The Parker family adventure in Oregon

Now if that isn't a pose ...

2012-01-20T15:53:00.000-08:00

Molly was poised to have her picture taken so this is the look that I got - at the bowling alley no less! This picture makes me smile because it is so cute. This picture makes me think that time has flown by and I can not believe that my little girl is already this old!

A bowling we will go ...

2012-01-20T15:47:00.000-08:00

While my parents were visiting for Christmas, we all went bowling. The kids recently discovered that they actually like to bowl. It was a fun outing, although attitudes were not always the best. Pops had a couple of strikes. I think we were all surprised and impressed with his bowling skills - maybe mom and dad should join a bowling league in Ft. Collins! Grammy and I were the jokes of the team. We had so many gutter balls that one could argue we were not trying - but I promise that we were ... we needed the bumper rails that the kids got to use. Jack was crying in the end because, yes, he came in dead last and knew it. He was so upset that his sister beat him. It was a good parenting moment to teach the young lad about losing, not being good at everything, etc etc etc! In the end, it was a good time!

A hiking we will go ...

2012-01-20T15:41:00.001-08:00

While my parents were visiting, we also went on a hike near Eugene. It was not a hard hike, nor a long hike ... but it was a steep hike. The kids fared well, but did need some "encouragement" to make it to the top. It was a great day to go on a hike!

Pops driving us to the hike

Charging ahead to the hike

Grammy and Molly getting "set" for the hike. Both of the kids wanted to have their own backpacks for the hike filled with food and water bottles.

Here come the troops

A little grandpa and grandson moment captured from behind

A rest mid way to the top

Isn't that cute

A rare parent/daughter picture. Now when I gaze at this picture, you know what I see .... I look not like my parents but just like my brother!

Is that Jason standing next to Pops? No, that is his kid sister ... Gretchen

It was a bit windy and cold at the top of the hike. The clouds had moved in and the temperature was dropping, but there was no rain to get wet with at all!

Christmas morning...

2012-01-20T15:31:00.001-08:00

Jack with his guns, new dry fit wear, and a look that could kill

Me, looking at something new

New roll tide gear from their Uncle Don - Go Bama!

Kyle thinking why are you taking my picture. My answer ... because you bought me a new camera lens for Christmas - you asked for it!

My wonderful parents

Only a month late...

2012-01-20T15:28:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS eve almost a month to the day late ...

Jack with time on his hands ...

2011-12-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

What will an eight year old boy do while on break from school do with his time ...

***I especially loved the fact that he got out his spy glasses with the lights to put them on under his pillow-head. His creativity is continuing to come out in little bits that are usually very surprising to me and make me smile yet again at him! Here is to creativity and a two week and two day break from the normal school routine.***

Gingerbread houses round #2 ...

2011-12-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

After making his second gingerbread house of the season, Jack told me that he REALLY REALLY likes making these houses!

Molly is fun to watch as she concentrates so very hard at making her houses. Her house ended up with a "sidewalk" of icing adorned with red hots that is so very creative and what I thought was the best part of her house.

The final houses "lined" up on Parker Lane. Oh I just remembered something ... these are gingerbread CHURCHES! The friend that made them for us and hosted the party made churches and not houses. The kids thought it was so very cool!

Random car pictures ...

2011-12-16T15:59:00.001-08:00

These are our pictures on our way to get the Christmas tree this year. I decided that a couple of pictures snapped while driving there would be fun. Enjoy!

The wreath I made ...

2011-12-16T15:56:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine bought a wreath maker this year, so I went to her house and made our door wreath this year. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! and free. I can't wait to do it again next year. (Don't you love the blue berries that I used in there for some fun unexpected color!)

Christmas pictures ...

2011-12-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

This year I decided not to torture the family by trying to get a family picture by the tree to use as our Christmas card ... last year was way too much for me! Besides, Kyle has been out of town for almost a week so our chances of capturing one have been a bit limited. I did, however, capture a quick picture of Molly a couple of weeks ago right after church. I had the camera there because a friend's son was being baptized and she wanted me to take pictures. Molly, usually, does not mind posing for pictures right now! I got a couple of really good ones.

So long story to say ... isn't she adorable! and so grown up!

Gingerbread houses ...

2011-12-16T15:45:00.001-08:00

Jack's gingerbread house ...

Molly's gingerbread house ...

Yesterday was Jack's class holiday party at school. Instead of the usual stations, one of his teacher's daughter, who is an architect student, came in and gave a little "lesson" about making models, drawing building, perspective, etc. Then the kids got to do a little drawing of a house with a christmas tree, then they got the surprise that they got to make their own gingerbread house. They loved it and were really into it all. It was great! Molly got to tag along with me and make her own. Jack's house did fall apart on the way home, but he did not care - it was a little faulty in its construction to begin with! Molly's is very well built and a little more organized. I smile and laugh a little inside to see the differences between the kids in this "project" - don't you!

Best birthday present ever ...

2011-11-29T14:16:00.000-08:00

Jack received an erector set for his birthday this year, and to my surprise on my birthday above is what he built all on his own. He started it and Molly got in on the action. I thought it was brilliant and could not pass up taking a picture of it - of course!

What creative kids they are!!

Molly turns 6 years old ...

2011-11-29T14:11:00.000-08:00

some classic faces of Molly in her new Grammy-made hat

she is amazing and challenging all at once that when i look at her, i can only smile and be amazed at God's goodness to Kyle and i

Jack turns 8 years old ...

2011-11-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

some classic Jack faces, and a reluctance to have his picture taken

i can't believe my baby boy is eight years old - i love him so

Adele ...

2011-11-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

If you have talked with me lately about music, you would know that I am a HUGE fan of Adele - especially her 21 album. I like to listen to it ALL the time. I like to listen to it LOUD. I like to listen to it as I RUN on the treadmill with my air drums going! I like to listen to it in the car. I downloaded the album and burned a CD for my personal use, so I like to listen to it in the house while I clean, knit, and whatever else. I even like to dance around the house as I listen to it doing all those "chores."

Why do I divulge all this information to you all ... well, I heard somewhere recently that Adele is one of those singers that people love because you can sing along with her and she makes you think that you are as good as she is singing.

She transports you into thinking that you are famous singer! I can really sing!

What does this say about me ... what does this say about my secret desire to be able to sing ... what does this say about me as a closet dancer .... well, come to my house and experience Adele with me and my inner songtress!

Runaway pumpkin run ...

2011-10-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, I ran a half marathon with some friends up in Lebanon, Oregon. It was a perfect fall misty Oregon morning. You were supposed to "dress" up for the race, of course real serious runners would not bother with such trivial things! We did wear tutus and that is how far we went. It was Davina's idea, but she was not able to run due to a really bad sinus infection. So ... we wore them in honor of her! I ran my fastest yet ... 1:37. I was third in my age group - and even got a glass for such an accomplishment. I was 36th overall. I felt pretty good. I was not anticipating doing as well because I had not trained as hard or as long compared to my Seattle race back in June. I guess I really do have a competitive spirit - Coach Morrill would be so surprised and proud of me!

