{Easter in Eugene}

The kids on Easter morning at my Grandparen't house.

Ryley loves his new Little People truck with sounds. After his birthday and Easter this last week I think we've got him away from the Barbies and onto new things.

Maisey showing off her new doll toothbrush and toothpaste- more small things to keep away from Ryley (as if there aren't all ready enough Polly Pocket's and other accessories in this house)!

Here is a not-so-good family shot before church on Easter Sunday. We will have to try for a redo since my grandpa didn't use the zoom.

{Birthday Celebration One}

For Ryley's birthday eve we took him to Out of this World Pizza. He loved playing in the two year old section and he didn't want to leave afterwards! On his actual birthday we also had a cake with some friends at Magnolia park. The weather happened to be really nice that day and it was perfect timing in between Maisey's school, dance, dinner, and t-ball. When we went to Eugene over the weekend he had a second chance at cake (the first time was nap time and he wasn't that interested), and as you can see, he wasn't all that interested this time either. He didn't like all the attention when being sang to and cried...

Nonetheless, he loves all his new birthday toys, especially his John Deere tractor and Little People airplane.

He is so sweet!

{Happy 1st Birthday Ryley}

Today is Ryley's first birthday! The time went by so fast and I try not to even think about it because it makes me sad. However, the stage he is in right now, is super fun.

He loves:

- to eat

-to use his walking push toys

-to swim

-to take baths and showers

-to snuggle

-to read books

-to be sang to

-to watch other babies and kids

-to play with his sister

-to be outside and go for walks

-to get into things

Here is a one year photo recap:

"Birth-day" April 7Th @ 8pm
May- about 1 month old
June- about 2 months old
3 months old
4 months old
5 months old
6 months old

December
January
March

{Blast from the past}

When I was a kid I celebrated all of my birthdays at Skate World. I loved to skate. It turns out Maisey does too. For her 5th birthday we got her Rollerblades but we never took her to a real rink. That all changed on Saturday and she's already planning her 7th birthday party since her 6th (this June) is already booked.

To finish off spring break we invited a couple friends and went to skate world. The place is NASTY! I wasn't completely grossed out like I often am when I imagine years of old germs, but the place could use some work! I was completely taken back to my youth and it was a blast seeing Maisey get so excited about a new past time. She has been exposed to so many things she doesn't get totally hyped up like she was for the day of lunch, skating, and cotton candy! Sometimes I think we do too much since she doesn't seem overly dramatic like I am when I'm doing something fun, but I think it's all part of living in a big city with a very busy schedule.

Spending my only open day of break skating wasn't exactly ideal for me (I would have rather sewed something, baked, entertained, or hung out with some girlfriends), but it was well worth it watching and listening to her. I couldn't help but imagine two years from now when she is a little older and doesn't give me so much attitude. Honestly, I doubt that will ever happen, but I do hope she still looks at me with excitement as she asks, "Can we do that again, just us for a mother-daughter outing?" Maisey and I spend a lot of time together and I'm really going to miss all her activities when I start working. I really have a new take on why many men and fathers seem so anti-social. They really just want to be with the most important people in their lives, their families, and I can't blame them!

She is so sweet!

Chaney, Sage, and Maisey taking a break!There were a lot of falls at first...and some sore bums and arms from clinging to the wall.

But their confidence kicked in (some sooner than others), and they all had a great time!

Even Ciara and I... She had to show off on Rollerblades while I weathered blisters from the old, ugly, unisex skates.

{Spring Break}

After weeks of illness everyone was well enough to make spring break visits to the grandparents!

First, we headed to Eugene to make up a trip we were forced to cancel a couple weeks prior because Ryley had the flu and everything else you can imagine.

The kids had a great time seeing my parents and grandparents and I we can't wait to see them all again!

The last time we were down was over Christmas break and the kids have both done a lot of growing since then, especially Ryley.Ryley playing patty cake with Aunt Erin.

It didn't take him long to warm up this time since he's getting over his 9-month anxiety phase (We think and hope)!He still prefers men and he especially likes my dad's mustache and my grandpa's glasses.
We spent the short time relaxing and playing lots of Mexican Train (one of the Guenther's old faves and the Clark's new fave).We went to my favorite childhood pizza parlor where I had all of my birthdays growing up. Oddly they happen to have a franchise located here in Beaverton (how lucky)! They even have a ball pit. Yeah, he's got a nasty one near his mouth!

