field day

Rain didn't stop field day from happening. The kids seemed to have the run of the school (kind of scary considering a local boy who disappeared from his school just a week ago) - but they reveled in it. My favorite was potato hockey and the marble grab using toes only (this in not your mama's kind of field day).

E hung with two cool friends - they were like puppies rolling around from one activity to the next.

Crazy ginormous action video below:

chinese garden

We took Nana to the Chinese Gardens - we just became members - it's my new favorite place in Portland. And I am waaaaay late to the party. It's been here for years, and we just hadn't taken the time to go. Now I can't wait to go back over and over. It's so lovely, so peaceful. I could spend all day just looking at the paving designs.

peony love

We are surrounded with peonies these days. So, so happy!

just a bit more birthday cheesecake

birthday party night

After the fun friend party, we had a little family party. Bring on the Tinkerbell cake, fairy wings, and lots of presents. Oh sweet girl, we love you so!

birthday party morning

There were multiple fetes for sweet Em. She requested a Tinkerbell park party. We got rained out from the park and relocated to our house - a dozen sweet little three year-old bodies running around the house on a wet morning. Em was delighted with her friends - and her doughnut cake!

our birthday girl

Our sweet baby Ems is three today. It's almost impossible to believe she's only been in our lives for three short years. What would our family be without her? Em is full of opinions, love, and the ability to nearly to everything "by herself." I love her sweaty little head at night, her determination when she runs somewhere, and the tender love she shows all babies.

sweet Delia

Sweet baby Delia - newly walking one year-old and fashion plate. Here is the green poncho I knit for her - part of the poncho Mafia that also includes Ems and Moo. SOMEDAY I'll remember to get a picture of all three of them wearing their ponchos together. Video of her chatting away with Moo below . . .

Memorial Day weekend

Yeah camping! Yeah beach! Yeah friends! Even the rain couldn't keep us from having a good time on our camping trip. While I am spending Monday night getting sand out of everything, the time we got to be outside was well worth it. I especially liked the surprise cake from Martha and champagne from Marissa! LOVE an early birthday celebration!

remodel happiness

Oh joy! We are 99.9% done with our kitchen remodel! It came out even better than I imagined. I am so in love with it! I hate to get it dirty by cooking (the irony!) so I just wipe the countertops over and over and hang out in it's gleaming beauty! I think the stove and hood is my favorite part but I am partial to the grey cabinets too! And the countertops! And the finished nook. Okay, really, I love it all! I wish I had tons more money to have these guys redo everything in the house!

progress report - kitchen remodel

Progress pictures of our kitchen remodel. The boys have made great progress since I snapped these. I spend ridiculous amounts of time wandering around the dusty workspace, thinking which dishes I will put in each cupboard. Bliss!

the return of the farmer's market

The boys and the biscuits,

We can never pass up on balloon art.
And our happy cupcake girl.

a few of their favorite things!

My cousin-in-law Sarah did the sweetest little interview with her two year-old, capturing all of her favorites of the moment. It inspired me to do the same with E and Em. Wouldn't it be fun to do this every year and see how their answers change?

What is your favorite food?

Em: spaghetti

Ev: spaghetti

What is your favorite color?

Em: red

Ev: light blue

What is your favorite day of the week?

Em: third (we couldn't help but giggle at this!)

Ev: Wednesday - we get library, computer lab, and music at school

What is your favorite toy?

Em: slide

Ev: Xbox 360 (not that he has one)

What is your favorite song?

Em: Signing Time
Ev: Brass Monkey by The Beastie Boys

What is your favorite movie?

Em: Tinkerbell

Ev: Home Alone

What is your favorite candy?

Em: Tootsie Roll

Ev: Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

What is your favorite drink? (cringing at the answers)

Em: pop

Ev: Mt. Dew

What is your favorite game?

Em: Dora game (we're aren't sure what this is)

Ev: pretend Dragon fighting

What is your favorite book?

Em: doing signs (any sign language book)

Ev: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

What is your favorite thing to do?

Em: play outside

Ev: Make up video games

What makes you happy?

Em: ice cream

Ev: playing video games

What makes you happy that's not food? (follow up for Em)

Em: soap

What would you do to make the world a better place?

Em: be happy

Ev: Not litter

Where is your favorite place to drive in a car?

Em: shopping

Ev: Ground Control (video arcade

What do you like about your daddy?

Em: like his hair

Ev: he plays dragon games with me

What do you like about your mama?

Em: playing toys

Ev: she plays deserted island with me

What do you like best about Mara? (cruel world - I asked this before Mara passed away)

Em: says Meow Meow

Ev: she's soft and cuddly

What do you want to do when you grow up?

Em: play toys

Ev: work at a candy shop

em the mermaid

This jump video is dedicated to Nana and Jonesie. We wish you could see it in person!

mexico 2010

yeah for Mexico! We had a great getaway last week - days of reading, swimming, sleeping and sipping cocktails.
But most importantly, the debut of Tall House, Double Cup's new haircut! His first short cut in 15 plus years! It's having a new boyfriend! hee hee.