Hope you had a great Saturday!

Molly, first lost tooth ...

2011-09-28T16:40:00.001-07:00

Today was the day that Molly has longed for for quite some time ... she lost her first tooth!! I pulled it out after a couple of days of it being really loose. It came out with a little yank. She is so very excited to put it under her pillow and receive the much anticipated $1 in the morning. I am so very excited because she lost a tooth. I am not just waiting for the "big" tooth to come in and promptly fill up what little space is there to once again confirm to Kyle and I that she is going to need some major dental work in the future - there is no room for "big" teeth in her mouth. Oh well ...

Just a fun picture of Molly ...

2011-09-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

Such a serious face!

Molly, the kindergartener (2nd year) ...

2011-09-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

Molly's first day of school was eventful. She was so full of hope and excitement as we took pictures, drove to school, dropped Jack at his classroom, but then .... fear overtook her. I did not really notice. She was shy going into the classroom and saying hello to Mrs. Kasey, but I thought nothing of it. We looked for her cubby and then sat at a table for some puzzle work. It was time for class to start and me to leave, and that is when it happened .... tears, tears, tears, and MORE tears! I ended up staying an extra 45 minutes and then quietly left after they had lined up to go out to the playground for the rules. When I returned for pickup, she was fine with smiles on her face as if she had been there for a whole year and it was old hat! Oh, the drama that we can have with this wee little one!!

Football season has begun ...

2011-09-07T20:52:00.001-07:00

Saturday brought us the beginning of yet another football season, as I am sure most of you already know. The kids were more than ready for it. We hosted folks to watch the Ducks lose to the Tigers, but the kids took it in stride. Jack watched most of the game, while Molly entertained herself and others outside blowing bubbles (as seen below!). At least the Rams won, right?!

Molly, the bubble machine ....

2011-09-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

Blackberry Strawberry Blueberry pie ...

2011-09-07T20:46:00.001-07:00

Before ...

After ...

The inside ...

This new recipe is wonderful. It was a bit more runny than I wanted or expected but that could probably be attributed to me putting too many cups of fruit and not increasing the tapioca in it. Oh well, here is to making another one and enjoying it once again!

Jack is in second grade ...

2011-09-07T20:42:00.001-07:00

Jack had a great first day of second grade! He liked his teacher and took to heart our encouragement to make new students to heart by spending the day with James (a new student from Coos Bay). There are times that your child can make you proud, and today was such a day. Here is looking forward to a good year at a new school with two teachers and LOTS of new friends. He has also started flag football. Two thoughts ... much more intricate than soccer (there are actually plays and positions to learn!), and he is over the moon that his dad is helping to coach and will be there at every practice and game!

Backpacking ...

2011-09-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have not yet shared my thoughts and photos of my backpacking trip this summer in Colorado. This is what I am going to share with you right now, and you will have to come back for more at a later date ...

Just found ...

2011-09-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

The only thing missing ... Kyle!

I look at this picture, and these are my thoughts ....

1. people think Molly looks like the spiting image of me, but all I see is Kyle in this picture

2. people think Jack looks just like Kyle, but all I see is me in this picture

3. i guess it really is in the eye of the beholder!

4. i love to look at pictures like these and think about the personalities that one can not get a sense of from the picture. however since I live with these two kids, I can look at this picture and it makes me smile that much more because I have the cherished privilege of knowing their voices, their moods, their joys, their tears, the way they love each other, the way they are growing up, the things they love, the food they hate to eat! so while I LOVE to take pictures to capture a moment, I think that it is the living that I love more. the picture just gives us a way to a memory and make one smile all the more.

(by the way, this picture was taken on mother's day after church by kyle!)

Today...

2011-09-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

I am carless, so what is a girl to do .... spend time in the kitchen.

There is the smell of a blackberry, blueberry, strawberry pie baking in the oven - a new recipe, of course! (pictures to follow!)

There is the smell of a flank steak in yummy spices marinating and waiting to be grilled on a beautiful summer evening!

There is the smell of blackberries boiling on the stove for a first try at canning blackberry jam!

There is the wonderful sounds of two kids happily playing together all over the house on a much needed day at the house.

Want to come over tonight? You are welcome to come...

Last year's school work...

2011-08-31T14:24:00.001-07:00

So today I finally got around to cleaning out the craft area, and I found some of the kids' school work from last year. I guess it is appropriate that I post their work from last year since we are starting a new year a week from today!

Molly wrote this at the end of the year ... "My favorite part in kindergarten is being special person." Molly learned to write phonetically last year, which is a treat to read how they think words are written. Nice handwriting ... don't you think!

This time Molly wrote ... "I went to Dickey Joe's over the weekend and got a hamburger and a cone dipped in a bowl."

Molly wrote ... "On the weekend I got a slushie."

My kids have never really LOVED to color or draw, so imagine my surprise when Jack brought home his art spiral and I laid my eyes on his drawings. Enjoy ...

"Cat in the Hat"

"A gopher and a tennis ball"

"A pigeon"

All of Jack's drawings were based off of books that they had read together in class. They are in reverse order of when they were drawn. I have hope that he might come to LOVE to draw in the years ahead and that his talent is just going to be harbored deep inside of him until he comes across that amazing art teacher that awakens it inside of him and he thinks of himself as an artist! One can dream, can't they!!

Molly, the no way am I rock climbing climber ...

2011-08-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

Molly was excited about rocking climbing the night before, but her FEAR gripped her and would not even allow her to get hooked up. She did put the harness on with many tears, and I made her document the attitude with the picture above for future torture! I love the look I captured, because it gives one a true idea of her mood. After we took the harness off, the last three pictures is what happened next. Molly may not have wanted to climb with the harness, but she was all about free climbing! We could not get her to STOP! She had just a smile on her face and really got the idea of how to do it. It was wonderful to watch her go. I want to point out on the last picture the calf muscle that is shining through - she gets that from her father. I think that she gets the free climbing joy from her uncle Jason! Watch out mountains - there is a future climber coming your way!

Jack, the reluctant rock climber ...

2011-08-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

After our church campout, we went to relax in Sunriver, Oregon. It was fantastic, and much needed. At the place we stayed, they had free rock climbing times. The kids were so very excited. Jack got the harness on and was ready to climb. He only went as high as the second picture shows, and then FEAR set in. He said that he did not want to go any higher unless he was standing on a platform. Kyle tried to talk him into facing his fear, but he would have none of it. He ended up crying as he came down, and said to us that he does not like being high up. I guess he has more fear than he lets onto, which I am sure comes from me. We will just hold out hope that he overcomes it and climbs higher next time.

For you, Pops ....

2011-08-27T16:56:00.001-07:00

Jack has officially joined the ranks of being a fisherman!

He LOVES it, his father LOVES it, and his mother is glad that they have each other. A father son bond to be there through thick and thin. God has given Kyle a blessing in Jack!

Two thoughts for today ....

