Happy 4th of July!

We had a very busy, but super fun day today! First, we got up extra early to make it to Hillsboro's 4th of July parade with my family, a tradition that dates back to my own early childhood. My parents live near the beginning of the parade route on a dead-end street, so we always have to get there early before we're blocked out by police preparing the parade route!

Good morning!

It's not even too hot (yet!)

After cinnamon rolls at Grandma's, we walked down to watch the parade. We had great seats (thanks, Grandma!) and saw so many fun things. Aubrey wasn't the least bit bothered by the loud noises, and Camryn worked with Uncle Dan to collect a TON of candy!

All decked out in full parade gear, plus SPF 50 sunblock!

Watching the parade, and waving at everyone! :) Aubrey even added a "Bye, bye!" as they marched past.

After playing, lounging, napping, and playing some more at Grandma and Grandpa's, we headed to my sister's house for a neighborhood BBQ. The neighbors on her block have an annual tradition of blocking off the street, pulling out the lawn chairs, and sharing a BBQ dinner with everyone's friends and families. It was a fun tradition to take part in, and was one I wish our neighborhood would adopt!

After a long day of sun, fun, BBQ and treats, we headed home. Both girls (and both of us) were totally tuckered out. We lit a few fireworks in the culdesac, and called it a night. We can't wait to celebrate again next year! Happy Fourth!

Summer Playgroup

It is summertime, and that means time with our playgroup friends! We love visiting all sorts of fun locations with them, and can hardly believe this is our fourth summer together. What a special memory it will be some day...playtime and adventures with the same group of kids each summer...

Today we went to the Murase Plaza fountains at Wilsonville's Memorial Park. It was so fun on such a hot day, and jam packed with people! We all had a blast!

Hey, this place is cool!

Yeah, I like this!

Camryn and her good buddy, Maren

Starting to get pruny and cold after so much water play...

Even though Aubrey and Hayden are the "babies" of the group, I think they look more like a couple of little old ladies...

Dinner Conversation

Camryn has been thinking a lot about babies lately. Enough to begin to ask some questions. So far, we've been able to get ourselves off the hook without answering anything directly, but I know it's coming. Here are a few recent examples:

Conversation #1:
Camryn: What's your belly button for?
Mom: It's for tiny babies in their mommies' tummies to get food.
Camryn: Is that where they come out? Did Aubrey come out of your belly button?
Mom: Um, no.
Camryn (walking away and mumbling to herself in a befuddled sort of way, while shrugging shoulders): Then where's the hole...?

Conversation #2 (at dinner):
Camryn: How does a baby grow in your body?
Dad: It just does.
Camryn: Does it get there because you eat a lot of food?
Mom: Uh, no.
Camryn: Well, how does it get in there?
Mom: Do you want some more chicken...?

My daughter is cooler than me

I have come to the conclusion that Aubrey is light years ahead of me on the coolness scale. At 16 months old, she already has a fascination with fashion (namely shoes and hats) and has figured out that when we leave the house, it is important to have both sunglasses and cell phone handy. Lord help me when she becomes a teenager!

Tuesday market

Tuesday evening, we met up with our longtime friend, Jen, and her two boys for a picnic and some wandering through Hillsboro's Tuesday market. It was great to spend some time with them, and enjoy a warm summer evening.

Camryn and Gabe did lots of exploring in the nearby bushes and trees, and found all sorts of things!

Baby Alex was so mellow and sweet!

Camryn visited the "balloon guy"

To end our evening, we treated ourselves to some yummy gelato. Even one-handed, Gabe was able to enjoy his, though later I felt bad for offering, as I saw lots of Spray 'N Wash and stain sticks in Jen's future. Thanks, Flores family! We can't wait to play again soon!

Um...Happy Fathers Day...?

Our first weekend of summer started off well. We enjoyed the company of Brian's family, who were visiting for the holiday weekend. On Saturday, the boys got some golf in, and the girls did some shopping. A perfectly normal afternoon...

On Sunday, we planned an all-family outing to the zoo. It was drizzly and a little cold, but it was something else that just didn't seem right with Camryn. Sure enough, on the way home from the zoo, just as we were rounding the corner into our neighborhood, I turned to witness the horrorific scene of my child vomiting, in the backseat of my car, while strapped tightly into her car seat.

Needless to say, our further Fathers Day plans were instantly derailed. Now the bad news is, that Brian and I spent the good part of Fathers Day cleaning my car, the carseat, the straps, the clothing, and lots and lots of bedding as Camryn's intestinal health spiraled quickly and dramatically. The bad news also is that Brian missed out on celebrating "his day" as a Daddy.

The good news, on the other hand, is that my girls are lucky enough to have a father who loves them enough to do those things, miss that celebration, and willingly stay home to care for his sick girl so that I could be with my own dad on Fathers Day.



So, although it may not have been the happiest, it was definitely a Father's Day, though differently defined. Thank you, Brian for being so fabulous to our girls. They are so lucky
to be able to call you Daddy.

Anticipating summer

A collection of fab photos from the past few weeks... Enjoy!