Ladies & Babies Beach Trip

Shortly after we returned home from Idaho, Sydney & I joined Jude, Erin & the boys @ Lincoln City for a couple of days. We had a great time playing on the beach, visiting the aquarium, hitting DQ a few times for treats and hanging out in our little beach house. I wouldn't call it a relaxing time for the adults, per se, but it was really fun to spend some QT together.

The best part of baking...

As of late, Sydney has enjoyed helping me around the house. The other night I was scrubbing the carpet on the stairs, and she grabbed a rag and jumped right into scrubbing too! Her interest in helping or, more likely just plain imitating me/Steve, has also gravitated into the kitchen. She helped me make some brownies the other night, and fully enjoyed licking the spoon at the end!

Time for another haircut!

Sydney has had two haircuts over the course of the last few months, and she is due for another one! Clearly, you can make this assumption on your own by the desperate measure I've attempted with her hair.

Water Baby

We've had a busy few days. Earlier in the week, Jude, Erin & I took a 24 vacation from the rest of the family to celebrate Erin & Jude's birthdays. We stayed at a beautiful spa/resort that overlooks the Oregon Garden. It was a brief vacation, but we all enjoyed the break.

For 4th of July, we walked with other kids in the neighborhood in the 2nd Annual Neighborhood Parade. The Murray's drove down to join us, and Lane & Jude were spectators. Following the parade, in true American fashion, we had burgers, fries & watermelon for lunch.

Today we took Sydney to our neighborhood pool for the first time this summer. I think I took her last year, and in fact, I have done swimming lessons with her over the past year (sporadically). But up until today, Sydney has been more interested in getting OUT of the pool than enjoying being IN the pool. Today she was like a different kid. Kicking her legs, laying on her back, blowing bubbles...the works. She didn't want to leave! So, looks like we have another fun hot day activity to amuse ourselves. However, I was thankful it was a two-parent event, cause frankly, she zips around so fast now, it can be hard to keep up with her. Especially around a pool, where water & concrete abound!

I'm beginning to wonder if anyone even bothers to check my blog anymore, since I update it so infrequently! It's terrible, but I feel like I really have little time to sit down at the computer and type out a newsy email or post. When Sydney naps these days, I either am catching up on stuff around the house, or outside catching up on the yard work.

We spend alot of time outside these days. We frequent playgrounds, particularly enjoying the parks with a water feature. Sydney loves the water, more than once I have been caught completely off guard and unprepared as she runs instantly through a fountain, thus ending up soaking wet with no change of clothes!

Let's see what else have we been up to..."We" picked strawberries last weekend, and made freezer jam; celebrated Father's Day by accompanying Steve to the climbing gym where Sydney had a fun time (for once!) in the gym's childcare; Sydney received an early birthday presente from Nana (see above), which provides lots of entertainment; we helped Lane & Jude pack up and move to their new home and lots of other odds and ends that would bore you to read about :)

Upcoming events include the annual neighborhood 4th of July parade (stay posted for pictures) and a trip to visit family in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We are looking forward to seeing family, especially Nana (Steve's mom).

Our sweet little gal

Next Generation

We had our weekly visit with the Murray boys, Auntie Erin & Oma...I think this may be the first time that all three kids were sitting at the same place, at the same time. And, all three were eating the same meal!

The things you do when you have a daughter...

Who knew Fairy Festivals existed? I didn't, until Sydney & I were invited by a friend & her daughter to accompany them to a local Fairy Festival. We had a good time...Both girls wore their tutus and we tried to interest them in some of the activities. I made Sydney a lovely pair of fairy wings, which (after I was covered with glue-stick), she promptly refused to wear. She also got to choose pieces (a glittery rock, a green feather & a fairy scroll (?) for an 'amulet' bag. Unfortunately, this item was also a no-wear. But, we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. Sydney had fun running around with her friend Ella, and we only coerced them to do silly things for part of the time (see picture above). After all, we had to get our $4 worth out of it!!

Vacation Time

We just returned from 6 lovely days in Palm Springs, CA...where the weather was 80 degrees and sunny blue skies every single day! This is a HUGE deal to us Northwesterners...We haven't seen the light of day since October, I swear. We had a great time hanging out by the pool, working on our tans, taking walks & exploring the area. Sydney enjoyed spending most of her days outside (she's a nature lover at heart!), Steve soaked up sun by the pool, and I was able to read my trashy magazines, do crossword puzzles & take quick walks to Starbucks to my hearts content.

We took a hike in Joshua Tree National Park, but after lugging our backpack/carrier all the way there, it didn't get much use. A certain someone only lasts about 45 minutes before she wants to get down & run around. And, believe me when I say she really lets you know when she wants to get down. The plaintive moaning one small child can emit can drive the person carrying her in said pack to the brink of insanity, and the noise puts a kibosh on stimulating conversation! The landscape there was interesting, unlike other desert areas I've seen. Very dry, lots of rocks & fields of crazy shaped cacti and other scraggly bushes.

It was hard to leave the sun, but in many ways it's nice to be home & back to our routine. Sydney missed her cousins desperately, and is looking forward to an Easter egg hunt with them on Sunday (courtesy of Opa).

A Few Shots

Boy, I am pathetic. I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've updated this site, let alone even visited it myself! I'm too busy now with Facebook and reading other people's blogs when I'm at the computer!

Life these days is good. We all just got over another round of a cold, this time it wasn't so torturous. My sister hasn't had it so easy--one whole month and a double ear infection later, she & the boys are now healthy!
We visited family in California late January. Had a lovely time, and experienced fabulous weather. Sydney traveled well, and in all, it was a relaxing week away from home. Steve came home to a busy work schedule, and Sydney and I returned to our busy social schedule. Our time is filled running errands, enjoying playdates, visiting indoor playparks, and playing in the yard or at the playground when the weather holds. Sydney just hit her 18 month milestone, and the doctor declared her a tall, skinny girl. With bad skin and frizzy hair (this is my caveat!). Sydney has a super bumpy 'chicken skin' on both legs, and a little bit on her cheeks & ears. Hopefully she grows out of it. Not that it hinders her cuteness abilities in anyway.

Picture above features a nice shot of Nana/Granny Linda & Sydney, enjoying sunny skies in Cali.

Blue Skies

We are having a great week here at the Forster residence. Steve interviewed for, and was offered, the job of Fire Marshal for TVFR on Monday. It's been a job he knew would be opening up in the future, it just kind of happened a little more quickly than we anticipated. He is excited, I think, but also views the increased responsibilities with a slight bit of trepidation. His motto has always been work hard, play harder.

But, we think it was a good move, and certainly we are fortunate that his work has been steady & without alot of ups and downs due to economics.

We've also hit on a dry & sunny patch in the weather! Love the blue skies and 50 degree weather. Nice to not need gloves when we take a walk. Sydney loves to get outside, so we have been walking and playing in the backyard as much as possible. Her movement skills (or whatever you'd call them) are increasing--she spins in a circle, pseudo-jumps (it's like a glorified squat), and climb nearly everything, often using her face for leverage (weird, I know). We frequent indoor climbing gyms/playgrounds for kids, so she's getting quite comfortable with abilities. Another first...Sydney will be staying the night @ her Oma & Opa's this weekend. Her first solo venture! Hopefully it goes well, as I know Lane will not be a happy camper if his sleep is disrupted :)

We are headed to CA on the 22nd, as we had cancelled our original Christmas trip down south. We're looking forward to seeing family, and getting a break from the regular routine.