{Late Bloomers}

The other day we decided to go raspberry picking. The one problem we ran into, was raspberries aren't really in bloom anymore (we missed their prime time in June). We managed to pick some late bloomers, but were dismayed when we barely found enough for one milkshake, rather than the six we were picking for!

Ryley could have cared less. He was obsessed with a tractor, ATV, and chickens.

Ryley telling the chickens goodbye.

I guess we will know for next year! And, we will crave raspberry shakes since all the local stores are out as well!

{Everything}

It's hard to say what we've been up to lately, because you probably already know we are always up to "everything." Sure I love to enjoy the small things in life like the kisses, hugs, and snuggle time I get from my family each and every day, but we also like to be involved in just about everything possible. When I say "We," I truly mean all of us like to be busy going, going, going.

I feel a bit robbed of sunshine this year... It just hasn't been hot enough to spend hours basking in. The kids still enjoy swimming a couple times a week, but I can't say I'm as excited as them- although I usually love water!

Here are some random pictures of little things we've been up to:

We went boating and swimming with a couple families at the lake last Saturday. I also enjoyed discussing a wonderful book at book club that morning, followed by Saturday market and Maisey's Primary activity, (all before the lake).

I've been sewing some nights, mostly accessories and baby stuff. I think everyone is getting tired of it but me- and Ryley with his cars. Ryley just can't seem to keep his toys away from my machine. He also ventured out and got himself into trouble- something I'm thankful he doesn't do very often. I've learned not to leave my stuff out.Ryley also finds joy in the laundry basket- I mean his boat! He is also becoming quite fond of the camera, hence the cheesy grin.
We hope we have some warm summer days ahead while we catch up on a few neglect summer play dates!

{Pool Party}

Over the weekend we enjoyed the annual "Guenther Pool Party" hosted by Adam and Carey. It's fun to look at pictures of the kids each summer and observe their growth. It is also a ton of fun to watch the men in the family act like big boys. They always provide the entertainment. Ruby, Peyton, and Maisey

I don't know how many drinks had been consumed by this point... And, although we don't drink, Chad's goofiness is the product of a fun-loving personality!

If only I hadn't erased the picture of Adam jumping off the ladder onto the pool toys!

Boys will be boys in this family.

{saturday}

This weekend we went to the annual stake fair at church. It wasn't as hot as last year, but it was still pretty warm at 96! We only stayed for an hour and a half- just long enough to take it all in (performers, face painting, cotton candy, snow cones, and games). Ryley got soaked just standing next to the squirt gun games and from standing under the misters!

Chad took Maisey swimming while Ryley napped and I worked on some things at home.

I've been busy sewing away on some baby accessories every chance I get (many not pictured).

{Sand in the City}

We were excited for another year of Sand in the City (click to see pictures of last years sculptures), especially Maisey since she's old enough to remember the past three years we've gone. The themes varied but we liked the featured Toy Story and Alice and Wonderland. There weren't as many sculptures this year, which was kind of nice because it was easier to walk through. While Maisey got her face painted and played in the sand, Ryley tip toed around (he wasn't keen on the crowd or the wet sand. I think he was hung up on how it got in the middle of Pioneer Place. Chad noticed the reptiles immediately and wanted to see if Ryley was as crazy about them as he is. The answer was NO! And, if I could have only caught the other faces of terror he made...

It was very crowded, so we were quite surprised when we ran into our ward missionaries (in suits), in the heart of down town!
We love this annual tradition, and if you haven't been, you should check it out next year. Along with face painting, sand playing, sculpture viewing, reptile petting, and eating, there are also other educational kid friendly booths.

Within the last couple days I've been down town and discovered (thanks to friends)

and

.

Since having children we've really just been hanging in the burbs. I have to say, Portland is weird (you know the saying, "keep Portland weird," but it's also a little fun when you take away the traffic)! I seriously planned out places I want to go with only Chad for the next five years... If only we dated more than 1 x a year!!!

{Summer Days}

The summer weeks are flying by! We've been enjoying our days swimming, playing in fountains, playing with friends, sewing baby stuff for my friends new store, and keeping up with the important things.

Video games at the Family Fun Center in Wilsonville (is he a boy or what? Just wait until he finds out my opinion of boys who play video games! We do have a Wii, but I really dislike this time waster. And, I hate TV too!!!

We are lucky to have so many awesome fountains all around us!

Boating, before my camera got wet and quit working for 4 days!
I think we have managed to "mold" Maisey a bit this summer... I couldn't be prouder of her! Since Chad and I are both neat freaks, we clean up the kids' messes before they even notice them. I made it a vow that I would put a stop to this before she got even bigger- and Chad is actually trying to let her "stand" on her own too (he's a big softy)!

This is how her day goes:

Wake

Make Bed

Eat Breakfast

Do 4 pages of school work- she's still about a year ahead and I don't want her to be part of the "summer slide!"

Spend up to an hour with media (although she's too busy to care)

Practice Piano

Eat lunch

PLAY, PLAY, PLAY (she really does a lot of this)!

I won't say EVERYDAY goes according to planned; however, she is almost completely on target at sticking to her routine!

I loved having a bit of cool weather early this week and I hope it's not too hot on Friday when I plan to be indoors sewing, and baking for Saturday's Garden Brunch!