2011-08-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

1. The kids were great today! We came home from walking to the grocery store for some last minute items for our church campout this weekend. I had told them when we got home that I needed to do some work to get ready to leave tomorrow so they needed to play somehow. We are going on TWO and A HALF HOURS of continuous happy play together in both of their rooms - they played together and separately. Ahh .... the joys of having a 7 year old and a 5 year old! ( Now, I realize that tomorrow could be filled with fighting and tears, but today was a grand day with "older" children )

2. While packing for thus stated camping trip, I needed to pack a couple of long pants for each kid so that in the morning and at night when it is chilly they are not cold. I started to pack Jack's clothes and proceeded to have him try on EVERY long pant in his drawers with no luck. HE HAS SUCCESSFULLY OUTGROWN ALL OF HIS LONG PANTS THIS SUMMER! At least we have some sweat pants that will work for this last trip. For those lucky enough to have visited with Jack this summer, you will know that his 82 pounds that I went on and on about has been the reason for his pants not growing. ( Good thing we cancelled a end of the summer camping trip with friends - now we get to spend that money on CLOTHES for our children! Ahh ... the joys of parenthood! )

Flower explosion....

2011-08-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Jack's big kid teeth...

2011-08-09T21:44:00.000-07:00

(This is a classic Jack Parker look!)

Jack lost his two upper front teeth right at the end of school, and his new teeth were right there ready to take the space. I have loved watching these teeth come in all summer. I love to watch how they change the look of my young son. I realize that I am a bit goofy about it, but it really does change him. His upper teeth just barely meet the bottom ones, so I am curious to go back to the ortho and see what the next step is. I thought maybe he would have to wear the headgear again, but after examining him tonight I am hopeful that they can finish correcting it through braces!

Oh hair, where have you gone...

2011-08-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

We have been toying with the idea of shaving Jack's head with the 1/8 inch clipper. Well when we got back from vacation, I proposed the idea and he jumped at he. He LOVES his hair this short. It was so cute to see him rubbing his hand up and down it all night after we cut it. I love it, and while I love him with hair I figure we will have battles down the line about hair so why not try the really short while everyone is game at the same time!

For you, mom...

2011-06-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

It might be too hard to see, but Kyle and I planted some summer color out in front this year. This is the view from our kitchen window. I was really happy with the paperbark maple that we planted along with the rose of sharon and the other things, but nothing had that summer color. So, we went to our trusty nursery - Bloomers - and asked what would be good. We decided on some coreopsis, hummingbird mint, loebella, and some lupine - which we happened to get a white, a purple, and a pink without even trying. These additions make me smile whenever I am doing dishes - which is a lot these days because our dishwasher is out of service for now!

Strawberry picking...

2011-06-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Molly not really into picture taking

Jack after strawberry picking. He thought it was a good idea to squeeze the strawberries as he was eating them this year!

The kids goofing around while picture taking

Molly posing ready with scissors before we started to pick

We went strawberry picking on Monday. They are beautiful this year, but they are not very sweet. They will still be wonderful in pies this winter when we are craving some good berries during the gray of winter in Oregon. The kids had fun, but I had to limit them to eating only 7 berries while there. We had the whole discussion that if they eat all they want they are really stealing the berries because we do in fact have to buy the ones we pick - they are not free!

Now we are ready for our blueberries to ripen and pick them!

Gone are the two front teeth...

2011-06-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for the this time - when Jack would be toothless. He lost his first top front tooth on the last day of first grade - what a memory! The other one was immediately loose, but it has taken some time to come out. I pestered him about it - to the point that he would ask me (politely) to leave him alone about it. Well the other day it was hanging by a thread and I knew that the other tooth had broken through and was ready for the space, so I told him I was going to pull it out! Sure enough - out it came and there was the other tooth. Now he looks a little bit like a vampire because his other two teeth are little and quiet pointy. I told him I was going to call him "vampire man" and he told me I couldn't do that. I need to call him toothless!

Ahh the beloved first grade teacher....

2011-06-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Ricken was Jack's teacher this past year. Although she was out for a good chunk of the year because she had a baby, Jack loved her so very much. At the end of the year, Jack told Molly one day in the car that he wished she was his teacher forever. We can only pray that this attitude lasts for many years about his future teachers! Jack had a great year. He learned alot and improved a lot in reading and writing. He played soccer almost every day at recess. He is bored already this summer. He would love to be in school year round. He enjoys the social aspect of school so much. Kyle and I are grateful for this, and hope it continues for a little while longer!

Molly's "graduation" ...

2011-06-14T16:00:00.001-07:00

Molly "graduated" from Kindergarten this past week. She was so very excited about it. She kept asking Jack when he was going to graduate. It was difficult to explain to her why she was graduating yet not all the other grades were! Sunday in church, Kyle recognized the college and high school graduates. Molly, promptly after the service, told me that "Daddy should have listed me on the graduation sheet of paper because I graduated from Kindergarten!" (too cute!) The graduation was almost an hour long, and it included many Bible verses and songs (the Southern states and capitals). I was in charge of making the class graduation cupcakes that looked like a real mortarboard complete with tassel. Those were outside my box but they were successfully made and enjoyed by the kids. Molly did say that her favorite part of being in Kindergarten was being special person for the week!

Hopefully when Molly finishes her second year of public school Kindergarten next year, she will not be too disappointed when there is no graduation ceremony to attend!

Jack's award ...

2011-06-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Jack received the Perseverance award last week. He was excited to get it and surprised. We were not to tell him before the ceremony. He had received the Kindness award early this year, so between the two he thought he was pretty hot stuff. So while Kyle and I were proud of him for the awards, we did have to have a little talk about being prideful about such things! Oh accolades for children ... on one hand they build self-esteem but on the other hand they do build the self-esteem sometimes a bit too much! We talked about remembering Who gave us the ability to persevere and why we are kind to others - heres to life lessons!

Our frontyard with updates ...

2011-06-14T14:56:00.001-07:00

Happy flowers ...

2011-06-14T14:53:00.001-07:00

A Eugene Experience...

2011-06-10T17:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I realize that it has been quite a while since my last post. There has been a lot to write about but so many different reasons why it hasn't happened. I will try and capture some of what has happened another day, but I just had to write about this today ...

Molly was at her last day of kindergarten this morning. Originally, she wanted me to stay with her all morning. I was there, with Jack because he had the day off of school due to grading, and was just standing around. I leaned over and told Molly that Jack and I were going to leave and would be back at the end of the morning. She was not happy - for a second - and then was off and playing!

Jack and I were off to run a few errands. I have had a big pile of recycling that I need to take to get our deposit back - yes, we get and pay deposits here for bottles, cans, and such! I went to a new place and was so excited because they got new machines. The new machines are an all in one sort of thing. The one machine takes the glass bottles, the plastic bottles, AND the cans - no more multiple machines!! Jack and I were grooving along. When we finished with our stuff, we had collect 100 items for a whole $5 - can you believe it (said with sarcasm!) I walked around the wall to recycle the paper bag that we had brought our stuff in, and what do I see ... 3 paper bags full of empty clean beer bottles. I was a bit confused - why would someone not recycle these to get their money. I told Jack that I was going to try one in the machine - thinking that maybe for some odd reason the machine did not want that particular beer brand. What do you know ... it took it and promptly crushed it and I was credited my 5 cents! Jack and I proceeded to do all 3 bags (75 bottles later) for a whooping $3.75 more - which is totally free since I did not pay for the deposit when the beer was bought mind you!!

