Farewell Summer 2009

I’m struggling to bid farewell to summer 2009. It’s not just a season change; it’s a lifestyle change. Summer has been a perfect balance of travel and staying home, of hot days and cool days, visiting with family and friends and being with just the 4 of us. It is wonderful, calm, simple, peaceful.

July was eventful. The first week we had a “staycation” with Lara and Amelia at their beautiful home that overlooks the Puget Sound. Amelia and Owen (with Eli tagging closely behind) made balls fly and coaches giggle during tennis lessons at the Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club. We went to several parks, a fantastic farmer’s market, the children’s museum and my kids saw their first movie in a theater! Although the dogs are a bit frightening in 3D, UP! is a sweet little movie.

The week culminated with the big 4^th of July Parade in the Stadium Neighborhood where Lara and John live. Ryan came up to join us for all the 4^th festivities which also included a delectable bbq (even for a vegetarian) and fireworks on the sound. It was a sweet ending to a perfect week together.

Just a short week later, the boys and I boarded a plane to visit Granny Mo and the rest of the family in Chicago. I can’t get enough of my dear Grandmother who is 90 years young. Her beauty and happiness are marvelous. I miss the days I could listen to her stories all day long. Two active boys don’t allow much time for that anymore, however they added their own spice to the trip. Running, kicking, throwing, racing, jumping their way through the lawns of grandparents, aunts, cousins, friends and dogs in the Chicagoland area. They soaked in the experience of riding on a plane and meeting new people (mostly family) every day.

Two special highlights of the trip this year were (1) meeting up with Gabi and LeeAnna, 2 friends from 7^th grade when I lived in Chicago and (2) miniature golfing with my sister-in-law, Julie, and nieces and nephew. Wish we lived closer so we could do it more often!

Four days after returning from Chicago we packed up the camping gear and headed to Detroit Lake for the annual family campout. Even though we return to the same place, even the same campsite, each year holds a special memory. This year Oregon was under an intense heat wave with temperatures around 106. To escape the scalding temperatures we headed up the nearby Breitenbush River. Ryan’s cousin, Karina, introduced us to a dreamy little nook with a rocky beach right on the river. In between naps in the shade and searching the shore for treasures, Owen, Eli and Ryan built their bicep muscles by throwing thousands of rocks into the crystal clear mountain run off. I enjoyed cooling my feet off chatting with the cousins and reading.

We returned to our home in August exhausted and relieved that the summer’s major travels were finished. We spent the rest of summer with visits from out of town friends, evening walks to the park while the summer sun was setting, bowling, hanging at Aunt Christine’s, playing in the sandbox, experiencing the Tillamook County Fair, hanging with Steph and the kids, sprinkler time, going to the library, visiting Nana’s vegetable garden, home projects, home projects, oh did I say home projects?

Life goes on, things change, times change. School year hustle and bustle begins. Routines firm up. Schedules are followed. A new rhythm for the family. A new beat. Bye, bye summer; for now. We will see you again soon.

Santa Claus is Coming to "my house"

This Christmas season has been so much fun! Owen understands the idea of presents and Santa delivering them. He has even changed the words to the familiar Christmas carol to "Santa Claus is coming, to my house" instead of "town". He was very brave asking Santa for a bowling alley this year, a toy that took both of us by surprise. Good thing there were still 2 weeks until he came! Although Eli has no problem saying Santa's name followed by "ho, ho, ho", he was still uncomfortable sitting on his lap. That's ok, Owen took care of sharing what Eli wants with Santa too. (Apparently another bowling alley.)

Better than all the excitement around present sharing comes the time spent with family and friends. We had a big Christmas Eve party at Aunt Heide's house with all the cousins. Christmas afternoon we went to Aunt Christine's house. Snow and ice kept us from Grandpa Paul's house this year, but we will get together another day to celebrate.

One of my favorite memories of Christmas this year was watching Owen give Nana the gift he made for her. It was a snow globe made from glitter, fake flowers and wooden hearts. He was so proud to give it to her and watch her open it. He explained to her what it was and how to use it, as if she had never seen a snow globe before.

This was the snowiest Christmas in Portland's recorded history. We were hit by a snow storm for almost 2 full weeks and cold temperatures kept the snow around for days. These photos are from the things we did inside and out during these snowy weeks.

Halloween!

Halloween was the best day ever! The boys were ADORABLE and so much fun! I was amazed at how quickly Owen caught on to the trick or treating routine. He led the way through the neighborhood oohing and ahhing at decorations and being out at night. Eli was right behind, not wanting to miss out on any of the action. When we got home Owen sorted his candy by color before choosing the perfect surgary snack. Eli was facinated with the "balloons" or lollipops.

School Starts Today!

This fall Owen started going to preschool. He is having a great time making friends and playing with new toys. He mostly enjoys doing arts and crafts. Sometimes he makes 2 of the projects the class makes because he likes doing it so much! He is getting more outgoing and starting to share his show and tell that he brings each week. He also went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch with school! He loved riding on the school bus!

Eli wishes he was in school too. Mostly he likes to carry Owen's backpack for him. Eli goes to the room next to the preschool while I'm at work. I am told by his teachers that all day long he points at the door and says, "Mom, mom, mom." or "Daddy, daddy, daddy." depending on who dropped him off. At least he isn't crying!

Chicago

In August we took a trip to visit Granny Mo and other family members in Chicago. We had so much fun touring the city, playing at water parks and just hanging out with family. Owen and Eli were so happy to be around their cousins non-stop. It was a special vacation for all.

Camping at the Lake

This past week we went to the White Family camping trip that happens each year at Detroit Lake, OR. When I say family I mean about 100 people, so this is no small trip. I was so nervous about the sleeping arrangements, all 4 of us in a tent! Things actually turned out ok. Eli slept great for the first 3 nights, the last 2 I almost had a nervous breakdown from sleep deprivation, but we all survived. Each morning I went to town around 6am for a nice warm latte. Getting out of camp made sure we wouldn't wake everyone up and also gave us someplace warm to relax.

Owen and Eli could not get enough throwing rocks in the lake, playing with their big cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles, and going for wagon rides around camp. We all had a lot of fun, but it is really nice to be home!

Maui!

The boys and I kicked off summer with an 8 day vacation to Maui. We had an unbelievable time playing on the beach, in the water and visiting fun little towns! We traveled with my friend Lara and her 2 year old daughter, Amelia. The three kids got along great. Here are some shots that captured our adventure.