'Tis the season for pumpkins!!!

Well, this is officially the longest lapse in time since my last post! Life has definately kept me from participating in my hobbies, but tonight I had a free moment and wanted to share a few photos with you! The rain is coming, so I thought I had better take advantage of the beautiful day we had today! Here are a few photos of the girls with their little pumpkins. Enjoy! I hope to be more diligent in my blog postings but I can't make any promises! Happy Fall to all!!

Summer Time

Aunt Vonnie came to visit us this summer and she blessed us with her photography talent! She took so many beautiful photos....these are only a few! I love photographs that are natural and informal; she captured exactly what I love! Thank you Vonnie! I can hardly wait to enlarge a few for the frames in our home!

The project has begun....

Our "painting project" has officially begun! Kelly started stripping the paint off of our house late Friday afternoon and really didn't stop until this evening at 8 o'clock! I am so impressed with the amount of "house" that he was able to cover in a weekends time....mind you I had to keep reminding him that the "paint scraper machine" that he rented is very expensive and that it will be going back tomorrow!! But, it is looking great and I can hardly wait to see the finished product, once the paint is on.


The girls wanted to be right in the middle of the action, playing in the dust and helping daddy clean up. When I made them stay inside, they were devastated that they couldn't see their "daddy working!" Since summer has started and Kelly has been with them each day, they have now become little daddy's girls! I'm kind of jealous!

Papa was so kind and offered to help Kelly sand the house. He worked most of the day today, but did take a few breaks to read and play with the kids. They love papa so much!

Stay posted for more updates on our house.....the colors we have chosen are beautiful!

First day of swim lessons!

As Kelly and I waited on the side of the pool for the girls' classes to begin, I said, "Wow, this brings back so many memories; I hated swim lessons!" And that was the truth! I dreaded swim lessons when I was a kid because the water was so cold; and what do you know, I was shocked at how cold the water was tonight. I had to put on my tough girl face and pretend that it was nice and warm so that little Emi Grace wouldn't be afraid! Needless to say, the lessons were great and the kids did awesome!


Kaleena was a brave little girl! We didn't know if she would be independent enough to be in a class by herself, but with a little guidance and encouragement from Kelly, she was soon in her teacher's arms, splashing and having so much fun in the water.


Emi Grace did very well for the first 15min. she was kicking, splashing and even blowing bubbles in the water. But after that, the cold set in; her lips were puple and her chin was quivering! Poor little thing, she said, "I get out now! I all done!" It was precious. We had to get the warm bath running as soon as we arrived home.


I must say, they were by far the cutest kids in the pool! ha ha!


What a great "first swim day".....but wow, we have to do this every day for the next 2 weeks?!! craziness!

First Camping Trip

Here are a few photos from our first camping trip with the girls. Our dear friends, Sarah and Kevin Stucker, found a beautiful camp site outside of Detroit Lake. We shared a site with them so that our kids could run and play together, which is exactly what happened! Aside from a little bit of fighting, which is to be expected, the kids had a great time together. I think the girls were dirtier than I have ever seen them before, but they sure didn't seem to mind.


Kaleena and Luke....eager to get down by the creek to throw rocks! Emi tagging along!


Luke and Kaleena....best friends!


The last day of our trip....WOW, we don't look too bad considering it was 100+ deg!


Emi wasn't too fond of the cold water, but she looked so cute in her life jacket!


Emi's cast didn't look this clean by the end of the weekend! It didn't keep her from having fun!

Our new adventure...

Since the girls were born, exercise hasn't been the biggest priority in our lives, only due to the chaos and stress that usually take presidence. But, today was the beginning of a new adventure for us...our new means of staying healthy...running together as a family! As many of you know, I am not a runner! I have never had the motivation or drive to keep myself going once the fatigue sets in; But, Kelly does have this drive and with his encouragement we completed our first run together as a family! Of course Kelly's job was much more difficult than mine as he had to push both girls in the jogging stroller, but overall it was a great run. Yes, we had to walk a bit, but we did run/walk intervals so our running time exceeded the walking time for sure!

It was a win-win situation in that the girls were able to go along for the ride, eat snacks and play with toys while we exercised....and then our run ended at the park where we crashed on a bench and the girls happily played on the equipment!

