June fun

11 years! JJ tried to pull off a great surprise with a night at the hotel where we stayed the first night of our honeymoon. What a great surprise it would have been, however I discovered the room key card earlier in the day when I needed to grab our debit card from his wallet. oops. We had a great 20 hours without the kids, it is amazing how refreshing it can be. Cheers to all we have to all our blessings and cheers to all God has done and is still doing in our love story! What you are becoming is much more important then what you are accomplishing!

Hmmm, not sure how this worked into the equation, but we stopped at a gun shop (just like last year) and he is filling out paperwork...

He asked if surprising me  more often would yield the same results!

And this my friends is true love- take note of the fine details...a breastpump, a gun manual, etc.

 

 

Olivia had her dance recital this month! Although her costume came in an adult large by accident it seems to have been altered just fine, Isn't she cute. Seriously though-5 months of practice for 43 seconds of stage time.

One of our camping trips this month with one of JJ's buddies from an old employer.  They have two boys and our girls really enjoyed being around them!

 

They put quite a few miles on their bikes exploring the campground.

 

I love his face. Seriously sister...GET OFF ME!

The typical way we end our camping trips. A sure sign of a successful weekend!

The neighbor and I have been getting up at the wee early hours in the morning to get a little exercise in before our husbands have to leave for work. We signed up for a local 5k run as a goal! What fun we had. We also signed our girls up for the kids fun run race after. They had a blast and honestly JJ and I were both tearing up as they crossed the finish line! So proud. Olivia took off and didn't really need anyone to help her along. I ran next to Ellinor and at one point she looked at me and said quite frankly "you know mom, I just don't think I have enough energy to complete this thing!" Seriously-she is 3! then she realized people were clapping for her and she became more motivated! They keep asking when their next race is.

 

 

 

Timothy lake has been our meeting place for two year now as we camp with our long time friends from Oregon. We had amazing sites this year and the kids just thrived. it is so great when nature becomes your playground!

The views are amazing! Really! Don't you see Mt. Hood in the background?

 

Sleepy little guy.

 

Waiting for smores.

 

 

 

 

and a few random happenings...

This was the girls before one of our practice runs! I can hardly wait for them to be on the same team!

My dad visits regularly during the week and this time he even looked through a book with the girls!

He just eats and eats and eats.

Hilly Billy pools. They are nuts. And yes, that is a trampoline in the background. Generously gifted to us by our neighbors. The girls are absolutely in love and every morning after breakfast I send them out to wake up the neighbors, who needs a rooster?

May Splatter

We started the month off with a trip to Long beach! My mom had planned a little mothers day getaway for us ( not sure if the kids were originally supposed to go-what kind of break is that? ). We ended up in the penthouse with a hot tub on the deck, not a bad deal at all! The weather was somewhat cooperative and the cousins had a great time together. Some great memories were made and I hope we make it a tradition!

 

Poor Kasen and Henry were surround by girls on this trip and were definitely not interested in getting their photos taken!

 

Running up and down the dunes.

Henry loved the sand, even decided to taste it on several occasions. Notice the toothless smile at the start of the month!

 

 

A few of JJ's coworkers decided to compete in the Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend this year. I am always amazed at what they can do without any real training! I suppose their active enough in their jobs, but I am curious how they would finish and how they would feel the day after if they prepared a bit more!

JJ had the downhill ski leg to start the relay off and then he closed up shop with a run/sprint at the end! I felt like we were being taped for a sitcom the whole time we were up on the mountain. Just seemed that we couldn't quite get our act together, probably not the easiest thing to watch or participate in when you have three little kids you are toting around!

The engine in our 'tow rig' seemed to be lacking a bit, so the boss man decided it was time for an upgrade. Perfect timing before we set out for our 8 camping trips we have planned over the summer-or not. After some setbacks and 'complications' we are still with Big Blue and have had to use the Tahoe for several of our trips this summer. JJ is working on it as I type and I have been told 'just a few more days...' (but we are nearing August!)

 

Is that the face of a mechanic right before the oil sputters and covers everything?

I have a sequence of photos from this that are hilarious but of course not one photo where they are all looking exactly at the camera with eyes open!

My mom requested we take her out, just sibs, no grandkids or spouses. I am not sure if this has ever happened before and it was enjoyable! 

She had to be convinced and I must say after the 6th time holding them she had warmed up to the idea!

 

And we ended the month with a little white dagger.

(which has been challenging during nursing sessions!)

 

april showers

We are actually enjoying a rather dry spring here in the Northwet (oops, I meant Northwest). We have enjoyed many warm days and had to pull out the shorts a bit earlier then planned.

Here are a few pictures of the latest happenings in and around our house!

Look closely at that face! Wow.  Not a good morning.

He loves to swing and Olivia enjoys pushing!

They are playing really well together lately. A few hiccups here and there, but overall I am enjoying a little break from being referee. Even if last for only a few days, I will take it!

Splish Splash! I secretly love puddle jumping and sprinkler running, so I often have to remind myself that I have to be the responsible adult now and hold back every once in awhile!

 

Even warm enough for the sprinkler?

Astronaut in training

Mega castle for the princesses, which was followed by

"Mom, can we please go visit the REAL castle?"

Classic dinner table fort

His face indicates she might be squeezing to tightly! (Which she does regularly.)

Ahh teething biscuits...a love/hate relationship.  Only one sharp little tooth has made it through so far.