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!