Walking in Portland

Yesterday was a great day for our annual trip to Portland for the Brain Cancer Walk. The highlights were,
1. Picking up Auntie Darla and heading South.
2. Swimming with The Boys and Marisa in a chilly hotel pool.
3. Breakfast at Starbucks before the race.
4. Free loot at the race.
5. Walking with my family on a sunny, warm day.
6. Listening to inspiring stories from survivors and reading the flags remembering those who have battled cancer.
7. Watching Todd and Wylie play at the playground, working on their Home Depot race crafts and welcoming in walkers with their cowbells.
8. Winning not one, but two cute silver necklaces, in the walk raffle.
9. Eating lunch with the family and planning next years' walk.

It's His First Day in the Third Grade (Clap, Clap, Clap)

Poor Todd, every first day of school will include his parents singing a little dity about the first day of school followed by some hand clapping. Last week he patiently listened to us sing about the third grade, THE THIRD GRADE!

Introducing Houdini the Cat

Our family has a new little sweetie at our house. His name is Houdini and he is our first furry family pet. Jacy chose him from a wide selection of cats at the local pet store shelter. He is the sweetest cat. The first thing Todd did when we brought Houdini home was show him the kitty clips on YouTube and Houdini sat quietly and watched them all.

Denny Creek Falls

My wonderful friend Kursten invited our family along on a hot hike on Saturday afternoon. We hiked about a mile and a half to a lovely collection of water falls where the kids played in the cold water on smooth water slide rocks. It was a great adventure aside from a tiny injury that lead into a major 8 year old issue. Sorry to anyone who enjoying a hot day at the falls with us who had to listen to our boy complain loudly about the tiny cut on his hand which somehow lead to a giant fall on slippery rocks which lead to louder complaining. We all survived though and Todd has a nice bruise on his bum to show anyone who wants to see it.

New Wheels

Jacy came home from the storage unit with Todd's first bicycle and Wylie was thrilled! He gave Jacy huge hugs and watched his bike tires get pumped. "Daddy, I am giving you lovies because you buyed me a new bike." He helped Jacy carry the bike to the street and away he went with Daddy running after him.

Crafting With Legos

We have a few Legos laying around our house. Enough Legos that when Todd picked out a giant "T" for a crafting project he knew he could layer it with some bricks!

Zoo Day With the Grossmanns

Kristen whipped out her zoo pass and invited us to The Woodland Park Zoo today. We enjoyed everything the zoo has to offer, including a trip to the gift shop because my kiddos were exceptionally good today. My treat was carrying Baby Spencer throughout the day. He is baby perfection and he was wearing one of Wylie's little baby outfits which made my day.
The highlight for my kids was the petting zoo because they were able to see Wiley the Donkey, who is only out occassionally. Wiley is such an appropriate name for a stubborn, loud, hungry and often naughty creature. My Wylie would agree!

Sumner

Sumner is my favorite place to visit right now. Yummy restaurants, fun shops and the best used book store around. You should go to Sumner and call me if you do because I will meet you there.

We Ate, We Laughed, We Watched Reality Television

Our California family came to see us last week and it was so fun. We do the same things when we are together! We shop, we eat, we watch TV (well Rhonda and I stay up really late watching reality television), we head to some touristy locations and we eat some more. The highlights of this trip was a Bethenny Getting Married and Design Star marathon, visiting the zoo, dinner with friends, IKEA shopping, a family birthday party and a game of street hockey.

What We Have Been Up To!

Many days have passed since I last looked on my little blog. We have had a busy and fun last couple of weeks playing with our California family. The highlights were playing street hockey on our cul-de-sac, enjoying the zoo together, eating a fabulous salmon dinner on a beautiful and large yacht moored on a Seattle pier, shopping with my sister-in-law, staying up late to watch reality television and watching kids read, play and enjoy each other as much as our do.
Pictures to follow some time soon.