Zoo trip and coming up on Mother's Day

Oregon ZOO

I renewed our zoo pass. I made sure that Henry, Katie and Garrett are now on there. I love that the Patron level of zoo membership allows for grandparents to add their grandchildren on as zoo members. It pays for itself in less than 2 visits when I count the two guests that are able to get in free too. Zoo membership is a great deal anyway.

Above are the kids and grands that went for the day of adventure. They all look ready for the drizzly day.

At least Rowan and Katie were. Lyssa forgot her jacket, so a trip to the gift shop for a hoody was in order.

It now belongs to Hayden.

One of my Blossoms!

Katie looked like a bouquet of color sitting in the living room the other morning. My mother, affectionately calls toddlers "little fart blossoms". Not exactly my term of endearment but somehow it works when Mother says it. This little fart blossom is in motion all the time. If she is awake she is going. One thing that is super sweet is that she loves to have a cuddle blanket when she is tired. She doesn't have one favorite, like Rowan does, but she loves each and every one of the flannel blankets I've made her.

The double sided flannel on the left is one of Katie's new ones the one on the right is for Cherise's little Anabelle.

Shopping before naptime

Alyssa needed a few things and I hadn't been grocery shopping in ages so we headed to Freddies. About halfway through our trip we realized that Lyssa hadn't had breakfast and Katie was needing a snack. Lys bought a yogurt and fruit cup and some Snapple. All the tables in the deli were occupied so we headed for the furniture section, spread Kate's blanket on a bistro table and had a little bite. I love how flexible you need to be with toddlers.

One of those days :P

This morning I was quickly allowing myself to get caught up in various things that were worrisome and bothersome. I was turning rapidly into "Hazel Dithers". The final straw was discovering an ant trail that I thought we'd taken care of a few weeks ago. They were back!!! AAAGGGGGHHHHHH! I got some ant spray out since there were no babies around and no food around and killed those critters. Of course afterward I was scrubbing up ants and insecticide residue while still fuming myself, when something caught between the counter and backsplash wouldn't be budged. I put some muscle into getting it loose. I took the above picture of what it was... a tiny piece of magnet with a word on it. I got the point.

Mother's Day

Our niece's husband took this candid shot of Mom and me just before Courtney's wedding ceremony. Mother being Mother and me being me.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you!

Thanks for keeping me put together ;)

Week of fun times

Coffee with my grand-girls

Danika informed her mother that she wanted me to take her out for coffee. So on Tuesday morning I drove out there and picked up her and Genevieve and took them for coffee.

Love those petite pastries! Just perfect for little women.

Had to take them over to Target for a little shopping. Danika kept saying it was

"the BEST DAY EVER!" I must admit it was pretty great.

Happy Hour Date with the Hub

Har and I have begun to have our weekly date time again. It has traditionally been to meet for Happy Hour when he got off of work on Tuesday or Thursday.

It worked out much better this week to meet on Tuesday. He more often than not orders the burger. It is super messy and tasty. He also orders a cone of fries.

I mix it up. This week it was a fish taco and prawns. It is a pretty cheap date as dates go. We also are getting to know the wait staff and it's kind of our own version of "Cheers".

Lyssa and the kids are here

It was such a lovely morning that Katie wanted to play out on the porch. I went out with her and after playing for a bit she informed me that a stroller ride up to Starbucks would be just great. So we summoned her mom and went for a walk. I got to have coffee with all three of my granddaughters in the same week! I'll have to wait a little while until I can be taking Cherise's little girl there but she is due in 9 weeks! So it's not super long.

Courtney is now a brunette?

Came home from Lacey to discover a box from hair dye in the bathroom trash. I was curious but thought perhaps one of Krystle's friends came by and had her do their hair. Nope, it was our youngest daughter. She popped in today and I was surprised I even recognized her. After seeing it a few times over the course of several hours, it's starting to grow on me. I think the waves in her hair are more visible with it being darker.

Help with yardwork

The boys were out in the yard mowing and weeding. Rowan asked for work gloves too. He didn't stay out there very long but he sure was cute in his Sponge Bob gloves.

My kids ROCK!

One of the projects that has been needing to be done is weeding between the river rocks beneath the maple tree. It seems when the weeds spring up, they are hard to get to. Alyssa and the boys removed all the rocks, rearranged the weed barrier and put the rocks back in place! I guess the old saying holds...a job worth doing is worth doing right.

Thanks guys!

Beautiful Weekend in Lacey

Welcome Wagon

When we pulled into the driveway in Lacey, we were met by a wheelbarrow full of fun. Lyssa was giving the kids a ride around the back yard.

Little miss loves her Uncles!

Rowan enjoys getting Uncle attention too!

Awards Ceremony on Friday

Stadium High School in Tacoma was the place that they chose to honor these men with an Awards Ceremony. I looked at a website when I got home and this building along with the bowl shaped stadium are quite famous. I will remember them for some time as this endomorphic sedentary body is reminding me that there were an awful lot of steps down from and then back up to the parking lot.

It was great being there though. We are so proud of and thankful to Logan for his service.

The battalion at parade rest.

These are the men that are receiving Purple Heart awards. We were able to go down on the field after the ceremony and meet a few of the guys.

Saturday Evening

Harlan got to sit and watch the kids and grands romp around after supper. We cooked hot dogs over a bonfire in the yard.

Cam the Builder

If you check out the progression of this group of photos you'll see what took up a ton of Cam's afternoon and evening. I sure wish we had a yard like this for him to be running and jumping more often. He always likes to build obstacle courses when he is up at L & Ls.

There is so much to keep them all busy.

Katie is taking after her big brother in doing anything and everything her little body will allow her to do.

Rowan is getting more comfortable with taking risks too. He went down this ramp without blinking. He also got to go for a bike ride with his dad and Grampa.

Dessert?

Hayden got creative in warming up a doughnut. We stayed up pretty late sitting around the fire and periodically checking the hockey scores on the iPad.

A weekend in Lacey isn't complete unless Har works on a computer!

Thomas's friends in the play room and Har got the computer up and running so our boys won't miss school tomorrow and Tuesday. They are staying up there for a couple of days.

Sunday morning quiet

I stepped out on the deck this morning and enjoyed the quiet of the outdoors. The sun shining through the trees was a real treat as it has not done shown itself often in the past several months.

Little Miss

Katie went on a run to Starbucks with her momma, grampa and I. She kicked one shoe off and I put it in my purse. Awhile later I noticed her other one gone and found that her mom caught it and put it in her purse. Great minds and all that...

Little Mister

Rowan wanted to show me how he digs with his shovel. They have a great little patch for the kids to dig and play in the soil. I love the rain boots. He has another pair just like them!

Getting ready to head out

Spent a bit of time in the front yard while everyone got ready to go out for a bite to eat before Harlan and I headed back to Portland. Logan has been busy spreading bark dust and getting the yard ready for summer. Everything looks so nice. Katie was pointing to the plants and flowers and saying "Dad, dad, dad,..." This is the only time Rowan asked me to take a picture of him all weekend. I had to oblige!

Did I mention that she likes her uncles?

What a great weekend with fabulous weather. Could use a few more days like this!