Wild Weather Week

Last Saturday we rode our bikes to the park for a picnic and enjoyed temperatures in the high 70s. Today, we woke up to snow and drove to the first farmers' market of the season in a hailstorm. WACKY! The kids also dressed up for the annual Procession of the Species parade. (Luckily, the clouds parted a bit in time for the parade.) Lauren wore Aidan's peacock costume from his second Halloween, but accessorized with a tutu and ruby slippers. Aidan wore a way-too-small cheetah costume with pajamas underneath, and accessorized with his Superman cape and snow boots. Fashionable kids, these ones!

Last Saturday on the swings:

Yummy spring picnic: roasted asparagus, strawberries, pesto tortellini salad and chocolate mint brownies from Cooking Light magazine:

Today at the parade:


After relaxing at home this afternoon we went out grocery shopping and encountered another huge hailstorm on the way home. Here are some pictures taken in front of our house:

Peas, lettuce, and lavender, all covered with hail:

Catching Up

Feeling lots better but still getting caught up on everything that I let slide when I was sick...I've also been super busy with work. My job got cut back by 1/3 starting this week, and the last few weeks of full-time work were a whirlwind. We are trying to get into a more budget-concious frame of mind after two years of the type of spending that comes along with buying a new (but really old) house. Consuming less is always a goal of ours anyway, from an environmental standpoint, so we're trying to look at this cutback as a blessing in disguise.

It has continued to be rainy and cool here in Oregon. My lettuce and peas seem to be doing well but some of our new plants that the landscapers put in are looking pretty unhappy. The forecast is calling for warmer weather this weekend--we're ready for some and are keeping our fingers crossed. Our farmers' market opens a week from Saturday and we're really excited about it; we opted against doing our CSA (community-supported agriculture) program this year due to financial constraints, but plan to drop some serious cash at the farmers' market each week. :-)

Lauren now has enough hair to pull off this look. I can't even stand the cuteness. This hairdo was definitely one of the things I was looking forward to about having a girl.


Aidan snuggling with Lauren in her crib:

And pulling her around at the garden center:
Hunting for eggs in PJs, rain boots and coats early on Easter morning:



Aidan was in hog heaven playing cars on Easter. Look how he lines them up:
Our family at dear friends Margaret, Dan, Lily and Chase's house on Easter (at least Ryan and I look happy). It was so much fun! There were lots of kids and the egg hunt was great. Both kids found lots!

Whenever I have a headband on, she likes to get in on the action: