A Day to Remember and other news

Highchair kid

The little Mr started using the big kids highchair. I know that Courtney put him in it while we were away a couple weekends ago but today is the first time I've used it for him. He likes feeding himself.

New Haircut

I'm pretty hooked on an asymmetrical hairdo these days. My hairdresser loves cutting it too. We went a little shorter on my left side (above right) and kept the right side longer. It's getting grayer by the day, I think.

New wheels for us!

If anything is going to help me get more gray hair it's this...Hayden behind the wheel of our "new" convertible!

I don't know who all contributed toward blessing us with these new wheels but THANK YOU whoever you are!!!! We spent quite a while this evening looking over all the features. This thing is loaded!

Har behind the wheel. I will wait until I have my new driving glasses and perhaps a kerchief to keep my do from getting mussed to get a picture of me driving.

Lots of reminders today

This is just one of many things that reminded me that today, Mar 31st, would have been Harlan's dad's 100th birthday. The letter part of our new license plate happen to be his initials.

How cool is it that we got the car on his birthday.

It's been 3 years since he passed away leaving a big hole in the family but he also left a tremendous legacy and some pretty big shoes to fill.

Once in a blue moon

Burgerville!

We have been sadly neglecting our youngest daughter and her husband. Sunday we tried to remedy that somewhat by joining them at Charlie's work for lunch. Burgerville is one of Harlan's favorites. He and Charlie were having quite the discussion about guitars or something and then I started snapping pictures. They turned into a couple of goofballs. Good food and good company. Great milkshake!

Same day... different location

We spent time with our oldest daughter and her husband on Sunday as well. Jess's parents were in town and it was our first and only opportunity to see them. We visited while the grandkids played at the Play Place. Har and Rich had one side of the table.

Granny, Garrett and I were on the other side of the table. I'm so glad that these Montana grandparents got to spend time with the kids. Garrett has changed so much since they've been here last.

Photos of rare occurrences

Rylan is like the wind around here... you don't see him but you know he's there. Yesterday we got to see him and Joylynn was here as well. It is rare that we get a photo op with our two oldest kids. It's nice to have them wanting to hang out with us.

Another rarity is to get a picture of Courtney's cat. Chloe is getting to be a bit more friendly and less skittish in her old age. With Courtney she acts like she is still a kitten.

Posies

I posted pictures of flowers on my previous blog post so figured I'd round this one up with these "blossoms". They were playing around this morning when I made them stop and pose. Posies they are! Dancing and prancing through their days.

Spring reflections

Signs of Spring

"Spring has sprung, the grass has ris', I wonder where the flowers is."

I know there are variations of that little ditty but this is the one I grew up hearing in the snow covered Copper Country. Whether you are looking at the birds returning or the flowers blooming... Spring is in the air and flowers are on my porch railings.

One for me

In the midst of all of the busyness and activities around this place, I try to find time to take pictures or sew or cross-stitch or read or watch the Hallmark channel. This week I sewed a little lap quilt for myself. It is very Easter egg inspired. It has bunnies on it and pastel fabrics and it makes me happy.

It has been said "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." I wish it wasn't so often the case around here. I definitely need the message of Easter and newness of heart and redemption on a daily basis.

Seasonal Porch Flag

It is so hard to find Easter decor that depicts the true message of the holy-day. I found this flag on an extreme mark down table a few weeks ago and replaced my snow scene. It's springy and resembles the daffodils that are blooming on the side of the driveway.

The rain is here and doesn't seem to be going anywhere else soon but it helps to have the blooming trees and flowers sprouting to remind me of the fact that seasons come and go.

I'm looking forward to the next season in my life while enjoying the sweet moments of this one.

Sneetches and Oddie-pods

Little Sneetch

"Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches

Had bellies with stars.

The Plain-Belly Sneetches

Had none upon thars."

Dr Seuss "The Sneetches"

When Garrett was taken out of the exersaucer the other day he had a fruit puff stuck to his outfit. It reminded me of one of Dr Seuss's works. So of course I took a picture of him. My little Star-Bellied Sneetch.

Oddie-pod

Each of the kids seems to have a favorite game or app on my iPad or as Danika calls it Oddie-pod. Garrett is showing more interest in it and seems fascinated by the Tesla Toy app. It really is mesmerizing. We have had this thing for 8 months now and I'm still learning what all I can do with it. Gotta love technology.

Gotta love this little guy too!

What a happy little guy. I know I say this just about every post but, he really is an easy baby.