Now, I smile when I think about the money I made for two reasons ...

1. it was free money

2. it was a totally eugeneian thing to do - boy, have I come a long way in 5 years!

Now, I want you all to know that I did for a couple of minutes think about not taking the money from the bottles. I did think about letting a homeless person find them and make the money that I did today. Obviously, I came to feel justified in doing it. What does that say about me as a person?

I couldn't help but share this ...

2011-05-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

Our red azaleas...

2011-05-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

I realized this year as this red azalea was so wonderfully blooming that I have never shared this one on the blog. We have three of these red azaleas out front on the corner by the Japanese maple, and this one is beautiful this year. I love the read, so I thought I would finally share it.

Blueberries coming soon...

2011-05-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

We had our friend thin the blueberry shrubs this past fall because we had trouble with the fruit ripening last year. We had so very much fruit, but there was not enough air in the middle to get really good fruit. After the "haircut" they looked a little sickly, but they have really opened up this spring to be beautiful. We probably won't have as much fruit this year, but I am hoping that with a little love and care it will be more delicious fruit. They look healthier!!

Spring is in the air...

2011-05-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally here and things are a bloom at 985 West 18th Avenue ...

This is the rhodie that really smells

Our "jack frost" little blue bloomer

We thought we were losing this rhodie, but it is really a bloom this year!

Of course, the wonderful orange azalea

Molly in black and white...

2011-04-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday 2011...

2011-04-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

In case you did not notice, the color theme for the Parker family today was blue! (Everybody say ... "ahhhh!")

A couple more pictures...

2011-04-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

When we got home from the hunt, I realized that I did not have a picture of the two of them together. So ... I had them pose in the backyard.

I included this picture because I love Jack's face in it. It tells me how he really feels about me taking so many pictures that day!

Easter Egg Hunt 2011...

2011-04-24T15:19:00.001-07:00

Saturday we had our Easter egg hunt with church kids. We decided that our backyard was too small to host this year, so we headed out of town a little ways to some church friends house where there is more than enough room to run around - they even had some real chickens!! It was a day that could not be beat. It was 65 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We were so excited. The kids had a great time. I did not get great pictures of the actual hunt because they move too fast for me to get them in focus. Oh well!

These are some of Jack's buddies. Noah is in the middle and is always trying to give Jack a kiss goodbye. Jack usually tries to escape, but this time he was caught - and I caught it too!

Molly with one of her eggs and candy!

Right before the hunt started, I wanted to capture Molly with the camera. This is what she gave me. I will not go into to the parenting that needed to be addressed in this moment of sticking her tongue out at me.

There was this huge tree that was great for climbing. There was wood nailed to the side so that one could climb it easier. Jack was ready to get to the top. I love this picture! He was a little scared about coming down. It took some coaxing to get him back to ground. He was at the top telling me that he couldn't climb down. Of course, I was at the bottom telling him that in fact he could do it and he had to do it because he could not spend the rest of his life up there in the tree!

Jack is driving...

2011-04-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

There is nothing to be said about this! One just have to look and smile ....

Kyle's birthday...

2011-04-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

Kyle had a birthday a few weeks ago. It was a quiet birthday, but a good one. It was on a Monday, so he already had the day off. We did our usual routine in the morning with the gym and coffee. The kids had the day off of school, so they were with us. After the coffee, we came home. Kyle went to work in the yard. The kids and I were inside doing house stuff. I suggested they each make a picture for Kyle for his below. The pictures below are what he was presented with when they were done! Each one shows a little bit about who they are, so ... enjoy and smile as you think of Jack and Molly!

This one is Molly's picture. She is learning to spell by sounding words out. It reads ... "this is daddy. he is as tall as a monster" (Notice 2 things ... 1. she still sees her dad as really tall 2. he has really really knobby knees!)

This one is Jack's picture. In the middle there is a gray Millennium Falcon shooting red lasers and it has blue lights in the back. In the upper left hand corner is a Tie Fighter shooting green lasers at the Millennium Falcon. Darth Vader is the black guy in the upper middle of the picture - he too is fighting someone. At the bottom, there is Chew Bacca, who is the brown hairy creature with blue eyes. The guy in the left bottom corner is Obi Wan Knobi - I believe. All things Star Wars!

Jack's crash...

2011-04-24T14:47:00.002-07:00

Awhile ago Jack and Kyle went on a bike ride while Molly and I went to visit a friend up near Portland. When we returned the above is what we got to see on the inside of Jack's knee. He crashed twice that day on the bike ride. Kyle said that he was very brave and did not even cry. However, there were MANY tears the following days as it healed. It is amazing to watch kids heal - they do it so very quickly. We have not had to have stitches yet in our house, but this is one of the worst injuries we have had. I am happy to say that he is healed and not scared to get back on the bike!

Jack

2011-04-24T14:47:00.001-07:00

Day #2...

2011-04-01T13:39:00.001-07:00

... of complete sunshine and really warm weather (70 degrees!).

So ... the windows to the house are open, Jack went to school in shorts, the sunglasses have been dug out of the abyss, everyone is looking up to soak in the extra vitamin D, I am wearing capris today, we are bbq - ing brats tonight for dinner with baked beans, and the list could go on.

I was really excited about this weather thinking we have turned the corner and spring is here, which in reality it is here. However, I was brought back to reality by remembering a couple of Junes ago that the high for most of the month was 5o degrees and it rained ALOT! So while I love this weather, I am keeping it in check that we could very quickly return to some typical Pacific Northwest weather in a drop of a hat!

Blue no more...

2011-03-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Jack, Kyle, and I had been talking about how very dark Jack's room was lately. So, of course, I got a wild hair to paint it a different color. A few months ago we discussed what color to paint it. Jack wanted green but we decided that it would not really lighten the room up any more by changing to green - which was our goal! I suggested yellow, because Jack is a HUGE Oregon Duck fan and he loves the green and gold! (I just pretend that really his is Colorado State Ram fan since they have the same colors !) We got some samples, painted them on the wall, then promptly lived with them there for about two months.

Well, this week was spring break for the kids and we decided to tackle the yellow paint. Four coats of paint later below is what happened. I can not tell you how much brighter his room is. The first night he slept in there he woke up in the morning and told me that he felt like he was waking up in the sunshine! It is a little bright that I feel like people should walk in there with sunglasses on. While it might not be my favorite color of wall that we have painted, it sure does make it lighter and brighter in there. Jack loves it. Kyle loves it. And I am glad that it is done!

By the way...

2011-03-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

The headgear is working its magic. We went for a checkup last week, and we are on track. I am constantly asking Jack to see his teeth. He clamps them together for me - after a roll of the eyes like come on mom - and I marvel at the fact that HIS TOP TEETH ARE NOW OVER HIS BOTTOM TEETH!! In six short weeks, we have changed his jaw that much. The power of orthodontics. Once again it makes me wants to go back to school and become an orthodontist!

