Professional Development

So I finally got my own pair of snow shoes this year.  Of course this fell in a year when snow was scarce.  We did find a snow shoe race up on Mt. Hood though, so I was able to break in my new shoes.  Who was We you might be asking?  Kevin?  Ha never.  Bonnie and I!

And when I say snow shoe race, I really do mean race.  Most people actually ran the trail.  Us too...ok I am a liar.  Run we did not.  We cruised at our own pace, darting off the trail when a runner would come up behind us.

Bonnie had much better form than I...

And when we crossed the finish line, a prize awaited us.  A much-deserved prize I should add.

Beer (please excuse my eye-make up...I was a mess)

A very fun day with a very fun friend.  More to come I am sure.

Beach Bums

Well while we are on the topic of nice weather (see prior post if you missed it) let's step back in time to President's Day.  Another nice weather day - in February none the less!  Kevin sprung another last minute day trip to the beach on us.  Of course we were all game...well I did have one condition that had to be met and that was that I got to pick the lunch spot.  Kevin has always bypassed the Rogue Brewery in Astoria.  Not this time!  We enjoyed a great lunch with a great view and an amazing bloody mary.  I of course left my phone in the car, or else I would have shared a few pictures.  Oh well, there will be a next visit!

Next stop was Long Beach, WA.  We roamed around the kite shops, stopped for ice cream, stood in line for ice cream for 15 minutes, left ice cream shop with no ice cream, and then headed for the beach.

Though not a first beach trip for Kaci or Dean, it was the first time that they didn't cry due to the bone chilling wind when we made them get out of the car.  They even enjoyed themselves this time!

This stick was way better then the sand toys we had brought.

Dean finally got a shot at playing with the prized stick.

So how did we get pictures of smiling kids after denying them that ice cream?  Popcorn from the hardware store.  Seriously...these kids are so weird.

Chasing Waterfalls

When the sun comes out in the Pacific NW, people get out and enjoy it.  And even in March, with the temps only reaching the high sixties, some people will be enjoying said weather in jean shorts, tank tops and socks with sandals.  I digress though.  Let's get back to me enjoying this weather.  With this past Saturday calling for sunshine, I headed out to Multnomah Falls with 2 fun friends and our little stroller bound boys.  Kaci was away at a sleepover, which worked out great.  Her legs have a tendency to get tired very quickly, which would have resulted in me packing her 38 pounds to the top of the falls.

Though us girls failed to get a picture together, we did manage to get an action shot of the boys:

Dean, Elliott and Brooks!

It was still a bit brisk when we set out on our adventure at 9:00, so we bundled the boys up in blankets.  We warmed up quickly though pushing these chunks to the top.

Happy boy! 

This was my first trip and I definitely want to go back.  I foresee a longer hike in my future, but not while pushing a stroller.  

Not exaggerating...look even Dean was exhausted  afterwards.

And a well-deserved lunch with beer was enjoyed by all.  Cheers to adventures, sun and friends.

Cake Smash

Our crazy little Dean has turned 1.  My how time flies.  So of course we were obligated to throw the little man a birthday party.  With Kaci's birthday falling in August, we have it pretty easy.  Invite as many people as we like, throw some chairs out in the yard and turn on the grill.  Easy.  It also falls 8 months after Christmas...just when Kaci's wardrobe is looking a bit tattered and torn, and her toys have become broken or boring.

Now switch gears and plan a party in January.  Would it be rude to ask people to sit in chairs out in the yard?  The vote was unanimously yes, so we opted to slim down the guest list quite a bit.   I then managed to get some invites mailed out oh about 5 days before the party, and threw together a meal plan of chili, cornbread and cake.  I was on a roll.  Then this question started coming up:  "What does Dean need?"  Ummmm (please pause and imagine the sound crickets make here) NOTHING.  I had no ideas to throw out to anyone.

Moral of the story - Always aim to have a baby during the summer months.

In all seriousness though, it turned out to be a great day.  Take a peak:

I went ahead and chopped off the bottom since it had our address on it.  Don't need any stalkers!

Hunter really got into the spirit of things

Dean and Rowan

I am unable to include a picture of Kaci eating a cupcake due to the fact that she refused to eat one.  Apparently red-velvet disgusts her.

