Hope's nose + soy nuts

Hope was upstairs today, apparently with a small bag of roasted soy nuts. Well, all of a sudden she is crying and saying her nose hurts. I go up. She looks as if she is having an allergic reaction. I just knew what she had done. But, as you can tell from the above picture, she has a tiny nose, wouldn't there be a bulge? After about 20 sneezes, I thought (wishful thinking) maybe she didn't shove a soy nut up her nose...maybe she is allergic...to dust?? So, I sit her down to give her a strawberry. She has stopped crying and saying her nose hurt at this point so...then all of a sudden the soy nut appeared. I squeezed her little nose, and pop out it came. How I hate kids putting things up their nose. Hayden went through a stage (he did it 2x I think) where he put Legos up his nose. It reminds me of a true story. I was babysitting this family down the street. They were black, the only reason that matters really, is that the little boy put chocolate chips up his nose. A bunch of them. Ahhh, good times.

How I lost my lunch...or should I say dinner??

This was us waiting on the dock. You know what I love about this picture, her toes, her thumb, and her belly poking out.
The kids are all set to have some fun.
That's right, that's a BALD Eagle. Hayden spotted it up in the tree. I NEED a more powerful lens, that's the best I could do. Pretty cool.
So, we got to go boating in the Columbia River last night with some friends from church. We left at about 6:30 pm. It was beautiful. I was loving it while I faced forward and had the wind in my hair...loved it. THEN we blew up the tube and I turned around to watch the kids and take pictures. I was belly laughing until, Mike started going crazy giving the kids the time of their life! Until I say...because that's when I started feeling sick. Really sick. Like, somebody take Hope...quick! I tried to sit there with my eyes closed and tell myself I was okay. But I wasn't. I started to sweat. I started to dry heave. Then, that was it! I leaned over...and you guessed it, I lost my lunch. At least I hung my head over the side. Hunter said he saw chunks flying. Sorry, was that too gross??

The Island Party...and other stuff

Hope loves putting on everybody's shoes. She even likes to put on their socks, YUCK! and clomp around the house. "Schooos" I love the way she says that word.

The Aloho Party...Hannah gets the American Girl Magazine. She loves this magazine. Anyway, a month or so ago they had this "Island Party" idea. Hannah has been planning and talking about it ever since. At first, I was like...."yeah that would be fun????...." But it became apparent that I'd have to squash her inner party planning diva, or get a move on it. Really, I did nothing. I took her to Target to buy some water balloons and a couple of other things. But, she did it all...I loved watching her have so much fun with some of her new friends.

They made mini pizzas for dinner.
She had one party game lined up after the other. Impressive!! :)


A reason to love a small"ish" town...on Saturday we went to the Camas Days Festival. Right before the parade was supposed to start, this man came out on his scooter, and started setting up this cannon. Eventually, he was ready to light the thing, but first he asked for a volunteer. Hunter's hand shot up and he was the dude that pulled the trigger thingee to "ignite" the cannon to start the parade. It was really loud!! We were literally sitting RIGHT in front of it.

Here we are waiting for the parade to start. I went down to the Camas Farmer's Market for a minute (or 20) while we waited, and brought back some treats.

Hayden is my fair skinned boy. I have to COVER this kiddo with sunscreen so he doesn't get a burn. If I don't...he will burn where I don't. Here he is chillin' out in the stroller. It made me laugh at how big he looked in that thing.

Hopey doing her thing. She kept running out in the street before it started being silly. The way she runs makes us all laugh. She gets her little arms all cocked up and she pumps them funny. She was a good girl, when the parade started it was a little loud...so she was happy to sit on my lap.

Another trip to the OMSI

Hannah's friend from Texas is here this week. The other night they wanted to sleep outside. I said "fine whatever floats your boat". Notice Hunter is NOT outside...sleeping on hard chairs. When my sister and family was here, some of the kids slept outside, but they slept on the hard wood deck. I'm not sure which was better. Anyway, the chair sleepers said it wasn't so comfy. Hmmmm, go figure. They woke up at like 5:30 and started talking. My open window was right above them. I got my sleepy butt out of bed to tell them to "GO to sleep, it's too early!!" They slept until 8. Too bad Hope woke up at 6:45.