Jack, the VIP...

2011-03-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

Jack has been patiently waiting to be the class VIP for oh so long. Well, last week was his week. He got to fill out the poster you see in the picture, and then bring toys to school to put on display. It was both amazing and a little annoying at times to be a part of his energy thinking about what to bring to display at school. There were many legos brought as well as his Oregon football. I was quite impressed that he took his Star Wars bear. I thought it was cute, but Kyle thought he might get teased for bringing a stuffed animal to school. (the other boys thought that it was cool, and there was even another little boy who had the exact bear!) Friday he had to do a little "presentation" in front of everyone. He did a great job. He did not seem nervous. We were very proud of him!!

A couple of things to notice about the poster, if you can see it. He decided that he would color the boy to be an Alabama football player - hence the maroon, the 22, and the lines across the face (that is his facemask). He is holding a football as well. I was quite impressed that he chose to color it as a football player instead of trying to make it look like him. He had to list things that he liked and disliked as well as family members and what he wanted to be when he grew up. His favorite food was jambayla. His favorite animals were a cheetah and trout. He dislikes his headgear! He wants to be a basketball player when he grows up. His favorite tv show is ESPN. He favorite books are the Chronicles of Narnia.

I couldn't not put these up too...

2011-03-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

We do live in Tracktown USA...

2011-03-23T13:53:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday the kids and I went to the annual run, jump, throw clinic that the University puts on. The kids each got to run (Jack a 200m, Molly a 100m), jump a long jump, and throw a "javelin" (made of styrofoam). The rain cleared out for us, but it was a bit breezy and cold! I have a ton of pictures from the day, but share the ones below because they made me smile. I might add some more later on, but know that Kyle might not think our kids will run fast but I disagree and think there might be some track stars in our midst!

I want everyone to look really good at Molly's outfit, smile at it, and then smile more because you now know that Kyle was the one to pick it out. Under the lime green running shirt is a long sleeved black Oregon duck t-shirt and then over that is a short sleeved yellow Oregon Rose Bowl shirt. I was quite amazed when I returned home from my run to see our little girl in this outfit. She looked at me and said, "I didn't even cry about my clothes, Mommy!" I did not get a hello or anything .... just that sentence!

I want everyone who sees this picture to recognize just how high she is off the ground.

My girl can jump!!

I think this picture is great because Jack does not really jump more than he does this side leg kick to get over the "hurdle." He does have the arms swinging with him to give him a little extra something something.

Probably one of most favorite pictures of Jack in the last couple of months. He has such determination right here. I especially love the fact that his tongue is out. It makes me think of my dad. Whenever he use to waterski, he would stick out his tongue. Then today as we were leaving the gym, I was watching Jack run in front of me (and he had shorts on!) and there before me where .... the Little calves. Most people think that Jack is a mini-Kyle. Little do they know that he is much like his Pops - he sticks out his tongue when concentrating hard doing a sport and he has the Little calf (which is really code for a really skinny thin calf, one might say a chicken leg - sorry, dad!).

Jack's new bling...

2011-02-12T17:34:00.000-08:00

Jack was able to get his palate expander off a couple of weeks ago. The above pictures show what he got instead of the expander! What do you think? He was so very excited about it. A couple of days into it now and he is not as excited about it. He is still very willing to put it on and wear it, but I can see that he does not love it. We have had many discussions about how the more he wears it the quicker he will not have to wear it at all. I guess it does make him that much more excited to go to school...because he does not have to wear it at school - only non-school days!!

A pedicure for the girls...

2011-02-12T17:31:00.001-08:00

My mom is visiting for the week, so we decided to do a really girly thing...we went and had a pedicure. Mom and I got a real pedicure, but Molly only got the treatment of a polish on her toes and fingernails. Molly was really adamant about us all three having the same color on our toes...little did we know that she would pick out GREEN SPARKLES for the color of choice. Oh well...at least it is winter and we will not have to show them off that much!!

Molly's new shoes....

2011-02-12T17:30:00.001-08:00

One can only imagine the joy that these shoes brought to our little girl's face today!!!

Molly's new coat #2...

2011-01-28T10:10:00.000-08:00

...so it is the third day of us having the coat in our house. It is the third day that Molly has asked to wear the coat. She cried the first night because Kyle would not let her wear it to bed, and she "said that Mommy said I could wear it to bed" (which I did not say!). Yesterday, Kyle got her dressed in a cute dress with tights, and she accessorized with the coat. Today, she came to me with this idea...she wanted to wear a short sleeved dress so that she could feel the sweater on her arms to which I smiled and said yes! I had to give a little laugh to her creativity as well. We are very grateful for this new addition to her wardrobe.

Molly's new coat...

2011-01-26T17:32:00.000-08:00

My pictures are great...but I just had to post Molly's new garment! My mom knit this wonderful and beautiful "coat" for Molly, and we picked it up from the post office this afternoon. She is in love with it, and has not taken it off yet. The buttons are her favorite part. I, personally, love the hood. I told her while we were out and about that I wanted Grammy to make me one. She thought that sounded like a good idea!

Thank you thank you thank you thank you, Grammy, for the wonderful new piece of clothing!

Molly, before & after...

2011-01-24T20:51:00.000-08:00

Molly had decided to grow her hair out along with her bangs. The first picture shows how far we got. A couple of months ago, she asked if she could get her hair cut. I said no! I told her she should finish what she started - I thought this would be a good lesson in perseverance!! She was okay with it and moved on. Well last week she asked again, and I thought about it a little longer. I told her we could go at the end of the week if she still really thought she wanted to cut it all off. Well Friday came, and she was so very excited about going so I thought she was ready. I did try and tell her that if she wanted she could still go with no bangs and have it short, but she wanted it all back the way she used to wear it. She told me that she was tired of having to wear clips and rubber bands. She was tired of her bangs getting in her face when she was doing her "homework!" I thought it was too cute. I am glad that the old Molly is back. I LOVE her cute little pixie cut with bangs!!

What do you all think??

"Hey Mommy, do you know what?"...

2011-01-13T13:22:00.001-08:00

I have heard this phrase A LOT over the last few years. When Jack was younger, he did like to ask questions. He did not really ask the typical "why" but would ask me..."hey mommy, do you know what?" It got to be so bad that I would respond with..."I know a lot of whats, but I don't know if I am going to know your what!" That was my typical response. Well, they still like to preface a statement with that phrase and the last couple of days I have caught myself once again saying the above phrase. It brings a smile to my kids face whenever I see it, and they get a little taste of what they do to me by asking so many wonderful creative questions. So I will leave you with this in your brain...

"I know a lot of whats, but I don't know if I am going to know your what!"

Just in case you thought...

2010-12-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

...I had given up on blogging, you are wrong. I have just been a little busy and little unmotivated to do any blogging. I hope that you enjoy the following and I will try and do a little better during Christmas. Just today, I made my second batch of butter cookies with icing, the kids are officially out of school for break, we have watched some Christmas shows, and I am wrapping presents tonight. So...Christmas has hit the Parker household.

In search of the perfect Christmas picture...

