OMSI with 2nd Graders

The second graders at Jake's school took their annual field trip to OMSI in downtown Portland.

The T-Rex. Quite an impressive exhibit. His name was Samson.

A close up of the head.

All the veins and arteries in the human body.

The infra-red light. Notice Jake shooting his gun. I will note that I did not think this imaging flattering for me....

Jake and best bud Kelvin eating outside. They are next to the river, almost under the I-5 bridge.

Doing Chemistry experiments:

Pulleys and measures exhibit. This one kept him entertained for a good 25 min.

It is quite an impressive place to learn.

The BEST part: taking a picture of Jake loading on the bus home. Notice I am outside the bus, yes, I had the forethought to ask the teacher if I could take my own car. I avoided two hours in a bus full of noisy, smelly second graders. I think I'm pretty smart even without all the intellectual exhibits.

Coasties

Brian enlisted in the Coast Guard after high school. He served on a Cutter (living on the boat, imagine!?!?!?) from 1993-1995. And then was stationed at Grays Harbor from 1995-1997. He was in the Coast Guard when we were set up on a Blind Date by another Coastie Derrick Jackson.

He made some great friends during his service. Friends he still keeps in contact with, friends that still care about our family, friends that we still care about.


Brian on the CGC Resolute.

Brian became a 44 Motor Life Boat Driver.

One of those friends is Mike Fratusco. He's known Brian as long as I have. He has always been such a positive friend. Both He and his wife are in Law Enforcement now too. They live in Idaho, but make it up to Oregon to see friends a couple of times a year. I swear, their kids must be the best car travelers. Our kids have a hard time driving to their Grandparents an hour a way....

This last Saturday we met Mike and his family in Seaside. Despite having a gaggle of children to keep track of.....we had a great time.

Mike and Brian

The Gaggle of children: Jake (7), Avery (6), Peyton (9), Grace (2), Reagan (5), and Reese (2)

Is it me, or am I just always amazed how quickly children can make friends? This picture is about 5 minutes after meeting one another! What would it be like if adults could act like this?

A cloudy day on the Coast, but only a little drizzle.

The kids at the round-about in Seaside with Lewis and Clark.

Waiting outside the fudge shop. For some reason, the Coast really does have the best Fudge and Salt Water Taffy. We ate soooo much junk.

At the Aquarium the kids got to feed the seals DEAD fish.

Real Seals. They would flap their fins and splash the kids. Bet that water was sanitary!

I just liked this picture of Jake, because it shows his kind side.

And it was all topped off with a Carousel Ride.

Jake and Peyton

Fast Friends.

Be Mine

Happy Valentine's Day!

And Done.....

The curtains are hung!!! Done, Done, and Done!

Had to go all the way to Hillsboro to get this fabric. The stripes were perfect for this room. They matched the wall color and the other fabric on the bulletin board perfectly. The were also not too feminine, because I do like to pretend that this is Brian's room also.

I was planning on sewing them, but got too excited. I came home and just cut the fabric in half and put them on the clips. I figured if I didn't like the look that I could sew them later. ("I" meaning my mom).



The other thing I couldn't believe was the cost of curtain rods. I haven't bought any in a while and could just not pay 60$ for a rod. I wanted to pay around 20$. Well in order to stick to a budget, sometimes you need to make a little wiggle room. I had been looking for one long rod, and while shopping at Target on Mon, found two small ones on clearance! One was 10$ (it had been repackaged) and the other was 14$. Now that was more my speed. So by using two rods instead of one I only had to pay 24$!!! And I think I get a little more effect because of the crystal ball embellishments in the middle!

In that box on the shelf is Brian's Great Uncle's Sextant that he used on his ships. His cousin just gave it to Brian and it really is such a treasure. It is more than a hundred years old. Amazing.

I love this room, so much so, that I want to paint the rest of the house this color.....that however, will not be happening!

The Bakers

Brian at probably age 4. His Franz baking hat.



Grace at 2 1/2 with Brian's Franz baking hat:


Grace on her special day with Ganyea and Poppa. She spent the whole day with them. Made brownies and came home twirling around like she was a princess for the day. Truly Special.

Patsy is absolutely amazing at saving special things. This hat is one of them.

Auto

Jake and Brian met my parents at the Portland Auto show.

My Dad and cars....it's something else. His knowledge and love for them is really amazing. I think it was great fun to be able to share that with Jake.

Jake said of all of the cars, this old cruiser was his favorite.


And second Favorite.

Did I mention that my father loves Motorcycles possibly more than cars!

Porsche. My first car was a Porsche 944. For another post. I will probably include my senior pictures!

Brian's Fave:

Kiran

Kiran came to visit in January. Her husband bought her a ticket to come up without the kids for a WHOLE week!!! Crazy Fun!

I've taken a while to write this post I think because I was just so sad that she had left. Sad that she and her family will probably never live up hear near our family, near her sisters, near our parents.

You see that Kiran is FUN. She is positive. She brings people together. She is giving. I have a physical pain in my heart each time she leaves.


Warren and Kiran share a Birthday and we celebrated up at my parents.

It may look like Kiran is flipping off the camera. She's actually saying she's #1.



You may think the kids are posing for the camera. NO. This is the craziness they exude while together at their Grandparents.

Grace and Dad.

Max the Wonderful.

I think Spence looks the best in this pic.

Dad and Kir.

That Max is such a luv bug.

Blowing out the candles.

Warren counting his ca-ching: 50 bones. Don't think Jake was not making a mental note....

Lunch with the girls and parents. We laughed a lot! Hill tried on my hat. She thinks she can't wear hats, this picture is evidence to the contrary!

Dad and Me

Some hats look better in person. I tried to crop it!

I love this picture. I love my Sisters. They are part of the reason that I had more children. So Avery could have a sister. I hope they will laugh like we do when they grow up!