Making Music

We love the Redmond Town Center. There is a great fountain to play in and ice cream and great restaurants... and the best music making area I've seen at a mall.

Click here to take a look!

The Shaving Cream Party

Jennifer came up with the best idea: let the boys go crazy with some shaving cream. We stripped them down to their diapers and sprayed a bit on some trays. I don't know what we were thinking with using trays. We should have known that it wouldn't stay on the trays for long. Jack went straight to wiping himself down with the stuff and Pete helped him with some horns and a mo-hawk. Logan was a little bit more tame but loved it just as much!

Here are some pictures!

And for your viewing enjoyment:

Oh, So Many Blueberries!

So I love North Bend!

I've always been partial to this city, but I am now officially in love. In September, we went blueberry picking right up against one of my favorite mountains, Mt. Si, and had such a good time! We came away with pounds and pounds of blueberries, and Jack probably ate just as much while we were picking.

Here are some pictures: click here.

Playing in the Rain

It was raining one day when Jennifer and Logan came over to play, so it was to be playtime inside - but the boys didn't see it that way. They wanted out on the porch to play! Jennifer and I resisted for a while, but the boys finally won. So we ended up just taking off their clothes and letting them go at it. They had so much fun! Well, that was until Jack got so cold that not only were his lips cold, but the skin around his mouth and creeping up to his nose were turning blue. Don't worry, we kept a close eye on them.

Here's some of my favorite pics:

Jack would get out just far enough to feel the rain - and then would freeze. Too funny.


Logan came running right behind Jack and pushed right past him. He acted as though he'd been freed from his confining clothes!


Boys enjoying the rain.


Jack finally got cold enough to come in and landed right in my lap. So sweet!


Do you see the raindrop running down Logan's left cheek? I love this kid.

Yummy!

I've been pretty excited about finding kraftfoods.com. They have easy, yummy recipes - and Pete agrees! I love it when I hear: "That was some the best chicken I've ever had." Here are my favorites so far...

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken

Slow-Cooker BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Spaghetti with Zesty Bolognese
And this week, I'm going to try...

BBQ Chicken Pizza with Feta

Ooo, this is too good!

This Is Strange For Me To Say...

...but I am actually starting to enjoy housework. Or more specifically, the feeling I have once things are clean and in their place. I've been struggling with this whole housewife thing since, well, I became a housewife. From the age of 16 and on I've been working in some form or fashion. Settling into Microsoft and the hours of work that is needed to be successful there was easier than this: not working at all. The other thing is that we haven't lived in this type of house before and it is more difficult to get things done. Cleaning here is like this: up the stairs, and back down. Repeat 15 times. Where was I keeping this or that? Was it the 2nd floor or the 3rd floor? Or was it the garage? It's almost like I need a master list to remember where everything goes. And the toys coming out of our ears - don't get me started. Anyway, the point is this: I'm getting into a nice groove. I'm enjoying the peace that comes from a clean house.

Most importantly, I would be so ungrateful if I didn't give credit where credit is due. Pete, my good husband, you give me motivation and inspiration to continue with what you have started or have done. Thank you for your hard work around our home. I love you!

Anyway, thought I'd share my little break through that has only taken me years to achieve. :)

Happy Birthday/Father's Day, Hubby!

Pete, you are amazing. Not that I can show you how much I love you through gifts, but I wanted you to know that I love you by spending time on making something for you. Even though you only got this one thing from me this year for both holidays, hopefully that doesn't distract from that fact that you are the best husband ever!

And thanks for being so excited about your gift. :) You're so sweet, love.

(I poured out the liquid in these bottles and then filled each one with different candy. Of course, the gift wouldn't be complete without girlifying it with scrapbook paper and graphics like a lawnmower, a hammer, a fishing rod, etc. Thanks for the idea, Jaynee!)

Care-fey Gus, Gus!

Once he got up...

He couldn't get back down!

One Little Monkey

One little monkey jumping on the bed.
He fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed."

But Jack's a rebel, so back to jumping he went!

Splish, Splash!

Molly Novak and her boys invited us to go play in the fountains at the Redmond Town Center the other day, and it was just what the doctor ordered! Jack loved the little fountain the best, was a little intimidated by the middle sized fountain and definitely wouldn't go near the large fountain.

Thanks for such a fun day Molly, Jamie and Travis!!

Click here to see our pictures!