2010-12-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

Once again it is that time of year when I want to get a great family picture. I have tortured my three with three DIFFERENT tries at getting the shot. While all of these are wonderful, to my picky eye there is something out of focus on each one of them. I have talked Kyle into one more try - this time without the pressure of the "Christmas" setting. I said that we could wear whatever each of us wants to and just sit on the couch or something. Hopefully, this will take place tomorrow and each of you will receive one in the mail. With that said, when you do get it in the mail you can look at it with more emotion and smile knowing what it took to get THAT picture to your doorstep!

Thanksgiving (a little late)...

2010-12-17T16:42:00.000-08:00

Grammy and Pops came for a visit, and we were not good about pictures. However, we did get some to at least document their visit. We had a great visit, and will miss family at Christmas time.

(In case you were wondering, yes, Kyle was around with us but we did not get any pictures of him. I will have to look into to the oversight and rectify it at Christmas!)

It snowed...

2010-12-17T16:40:00.000-08:00

...and one would have thought it was the greatest thing to happen to the kids. I want all to look at how little snow is on the grass and then think about the fact that they cancelled school for this "snow." The kids LOVED the snow day, but we just smiled because there was so little.

My first half marathon...

2010-12-17T16:33:00.001-08:00

After Shirley left, my parents arrived just in time to watch (and help) me run my first half marathon. It seems a long time ago, but I thought I would go ahead and load a couple of pictures from the race. In case you care, I did well. I ran it in 1 hour 41 minutes and 10 seconds.

Me, about to finish.

Davina and I after the race. We had another friend run with us, but I did not get a picture of all three of us! :( (Notice the matching hats - no, we are not part of a running club unless you count just the two of us a running club! :) )

Now, we are working on another half marathon in Seattle in June.

Granma comes for a visit...

2010-11-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

Granma came for her first ever visit to Oregon. She got a little sunshine, but then typical fall weather complete with mist and gray skies. She got to see a little of the color that we get to enjoy each year with falls here. We were all excited to share our home and little bit of life with her. It was a crazy few days. I am sure that she is returning home more tired then when she came. Life with two kids is always busy, but when it is around their birthdays it raises it another level. We kept her on her toes!

Granma blowing a kiss to Molly as she took the picture. We were at the basketball game for Jack.

Molly not wanting to take a picture, but me saying she could make a face as long as she was looking at me.

Granma and her grankids with their first ever build a bear birthday treats! They loved making these "bears" but loved it even more because Granma was there to do it with them.

Shirley we loved having you here, and hope to have you come again before too long!

Jack's 7th Birthday...

2010-11-15T16:10:00.000-08:00

Jack's birthday was on Saturday. What a day it was! He got to watch Sports Center with Kyle in the morning, then we headed out to a movie in the afternoon, then off to get a Dairy Queen slushie (his choice!), then straight to his first two basketball games of the season, then a quick race home to watch the Ducks beat Cal with jambalaya (again his choice!) with cornbread. It was a busy day, but there were lots of smiles on our little boy. He had a great birthday.

Jack opening his much wanted Star Wars lego with figurines

Jack seeing his new desk for the first time. He has not left his room since he got it! (We did good!!)

Jack's pose at my request for his 7th birthday picture. Classic Jack smile

Jack's new night spy glasses - they are so cool.

He may have chosen a slushie for his birthday treat, but I had to have something that he could blow candles out with, so I made a batch of molasses cookies then added some green frosting and lit the candles for a birthday song and strong blowout.

We can't believe our little "baby" is seven years old. He has really changed since that first year of parenthood in Colorado. Time flies, and kids grow fast. He is a treasure and makes us smile.

Jack's 7th Birthday (at school)...

2010-11-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

Jack enjoyed having his birthday "celebrated" at school. Long gone are the days of homebaked goodies for all to enjoy. Replacement comes in the form of store bought cookies. The kids in his class each make him a birthday card that he got to enjoy when he came home that day.

Molly's 5th Birthday...

2010-11-06T17:19:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, we celebrated our little girl turning 5 years old! Kyle and I still can't believe that she is that old. We moved to Eugene when she was 9 months old, and now look at her. Time has really flown by. The other day I was asking Kyle when we started calling her the "bear." He said it was soon after we moved here. While the reason that we call her the "bear" has changed, she is still our little baby bear. We love her. Enjoy the pictures from the day. We wish that loved ones could have been here to help celebrate, but we know that you sent birthday wishes her way from afar!

I made more cupcakes so that she had something to blow her candles out on her actual birthday. I think what I love most about this picture is actually me looking at her with a smile - I know that I am thinking what a precious gift God gave us when he gave us Molly Clark.

Molly is actually smiling and laughing at her brother in this picture. Jack was behind me getting her to smile.

A nice posed plastered smile picture of the kids together. They really did not want to pose for me.

Although Molly does not look happy in this picture, she was quiet thrilled with her birthday gifts. They were perfectly themed, which was not planned, but a great surprise. It was a ballerina themed day. She opened presents, and the leotard, tutu, and ballerina doll did not leave her body ALL day long! Way to go family!

Molly got a new bed from Kyle and I this year. We had to return her other bed to Jason and Caroline when they moved away this last summer, so her mattress and boxspring had been on the floor. (which I liked because there were no dust bunnies to sweep up!) She was surprised and excited with the new bed. Kyle put it together while we were at violin lessons. Way to go dad!

We are delighted to see what Molly's sixth year of life will bring our way. She is quite the little girl and makes us smile with the things she says and does. She makes us cry and wonder what is going on with you - but that is parenting. Keep checking back to see what she will do next.

Molly's 5th Birthday (at school)...

2010-11-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

I brought homemade (yes, I broke the store bought rule) cupcakes for Molly's birthday on Thursday to school. She was so very excited. She was also the special person for the week, so she felt mighty big all week long! The other thing she was excited about was that I was going to come for a little bit of school and stay for snack time. (Now does that tell you something about how much time I spend in the classroom!) I thought this picture was a classic expression for her. I love it!

By the way, the three clips were her idea. I thought it was a bit overkill, but she wore them with pride. She has her own style. I am sure that almost all mothers of girls have let go of the control of hair and clothes knowing that they might not always choose what you would have chosen.

Actual Halloween pictures...

2010-10-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

We did our annual trick or treating with friends in their very "family friendly" neighborhood. We had good weather, which means no downpour, and it was not too cold. The pictures that followed make me grin. The kids were so excited about getting candy. The kids were all so good. They were overjoyed at each piece. There were no meltdowns or bad attitudes this year. The amount of candy is more than they need, but then again isn't that what halloween is all about!

Molly helping our friend, Jaycee, to the next house. She is two, and so precious!

Molly and Camille holding hands to the next house.

I thought this was a great picture of two princesses - one young and one old. It almost looks as though Molly is "teaching" Jaycee something about how to be a princess.

Jack, my superman, before getting candy. I was glad that Jack chose to be something other than a Duck fan/football player. It is good to broaden his horizons!

Molly, my princess, before candy. She told me that princesses do not really wear scarves, but that she was going to tonight because it was a little cold outside and she did not want to freeze!