After coming home for a few days of busy work, we headed up the Gorge to see some friends and family. Our first stop was Dufur to see our best family friends the Sorenson's and then back West to Hood River to see the grandparents and the Bergstrom's and their new baby. The time was brief but enjoyable and I don't have much to show for it. Since I've been off the blogging wagon I am out of practice with my camera!I did manage to snap these two pics of the kids playing together at a Dairy Queen. I remembered they had a padded play structure and the kids needed to get all their energy out before the drive home.
Despite the fact I failed to get good pictures of them smiling, they had a fun time playing together and Chad and I had a fun time watching Ryley interact and butt into other people's (kid's business). He thinks he can do anything and his demeanor is very much like Maisey's- strong willed and determined!

For now that sums up a couple days of break... I still have so much to do and the rain is driving my nuts today. Forget Spring- bring on Summer!

{back in business}

Tomorrow I will take my last final of the term! I am so glad because the last couple months have been far too hectic (and you know things are hectic if I say I'm too busy)!

Not much has been happening lately... It seems like the kids have been sick forever, which always make school a lot harder since my energy is sucked out of my body without my consent!

Ryley had a sinus infection, a double infection, the flu, and a cold all at once and it lasted nearly two weeks straight!

Now Maisey has something causing her to act unusual and so before my last night of school tomorrow, I will be hauling her into the pediatrician for something- who knows what! It started out over a week ago with a four day fever and since she hasn't eaten... Seriously, she's running on hardly any caloric intake (probably 350 calories a day in the last 10 days- and that's from liquids) and sleeping a ton. I am praying it's just a growth spurt but the napping everyday and the occasional hot head is peculiar.

She hasn't acted sick since last Monday but I really have no explanation for the loss of appetite and sleeping.

I guess we will see tomorrow!

I hope your Monday is better than mine. However, if you call me on my cell at 10pm I will probably be rocking out to my country music as I leave my school campus and proceed to the grocery store. You can usually bet I'm at Winco at 10pm on Monday's shopping for my weekly produce and such.

{100 Dresses}

Last week we celebrated the R.S Birthday. It was such a special evening full of fun with a touch of service. We raised nearly 200 dresses for two local charities (Dress for Success and another women's shelter which also serves children). The chocolate fountains were my favorite (along with the pretzels, cream puffs, angel food cake, macaroons, pineapple, strawberries, and bananas)!
The decor of dresses throughout the gym was especially festive.
As were the cool table linens!
But the coolest part of all was the turn out! We ran out of table settings and luckily we had just barely enough food!

Enrichment Committee is such a fun calling!

{Maisey's First}

A little over a week ago Maisey lost her 1st tooth! The one next to it has also been loose for about the same time but it's still 'hanging' on.

It's crazy when your first kid starts primary school, starts loosing teeth, and starts reminding you (and your adult friends!!!) how to work out conflict!
I am beginning to think Maisey may take up counseling because she seems to be the guru for giving unwanted advice lately!

{Personality}

Ryley seems to have as big of a personality as his big sis. He seem easier to take care of since he goes to bed on his own, but he is as independent as a big boy, well, as much as an 11 month old can be!
Lately he loves to draw on anything. This is a picture of him sulking after I told him no for trying to suck on a pen. For the most part, he just draws.
He loves sunny days at the park. He's especially fond of the swings
and of the wagon! Last week at the zoo he road in the wagon the whole time.
He likes to crawl through his tunnel and
hang with the boys!

For sure, we've got another social bug on our hands. However, he is still shy and won't let people hold him, although he promised me it won't last forever.

Valentines Day

I love holidays. I also love to have little parties for each one. I'm a sucker for all the little cheesy decorations, like this vinyl table cloth. Yeah, vinyl. I actually buy the vinyl, because I can't find holiday ones in cloth,and the kids usually do crafts or cookie decorating. I might just have to make my own... Anyway, the day before Valentines we had a little lunch with friends. Maisey plastered the wall with about 30 hearts she traced with cookie cutters, cut out, and hung on the wall. She's going to out due me someday soon.

The following day things were pretty low key around here. We went out for awhile during the day but we actually relaxed some. We've never been big date night people, but this year I really wanted to go out. We knew Ryley wouldn't like that idea so we put the kids to bed at their usual early time (7pm), and had a date night at home. We don't like to exchange gift either, except Chad got me three roses like last year, to represent him and the kids. My gift to him was chocolate strawberries, cider, and a hot pink bath, all to himself!I don't know what I was thinking when I bought heart shaped floating candles. It was a total joke. By the time I beckoned him the way was melting and he couldn't exactly bath with fire floating around him. However, it looked cool.