{4th}

We spent the 4th in Eugene this year. The weather was the perfect temperature. Sometimes it is wonderful to get away from all the hustle of our everyday lives up here in the city; but I will say right now, it can be a catch 22! My kids are so use to running from one thing to the next, that they can't enjoy the down time. We (or shall I say Chad) spent TONS of time (and gas) driving Ryley around. He always wanted to go somewhere, and he wouldn't sleep until at least 11 PM every night (which led to our coming home on Sun. night- well, it was 12:30 AM) rather than MonDAY. While we were there we roasted marshmallows. *Tip: DO NOT use the BIG marshmallows for consumption. They are just too big and messy!We spent most of the 4 TH with family at a friends home (or their yard rather), before returning back to my grandparents for fire works. During fire works Maisey managed to lose a tooth and she was very excited (as usual) to cash in. However, the tooth fairy that visits this house isn't very good at tracking the rate of lost teeth. And, Maisey reminded me this morning the tooth fairy has paid less for her teeth since the first initial loss. Maisey is sharp, and now I make a vow to find out the going rate and stick with it!

What do you think is fair?We were exhausted upon coming home but we had a great time! Isn't that funny- you can be MORE tired the less you do!!!

It was great seeing the family we were able to.

{Typical}

It's typical that I put up with the hassle of growing my hair out and then I change my mind... What do you think?

My traditional a-line cut or the longer hair I'm sportin now?

{8}

Yesterday, June 29 Th was our 8 year wedding anniversary. We hope to celebrate this weekend when we're out of town, because things just weren't going our way... I had a long work day, Maisey stripped the finish off the dining room table, I contracted an eye infection which presented itself as pink eye, Maisey vomited from 11-12 PM, and the remaining events aren't worth mentioning.

However, I will mention the fact that I am married to a wonderfully patient man who puts up with me. And, he said knew he was in it for time and all eternity... He is crazy!

Valentines 2009- I dislike the camera and this is what I came up with.

{Tapper}

Maisey is the best little tapper! We are so proud of her.

{Patience}

The other day at Costco an adorable little boy I know was really testing my patience. After trying to buckle him in a cart outside the entrance, I carried him to the car, crying uncle before I even made an attempt to visit the store. I placed him back in the car so he could "do his thing." As he smiled at me while pretending to drive I decided he should be buckled up. Come on, if he was going to punish us by keeping me from entering the store, he needed to know this wasn't a game. Once I finally got him buckled up I decided I would make an attempt to physiologically soothe him (raise his blood sugar).

So, I opened a brand new bag of trail mix and before I could distribute any

I dropped the whole bag!

Rather than get huffy about it, I just took a picture. I practiced being patient and less dramatic- something I am consciously working on each day.

Ryley got the point, "Don't mess with Mom or you don't get a snack!"

{Entertainment}

Today started out with Maisey's tap dress rehearsal. She is performing on Thursday (don't get me started on the day of the week, really). She will perform in the first of 4 recitals. Since she is performing on a Thursday, rather than the usual Saturday, she will not have a big crowd of out-of-towners to cheer her on. However, Chad and I are her biggest fans, and we are probably enough!

Maisey loves to perform, and it is super fun to watch her. One reason she loves the stage is because she gets to wear mascara and red lipstick!

*The theme this year is "Think Global, Dance Local."

The music was very cool, in all different languages and styles.

This song is from Lilo and Stitch: "He Mele No Lilo."

Maisey looks a little ahead here; however, she was right on watching the back stage instructors while everyone else was slowly copying them. I am not sure how to tell her to slow down in order to fit in for the final performance.

***************************** After we ran home for a quick lunch we picked up the boys for a movie first. I really thought Ryley would sit through a movie (although he's only 26 months), but I was wrong! I am still really surprised he wasn't interested since he will watch other Toy Story movies and Cars (I do not condone media in any way, but I am not always home and Chad is)! Since this was a kid-friendly "Father's Day" outing, I spent at least half the time in the lobby watching Ryley drive car and snow mobile arcade games.

Initially he was happy to be there!

And I'm almost embarrassed to say, but I am excited for this!

{June 13, 2003}

Seven years ago after 52 hours of labor, this beautiful little girl changed my life forever...

I was elated when I found out Maisey was a girl, especially since I spent the second half of my pregnancy in denial (I made the technicians "double check" each time I had an ultrasound which averaged to be at least one a month).

Each day I give thanks because I am a mother and because I have a daughter. There are many people out there who don't experience the joys and pains that come from motherhood and I feel sad about that. Being a mother defines me- and I am proud to be in this role.

Maisey is a strong spirit, and I hope she always stands for truth and righteousness. Maisey teaches me new things every day as she enriches my life. I know she will always be a good friend and example to others. She is such a special girl!

We started our Saturday morning with a scavenger hunt in search of her big birthday gift (which we decided to give to her a day early since the weather was so gorgeous, and since her birthday falls on the Sabbath.

This is what she found- a new bike. She said she thought it was going to be an I-Pod. She really does seem years older and I have no idea what she will be "in to" when she actually is. She has never been into toys much, despite the fact she's had everything. We were out the door for a bike ride by 8 AM. It was gorgeous and we even woke the ducks up! It was a Saturday.Maisey wanted me to take this picture and capture a small fraction of the beauty at this nearby park; plus she just finished studying everything about frogs and habitats at school.A couple hours later we packed everything up, cake and all (she pleaded for a homemade cake despite the fact I wanted to buy a beautiful one), and headed to the ice skating rink. Somewhere along the way with feeding 9 little girls and 1 little boy, I failed to get group pictures. But, here are a couple of Maisey's friends.SageAaron and Ana (without Aaron's steady feet and help all the girls' would have been crying due to crushed ego's; only two girls had ever skated on their own).

Lexie, Maisey, Zoe

Maisey, Hailey, Chaney

* I failed to get pictures of Peyton, Colby, and Alexis but they are just as cute as the other kids!

So far it has been a great birthday weekend. Today we have church and Oma and Opa are coming to visit and have dinner.