Pumpkin carving...

2010-10-31T15:38:00.000-07:00

This was the first year that the Parker family has carved pumpkins. The kids never had asked before so I was lazy and said let's wait until they ask to do it. This was the year! Jack picked out the big one just for carving. We did it last Saturday. It had been raining for some time and we were worried that it was never going to work out to do it outside, but in the afternoon last week it stopped just long enough to have some fun. The kids were excited. They drew the faces themselves, and then I used the knife to do the cutting. Kyle was working on his own. He went to the garage and came back with his power drill. He decided that he would make his special with polka dots. Well, that was it. That was what everyone had to have on their pumpkin. It was so cute watching the kids beg for their polka dots. Kyle may think he is not creative, but he is an artist in his own right.

Pumpkin patch 2010 #3...

2010-10-31T15:35:00.001-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Molly had her class field trip to a pumpkin patch. Mind you, it was one we had already visited, but this time Kyle got to go with us because it was on a Monday which is his day off of work. It was a cloudy gray Oregon day, but the kids had fun. Molly was more than excited that her dad got to go with her on the field trip. I think that three trips to see pumpkins is more than enough, and that next year we might shoot for just one visit!

My little princess...

2010-10-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

What else can I say about this picture. I think it captures it all without words.

Pumpkin patch 2010 #2...

2010-10-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

Friday the kids were not in school, so we headed off to Lone Pine (another pumpkin patch/farm). We went there because we had a coupon for a free pumpkin from our realtor, and who could pass up something free!

Jack wanted to find the biggest one he could. I only told him that he had to be able to pick it up all by himself.

Jack's jog-a-thon...

2010-10-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

***These pictures are backward***

Enjoying a well earned popsicle

Trying to figure out just how many laps they all completed - with a little competition

Jack walking around the track

Jack running around the track

Jack did a great job at his jog a thon this year. He completed 11 laps, which is one lap more than last year. It was a wonderful sunny warm day. They had lots of fun, but yet again this year the highlight of the morning for Jack was riding on the school bus to the high school track! Ahh, the little pleasures.

Thank you to all of you who help to support Jack again this year! We truly appreciate it.

Pumpkin patch 2010 #1...

2010-10-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

We did our annual trip to Detering's Apple days on the first weekend in October. It was a glorious day - warm and sunny. The kids always have fun at this orchard because there is a hay maze, free pumpkin, cider, apple cobbler, ice cream, and this year I let them get their faces painted. I love the first picture, because it shows one of Molly crazy faces, and Jack enjoying very much the scoop of ice cream he got to eat!

Sailing in Tahoe...

2010-10-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

I surprised Kyle with a trip to Tahoe about a month ago for a belated 40th birthday celebration. We had a fabulous time. We did alot of stuff. Kyle's cousin and his wife joined us on the trip - also a 40th celebration for them. We went sailing one day - our only cloudy day. It was a bit cold, but we had fun. Lawny and Holly took turns "driving" the boat. Kyle and I just relaxed and let others be in charge!

My boy...

2010-09-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Somehow this year and last year, I was able to get a great picture of Jack while we waited for the bell to ring at school and the fun to begin. Here is this year's photo - and I LOVE it. I can look at this picture and really see the Jack that I know. Look at those blue eyes - and mind you I cut his hair last night so the crew cut looks fresh and neat.

I love my son!

This, however, is what he really thought of me taking the picture of him. I laughed and thought that you all would get a smile out of this one as well. Oh the joys of having kids!

School has started...

2010-09-08T11:01:00.001-07:00

For most of you that read my blog, school already started many weeks ago but we started TODAY! The kids were ready and excited. It rained all day yesterday, so we talked about how we should pray that God might allow it not to rain today so that we could take pictures outside and they could have recess outside and not just "blacktop" at recess. Well, He answered our prayers by taking the rain away and adding a little sunshine in to boot. We were thankful. Enjoy the pictures that follow...

Jack took this one. It was a little over exposed, so I turned it into black and white

Molly took this one

I told them to stand together, and this is what Molly did - our little ham sometimes

Jack, 6 1/2 years old - going into first grade

Molly, 4 1/2 years old - going into Kindergarten

As I dropped them off this morning, I was filled with many emotions. I was fine leaving Molly to cut out her hand drawing to make a palm leaf. She was content and ready to learn. Jack was ready to start as well. He will have some new friends to make, as most of the boys that he hung around with last year are in the other first grade class. Here is to hoping that this year will be wonderful for our two kids!

Two things...

2010-09-06T14:35:00.001-07:00

1. Football season has started - good or bad - it has started in the Parker home

2. The front lawn has officially been seeded. It has been mended, loved, rolled, raked, new yummy dirt laid down, and seed thrown on it. There will be much watering over the next couple of weeks so that the little seedlings can have the just right environment to grow, and I will post a picture of the grass as soon as we see something growing. Oh, you can hope and pray for the right weather for us so that the seed does indeed grow!

Happy Labor day to you all!

Camping in the Redwoods...

2010-08-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

We planned a camping trip to the Redwoods this summer, and we just got back from it. We were so very excited to go see some huge trees and do a little camping. We had great weather, and saw some fun things. The pictures that follow show you a little of what we did.

Jack had a great tree that had fallen and was perfect for perching on - it was the scene for bear hunts, hiking, sword fights, and whatever else came to thought!

Jack was getting ready for some dinner, and I got this face. I love it!

Molly enjoying some much anticipated smore eating!

The kids did a lot of self-entertainment on this stump, which the parents were much appreciative of.

We made a pit stop at the giant Paul Bunyon "statue." The kids were amazed. There is a guy that talks to you while you are standing there looking up at him. He waves, winks, and shakes his head. He was a little too flirty with the women folk for our liking, but we did get a laugh out of it.

Standing inside a tree - and remember how tall Kyle really is!

Jack and me!

Daddy and daughter walking among the trees.

At the end of the trip, the kids kindly posed for a photo on a stump. Classic faces!

Jack was all about climbing on this trip. He found this stump that he made it to the top all by himself. I thought it was a good picture to show how big the tree roots are.

We were heading home after a picnic lunch and afternoon swim in a really cold river, when the car decided it would blow the thermostat and heat up. The kids and I sat on the side of the highway while Kyle hiked a little over a mile to try and find cell phone coverage. He came upon a lodge that let him borrow the phone to call a tow truck. What was suppose to only be an hour wait, was indeed a three and a half hour wait for a pick up. We travelled back to Crescent City to get a hotel room and wait until to the morning to find out our fate. The kids were super excited to get to spend the night in a hotel, and swim in the pool the next morning - they were on a grand adventure while Kyle and I just wanted to get home! They were able to fix the problem and we were on our way home by noon the next day. We arrived home just a mere 24 hours late!

Queen bed...

2010-08-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

I have just sold our guest queen bed on craigslist. This is the first thing that I have posted and sold on craigslist. It was easy, and I sold it in a day.

So...for all of those potential house guests of ours, be warned, you will be on a wonderful air mattress when you come and visit with us!

