Texas or Bust!

The Lone Star State beckoned us a few weeks ago!!!
I've never had a reason to visit this state, until Lee and Sarah moved there, and believe it or not.. I'd go back!!!

It was SUPER HOT when we landed in San Antonio. We didn't last long, and there weren't many people out because they all were smarter than us! It was not a day to be outside!

Hello Alamo!!

We traveled quickly away from land, and went straight for the beaches!!! This is pretty much where we stayed too. The boys were so happy building sand castles and surfing.

With all the heat, humidity, water and castles...
we would crash at night telling stories on the couch.

we got goofy too...

then went back to the beach...

We visited a real air craft carrier.. and the boys now will not stop obsessing over jet planes!

The Texas State Aquarium put ours to shame!! We played with crab, anemones, turtles, watched a dolphin show, and even pet sting rays.

But we didn't last long in the heat, so back to the beach .. to surf!

We mini-golfed...

surfed...

Visited museums...

surfed...

built more castles..

and even played instruments.

Big thanks to Lee and Sarah for bringing us down! We cannot wait to do it again! We miss you already.

Pre-school Pranksters

This is Simon's first year in Pre-school and we were so excited to have the annual photo by the front door with him. While the picture was exciting, I find the school aspect bitter sweet.

This only means he is getting bigger. He is only going one day a week, and to be honest I have mixed feelings. The house is eerie when they are not home. There is no fighting, laughing, pushing, playing, toys, giggles, hugs, kisses, or anything when they are gone.

I'm sure I'll grow to love this, but I miss them while they are gone. Don't get me wrong though...a few hours once a week will be welcomed.


And this handsome boy, absolutely cannot grow any more!
I feel like I missed years with him, and now that he is smarter, and more independent, I just want him to stop here before he ends up in REAL school.

My "surfer dude"

We just got back from a surfing vacation!!! We were in Corpus Christi Texas... and the Padre Islands might be our new hang out!!! Here is one of the reasons why we had so much fun. There will be more pictures and video to follow soon!

Trenton surfing from Raina on Vimeo.

A big visitor!

This is WAY overdue! We had one of our favorite visitors come to town at the beginning of the month! You might see a lot of him in the next few posts... because he is pretty darn cool! Now, I know he'll see this post, so I won't tell you how good he is to the boys, or that they adore his every move, or that they still talk about him every night, or that we love having him around... it might make his head big. :D

But we had fun! We shot marshmallow guns and went on the "bubble". We ate yummy food (too much of it), played baseball, wrestled, and even painted a birdhouse. I wish I had more photos, but for now, this will do.

We'll see you again soon, Uncle Lee!

Fore!

The neighbors better watch out. We added some value to our land the other day!

Emile worked so hard trying to get this big green pieced together, glued, and of course the leveling of the land was no easy task to take on. All his sweat and hard work paid off though. Look at what he did!

Our 9th Anniversary

9 Years ago today I woke up next to Emile for the first time. Ok ok... so i had fallen asleep next to him before, but this time... it was because we were married! We were now a family ready to take on whatever challenges life could give us. Together!

So, Today I make this post to you...

Dear Husband,

I can still remember the first time we went on a date, and the first time we kissed!
I knew a lot about you when we got married. We dated for a long time, so there weren't too many surprises. But sometimes I wonder... would you still marry me if you knew what you now know?

Did you ever think that I could get so cranky when I am pregnant? Or that I would obsess over craft projects? Would you do it all again if you knew I liked to clean my toes while watching TV? Or that bad hair days mean that I am going to sit and wait for you to
find a compliment that I deem as "sincere"?

I know that I would marry you one million times over if I could!
I would do a few things different though.

I would choose the other side of the bed! We established this early on, and I wish I had made a different choice. I also would have made a book of your favorite things. So I could give you better gifts when special days come around.
I would have been more appreciative of all the sweet things that you do for me. You deserve so much love, and there are days that go by that I wish I could have loved you just a little more.
I love you! You are my voice of reason, calming when I become irrational, you are what I look forward to, you make me want to remember what I did in a day so I have someone to share it with. You are the one I want to share my jokes with and keep the DVR paused for when something funny comes on.

You, Emile, ring my bell.
Happy Anniversary!

Now, to celebrate we went out to a restaurant with the best views in town. I had heard of this place, but I just recently heard that their food was good too!!

(Thanks for the recommendation Jen...it was AWESOME!)

This was honestly our view while we ate!!!

Then we went down and had a picnic at Willamette Park and watched the boats go by while we sipped on Italian Sodas and had some yummy treats!

I love you Emile!!! Now good luck planning our 10th next year. :D

Summer time

We finally said goodbye to this...

But we said "hello" to this...

The boys were SO excited they couldn't wait to sleep! This thrilled not only me, but my aching body from trying to lift out the old stuff before Emile came home from work. I was in a hurry to get the old stuff out so he couldn't turn around and say... "these beds are GIGANTIC" (which they are).
The boys have been playing in them non-stop! I have to tell you that Emile cringes at the thought of garage sales... but this one was worth it! We scored big time!!!

Maybe they are so exhausted because of swim lessons too. Simon gets to play with me on the side of the pool and he is actually enjoying it. I thought for sure he would be upset every moment he couldn't step foot into the water... but look at that smile!

And this one was taken right after he kissed me!!! I'll smooch those cheeks anytime, anywhere, and even if they have leftovers on them! I love kisses!


And Trenton is getting better and better!!

And while they swim.. I dream up ways to make cakes! I made this one for Emile's mom for her Birthday! It tasted so so yummy.. and I'll be making it again as soon as I have another good excuse.

Banana Pops

Here's to keeping cool!!

We made some delicous treats today. Let me share what our Banana Pop recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 bananas
• 1 cup chocolate-chips
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

Materials:

• 9 wooden popsicle sticks
• parchment paper

1. Peel bananas and cut into three sections. Gently insert a popsicle stick into the center.
2. Place on a parchment paper lined tray and place in the freezer while you melt your chocolate.
3. Combine chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium (power 6-7) until melted. Stir with a spatula until smooth.
4. Pour melted chocolate into a tall, narrow glass or container. Remove bananas from freezer. Dip, one by one, into the chocolate, letting it ooze up the sides of the glass and coat the banana.
5. Place bananas on tray again and sprinkle with nuts, if desired. Freeze until solid.

To enjoy: remove from freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for about five minutes.

Serve with a napkin.