"High School Musical"

For Maisey's birthday my grandparents took her shopping and one of the things she picked out was a "High School Musical" Barbie that she has wanted for some time. She wanted it for the microphone and it turns out Ryley likes it too!

Hitting the sales...

So, most people know I love to shop (it doesn't mean I do it a lot though)... But, I'm not sure if everyone knows how much I love to garage sale! When Chad has Saturday's off I love to spend two or so hours (and I could spend all day!!!) hitting garage sales. A couple of weeks ago I went with some friends from church, which was really fun, and last week just Maisey and I went. We only visit the Bethany area where we seriously get excited about people's used goods. I don't buy clothes, and I honestly I can't even pick something out of my house that is from a sale, but I love to get books, movies, baby stuff (always like brand new) and other odds and ends.

Maisey found this high chair and we bought it (although she has a sturdy pink one already), with Aunt Jill in mind. Like me, she too loves red and she like antiques (Jill that is).

Farmers Market

I love the beautiful colors of the local Farmers Market... And the funny thing is, the produce is as beautiful as the flowers that are sold there.

My Mom and sister came to visit this past week and when we took them to the Beaverton fountain and market, they bought me these. I failed to other pictures while they were here but we also took them to the Hillsboro library and fed the ducks.

Sibling Love

I could fill this whole blog with pictures of these two interacting and I really don't think I need anymore (right now anyway), but Maisey ALWAYS asks me to take pictures of them. I can't wait to see how they grow up together since they are almost five years apart, but I know they already love each other tons!

Sand In The City

On Saturday we went downtown to Pioneer Square to look at all the sand sculptures. For some reason Maisey didn't think that would be much fun but we had to drag her away from the giant sandbox and sand tables. Luckily, the icee's and face painting were near the exit and we were able to get her up there without much fuss. It was really crowded and even the umbrella stroller was an inconvenience to some so I watched mostly from the side, along with the other stroller folks. We didn't really have a favorite but the Mario from Nintendo took me back to old times. This was a fundraiser for Kids on the Block which is a prevention program that tours schools. They use puppets to send positive messages to kids about racism, drugs, gangs, etc...

Wack-a-Mole

These look like Chipmunks in a pyramid. I think it may be related to a movie???

Maisey had her face painted like a unicorn.

The sand table.

The Comforts of Home

This is how I took my final last Monday night. Yeah, not exactly the most comfortable for me, but Ryley had no complaints! The great and wonderful thing about technology (and there are many), is that I've been able to take a couple classes (10 or so) from home. What a great way to take a final, in pj's and braless. Well, I actually look dressed in this picture but I'm sure that's how things carried out later on since it took me all night.

Tomorrow I start another 4-week session and I will be bummed when it ends. This next class will probably be my last course on-line, unless the catalog miraculously changes or something. If not, I will have to face my peers in class, while coping with separation from them. Many people I know would rather be away from home while in school or working so that they can concentrate without the many distractions around the home front. However, those distractions and my ability to respond to them accordingly, make me feel more full filled. After all, everything I do is with them in mind. So, praise technology, and slings!!! * Which by the way I managed to lose the next day! It's been almost a week and I am still distraught!

Tea Anyone?

Maisey loves having tea parties. She sort-of collects tea sets (she has 5 or so), and she loves anyone that will enjoy a cup of tea (or lemonade as it is in our house) with her. Last week she had a tea party with a friend and requested that I take their picture. I don't know how many tea parties we've had together, and although I am burnt out of Crystal Light on the Go Lemonade, I will always enjoy the chance to act like a kid again, especially if it means making memories with my daughter.

Shower Time

Ryley loves getting his bath's and showers! I think he mostly looks forward to receiving his routine massage after he's all dried off. He's always so relaxed and happy when he's clean and naked-but aren't we all!

Memory Lane

Please take a stroll with me down memory lane...

Here are the directions:

1. Leave a comment on my blog. In the comment, recall one memory you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory of you.

Dig deep and try to find your most memorable memory!

Anonymous

Attention to all you readers who don't have a ID or Google account which may be one thing preventing you from leaving a comment. FYI, I enabled a function on my blog that will allow you to leave comments no matter who you are. If you'd like to leave a comment (which WE love), just enter your message and select anonymous under ID before submitting. Please be sure to at least leave your initials since your comment cannot be identified otherwise!

Playmate

This is Maisey's friend Sage who we've been enjoying more and more as the summer goes on. Now that school is out for the summer the girls have been enjoying each other's company.