In other news...I won't be using these reading glasses much longer. I am officially getting spectacles to correct my vision as well as allow me to read. Progressive lenses they're called. Perhaps my headaches from driving will be eliminated. I'll post a picture when I pick them up in two weeks.

All about Krystle

Happy 24th Birthday Krystle!

Har and I took Krystle out for breakfast for our traditional "one on one" with the birthday kid outing. It wasn't officially one on one this year as we had a little brown eyed boy as a stowaway but he didn't take away from the spirit of the celebration.

I made her a St Patrick's themed quilt

Krystle's always claimed St Patrick's day as "her" holiday since her birthday is so close. We would have named her Kayleen Krystle instead of Krystle Kayleen if she had been born on March 17th.

I found these shamrock rainbow and Celtic fabrics a month or so ago and planned to make her a lap quilt. I had to chase her out of the dining room on Thursday night so I could finish sewing.

~~~Her weekend & future plans~~~

Krystle is continuing to celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend's family. She went out for dinner with Nate last night and is headed with the family to the coast for the beginning of Spring Break. One of the best presents of the day was when her boyfriend became her fiancé.

We are happy for them both and pray God's blessing on their future.

St Paddy's Day and other Shenanigans

Mr 9 Months

The big little guy had his 9 month check up this week. I was surprised to have an appointment with no immunizations.

His doctor just check his growth and development.

He is 20 lbs 4 oz and 27 3/4 in tall and is learning to do more things every day.

St Paddy's kids

These kids have a bit of Irish in their ancestry so I try to dress them in some green for the day. I also bought temporary tattoos for them to put on. Wyatt put one on each cheek and one on each arm. The girls have them on opposite cheeks. Garrett's is on his upper arm.

Kid train minus the #1 kid.

Courtney came to visit wearing her holiday finery. She looked quite festive in her Drop Kick Murphy's t-shirt, with her sequined fingerless gloves and green tutu.

Opportunity for Community Service

Hayden and Cam attend an online school that has opportunities to participate in various activities every 6 - 8 weeks. Today there was a planned event at Irving Park. The Parks Bureau was supposed to provide equipment and materials to do some landscaping (basically spreading barkdust) at the park. It was cold and wet and miserable. About a dozen teachers and 4 students waited on the covered basketball court for about 45 minutes before someone from Portland Parks and Rec showed up. He was responsible for arranging for everything to be provided and the guy totally dropped the ball. The opportunity for community service had to be cancelled. It was disappointing but I really enjoyed meeting all of the teachers face to face.

I took off with the boys to get some stuff done and I recommended the teachers go over to County Cork, our local Irish pub to have lunch. Most of them did :o)

Trip to Lacey to celebrate a BIG FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

My how you've grown!

Our little Katelyn Hanna and me last May, and again this weekend on her first birthday, March 12, 2011. Oh how we have enjoyed watching her grow and change and develop into a toddler.

Happy 1st Birthday!

She opened a card from her Grand-mum Casey just after we got there. So cute!

It was definitely a girly weekend. Lots of pink, flowers, birthday balloons, cake, presents, friends and family.

Rowan proudly posed with the birthday girl.

Cherise and her family came from Walla Walla. Lyssa and Logan's good friends the Leritzs were there with their 3 little ones.

Fun party! Even the "big boys" had a little picnic with Katie's new picnic basket. Everyone had fun with the play center and all of her other new toys!

Grampa and Henry doing what technical guys do

Making plans and drawings with Grampa on the new graph paper pad. What a guy!

Our little bike boy

When Lyssa and I came back from a run to Joann Fabrics, we found that Logan and Rowan had gone for a bike ride. Rowie was proudly riding back to the driveway. He rode between two puddles and on up to the garage. I caught the above photo as he was working hard to make the incline up past the cars. Love that boy!

Sunday Lunch

Hayden, Cameron, Har and I went out for lunch with L & L, Rowan and Katie and K & C, and Henry to Panera Bread Co. It was nice to spend some time before K & C headed East and we headed South.

New Wheels!!!! Wahooo!

After lunch we loaded up the little ones and headed back to the house. Here are a tired Rowan and Katie (enjoying her new forward facing carseat) buckled up into their new vehicle.

It's a Subaru Tribeca! Driving it makes me feel like I'm sitting in a cockpit. What a fancy new rig. I think I'm going to have to get a little bit more education to be able to take full advantage of all the bells and whistles.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend guys!