Half way over already?

Summer update :

A trip to Utah over the 4th of July. So many cousins, so little time.


I love how quiet it gets when ice cream is involved, all movement and noise just stop.

All of the grand kids, at one time and one place, looking in the same direction. Quite a feat.

Back in Oregon:

Gotta love the water fountains, no floaties involved.

Here Chad is waiting for the water to come on - directly in the line of fire (water actually), and was delighted when he got squirted in the face.

Baseball season is officially over. Once we convinced Chad not to kick up the dust or dance in the outfield, he did pretty well. He even hit a home run (according to Chad, a t-ball home run is just past the dirt and onto the grass - sounds about right).

Sam enjoying the game. He looks so innocent here, you would never know how many times this child sneaked off into the batting cage (at least 10 attempts per game).

Real Estate Mogul

This is my budding little Donald Trump:



Now who can I bribe to clean all this up?

Diary of a First Grader

Ah, the end of school. We are almost there. One of the highlights amongst the great migration of school papers - journals. I could spend hours reading these, and this is why (shared with Chad's permission):

10-22-09

"If someone makes me Mad i Git Bitr" That's it - the entire entry.

(Chad is the bitter one on the left and the offender is on the right). I wonder what was done to the child, to cause such emotion.

I just love his budding sense of humor, this entry was on Crazy Socks Day (where we apparently forgot to send the child with crazy socks).

"I did not bring crazy soks but thet are crazy Becos thaey cald runing socks it sons (sounds) like the sockes are runing. It is so funny."

Just one more:

"If I were a plant it would be wered case we would drink from our roots and we would eat from our leves. Now that would be wered."

There were also several mentions of Chucky Cheese, Pump It Up, and Out of This World, with a few entries describing his desire to vacation in Mexico.

Square Foot Garden

I'm quite taken with my little garden. Today, I picked my first crop - radishes! Not that I love radishes, but I know those who do. I first read about square foot gardening here, and read more here. James was kind enough to make me a box and the kiddies helped me plant my seeds (radishes, green onions, carrots, spinach, lettuce, squash, zucchini, and cucumber). I went all crafty (garden craftiness is a whole new level for me) and made these garden markers. Too bad they were no match for the Oregon monsoon season (just a little bitter). Now all I need to do is keep an eye out for those roaming neighborhood bunnies that ate my Styrofoam Easter egg decorations.

Picnic on Sauvie Island

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My parents were in town for the weekend and we spent a perfect afternoon on Sauvie Island, picnicking and getting very dirty. The kiddies treated my feet to a mud bath, all in celebration of Mother's Day. Thanks Jen, for making it all possible. Your turn next!

A few blissful moments at Seaside, right before we all ate sand. Far too windy.

My Two Year Old Baby

Sam turned 2 this week! And I'm still waiting for the terrible twos to set in, so far so good! Sam was a bit harder to please this year, all he wanted was a hotel. He has expensive taste in parties. We distracted him with a park, cake, ice cream, presents, and a sleepover (with his siblings - not ready for a friend sleepover).

A few interesting facts about Sam:

- Very, very mild - has been known to lay in our bed and play with a toy for over an hour

- Loves to throw things down the stairs. There is always a ball or two at the bottom of our stairs - always.

- Loves to play games, but will often ruin a good game of Yahtzee

- Hates fighting and reminds his siblings to be nice at least a few times a day

- Favorite toys: Cars and Legos

- First thing he does in the morning: asks for chocolate milk, just can't start the day without it

- A phone conversation with Sam always involves a peacock

This one's a keeper! Happy Birthday Sam!


* If you are wondering about the cupcake, it's supposed to be a monster.