She always has a beaming smile and I had to show it off.

Pirate Park

I have to post some pictures of this park for all the people who aren't local. This is just one of the many cool parks around here. We discovered it thanks to playgroup and we are enjoying "park days" very much !

This park also has swings and a sand box with a trickling stream.

Pool Party

Today we went over to my brother and sister in-law's house for a pool party. It was a real scorcher outside and we love spending time around their pool each summer hanging with the kids and chatting.

Forget the cold water!

So far this summer Ryley has been enjoying himself primarily from the side lines. The water always seems cooler than he would prefer... Chad and I are getting a little concerned because Maisey was swimming freely underwater by now and we are HUGE water lover's ourselves. We need to take him to an indoor warmer pool, out of the sun and really give him a real private lesson. He did take a quick dip and was fine until it hit his belly button which registered as COLD! I guess for now we will just keep trying and surely stick to his showers and baths that he loves so much.

Big Cousin Colby adoring Ryley. Colby really loves his little cousin and is always sharing his toys and trying to make Ryley happy.

Uncle Adam holding Ryley. Adam amused Ryley for much of the day- as he does everyone in his company.

Maisey loves to swim under water as long as she has her goggles on. She never cared until her last swimming lessons when all the other kids wore them. Now she HAS to have them wherever she goes.

Thanks for the fun dip and dinner!

The Hunt

As most of you probably know by now Ryley isn't a very happy eater and often protests by going on "strike" by refusing to eat. There are several of reasons as to why babies do this and it is pretty frustrating and discouraging. After I was forced to feed Ryley with a syringe for several days, we were determined to find a bottle that he would take as a back up resource. Out of seven he preferred the cheapest one of all, however, it caused him to spit up immediately afterwards. But, just this week we think we found just the one that will help us avoid "nipple confusion". He usually takes it once a day just to maintain a routine for when I have to go back to campus in the fall.

These are as close as it gets to the real thing! They are super soft silicone and are a crazy-cool invention- for a pretty penny that is!

#2

Yesterday Ryley got his second haircut- only this time I took him to a salon. My camera was buried deep in the trunk somewhere a midst the fountain gear so I didn't get a picture. Darn! Let me just say, he looked SO cute sitting in his little Bumbo chair with a robot cape around his little neck. He sat so still and was as happy as can be. The stylist said they've never cut hair for a baby so small and young; she didn't think he could even hold his head up and his age really showed when he spit up a little on the cape. Now he looks like a little "ladies man"!

Downtown

Friday we went downtown with friends to the Jamison Square fountain in the Pearl to let the kids play. I love this fountain because it acts like a wading pool when the warter cycles through.I got caught up in gabbing and failed to get pictures of all the kids playing in the fountain but thanks to Kristy's idea, I snapped one of Maisey and Jazlyn before they took off in their suits.


Ryley stayed awake the entire time and was enjoying his time hanging with the boys.
Clark and Ryley
Ryley and Matsen

Thanks girls for the fun trip to town!

1 Year

Monday the 7th was our 1 year anniversary of living back in the city. When we visit "home", whether it be Hood River or Eugene, people still ask us how we like it. Well, it is hard to put into words but it sort-of feels like we never left. We lived in Troutdale seven years ago and it kind of feels like we picked up where we left off- only things are totally different now that we have the kiddo's. You can make a home out of anything as long as your heart's there and so I think the "adjustment" wasn't really much to adjust to. Plus, when we lived in Hood River we frequented Portland and all the places we hang out at now (we just live closer) and nothing seems unfamiliar. It is super nice that we have cousins Peyton and Colby (first cousins), and Miranda and Michelle (2nd cousins) nearby within about 10 minutes of us- I am sure glad we didn't move back to Troutdale for that reason. And I can't forget, we have a great ward. We are so thankful for all the fun we have with our new friends.

Pro's and Cons of the City or shall I be specific and say mostly "the burbs" (since the city is 15 minutes away and we just now figured a little out about how the steets run):

Pro's-

-Cheaper gas.

-Cheaper groceries.

-Many retail options (more than Wal-Mart and Safeway- who knew).

-A big diverse ward with TONS of young families.

-More dining options.

-Libraries- all unique, huge, and beautiful.

-Water attractions (pools and fountains galore!).

-Parks and Rec.

-Kid friendly museums.

-The Zoo.

-Lots of schools.

-*We are in the middle (1.5 hours or so) from both of our families.