Maisey loved her school party and has since forgotten about the candy I hid away. We didn't do the candy monster this go round but she's use to it disappearing two or so days later.

I sure love my family.

{Random}

First and foremost I have to say how much I miss blogging. I am so consumed by other things right now (and no- I'm not on Facebook), that I never even know where my camera is. That little number representing my posts in my sidebar is pathetic!

Update: Lately things around here have been 'mellow' or uneventful.

Maisey:

Has school five days a week, several play date swaps, dance and girl scouts (BTW, she sold 100+ boxes), along with other random things we don't have scheduled. After last weeks sun she is ready for summer... Just come on by and you will catch her in summer skirts, swimsuits (a little over-eager) and flip flops. She thinks she can bring summer on sooner if she dresses accordingly.

Ryley:

Applauds all the time, army crawling his way into trouble, and trying to give up the bottle- despite our advice. You never know depending on the day if he wants a bottle, a cup, or nothing all together. Since he's pretty much always happy it's hard to tell when he's hungry. All he wants are solids and we are wasting tons of formula offering him bottles left and right.

Chad:

Played his first basketball game for our ward and enjoyed it. Had to miss Saturday's game for a long standing swimming day at the aquatic park, but "took one for the team." Has been working on Elders Quarum stuff and is excited to serve in a different area of the church for t he first time (outside of primary).

Me:

Last week (and the four before that), I was so consumed with my classes that I didn't even wear make-up or get "dressed" (like really dressed for the public eye) for several days in a row! I've forgone many social opportunities and my neighbors haven't seen me come and go 8x's a day as usual; however, don't get worried now. I am simply busy earning A's with my 16 credit load. I did manage to take the kids for many walks last week, and to a couple playground/parks. I got enough Vitamin D to recharge my battery for a couple days.

About school, I think I'm going to miss school when I'm done. I know it sounds crazy. Before college I only went to school to socialize (big surprise, huh?) and I didn't care about getting the very best grades I could. I was "average." However, a heck of a lot has changed since those days and somewhere over time I became this "Type A" overachiever. It's funny how when other people call us names we don't like it but when we say it, it isn't so bad...

I just hope my career is as rewarding as the quarter grades I receive because it's validation that all the sacrifice has payed off and it is worth it. I just took a midterm tonight, I have another tomorrow, and I'm so glad I only halve 5 weeks left until spring break.

It is that time of year when all I think about is Nursing school. This year will be the first year I am 'qualified' to but won't apply. I actually had a small interest in a couple schools but it was so small I missed the deadlines. Obviously, my interest wasn't big because I would never "miss" something like that. I have to say I am very discouraged with the level of education I do have at this time. All I ever wanted to do in life was be a CNM (Midwife). I am still amazed that I spent 4 years in school, only to apply with good grades, and not get in. I think it "knocked me off my rocker." I know everything happens for a reason and that reason will be one year old in April. That was what I really wanted. But, I thought after having him I would apply again and the truth of the matter is, I am just burned out with all the juggling. Yes, I am contradicting myself.

I will miss school deadlines, the acquisition of new knowledge, and long vacations, but I won't miss the juggling! Six years, and two babies later, I don't think I will ever want to go back to those science classes again. I know I will need grad school to get further, but I need at little break first.

{Baptism}

Two weekends ago (I know I'm really behind), we went to Hood River and The Dalles for Paige Sorenson's baptism. Paige is the first of of Maisey's close friends to get baptised and afterwards she couldn't stop talking about it. I'm glad the weather permitted us to go (you never know this time of year) and I'm thankful for the wonderful example she sets for Maisey who just idolizes her.

It was an emotional event because I felt many of the same feelings from my own baptism. I also think that was one indication it's been way too long since we've been to one. We were spoiled in our old ward since we had a font and we were able to attend them regularly. This time I hope we don't have to go another 18 months before we attend one.

I also couldn't get over how quickly she grew! Jenny and I get scared more and more each day with our girls and lucky for me Paige is first,and then Madeline. Madeline is 9 months older than Maisey and she has 2 boys under 3 so I've got my built in crisis line when and if I need it.

Someday these two girls will be as big as these girls.

****

Paige after her baptism.
Everything was sweet- just like this cake.