Fun at the Beach

Getting behind on blogging again...we went to the beach a few weeks ago to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. Although we only live about an hour away, we don't get to the beach very often. We had a wonderful time--the Oregon coast is beautiful, the weather was nice, and the kids had a great time running around in the water, making sandcastles, flying a kite, etc. Plus, Aidan just loves staying at hotels. Our dear family friends from Arizona joined us, en route home from a cruise in Alaska. We did not want to leave!

June Cuties

Just a few pictures for now...will post more from our trip to the beach soon.

Preschool Graduation

Aidan had his preschool graduation a couple of weeks ago...way too cute. He will still be going there for the summer before starting half-day kindergarten this fall. At the graduation, all the kids sang songs and recited poems together and individually. Aidan even stood up and named all the continents and some of the oceans! We were impressed that the teacher could keep ten 4- and 5-year-olds under control for more than an hour--Aidan was definitley getting antsy but did great. Afterward, all the graduates and parents went out for lunch. It was a fun day!

The Big 5!

Our sweet little Aidan turned 5 on Sunday! Enjoy some pictures from his party out at Bethie's house. Despite the intermittent rain, a great time was had by all.

New race track! He had fun playing with it while we got ready for the party.

We rented a big inflatable slide. The kids had a blast. We had to unplug it a few times due to rain, but then we'd start it back up again when the rain stopped. We, um, tried really, really hard to abide by the long list of rules given to us by the rental company.

Aidan finishes off the pinata! Look at Lauren peeking her head through the window of the play structure.

Lauren found a Cars sticker! Mostly the kids threw the toys (punching balloons, glow sticks, squirter rings, etc.) off to the side and loaded up on the candy.
The kids each decorated their own lantern with foam stickers.

Aidan chose an ice cream cake with four kinds of chocolate!
Our friend Chase stays close to the cake while we get ready to sing to Aidan...
Chase and Lauren enjoyed their cake together. He is really sweet with her.
Our bestest friends Jessica, Hannah (5) and Sarah (2) from southern Oregon stayed after the party and had a sleepover, then stayed Monday to help me celebrate my birthday, too! We brought our bean bin out front and Sarah and Lauren checked it out together.
Jess just got a new minivan, which is Aidan's absolute favorite type of vehicle ever. He spent most of their visit playing in it or asking to play in it.
Here's a nice picture of our house that Jessica took. I got the flags for my birthday...they are fun and festive.

Bad Blogger

Hi friends and family! Where has the time gone? We have been busy and are looking at a few busy weeks ahead, too. I thought I'd make lists of what everyone is up to.

Ryan:

1) Has been playing ultimate Frisbee again! (He used to play in college.) He joined a city league through Parks and Rec. He is really enjoying it.
2) Is working very hard but not as much at night, which is nice for me.
3) Is planning to go to New York City this summer to see a Mets game with his cousin Matt, who lives in L.A.

Amy:

1) I just submitted my application to become a Jazzercise instructor. Totally not something I ever thought I would do but I am very excited. I've actually been doing Jazzercise off and on since I was a sophomore in high school! My audition and test are August 8-10 in Portland.
2) As a result of this new endeavor, I dance around like I am in Footloose and whenever a song from Jazzercise comes on in a store or on the radio, I feel the need to do the routine.
3) I am about to turn 32!
4) I am going to Colorado for work in early June.

Aidan:

1) Turns 5 on June 1st!
2) Is TOTALLY, COMPLETELY into playing with his cars from the Disney/Pixar movie Cars. That is basically all he plays with right now. He is getting several new diecast cars for his birthday that have been missing from the collection (Darrell Cartrip, Charlie Checker, and some other more obscure characters for those in the Cars know).
3) Is starting to ask a lot how to spell words and what letter some words start with. It's a lot of fun.
4) Is enjoying having sleepovers at his grandma's house about once a week.

Lauren:

1) Is getting close to 2 (July 2nd)!
2) Is talking up an absolute storm. The latest thing that impressed me was: "Here you go. Sippy. All done."
3) Is quite the fiesty little character. She and Aidan both do this thing when they're mad where they make a hitting motion and say "uh, uh, uh." Aidan knows it's not OK to do but Lauren doesn't. She does it to us when we're having the nerve to try and put her in the carseat, etc.
4) Is my little partner in fruit eating and can eat more dried mangos than you could believe.


Lauren put on Aidan's shirt, bike helmet and underpants (both legs through one leg hole) by herself. She puts his shoes on a lot, too.

Aidan is almost 5!


Lauren wearing her baby in her sling made by Jessica; Aidan with the pigeon from "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" (an excellent book).
Lauren with our neighbor and special buddy Maryella. They are the cutest together. Lauren calls Maryella "Ella" and her sunglasses "eyes."

Snow Fun

I had a big work project to do on Sunday, so Ryan took the kids to the snow with Dan and Chase. They had an extra pair of cross-country skis and Aidan tried them out. He did really well!

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: