. That place has an awesome playground. Seriously awesome. Oscar and Jack had a blast.


Ice cream after.... because it's summer after all. And my little red-headed boys needed some extra cooling off after our fun in the sun afternoon.













Sunday, July 31, 2011

Seattle

Seattle is one of our favorite cities to visit. We were lucky enough to get to go this weekend for the wedding of my cousin Marcus and his lovely bride Heather. We had a blast.Not to mention it gives us the chance to get all dressed up.

And see some Architecture.....


Here is my Grandma, mom & her 3 brothers. Aren't weddings such good family reunions?


Grandma w/ me, my brother and ALL our cousins. There are 9 of us. We haven't all been together in the rooms since Grandpa's funeral 8 years ago. We live all over the country so we had fun re-uniting. Thanks to Marcus and Heather for getting us all together again!












Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Berry Picking

So if you know me you will be shocked to hear that this morning was my / the boys first time berry picking this summer. Typically we go at least every other week.... but as you know we've been "distracted" this summer. Anyway - we headed out to Blueberry hill this am but I totally spaced what day it was and it was closed.... so we kept driving and found another farm. Turned out to be super fun. They even had a playstructure near the barn.


You'll all remember Calvin is a great picker..... but not a great saver. He eats them all. His mouth is always always always full. He's always been that way.




The farm had some fun kid stuff....



Don't they look so sweet?





The end of a long morning working on the farm. We didn't pick tons... only about 5 pounds of blueberries. That is more than other times in the past. And no we were not able to avoid using the port a potties. Gross. For some reason little boys need to go whenever they see one.



But honestly with kids this young I go berry picking more for the experience, memories & outdoor time on a farm than just for the berries. Coming home w/ berries is just a bonus.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Ahhhh.... the beach!

We just returned from 4 days at Cannon Beach. We love the beach! Playing at the city park.

Playing on the skate park.

Silly hat store in Seaside.

Yup even the grown ups got silly.

The carousel at Seaside.

Silly pictures..... yes that is Darren punching a shark.

The seaside aquarium.

Running from the waves. A personal favorite.


The Tillamook Cheese factory. And the ice cream counter of course.....


More silly pictures around town.


Tidepools at Haystack rock.


It was raining most of the time we were there, but we didn't mind. The beach is always a good time. And thanks to my parents (who's condo we stay in) we get to return in August when A) it'll probably be sunny and B) Jack'll have his brace off and we can play in the sand!


So bye bye Cannon Beach for now.... we'll see you next month!

Monday, July 4, 2011

4th of July

So believe it or not this was our 1st official attempt at a "home" firework show & BBQ since kids. It was a total success.

Our resident pyrotechnician.

The boys developed a "I'm so happy about fireworks" dance.


Safety first. Always watch from a distance. And for those of you wondering that firework is on a rock... not the grass.

Granny was with us. She and Jack had fun "oooing and aaaaaing" over each one. So cute.


It was super fun. Happy 4th!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Happy Birthday To Me

I turned 39 today! Yea 39! I got to have a party at my mom & dads. And I was happy to share my day w/ my neice Marley (who turned 10 yesterday), my husband Darren who turns 38 next week and my mom who's birthday is the 14th of this month! Busy July Birthday month for my family.
My Brother & I.

Darren & I

Sweet moments between grandpa & Jack.


And lots of playtime for the cousins.


It was a great day!