First Beach Trip of 2008

Now that the summer heat is upon us, we'll be escaping to the beach often.  While it was close to 100 degrees in our neighborhood, it was only in the 70's and quite windy at the coast. Maddie didn't mind, but Sophie and I were wishing we had brought our sweatshirts along.

More beach pictures . . .

Enjoying a summer evening . . .

We are all enjoying summer evenings in the backyard. Sophie has started to use the big wheel, and Maddie has requested that we remove her bike's training wheels. Kent taught Sophie the word "hopscotch" this week.


Sophie's hair has really started to grow.  I can get all of her hair, even the back, into two pig tails now.  The only problem is keeping her still long enough to do a good job.

I scream, you scream . . .

We all scream for ice-scream.

Summer Adventures

This week we adventured to the public library.  It was neat to see Maddie's transformation from about a year ago.  She used to go to the children's section, pick out her five books in a few seconds and be ready to go.  This time, she really took her time.  She  looked at the pictures and even asked me to read her a few pages before making her final selections.  

Sophie preferred to play with the used-to-be-white stuffed animals instead of picking books.  I was planning to let her choose a few of her own, but really, she just wasn't interested.

A Fond Farewell

This week we had our good friends Theresa and Liam over, as well as our good friends Carrie and Milo.  We said good-bye and good luck because Theresa and Liam are moving to the beautiful state of Washington.  

Theresa was the first friend I made after moving to LA.  She took me under her wing just like a big sister.  I have been able to count on her for good advice for the past 8 years.  I went to Liam's open house when he was in first grade!!!  Can you believe he is going to be a freshman in high school this fall?  Liam drew pictures for the baby shower Theresa helped host for me when I was pregnant with Maddie.  I've said it before, I'll say it again.  It is too crazy how time gets away from you!!!  Maddie cried when she had to say good-bye to Liam.  He has been at every birthday party since she was born, so it is no wonder. 

Luckily, we now have lots of family members living in the Pacific Northwest, so we're sure to see them at least once a year.  We want to wish them the best of luck in their future and thank them for being such good friends to us for so many years.  

I almost forgot something so important!!!, Liam is a "Betty Baby," and I will never be able to thank Theresa enough for referring us to Betty as a caregiver for my children.  Thank you!  Please keep in touch with us!!!!  We love you sooooo much!  Although we will miss you terribly, we wish you the best of luck!

Park Time

Today we met up with our little friend Milo at the park.  The kids had fun running, climbing, sliding, duck feeding . . .  There was some chasing involved, but that was done mostly by me. 

Tomorrow I am taking the day off.  I have been out of school for a week, but tomorrow both kids are going to preschool/ Betty's, the house keeper is coming, and Kent and I are going out on a date.  Woo hoo, a date!!   

Play Time

We went to an indoor playground with Carrie and Milo today. The kids had tons of fun running, jumping, climbing, sliding, trying on hats . . .


Look Grandma Connie, I can ride my bike with no hands!

Keeping Cool

The first few days of summer vacation have been hot, hot, hot.  So we've mostly spent the days indoors attempting to stay cool.  Then venturing out in the evening to let the girls swim and run through the sprinklers.  

Nap Time

All this hanging out at home has really tired me out . . . 

I think I'll just snuggle up to this nice cozy door frame for a 90 minute nap.

Madeline's Graduation

We attended Madeline's graduation ceremony from preschool this evening. The kids and the teachers really out did themselves tonight. Kent and I were so proud. The kids sang 8 songs, did a couple of dances, and each child recited a poem. Madeline's video is too big to post here, but I can tell you that I think I was more nervous than she was when she recited her four lines of poetry in front of 100+ people.

So, apparently, Maddie is tall.  It's hard to believe she is younger than most of the kids in her class.

In the picture below, I'm thinking, how long can we occupy this one with cheerios and goldfish crackers? The ceremony was close to two hours long. Although it was really impressive to Kent and I, we're use to celebrating only our high school and college graduations. Since living on the west coast, I've learned that graduations are BIG here. We'll be celebrating not only preschool, but kindergarten, elementary, and middle school graduations for both of our kids, in addition to their high school ones. Needless to say, we arrived home close to 9:00 with 2 hungry, thirsty, and tired children.

For the one I love . .

17 years ago, we fell in love

8 years ago, we were married

5 years ago, we brought Madeline into the world

1 year ago, we added Sophie to our family.

Every day, 

I am amazed at how our love continues to grow.

Through every up and down, twist and turn, and  bump in the road,

We grow closer and stronger, 

And learn more about each other. 

"Till the snow falls on the Sahara

 And the sun freezes over

 When the Mojave red turns into blue"

is how long I'll love you.

1 week . . . is about how long I am guessing it will take you to read this post.

Happy Anniversary.  I love you.

Daddy's Day

Happy Father's Day to our Daddy, Grandpa Dean, and Grandpa Ralph!

Below Maddie is showing Kent some of the things she made for him at school.

We tried to show our Daddy how special he is to us on Father's Day.  We told him he could do what ever he wanted.  So this is how we spent the day:  Kent slept in, then watched a lot of golf, and in the evening he grilled for Carrie, Lyman, Milo, and the rest of us.

The kids spent some time collecting the apples that Maddie knocked from the tree.

Maddie and Sohie shared one of the apples they picked.

Introducing Ian

Our new nephew, Ian, came into the world on June 11th.  He weighed in at 8 pounds and 10 ounces.  Congratulations Blake, Jen, and Kyla!

Betty's House

Sophie loves the slide at Betty's house now that she can climb the ladder and slide down belly first over and over and over again.

Almost the whole gang: Madeline, Sophie, Faith, and Milo.

Sleeping Sophie

Field Trip

I took a day off work this week to spend with Madeline at preschool.  We went on a field trip to Chuckie Cheese in honor of her graduation.

I drove these 4 kids and one teacher in the van.

All the girls in Madeline's class pose with Chuckie for a picture.