Uncle Greg's Birthday Picnic

Happy Birthday, Uncle Greg!

Today we went to George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego and had a birthday celebration picnic for Uncle Greg's 43rd. Aunt Susan treated us all to some very tasty food, and the riverfront park was fantastic.
Uncle Mark, Uncle Greg, and Grandpa.
Good thing Uncle Greg had lots of help with opening presents!
Cousin Will is such a cute little hoss! We just love him with his blue popsicle face.
This was the first time that we saw Catie's new grill...she knocked her front teeth out in a bad fall. I think she looks very cute with her new look!

hot one

It was a scorcher yesterday! I could tell it was going to be a very sunny day when the sun started beaming into the front room yesterday morning. It got up to 100 degrees!
We set up camp in the backyard, with our new tent and the swimming pool. Both were real hits with Chris and Nate. They probably went in and out of the tent 264 times yesterday. We can't wait until our first camping trip in a few weeks!

it's the little things in life

My sister Susan is spending the week in Houston, Texas. No, it's not a fun vacation. She is down there because her very good friend Heather's daughter, Sarah, (age 7) was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and she is going through very intense radiation treatment. Susan and another friend, Tori, flew out from Seattle to offer support and a bit of comic relief as the Hughes family begins this journey. This little story was in my e-mailbox this morning and it put a smile on my face as I start this day. I hope it does the same for you.

Yesterday was a gray day. Pouring rain, thunder and lightning nonstop. It was the day of Heather's sister's wedding and not being there was clearly weighing on her mind all day.

While sitting at dinner, Sarah remembered that she was suppose to be wearing a special dress and be at the wedding. We said it wasn't too late. We headed up to the room where she put on her dress planned for the wedding. Heather, Tori and I put on dresses and we proudly marched down to Bingo night in the hotel lobby for a little "girls night out".

It wasn't long until Sarah grew crabby and tired of playing since she wasn't winning. I offered to watch over one of her cards for her. We each had 3 cards. I have never willed a bingo win so hard in my life. I was desperately hoping to win, for her. Sarah was antsy, wanting to move on, tired of playing. It isn't fun when you are a kid and you don't win.

My numbers kept coming and I kept hoping, please oh please oh please. Finally...O 63!

I moved my card into the spot where I had Sarah's card and said "Sarah! You got it! Your card got the BINGO!" She was thrilled. The big winner!!! She got to yell "BINGO!" The whole lobby cheered. She received her gift certificate for breakfast for two, people stopped by our table to congratulate her, she was all smiles. BINGO. Sometimes it's the little things in life.

zoo with the Younkins

We went to the zoo with the Younkins on Sunday morning. It's amazing how Henry looks about the same age as the boys! Oh, they just grow so darn fast!

swim lessons

It's swimming time! the boys started swim lessons this week, and are really excited about it. What a difference a year makes! I guess when it's your 3rd time at being a 'goldfish' you start to feel like you could teach the class.
It's nice that there are only 4 kids with 2 instructors.
One of their favorite things to do is to go on a 'field trip' around the pool on the float board. Of course, they have to do the work by kicking their legs.

the real reason playing cards were invented

Q: What's more cool than riding your bike down the sidewalk?
A: Riding your bike with a playing card flipping between the spokes!
Tonight Chris and Nate learned the joy of attaching the card with a clothespin and sounding like a Harley Davidson while riding.

Make sure and watch this one with the volume up!

Happy Father's Day!

Chris and Nate won the jackpot with their prize daddy! They are so incredibly fortunate to have a dad who is so engaged, inspiring, and just plain good at being a dad. Even in their 4 short years so far, Dan has taught them and exposed them to more things than some boys get in a lifetime. Happy Father's Day...we love you!
Lots of love to grandaddy and grandpa on this special day, too!

bye-bye preschool, hello summer!

Today the boys had their last day of preschool. Everyone met at Kruger's Farm on Sauvie Island for some strawberry picking, a hay ride, lunch, and just hanging out. It was a great day!
Christopher loves strawberries! He can hardly wait for blueberry season to arrive.
Farmer Don told the kids that they need to eat lots of berries in the field, and that he wanted to see lots of red all over their faces! Not the best shot, but here is everyone at their celebration party. I am really thankful that their first school experience was such a positive one. We'll miss you, Lee Owen Stone!

"Pull my finger!"

Nate was putting on quite a show tonight with his natural gas-abilities. The boy was having us pull his finger for about 10 in a row....it was completely inappropriate and completely funny to the point that we were all just cracking up. He was amazingly right on cue. Oh the joys of living with 'the guys'. :)

killing some time on a rainy day

The story of The Flower and the Boy, by Christopher.
It's a wet, cold and completely yucky June day here in Portland. We are waiting for our new rug to be delivered, so we are stuck at home until it arrives. The boys are into drawing pictures and dictating their stories to me. They are both doing amazing stuff with their writing and sounding out words.

mama4obama

We got a new car (well, new to us!) this week and that has been all the excitement around here! A funny story to go along with it---I had bought an Obama sticker that I was planning to put on my car as soon as he clenched the democratic nomination; I was holding out for that one piece. As we were signing the paperwork to buy our new car, on the t.v. set in the room was Barack claiming his victory....I thought it was just perfect timing, because otherwise that sticker would have been stuck onto our old car. Funny how things work out sometimes, huh?

NICU reunion

We went to a NICU reunion at St. Vincent's today...hard to believe it was 4+ years ago that they did some time there. I have to admit, I got a little sentimental inside just being back in that building and especially seeing the display of NICU bottles, hats, tiny diapers, and everything related to their time there. The nurse who took care of the boys the most, Barbara, was there--she remembered us, and we sure remembered her!
Nate holding a bird at the celebration. Very exciting!
Chris having his turn. There was also a juggler, a clown, and pirate goodies.