Our goal is to run in the upcoming Bridge the Gap race to raise money for the Tigard-Tualatin School...in hopes of bringing back many positions that were cut(Kelly's was one of them!). No, this most certainly isn't a marathon...or half....or even close, its only a 5K... but more than I have ever run, so it will be fun to achieve this goal! Okay, now its done...you can all hold me accountable! Here is more info on the run: www.ttsd.k12.or.us, then scroll down to bridging the gap.

A month gone by?

Wow, I didn't know that a month could pass by so quickly! The last 3 weeks have been a blur; full of excitement, family and friends, and some hard time too! I think my most common phrase on this blog is, "I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile!" But, here are a few photos from a beach trip we took a week ago with my sister and her boys. What a beautiful day it was and the trip captures one of the exciting moments over the last 3 weeks! Enjoy and I promise I will post another tomorrow!
Cousin Seth, Eli and Zach....buried alive!

Oh Emi Grace, you are such a sweet little girl....and so stinker-ish too!

Wow, our family is growing up quickly too...and our girls aren't too little anymore!

Vonnie and her sweet boys. The boys were great entertainment for the girls!

Kaleena staying close to mommy; not feeling quite herself after surgery yet

Dress Up

Recently, I brought home an adorable trunk filled with princess clothes for the girls! The minute they opened up the box, their faces lit up with joy as they began putting on the beautiful little dresses. They twirled and twirled, pretending to be little balerina's and princesses! Oh, it was so precious to watch them dance!

We Love You Kelly!

Happy Father's Day, Kelly! You are an amazing father and husband...and in Kaleena's words you are "my best friend, daddy!" thanks for giving so much for our family. Your love for the children is evident in the way that you play with them, embrace them when they are hurt and as you pray with them each night.

I love watching you play with the children after you get home from work. The happiness in their hearts is so apparent in their smiles and in the sound of their laughter. Emi and Kaleena love you dearly.

We hope that today was a special Father's Day for you. We are blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for all that you have given us...and thank you most of all for your love for Christ; you are continually growing into your role as the spiritual leader of our home.

Family, Friends and Fun

"The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family." ---Danica Whitfield.


We are loving these family get togethers! It is so enjoyable to laugh, fellowship and be silly with eachother. On Saturday, we gathered once again for a BBQ, bonfire and rides on the 4 wheeler! I felt like a teenager again...it was great!

As always, Wayne and Kelly had their jokes and smart remarks...always up to no good! They are like 2 little boys, always looking for trouble!

Kaleena made her first "marrrshello sammich" and found that she could have as many marshmellows as she wanted as long as she asked grandma! I only caught her with 5...just imagine how many she really had!

And of course Melissa and Robbie were the excitement of the evening...they invited our friends Amanda and Adam, who brought a 4 wheeler! Believe it or not, it was Kelly's first time on one and I won't even tell you how hard we laughed!

What a great night! We wish Vonnie and Justin lived closer so that they could join us...imagine throwing four little boys into the mix...wow, it would be crazy fun:)

...from Kaleena

Kaleena: "Emi, we got new chairs!"

Emi: "Yay...my chair"

Kaleena: "Emi, can I have your chair?" "I was very naughty and mom gave my chair back to the store" "May I please have your chair?"

Emi: "my chair....share eena"

Kaleena: "mom, Emi said I could have her chair! The store can keep my chair now, I don't have to be good!"


Moral of the story: Mom isn't smarter than me!

Mother's Day

What a special Mother's Day. Being a mother is such an honor and my family truly blessed me this Mother's Day with their love and gifts. I truly love the little things my girls make for me...they are worth more than any fancy or expensive gift that one would find in a store. Kaleena and her daddy participated in a child's building project at Lowes and with his help, she made an adorable plant box. She was so proud of it and could hardly wait to give it to me. OH, I will cherish that one forever!

Then Emiley and Kaleena both made me little gifts in church: Kaleena's was a marigold in a terra cotta pot and Emiley traced her hand on a card for me! They are precious and so special to me...I love you both so much!

It was an extra special day for the girls as well because their grandma GiGi from California came to spend the weekend with us. They had both of their grandmas for the weekend...what a treat!

I am so blessed. God has given me an amazing mother and a mother-in-law who is so special to us...I consider her a second mom! Thank you to my mom's for blessing me with your love! Happy Mother's Day!



After Church on Sunday, we enjoyed a brunch at this adorable diner. Lowell(mother in law) joined us and the food was awesome! What a great day!