For the love of order.

Or no order, in this case. I keep drooling over this picture. Yes, I put my child in the lap of my ninety something year old grandfather while driving. As guilty as I feel about it, I will forever cherish this photo opportunity.  Morgann and Grandpa Bob are getting along fantastic. Added bonus, her and Charlie are buddies, too. Double bonus, she got left for the week because she was being so good!

Farm time! Hot tubs, gator rides, saw dust jumping, bike riding, cow chasing, man cave finding, chicken spying, hard working fun. Mason brought his friend to JJ and Grandpa Dan's over the weekend. Let me tell  you. The kid finally explored and had the kind of dirty fun that I knew he'd find someday. They even let the girls tag along on their excursions!

Both eight year olds went home full fledged gator drivers!

Busted.

The big day was July 4! We hit up the M's game!! Carson loved his first game!

A little Daddy and Mason time before dispatch!

Team Giles!

The real reason that called us to Toledo was Grandpa Dan's 60th Birthday and retirement party! The kids and I picked wildflowers from the farm to make the centerpieces. And although the weed is called pig weed, I think they turned out perfect.

Cheers to my parents! They are the BEST Grandparents! And parents! Thank you for all you do!

PS, I am opting to not include pictures from our shopping trips, destruction derby, fireworks or other gallivants across the farm! One last kid story about this trip coming very soon! 

Five. 4. Three. 2. One!

MaKenna is FIVE! Celebration JJ style this year. After a her choice dinner at McDonalds with the Miller family, we headed out at five a on her actual birthday. She felt special and celebrated. It's all that matters!

4. The number of OUTS Mason had in his last baseball game, go BUDDY!

The little three year old is a straight-up dog lover! A wanna- be dancer. Has her first year of pre-school under her belt. She only cried two out of three days per week, for the entire year. Heart-wrenching.

2. Michelle and I finished her first, my second, half marathon. Together, well I left her somewhere on mile one, but watched her finish! Minus her telling me to "kiss her ass" we enjoyed our sister time to the M.A.X! And we plan to Rock a City next year, too. 

ONE dog left today! JJ, Grandpa Dan and Grandpa Bob left this morning, after a quick visit here to watch one baseball game of Mason's and MaKenna's first dance recital. Where she shook her groove thang to Sugar Pie Honey Bunch and trumpeted her left elephant arm! Rightthissecond she is playing dance recital and bossing Morgann. Girls will be girls.

8th Year

I cannot believe we've been going to Mt. Hood and staying in the same cozy cabin for eight years in a row now. Wearesopredictable. That, is what I love most about my family. And you know, the fact that they are oh so fun. Someone, get this man to the free run. Like, now.

Anyone else up for a late stroll through Govy Camp? 8 kids, snow, friends, all while sugared on homemade brownie sundaes! To those heading to Charlies or the Rat, watch out!

Here's to peace.

Love. Family. Special Memories. Friends.

New nephews. Who are totally sweet, cute and lovable!

And big girl days. Because, I am not going to lie. My fave day was Sunday afternoon. Happily talking and sipping some good brew.

What girl doesn't love a good talk?

And last but not least. Here's to new fur hats. Because the hubby is searching for just the right one. As I type.

Our New Home! Finally.

Life is so good great. We are officially back to great. Most of our boxes are unpacked. The trampoline is set up. The kids and parents are settling right in. The only issue- we might be taking our quiet little cul de sac by surprise. Who knew a family of five could be so LOUD? First things first each morning at 6:30, kids on the swing set. Followed by bike rides to the end of the sac and a crash of some sort. The kids just found a little fort in the front yard that I can't keep them out of.

In news beyond the move. I turned 30 yesterday! My husband spoiled me. But my friend Bene pretty much gave me the best weekend a mom turning 30 could ask for! Pedicures. Waterpark. Date night. Family BBQ, complete with cupcakes, great food and amazing company. I'm glad to be here, 30 that is.

 

Ready for a little more updating? I went to DC July 15-22. The kids went to the farm. But didn't really hang out on the farm. They went and went and went and went to the-- beach, children's museum, movie, Northwest Trek, and shopping. We've decided JJ gets Grandma of the YEAR award for all of those outings and keeping the kids entertained! Good thing we had a new house to come home to. Otherwise they probably wouldn't have wanted to come home at all. We're sure glad they did.

Our summer is slowly slowing down. Two more weeks of soccer (that is going to be my next post--all about our soccer team)!! And August 13, it's time for Uncle Alex to say I do. We'll be heading to the Western side of Oregon for that. Other than that, it's all about enjoying the easy life until school starts. 

Easter 2011

Was everyone else's Easter weekend Super Busy?  And overflowing with sunshine, family and memories?

Turning hard-boiled eggs, the BRIGHTEST of colors;

Or with Daily hunts; 

Full of smiles and candy;  

LOVE;

Plastic Eggs;

Easter baskets;

BUNNIES;

Cousins;

Pointers for the most  unsuccessful egg hunts;

And most importantly, Family from Friday morning to Sunday night!

Ours WAS! And it was absolutely FANTASTIC!

Weekend Wonderful

This weekend started with some loving from Scout. Happy kids. Happy Scout. Oh ya, did I forget to mention that JJ and Grandpa Dan were here. That, too.

Saturday morning the girls, myself and JJ did the 5k stroll around downtown La Grande, the local weekend event. We enjoyed lunch out, shopping, and the sunshine.

Fitzgerald Flowers gave my girls carnations and that made their day. Beautiful. Just as I would expect, MaKenna picked pink. Morgann, yellow.

Tired girls.

One last parting shot before our final good bye on Sunday morning. This was a great weekend. The girls had fun. And if you look close enough you can see the goggle lines on Mason's face. The boys had fun, too. 13 inches of powder, sunshine and good lodge food. What's not to enjoy about that?