The OMSI is the museum of science in Portland. It's a fun fun place. There is a science wing that is very hands on. Everybody goggled up to do some experiments. Even Hope and I. Too bad I'm the one taking the pictures. I was left with indentions on my face for about 1/2 hour after taking those bad boys off. Lovely.


Of course Hope fell asleep on the walk to the car-at the end of the fun day. Total nap time for the day: 20 minutes. We decided to take a walk down by the river to let her sleep for a few minutes. Clearly, not enough sleeping time.

At home Hunter and Hope having a little fun. This little car was bought when Hunter was turning one. We have gotten our $$ out of that thing.

OR-Rock Obongo

Today, there was a picture of McCain up on the computer. Hayden says to me, "Mom are you going to vote for McCain? I'm not, I'm going to vote for OR-Rock Obongo." He kills me.

I have been in a semi-funk today. Remember when my computer crashed right after I moved here? Well, pretty much all my photos were backed up onto the hard drive. But just today I moved them back over onto my computer so I could view them on Picassa. Ahhhh, we have all spent lots of time looking today. I miss my babies. Hope is huge. I took the kids to the park today and caught a glimpse of her...I was shocked...she looks like a little kid now, not a baby. And Hayden. He is so big. He is still a little guy though. I was watching him run around and jump on this big dirt mount across the street (they are still building on our street) and thought about how cute that kid is. Tonight in family prayer, he prayed that Hunter would be able to see the new Batman. haha. Looking back at pictures from just a couple of years ago, I can't believe how much Hannah has changed. Then of course Hunter turning 12 and all. My oh my, where does the time go. Good thing I haven't changed a BIT!!

I am currently reading this book: The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted:And Other Small Acts of Liberation. And I am really loving it so far. I'm about half done, and I just started yesterday. Easy and enjoyable reading...great summer book.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Not only is she a great Mom, she is a great grandma too.

Happy Birthday to my Mom. She is 39 today. Wow, amazing that she is only4 years older than me. ha! My Mom and Dad were just here this past weekend and we had some fun. There is nothing like going shopping with my Momma. So fun, and entertaining. We (at least I) used to roll my eyes as a kid when she would start chatting it up with perfect strangers in a line. Now, of course, I do the same. It's fun to see how much a like her all of us girls really are. She's a great person to be like. I love you Mom, have a great BIRTHDAY.

Rock Band...ROCKS!

Do you guys all know about Rock Band? I think yes, we might be some of the last to get a Rock Band or a Guitar Hero type game for our Wii. BUT, it's fun. I totally stink. But I played drums this morning (my first time on drums) and didn't fail us :) haha. The guitar is the hardest. Singing is pretty easy and fun. It's funny to listen to Hayden, if he can't read the words he just sings...whatever. As long as you are on pitch, you don't get failed. So so funny though. This was Hunter's big present.

We went shopping yesterday-Hunter wanted/needed a new suit. He really did need some ties. Ties are hard to come by for a boy Hunter's age. Why do they make a ton for Hayden's size, but not so many for a 12 year boy? I know not. But anyway, Nordstrom's came through. BIG time. I love Nordstroms! They have the best customer service too. We found the suit at Nordstrom Rack. I love that store too. It was already tailored, at first I though oh bummer, until Hunter tried it on! Hello, it must have been tailored FOR HIM.

Well, we are off for now. Gym and then a new nursery I have been wanting to check out. Still in the "checking out" phase of my journey here. I guess I will be a long while. Maybe even try out a new pool...or maybe the pool will be tomorrow. I don't know, we shall see.

