Babysitters NOT for sale!

I'm convinced I have the greatest babysitters in the world! Mostly because they LOVE my kids. They both came to play with Simon the other day while I took Trenton to swim class... and somehow I think Simon had WAY more fun when I was away.

The boob tube

Shonda took some pictures of Simon since he is officially 18 months old.

You just have to see what she did. Check it out here.

18 months old!

It's a half birthday!

Here is what Simon is doing these days.

1. Eating. He is picky and has two categories of foods ... sweets and trash.
2. Telling jokes. He cracks himself up at his "Knock Knock" jokes. Trenton has taught him the rhythm of the joke.. and he knows right when to laugh and what to do.
3. He is best at saying.. Mama, Dada, mine, no, Gramma, pease, cheez, juice and baby.
4. He throws tantrums that are right out of the insane asylum!
5. He is mentally a 3 1/2 year old. Baby toys, food, sippy cups, plastic things are for losers.
6. He is nearly as heavy as his big brother and uses his weight to stop just about anything. He will sit, jump, roll, and squash you if you get on his level.
7. He wants to golf just like Daddy! He has his own set of clubs and knows how to use them.
8. He is a lover and a fighter. He hugs.... a lot! He cuddles, kisses, and wants to be close all the time. This is cute until you try and move away, and then he hits, kicks, and lets out the scream that gets most of the neighbor dogs up on their feet.
9. He's independent. Don't try and help him or he's not interested.
10. He knows how to twinkle at you. His chubby cheeks, and his beautiful blue eyes will just melt someones heart someday.

I'm so in love with this guy!
Oh... did I mention that he is a stellar dancer and can play a mean game of peek a boo?

Happy Anniversary!

11 Years ago this month we starting dating!
8 Years ago today, we made it official!
I really didn't think we would ever end up HERE! It's been a fun journey together.

Here are just a few reasons (in no particular order) why I am so obsessed with him.

1. He doesn't usually get mad. Even when I shrink his favorite shirt in the laundry, or loose a tool that is important... he remains calm and collected. The only time you'll see him get a little red in the face is when he is golfing.


2. He changes diapers. The diapers that make most people crinkle their nose and make their ugly face. He handles these by quietly disappearing and coming out unscathed by the mess. Even when we were at the park the other day, no diapers, no wipes and diarrhea was the villain, he didn't even argue when I handed the babe over to him.

3. He laughs at my jokes when I'm not funny, and he makes me laugh all the time.


4. He looks more handsome bald than he did with that adorable Rico Suave hair he had when I met him.

(I think we both have aged well... if I do say so myself.. YIKES!)

5. He doesn't watch too much Sports Center and doesn't obsess over video games!


6. He is passionate (yes... use your imagination ladies). He he he... I'm referring to work! He works hard and is passionate about what he spends his time doing.


7. He likes being home. He purposely golfs in the wee morning hours to not take away from being with us in the evenings.


8. He still gives me butterflies. Sometimes when I kiss him I still feel like it is the first time. A little goofy, and I can still smell him. I think he smells GREAT!

Happy Anniversary my love! I feel like my life really started when I met you.
I love you more every day!

Happy Birthday!

Emile's mom had a birthday, and she KNOWS how to celebrate! I'm pretty sure the city put on this festival just because of her. She was ready to party...

we rode the ferris wheel

...rode the cars

...LOVED the rollarcoaster

...ate cotton candy while gaulking at Brian Grant (former Trail Blazer) in the background
... and what carnival wouldn't be complete without a classy tattooed, smoking, sweaty carnie!

Happy Birthday!! We all love you!

A Reunion!

These two make me almost as giddy as my hubby. :D We haven't been together in years, and it was surreal hanging out again. The ONLY change is that we've added a few children and the original ones are a little older. Besides that... time didn't change a thing!




I'm so glad we were able to be together and have a BBQ, play badminton, roast smores, and even have a little close bonding with all of our kids in the bathroom at one time. I didn't post the picture, but the visual includes me laughing too hard ... a few butts... a little poo... wet feet... and 10 bodies!

More with Lee and Sarah...

Why oh why did they have to leave? The boys love them... we love them!!!
Come back soon.

And... this picture above is rare. Very rare! Usually at least ONE of us is behind the camera.

Just the beginning of July

July just started and it is off to a very good start!!! Lee and Sarah came back to visit. This is big news for us, and they are the greatest. They haven't stopped playing with the boys, and I'm pretty sure we are going to look pretty lame when they go home.

We went to the water park...

Lit fireworks and went to a big fireworks show...

rode on a cool new boat that Emile's parents bought
(fyi... the boats name is officially Diego, we even decorated it with Diego stickers)

went fishing...

caught fish... and then ate them.

Learned a little pyrotechnics....

went to a parade...

and even ate a cake.

I've been unfaithful.

I am an Oregonian!
I am green. I am a Nike fan. I like water. I don't mind the rain. I enjoy the ocean and the mountains. And, I went to the adidas campus (yeah... that's right. Their North American headquarters are here too)! I know, this is nearly sacrelig since Nike IS Oregon.
Dare I say that we had a good time too?

Observation Book

To keep Trenton busy a few weeks ago, I decided to cure his need for hunting with this....

...this is his "Observation Book". He picks leaves and flowers from everywhere and we tape them inside along with a small picture so he can remember where he found his treasure.

This has been running smoothly until recently when I found leaves (yet to be taped in) all over the house, car, table, bags, etc.
So, I came up with something new.
I told him we could go somewhere special and instead of picking the leaves and flowers we could take pictures of them to put in our book.

This turned out to be my super mom moment. We went to the most special, non-flower-picking place I could think of, the temple.

It was so sweet to see them loving the beautiful grounds, the flowers, the leaves, and it was fun for me being with my slightly irreverent boys. They are my treasure and these moments make me remember that there is nothing better in this world than them! They are at such a fun age and I'm so glad this moment is captured in pictures forever.

While I am quite proud of myself, this idea of really doing something adventurous and somewhat educational is a new to me. I'm much better at sitting in my lawn chair watching them run in the sprinkler. We'll have to try this more often, it was fun!!!

Grand Finale cake

This is the last cake for a little while. My class ended, and I'm not sure when or if I'll do another. I need a break! My oven needs a break! My mixer is begging for me to let it rest for bit. Nothing like a big bed of sugar flowers, butterflies and a classy basket-weave to feel like I've aged. My teacher is a few GENERATIONS older than us... so this is what we ended up with.