{Kindergarden Zoo Trip- 2 weeks ago}

Lucky for us the field trip to the zoo happened to fall on a nice dry day. In fact, it was so nice we ran into several of our buddies, and more were on their way as we were leaving. You never know who you're going to run into at the zoo, but 5 other adults and their kids- that's a handful.Girls posing in the Great Northwest Exhibit- one of the coolest attractions.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear what do you see? I see too many kindergartner's looking at me. How many are actually in this Polar bear cave I'm not sure I didn't capture them all.The whole family went on this trip. I thought the Ergo would be a good choice for the outing but it seems as though Ryley would have preferred the backpack. Really, it is quiet comfortable and I'm crazy about it but he enjoys the ride in a different way.You won't see us modeling any baby wearing gear since this position isn't one Ergo tries to sell for comfort!
*****
Really, I've been quiet surprised at the number of field trips they've taken since the budget is so bad.
They've gone to:
The Young Chef's Academy
The Pumpkin Patch
Pump It Up
The Zoo
...and I believe one more that is slipping my mind.

{Goodbye Erekson's}

We want to wish the Erekson's a happy move down to California! We will miss game nights, zoo trips, park visits, picky eaters, you guys of course, and so much more!

We will also miss these sweet little smiles that beam when these girls are together!

{Birthday Celebration Two}

This year my birthday fell on a busy day but we still managed to squeeze in dinner at the Olive Garden. It was nice to have dinner with just the four of us and the card Chad got me was also a highlight... Whoever wrote it, I swear wrote it just for me!The big highlight however was on Friday when some friends took me to Tillamook to celebrate. It was fun, intimate, and despite my car sickness (which I managed to keep inside-literally), it was a great day. The private beach we stopped at was foggy but warm enough to go without shoes.
The kids took advantage of that.
It was so nice to get away for a day without school on my mind!

******

We also made it to Desert Book on Saturday and picked up some books on my wish list- that's the list of things I'm 'wishing' to read when school's out!

Thanks C!

{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.