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Daddy and Hunter at the San Diego Zoo. There were lots of cute pictures of Daddy and Son, I remember this trip to the zoo though. On that same trip, Hunter was up on Scott's shoulders, at one point he fell asleep up there, with his head resting on Scott's head.
May 1998, a page out of his scrapbook. Nothing fancy there, just cute pictures of my boy. He is about 2. Hope's age!! Geez!! Hope does the same thing with all of our shoes. haha.
Wasn't he cute???

Baby Hunter's first bath at home. I remember a couple things: he cried the entire time, I was a sweaty mess when I was done, and I was nervous. But I like this picture, that's my first BABY! What a special time that was. Ahhh, baby Hunter.
Hunter's first birthday party. We had a big bash at a park in San Diego. Poor kid-I made him a "special cake" out of the What to Expect the First Year book...he didn't like it so much. I think it had chopped raisins in it. That day he said "Grandpa" for the first time. My Dad was carrying stuff back to the car at the end of the party and as clear as day he yelled "GRANDPA!" You know my Dad's world paused for a moment and he came running back.
Brand new Hunter Boy on his quilt my Momma made for him.
Hunter here in Camas, WA.
Hunter all dressed up for Holly's wedding.

Where have these 12 years gone? No telling. But this is one special boy. He may or may not have been a pill on Saturday night right before Scott and I went out...BUT when we got home, I had a very sweet note of apology on my pillow and an email from Hunter saying sorry. He is a sweet boy, he isn't perfect YET, but close to it ;) I sure had fun looking in Hunter's old scrapbooks last night. What a fun little fella, so full of personality-mostly the good kind. I love you Hunter. Happy Birthday buddy. xoxo

It's a small world

I was invited to sub at a bunko party in the neighborhood on Friday night. I'm not usually the bunko-ing type, or so I though, but I really did have fun that night. Plus, it was lots of fun getting to know some of the neighbors. Immediately, I met 2 ladies from Texas. I started talking to this one lady who grew up in the Katy area. It was fun, she knew of Tomball, she knew Louetta, she was familiar with some of my old stomping ground. Then, I got to talking with the other lady from Texas. She asked where in Houston...Northwest suburbs...really me too, which one...Tomball...really me too...come to find out she lived in MY SAME neighborhood!! She lived just a few blocks away. I swear she looked familiar to me, before I even knew she was from Texas. CRAZY. She didn't live there very long, just about a year and a half. She said it was too hot and humid for her...wimp! haha. But isn't that so weird? Of all the places to live and then to move, we picked the same neighborhoods twice!

Hunter is turning 12 tomorrow. I CAN NOT believe it. I have been looking at old pictures of him tonight. It makes me sad, but oh so happy too. I love looking back at the oldies. It's funny to look at his little face and see all of his siblings in it. More on that tomorrow.

You know what else? I didn't feel like going to the gym...I felt like a good workout, but Monday is step day. I don't like step. Plus, I didn't feel like hitting the machines. SO, the kids and I went outside for some good old fashioned boot camp fun. We got out all the equipment that I had. Exercise balls, BOSU balls, weights, bands, jump ropes...you name we had it out there. And started playing. It was so fun. The hills around here are perfect. My street is a good one. I jog down then sprint back up. We did lunges, push ups...I say we but really I mean I. Hunter lasted about 15 minutes, Hannah 10, Hayden maybe 5, and Hope was just out to have a good time with her bike and car. Everybody was out playing anyway for the whole hour. Then at the end I walked up the path right by our house and did a little Yoga (on the trail) in the woods. It doesn't get much better than that! My legs/butt are sore tonight. Good sore.

Can't believe it's Friday already...

Falls Creek Falls, I haven't been there yet, but hope to this weekend.

Ahhh, it's Friday. This summer is FLYING by. Scott gets home from Japan today. He left last Saturday. I'll be happy to have him home. I want to get all of our Saturday "jobs" done today, so tomorrow we can play. I really want to go back to the Portland Farmer's Market. I'm not so sure how Scott will feel about that. I also want to go check this place out called Falls Creek Falls.

