We went to the

Avery, Gaynea, Aunt Hill and I met downtown to see the Portland Art Museum. After living here for more than ten years, I don't think I have ever even been here, I'm a little ashamed to say. It was so beautiful!

Avery and my mom were really in their element.


Down the Park blocks I took a picture of Avery next to my alma-mater.

The fountain that we threw our pennies in. I always throw a penny in a fountain whenever I have a chance. I need all the wishes I can take.

The sculpture at the entrance of the museum:

Avery thought this one looked like a watermelon and grapes. I will put out my apologies to the museum for the pictures, I think it's not kosher.....

Aunt Hill looking hip in her "True Religions"

This one looked like a giant piece of fabric:

We ate crepes with strawberries and whip cream and frozen yogurt from this place after the exhibit.

They had cool lighting:

Avery loved being downtown. Although she did not get the concept of paying to park somewhere.

On the way home we drove by Brian and my 1st apartment. It's the one on the bottom, #4. Avery could not believe that we lived here. She asked, "why didn't you just buy a house?"

At the end of the art exhibit I asked Avery what her favorite part was and she said, " I don't know, it was all so amazing!"

1Hr and 10Min from our house...

Is one of my favorite places. Neskowin

My new sun hat, or as I like to refer to it as my: "in my 30's, no forehead wrinkles hat"

Sad faces.....

So many rocks and logs and trinkets to play with. This is where their imaginations truly run wild.

Home made raft they made with floating drift wood.

Surfing:

The look of a successful trip:

Offspring

We've known these kiddos since they were born. Brian went to high school with their mom, we had children at the same time, and now we live in the same town. Although we don't see them nearly as much as we would like.


Ellie, Tate, Avery, Grace, Ty, and Jake (not pictured: Chance)

An up close that Bri thought was funny.

Just an impromptu "pool party", meaning pb&js, sunshine, and a blow up pool. Kid Heaven.

"Stand'n in line to get a free lunch, why do we do what we do.....with no curfew." Can't go to the park for the free sack lunch without those lyrics in my head! Hill, a dollar if you can tell me the artist!

Again with the high school friends.....

A group of West Linn Grads met up for lunch with all the kiddos. I was represent'n .... Brian that is. I really do feel fortunate to know these ladies though. There are a few missing, but we all had our first babies right around the same time.

Ty, Ellie, Evan, Tate, Bryce, Traxton, Grace, Quin, baby, Avery, Belle, Berkley....

And the moms in back: Kari, Steph, Emily, Tara and me.

14 Kids!!! and Jake is missing (at scout camp)

Wouldn't be Summer without

The Slip and Slide:

Little Besties:

Grace loves this bathing suit. Reese left it here last year, and every time she puts it on she says, "Reese gave this to me."

Grateful for Today (on one of the hottest days of 2010):

A/C

Sunshine

Sunhats

Great friends that are also neighbors

Otter Pops

Frozen Burritos for dinner when husband is working late (Code for no cooking)

Favorite running shoes 50% off online, just when my old ones are in need of replacements

I love fabric

I love fabric, which is funny, because as a kid I HATED going to the fabric store with my mother. It was seriously torture.....oh how times have changed. I could go to JoAnne Fabric store for hours and just comb through fabric and get ideas.

This is my latest one:


I'm still in the process of deciding what to do with these curtains. I simply folded over the top and hung with clips...no sewing! I think I may try to turn this into a Roman Shade. We shall see.

Magnus

We love this tree farm about 20 minutes from our house! You get there and you feel like you are in the middle of no where. There is a great paved short hike, perfect for the kids, and endless rocks to throw!

Cassy: What would it be like to lay down in water and just drink what is around you? Gross.

Good ole Cass. She will be 10 this year.

Token pic of mom and dad.

The other morning

The other morning I opened up my back door curtains and saw this:

It was six-thirty in the morning. It was a little startling at first. The balloon was so close I could hear the roar of the fire going. Kind of a fun way to start your day.