-*The beautiful Temple and Desert Book

-And More...

Con's

-You spend more money because you drive a lot more and go more places.

-You don't know every one's name.

-You have to lock everything.

-The gorge isn't your backyard.

-You need maps or a tour guide.

-Things are fast paced but you spend a lot more time waiting because there are always tons of people where ever you go.

-There aren't any First Friday's ( a tradition in Hood River where local vendors sell or display art and goods while the downtown businesses have extended hours until 7pm rather than closing at 5pm).

-You can't see the big fireworks on the 4th wherever you go because the city is so big.

-Photo lights and cops are everywhere (and no folks, we haven't gotten any tickets).

-Game night doesn't happen every month and there isn't any sort of fashion.

-The fruit isn't local.

-And more...

The great thing about having a testimony is that it will go wherever I go and for that, I will always be happy and grateful.

I wonder where we live in a year from now when school ends? To be continued...

Hillsboro Fountain

Last Monday we visited another fountain that we had never been to before. As all the others, it was very fun and unique. So far this summer we have hardly used our pool because we are enjoying the ample fountains, the friends that meet us there, and the absence of cursing (at times the youth in our complex that frequent the pool can be very profane)! Luckily, our pool just hired the summer life guard and now there will be constant enforcement of the rules!

The flows varied in the center of the fountain and surrounding it which made for even more fun- as it would change, the game would too.

The Good Shepperd

For our anniversary we finally bought our first picture of Christ. We have wanted one for some time and now we can look at this beautiful piece every time we come through the living room since it hangs above the TV. Someday we hope to get one that is several feet large to adorn and entire wall, but this picture is beautiful no matter what size it is! It's a Greg Olsen, my favorite.

Anniversary Dinner

As you probably know, we would rather spend our time celebrating anything, including our anniversary with the kids. Hey, they're both in bed by 7:30 so there is plenty of time to be adults after that.

For dinner we went to a place near the Temple that we just found out about called They serve a couple of things but mainly it is a burger joint. Chad got the 1lb burger and tried to eat it all. Midway when he started to sigh, I reminded him that it's not cool to be the biggest eater when you're a 33 years old and your slowing metabolism is evident when the stripes on your shirt dissappear! He agreed and hid his ego away when he asked for a to-go box. *As he read this he noted that it is important that I include the fact that there was on 1/4 of the burger left and that he could have finshed it.

Maisey loves cracking the peanuts that you can scoop up in a little pale from giant barrel- even though she doesn't like them and won't eat them.

Close Up

Here are two pictures of the kids that I snapped the other morning after they woke up.

Lucky them, they still look cute when they wake-up

(unlike some of us that have to work at it)!

Maisey's usually perky in the morning.

I wonder what this little man is thinking? Maybe, why is that crazy lady greeting me with a camera instead of more kisses!

100th Post!!!

Wow, 100 already! I just started in December and I hope all you readers are enjoying this blog as much as I am! I admit to not keeping a journal (at this time in my life anyway), and until I do, this is my weekly "journal". I have many things to do when I finish school next summer and that will all come with time.

Many people do something "big" when they reach their 100th post and some people even give away prizes! However, for my blog, I will incorporate a task that I was asked to do by another fellow blogger which, as you will see, is a trip down memory lane. It should be just as fun and if you don't see pictures below, they will be coming soon, along with a story of time. Check back later.

An Award

I was given this award by Melanie because I always leave her sweet comments (those are her words) on her blog. It is wonderful to be able to keep in touch with people and their families via the blogging version and I am glad for those that read! and with that being said, I am suppose to pass this onto 5 people I care about, and they can then pass it on to 5 others (even if they don't have a blog of their own). I added that part in because not everybody blogs, really!

#1 I send this to Jenny Sorenson for being one of my best friends, and for turning me onto blogging, baking, and much more. Although seeing you has become more infrequent since our moves, we will always be bonded and I will always be "Aunt Rachel".
#2 I send this to JoAnne Hadley for being such an avid reader and a great V.T.! I know you're probably reading right now!
#3 I send this to Alie Thompson for making me laugh out loud when I read her blogs. We haven't been able to get together for awhile but I am still able to feel included in their lives thanks to hilarious narration and pictures.
#4 I send this to Ciara Williams for being such a great tour guide and for helping us get a great start to fun summer. I especially appreciate all the help with directions... My new Thomas Guide may cut down on our phone time-lucky for you! And, you need to start a blog.
#5 I send this to Kristy Braithwaite for being such a good friend to everyone and for the times she's offered to watch Maisey during prenatal visits, temple trips, and peace of mind/date night, etc.
Pass this award on to 5 people you care about!