It's been an interesting week. Hannah has had Faith in God Day Camp. I have not had to go everyday, I did get parents to help. But I have been driving up and back a lot. Seeing that it's only about 15 minutes away, it's not too bad. She has had a great time. Yesterday, I took everybody else to the gym and then we hit the Vancouver Mall. We hadn't been to that one before. Hunter has shot up and was in need of some new clothes. SO, we hit the American Eagle and the Old Navy and got him "all set". I managed to find a couple shirts on sale for myself at AE, I love when that happens.

Well, I'm off, Hannah is my early bird, and wants to leave about 45 minutes before we need to. But it's torture to her that I'm on the computer and not getting ready :) Have a good day.

Today, I am taking a breather!

Multnomah Falls, the SECOND largest running waterfall in North America (I think) But we got a kick out of that anyway...the SECOND-like the world's largest ball of twine. ha! It was beautiful though! Quite the hike too.
I basically missed out on all of Fort Vancouver thanks to this little lady, she was tired and hungry. Plus, it was the last day of our travels so she was ready for home.

First of all, has anyone done all the research lately on vacuum? I think we might be getting close to needing a new one, and was just starting to think. I have heard good things about that brand Miele, anyone have one? Are they worth the extra $$?? I have an upright now, but I grew up with a canister, and I can see the beauty of those too. Just wondering.

My sister Heidi and kids left this morning at 7 am. We had a great visit. The kids got along fabulously, always a little bit of a worry when you get 7 kids together for 7 days?? Will they play well together?? Well, they did. We ran around everyday from morning until night. We know how to do it! Here's a little list: Portland Rose Garden, Zoo, Mt. St. Helens, Multnomah Falls, Portland Farmers Market, Powell's Books, Cannon Beach, Fort Vancouver.

The day we were going to the Portland Farmer's Market/Powell's Books, the kids kind of turned up their noses. But guess what? They loved it. That Farmer's Market is something to behold, I loved it too! Fruits, veggies, flowers you name it. Delicious baked goods. Yum. No wonder the kids loved it. We just kept feeding them. We hit a little Italian Restaurant between the farmer's market and the book store. That book store was cool too. They sell new and used books. Plus, they sell "new" books that are on sale. I'm thinking they are the ones that have been around for a little while. Deals deals deals. My kind of book store. Hunter found a book he wanted, and I told him to go find it used, he did and it was a fraction of the price. Still in great condition too.

I haven't planted any rose bushes yet, but I plan on it. Once I dig out from laundry mountain. We went hiking and walking around plenty. BUT, I didn't make it to the gym. On Sunday night/Monday morning I dreamed about working out. That was it! I got up early Monday morning and went for a run. I couldn't stand it any longer. Spinning couldn't have felt any better today.

Oh, and Hope started climbing out of her crib. Bummer! I put her down last night after lots of talks about NOT climbing out. And she didn't. Okay. Then again this morning no climbing, and again at nap time. Can it be...a child that listens???? NOOOOO!

Seriously

Today we went to the Portland's Rose Garden. It was so beautiful. The smell was lovely!! I think I want to plant some really fragrant roses in my back yard. Seriously, I wish you could scratch and sniff these pictures.

Lovely for me

It seems these summer days are just flying by. I can't believe it's already Tuesday. My older sister (the non blogger) and her family will be arriving tonight. We will be busy busy this next week. One thing after the other. I will be longing for my afternoon nap with my Mom. haha

I used to have only a few gray hairs. Used to. In fact I used to pull them out when I saw them. Again, used to. You see, I finally had to tell myself NO MORE hair pulling. I was afraid I was going to have bald patches. That's not good. I'd pull a few out everyday. In fact I would do it somewhat obsessively, I know big surprise there. Me compulsive? No more hair pulling. I just ran my fingers threw my hair, and out came a gray hair. Now I am shedding the grays. Lovely for me.