Sunday was spent doing some chores and a little fishing.

Yep, things got a bit sandy.  Both kids rode home with no pants on and were immediately dropped into the bath tub.

Check out these treasures my mom gave me:

I have not tried either yet...but I am sure both are amazing.

Missed Moments from 2014

So I am proud to report something positive in regards to a New Year's resolution from 2014.  My goal was to surpass 25 blog posts.  DONE!  I had 31 this past year.  I will admit that I lost steam in September when my average dropped to 1 per month.  I will try harder.  Or not...OH THE SUSPENSE!  Seriously though...3 posts per month would get me to 36.  I think I can do this!

Lately I have been enjoying a review of my photos from 2014.  Talk about a good way to waste 30 minutes.  Take a peak at some of my favorites:

Snow Day

Sleepy Boy

Rowan The Baby Whisperer

Beauty

Big Sister

Face Masks

Green Thumb

Father and Son

The LaCenter Tavern!

Troll Hair

The Grist Mill

Great Granny

First Christmas

That is all she  I wrote for 2014!

Dean's Cord

So Kaci had has "Blanky and Beary".  Where ever she goes, they go.  Oh and if they don't...well, you really don't want to find out what happens.  Take it from me.  And as you can imagine, her entourage is pretty ratty, especially Beary.  He has already been stitched up a couple of times and what used to be beautiful pale pink fur is now pretty grungy.  

Kaci and Blanky

As for Dean, well he has an extension cord.  Yeah - a small brown extension cord is his comfort item.  I don't even really know where he found it...obviously digging through cupboards and drawers he was not supposed to be in.  

Each night I try to pick up the living room once the kids are in bed (why bother right?).  And each night I put Dean's little cord in a drawer in one of the coffee tables.  It has now become part of his morning routine (early morning routine, so very early) after his morning bottle, to race over to that drawer and grab his cord.  It really is cute, as he gets so excited each time he finds it in the drawer.

A boy and his cord

What isn't so cute though is that this isn't the only cord the boy is fond of.  Actually any cord will do.  The cord to his changing table lamp?  Addictive!  The cords behind TV, DVR and blue ray player?  Irresistible.  Oh and don't forget the cord to that hot flat iron that you may use daily...no, one must NEVER forget about that one.  

Also remember that what may have been deemed "out of reach" for Kaci, does not automatically mean it is for Dean.  He is a stacker and a climber.  

I "mustache" you to drop that cord Dean!

To Dean, nothing beats a plain old cord.  Oh wait...except a cord wrapped around a Christmas tree with bright lights!

Dean No.  No Dean.  Deanie no no.  NO TOUCH DEAN!

Tis the Season

I figured I had better get my Halloween post up now since everyone is now on the fast track to Christmas.  I have already sat through a handful of Christmas commercials, enjoyed coffee in a Starbucks holiday cup and started reminding Kaci that Santa and his elves see everything that she does, may it be naughty or nice.

THE PATCH

Of course we hit up the pumpkin patch.  I was on a mission to find the perfect white pumpkin, Kevin went the more traditional orange route and Kaci...well Kaci didn't want a big pumpkin.  Just like last year, she was after her "baby" gourds.  She picked through the bins until she found a handful to her liking.  She then proceeded to mother her treasures for the next few hours.  She made the mistake of leaving them unattended in the living room and Dean snapped off the necks of each and everyone of them.  She was livid...and wanted nothing more to do with her babies. 

Pumpkin Launch!

Oh and those seeds that we were so careful to separate from the rest of the junk?  Yeah, I burnt those to a crisp.  Yes, I was irritated just a bit.

THE COSTUMES:

Well we are certainly getting our money's worth out of Kaci's costume this year.  She wants to wear it every day for the rest of her life - her words.   

Introducing Queen Elsa

Dean went as Clark Kent, but refused to wear the glasses...so he wasn't really recognizable.  Plus he wont sit still for any pictures...so this is pretty much all I got of his first Halloween.

The rain broke up just in time for a little trick or treating with cousins.

Gotta run.  Time to make some Christmas lists...geez!