Look-O-Like

Ok, so I know everyone is getting sick of hearing me say how much the two kids look a like but originally I wanted to do a side-by-side photo and I wasn't sure how to scan and use my photos in blogger. They aren't the same ages in these photos but they are both in the car seat so I thought it was a good opportunity to put them together (as you can see Ryley's cheeks have chunked out, as Maisey's did the bigger she got). It is like de-ja-vu (sp?) every time I look into a smiling or crying face! The rounder their faces get, the more they resemble me.

Bumbo Baby

I had my eye on these funky little seats long before I got pregant. So, when the opportunity arose, we got one. Ryley enjoys watching everything we're doing while he's in it and before long he will be able to use it without the help of dish towels.

The box says 3+ months and we started putting him in it a couple of weeks ago. He is able to hold his head up better and better each day and a couple of minutes in the Bumbo is like baby P.T.

The Winding River

Yesterday, a friend took us to a pool (at Wilson High School) that we had never swam at before. It was SUPER crowded, but nevertheless still a blast for the kids.

Unique characteristics about it were that it had a frog kiddie slide, medium size bigger water slide, and a winding river ( a maze like course that flows throughout the pool).

I was only able to get my feet wet because Ryley doesn't really dig crowds when he is trying to take a relaxing dip. He would rather sleep!

The Fountain of Youth

The entire metro area is surrounded with fountains for the kids to play in. Maisey loves summer in the city for that reason especially. I guess since we were all kids they figure out that filling up a rough concrete square box with untreated water, wasn't the most sanitary idea for kiddie water works (especially for all the toilet trainers). One of our favorite fountains at Jamison Square actually forces water out through a barrier like wall of rocks, stands still for about 10 minutes or less, and then drains. Thank you to the designer behind that idea, he must be a parent!
These pictures are at the fountain across from the Beaverton library. When we go to that one we try to go on Wednesdays so we can score some stuff (especially kettle corn) at the Farmer's Market in the parking lot.

Gym Time

Well, at least someone in this house is using the gym. I know that's not really funny but hey, schools back in session, I'm always functioning on minimal sleep (and that is both a blessing and a mystery), and it's time for constant summer fun in the sun. Ryley love his baby gyms and until now his favorite was the Baby Leap Pad with flashing lights, a mobile, and singing. However, he recently figured out (most likely unintentionally), that his other Baby Einstein one is motion activated and the jungle animals are quite amusing.

Barbie Bliss

For Maisey's birthday she got the Barbie house of her dreams. She absolutely loves Barbies and after Christmas and her birthday, she now has tons! For her birthday we went shopping at Toys "R" Us and we were going to let her spend her birthday money and pick a gift from us. We contemplated buying this exact house but after thinking we thought it was something we should leave up to Santa. Anyway, later that night my sister in-law Carey called and told me her neighbor had one that she would be selling in her garage sale the next morning. So, as you can imagine we moved in on the deal (especially since it was never used and only 6 months old from Christmas '07). What girl wouldn't love this 4 foot, 3 story, neon colored house?

A Mystery

Maisey is finally better after being sick for 8 days! She came down with a high fever Monday afternoon following her birthday and Father's day weekend. We were pretty scared because she started vomiting on Thursday and was sick up until Sunday. The doctor didn't know what was wrong and after inconclusive blood work she had to have a CT scan. Today is Wednesday and after not eating for an entire week she's eating like a bird. But, that's ok, we'll take it. Today as she got dressed she said, "Wow Mom, I got skinny!" She even noticed she lost weight and yesterday she wore a dress that was marked to be packed away, however, now it zips again. We were pretty scared and we are so thankful it isn't/wasn't something terrible! I could not imagine the agony of watching one of my children be hospitalized for extensive treatments if they ever got really sick. It was so difficult to see her in so much pain and there was nothing I could do.

The Home Stretch

On Monday I started back to school... Luckily, I had some electives and this summer term is ALL online. In the fall and most likely the remainder of the year, I will have to go to campus for each class but I am SO happy that I don't have to make that drive during rush hour traffic for evening classes. The more time at home the better. I can always find something to worry about and right now it is the fact that each class is only 4 weeks long! Bummer. I prefer the 12 week courses but at least I'm knocking them down and this is my last year-for awhile anyway.