Spring Break 2011

Spring Break in the NW...means rain and trying to find things to do that are not outside. Bri took a couple of days off and we headed into Portland to eat at Voodoo donuts ( a 25 minute wait) and then took the tram, which is seriously like ride at an amusement park, including the swinging from a cable right on top of I-5. I would love to see this view on a clear day too!

Then for the final days of the break we headed down to Oceanside. We really lucked out and caught some beautiful time at the beach.

I never tire of this below scene.... never

I leaned over to Bri while we were cooking our dinner and told him to take a mental picture of the kids playing so nicely together..... he told me I should get out my actual camera and get proof that they do indeed play together.... and they don't fight all the time :)

I

Rumplestiltskin the Musical

Avery performed in a community musical recently. This was her first time doing anything like this and I could not believe how calm and 'professional' she managed to be in front of a crowd of 200 people! She had nearly 7 parts with a few lines in each part. When I first took a look at all of her lines, I thought she would probably have to use her sheet in the final play.... but she memorized all the the lines! I don't know if I could have done that. Avery and Dad with flowers after her performance.

Up on stage of the Newberg High School Auditorium.

Singing her solo in a small performance a few weeks prior to the final play.

Yes....these photos are really making me think I need to invest in a new camera.

Undefeatable

This was the word that Jake used to describe his basketball team: Undefeatable. Their team won all of their games! This was Jake's first year playing organized basketball, and hands down it was my favorite sport to watch him play. I can honestly just say it was fun. For starters, it was indoors (ie. warm) during the rainy months in the NW. And they had just a great group of talented, hustling boys on the team. I only wish I had better pictures.... the lighting was horrible in the gym and my photo skills left much to be desired! Jake and my Dad: Jake was #14, you see him guarding in the below picture.

Nine

Where has the time gone?

He is funny, sensitive, good at math, would rather do 50 other things besides read, loves to shoot baskets, jump, and shoot nerf guns at everything.

One of my all time favorite pictures of this little man.

Made from Scratch birthday cake from Aunt Hill:

We even celebrated a little early so we could do it with baby Owen. Funny, I think he looks sooo much like Jake as a baby. Such a beautiful child, even if he didn't like me very much. Don't worry, he will some day.

Uncle Will, Aunt Maggie, and Owen.

We also celebrated with his besties from school. He really wanted to shoot his BB-gun with his friends in the woods. Bri set up a cool shooting course for them and they all loved it. Have to admit it has been my favorite b-day party thus far......as I sat on the couch and had a cup of tea with Patsy, while Brian entertained the boys!

These boys are so funny together.

Jake really does have a good shot.

And as my friend Emily pointed out, I'm half way there now!!! These parenting responsibilities are done at 18 right???

Seriously, Who does this??

A Dad filling out Valentine's Day cards with his preschooler.... I loved this for so many reasons, most of which because it made my night that much easier!


J and A finishing their lists.

Valentine

Who else could meet me on a blind date and be together (happily might I add) over fifteen years later! As Kesha says, "I like your beard"....

Happy Valentines, Valentine.

Didn't even make it over night...

On Christmas break Brian and Jake headed down to the beach to stay the night with "just the boys". They had Star Wars movies that needed to be watched, BB guns that needed to be shot, and a dog that was a long for the ride.

It was so beautiful the next day when they woke up, Brian convinced me to head down with the girls for one more night.

This was the view when we got there:
Beautiful blue skies, very little wind. I can't explain my love for this place.

The funny thing was this is what the kids did the minute we walked into the house...... seriously.

After pulling the kids away from their screens, we headed down for the sand:

The tide was out and there were so many rocks exposed this day:

Brian and Jake had found this really sturdy fort that looked like it had been there for a while.

Heading back the sun was setting:

Avery's action shot!

And that is where the fun ended.............................. I really should try to just focus on the positive, and it was positive for the first few hours. And then the fighting started, crying followed and I accidentally dumped half our dinner in the sink...... Brian and I looked at each other and decided to pack it up and drive two hours in the freezing cold, foggy weather to go home at 8pm. I really think that we were the one's that were punished, not the kids. The kids immediately fell asleep and Bri and I caravaned back in crummy weather! We really showed them!