We decided to sell it, because we were told that it really was all that comfortable. Also, it will make more room for me to do artwork and have a kids' art table.

The bathroom...

2010-08-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have not been in the cleaning mood this summer. Mind you - I have kept up with things, but deep cleaning has not been the first thing on my list. I have been putting off cleaning my bathroom for some time now. For those of you that know me, I am telling the truth. It was beyond needing some tender loving care. I used Kyle coming home last night to spur me on to finally get around to cleaning it. When I was done, there was such satisfaction in how wonderful it felt.

The real reason that I write this all to you - the readers of this blog - is that the other morning as I was getting ready for the day. Molly came in and looked at the floor, while slowly moving her foot back and forth (almost like she was sweeping), she said to me..."Mommy, why do you PUT your hair all over the floor." I laughed a little, smiled, and said to her..."I didn't PUT it there, it just fell out of my head. It seemed to satisfy her, but I knew that indeed I needed to clean the bathroom. Of course as a side note and a little in defense of myself, there is already plenty of hair to sweep yet again this morning. I am toying with the idea of taking a pre-natal vitamin for two reasons... 1. maybe my hair would be a little thicker

2. maybe my hair would not fall out so much

Here is to a clean bathroom, and knowing that it will need cleaning in only a few shorts days again!

Saturday night at a play...

2010-08-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening the kids and I went to see a free play of Alice in Wonderland. It was outside at a park. It had been very hot that day, but by play time we were in the shade and there was a great breeze to cool us down. It was perfect. We brought our dinner to enjoy a picnic, and we shared some time with the Perret family! One of the members of the play goes to our church, so we were also there to help support her.

It was hard to hear the play - they are not amplified by much - so the kids lost interest pretty quick, but they did watch some. We were not able to stay for the whole play because there was a bed time to make on time, but we were glad to have the time outside.

My friend, Davina, brought her camera and captured these great photos. I love them!...and I hope you do to. The only thing missing is Kyle. We are ready for him to join the family again tonight!

Jack...

2010-08-16T19:03:00.001-07:00

...lost another tooth! Yeah, one step closer to braces and continuing the process of fixing his bite.

As a side note, I had to pull the tooth out because it was bothering him as he was in the midst of a highly competitive watermelon eating contest with some of his buddies. He said that it keep getting caught and "leaning" forward. So I said I would pull it, and just as I was about to give up because it was not coming - it came out! I was horrified, and let him know that this was a HUGE sign of just how much I loved him. I hate teeth, and it gives me the creeps to watch people wiggle their teeth - let alone have to yank one out of their mouths.

The tooth fairy came...but not that night. He kindly reminded me that we needed to put the tooth under his pillow so that he could get his money. I looked bluntly at him, and said that we couldn't because I did not have the money for the tooth fairy to put under the pillow. I told him that we could get some money in the morning, and I would just give it to him. He was satisified and went to bed. The next morning, I went to the atm and handed him the money. So much for forklore in our house!

There is nothing...

2010-08-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

....like new running shoes, 3 days off of running to make a really good Monday late morning run! I felt like I could have run at least a half-marathon today. While Kyle is off pursuing his passion of fish, I am able to still pursue my passion of running. Here is to the marriage supporting one another in their enjoyments.

A fishing Kyle will go...

2010-08-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

This is a group shot of the fishing men from our church campout a couple of weeks ago. They had a good time - many of them were first time fishermen!

I use this photo because Kyle left this evening for a week of fishing with his buddies tonight. He was most excited to be heading to Colorado and some LONG days on the river. I only hope that they are able to catch some fish or at least some good stories to tell us when he returns.

The kids and I will miss him when he is gone, but there are things to keep us busy. We are glad that he gets to do what he loves.

We were talking last night about how I don't have any hobbies that allow me a week long get away like he has with fishing. I can't think of anything that I would want to pick up that would take me away for a week - unless there were a running race that I could do out of town. I could leave a couple of days early, and then do the race, and then stay a little longer for a recovery spa weekend. Maybe I should investigate some races out there in a great location - anyone want to join me if I find one!

A little surprise for me...

2010-08-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

For those of you following my art "career"... look at what came in the mail the other day. Panel boards to mount some impending collages. I figured if I never had the boards to mount the final pieces on, I would never sit down and work on any new work. I have had LOTS of designs floating in my head over the last many months, but none have been put into action. Now the way I work, those will never come to fruition. However, I will come up with more as I reveal my paper laying flatly on the drawing table. I am excited to get to work!

A skirt from Grammy...

2010-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU -- Grammy! Molly (and me!) love the new skirt, and it fits just great. The waist is big enough that if I don't shrink it in the wash it will last us quite some time. I think my mom should sell her knit ware - it is that wonderful and well-made!

Our church campout...

2010-08-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

This year we headed to the Metolius river area. It was a great campground, and a wonderful camping trip. We had good weather. The kids loved playing and getting really dirty. I captured a few pictures, but realized that I did not get all that we did - oh well! Here are a few of the pictures that I did get...enjoy!

The kids and I went on a hike, while Kyle did some fishing. We got to see two waterfalls. Jack was the leader of the pack, and wanted to run ahead if only I did not make him stay within eyesight! (My grandparents would have loved to hear about his love of hiking)

We stopped here for lunch. The kids did not really want to take a picture, but I really like the expressions on both of their faces here. Notice how very dirty Jack is here - all boy!

Molly Mae Parker!

We stopped on our way to the hike at a lava made observatory that is really cool. They have these little "windows" to look at each of the mountain peaks that you can see. I thought this was a pretty neat picture. The peak are two of the three Sisters.

I am actually in a picture - thanks, Davina!

My two boys - at the start of the camping trip.

Jack, Thomas and Alex Pendell - his two buddies. I thought this was a really fun picture. Notice the two matching sweatshirts - is this Oregon pride or what!

A whim of mine...

2010-08-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

Kyle does not always like to indulge my whims, but he was agreeable to this one a couple of weeks ago. We have been working on our front yard. Since moving into the house, we have thought about ripping the grass out and starting from scratch. Along with that plan, we had planned to rip out the driveway and make the grass area larger. Well, as you have seen, we have taken the driveway out.

Well, there was a large rock that is hidden from the street from an azalea we have. I like to highlight rocks that are in the landscape. One day while doing dishes and looking out the front window, I pondered moving the rock to a more prominent place. I asked Kyle that evening..."Kyle what do you think about moving the rock forward? Do you think we can do it? Do you think we could ask **a friend** to borrow his truck and wench and drag it a little?" Kyle looked at me and said..."I have no idea...maybe...call **a friend** and ask him."

So I did, and what you see is what happened...

Kyle hooking up the wench line to the rock.

Getting the truck ready to drag the rock.

After a little digging, wondering if it was going to ever move, and a little bit of what were we thinking...the rock moved!

Like I said, a little digging was involved. Like all things in the house, the rock was placed with love and not meant to be moved for a REALLY long time if ever, but we conquered it! The upside of the hole left by the rock is now we have a pre-dug hole for a new tree! Yeah!!

A little smile on a job well done. Thank you Kyle for "letting" me move the rock!