Memorial Weekend: Gorge Style

First and foremost, respect is due to all the men and women who have and continue to protect and defend our country. Reflections like these are hard for me to remember and, more importantly, act out. So, there you are.

With that gratitude for all those brave Americans, comes gratitude for an extra day of the week to be a whole family. This weekend is also about being together. We took full advantage (we always do). Hikes, bike rides (Adam), trail runs (me), hot tubbing/swimming (all of us) microbrew sampling (the grown ups), playing in the park (the littles).... I don't know about you all, but there's really nothing else I'd rather do. That pretty much sums up a perfect weekend to me.

These days, most of Noella's interests lie in picking flowers. So, there was a lot of that going on. We no longer are able to put her 'beautiful wildflower bouquets' inside, because Daddy's allergies were out of control! 

Did I mention wildflowers?

Speaking of wildflowers, Daddy accompanied us on this little hike every single day this weekend (friday-monday). Allergies and all! This little trail is just across the street from where we live. It ends at Mosier Creek Falls. I used to take Noella in the Ergo Carrier EVERY day when she was little. We haven't been for months, until she realized all the flowers there were up there. Now, she's hiked the whole length everyday since she's discovered it. She loves and knows the names of all of them (well, the ones we actually know the names of, that is): lupine, bachelor buttons, poppies, wild irises, ivy.... she's OBSESSED

Noella's new friend, Khaki the Lizard. We found him in the same spot two days in a row on our wildflower hikes. 

Noella's other friend, Liam. These two were playing so cute together! 

I mean, come on! Adorable!

Sunday morning brunch. Noella gave Bert sunglasses. 

We all rrrrrreeaaalllly needed our coffee this morning. 

Weekend complete with yet another amazing sunset. We are going to miss this view, that's for sure! 

House Update:

You still need to use your imagination, but here are some more recent photos of the progress. They've probably made much more progress in some of these rooms, as the kitchen photos are a couple of weeks old.  Lots of decisions to be made. How do people build their own homes, designing and decorating every last detail? I have no idea how people have that much patience and skill. This was waaaay harder than I thought it would be and we had most decisions made for us!

Paint and cabinets on one side of the kitchen

Master bedroom color (pale gold)

Cabinet in master bath

Tiled master shower

Tiled shower again

Kids bathroom cabinet

Say It Isn't So!!!!

Noella has not been napping for..... 3 days now. Actually for at least 5 days I have been fighting with her about it. Today I have given in. She's been quietly singing to herself for the past hour and a half.

I'm not ready! Could this just be a phase? She's way too young! Just the week before she was taking 2.5-3 hour naps and me waking her up so she didn't sleep too late into the afternoon. Now, if she falls asleep at all, it's past 2:30.

If this is the beginning of the end, Lord, please give me the strength and endurance for this.

Happy Muh-erz Day!

From our house to yours. To mothers all around the world.

It's NO easy job, that's for sure. But it's the most rewarding.

We had a LOVELY weekend. Thanks to my amazing husband for all the wonderful food he cooked (and cleaned up, thankyouverymuch). He takes a LOT out of the hard part of being a mother. I couldn't have asked for a better baby daddy!

Today was a wonderful family hike on Eagle Creek to "Punch your balls" (Punchbowl Falls). Followed by a no-napping, bed-wetting ballerina, who, miraculously, made it through a potluck BBQ without any major meltdowns or irrationality. Success!

I mean it. Happy Mother's Day to all. This holiday has never meant so much to me. Until you are actually a mom, you really don't realize how important it is to honor them.

Sock Puppets

I was actually quite impressed with myself for remembering I had gobs of leftover felt for some project I never did, as well as other buttons and trinkets to make SOCK PUPPETS! I was also impressed that I used the hot glue gun so well.

After reading "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" (months ago), in which a sweater reminds Moose of his grandmother, who used to make sock puppets, Noella was extremely interested in sock puppets. So..... (months later), I drag my ridiculously huge craft box (that I NEVER use) from off of a very high shelf and actually use some of the stuff. I was a fun day!

Noella had the most participation in making this particular one, Jerry.

The "Gang": Jerry, Rikki, Constance and Ally (last one named by Noella).

Oregon Ballet Theater

Noella has recently begun her introductions like this:

"My name is Noella" {begins to pose with ballerina arms and attempts to do spins}. As if to say to these new acquaintances "are you impressed with my super-awesome ballet moves?".

She is obsessed. I must hear at least 38 times a day "I'm dancin' like a ballerina, mom" (oh yeah, did I also tell all of you that she ends 99.9% of all of her statements with 'mom' - but with a weird twang that she loves to draw out... e.g., "maowwm").

So, like everything else, we ignite this ballerina obsession constantly. Relatives give tutus, I buy her used ballet shoes and we get her tickets to the Oregon Ballet Theater. This obsession is now at a whole different level.

We went to see The Carnival of the Animals. We went with another little friend, Emilia, and her mother, Lisa. We wore pretty dresses, bought new "fancy shoes" beforehand and ice cream afterwards. It was her ultimate dream. She kept saying the car ride down to Portland "I'm happy, MAOWWWM".

Who knew that a 2 year old could sit through and actually enjoy a 2 hour ballet performance? I just don't give the kid enough credit sometimes.

Right before we left 

Starting to show one of her killer moves

Just smile and take a decent picture - OKAY?!

"THE" new shoes. They have not left her feet since she picked them out.

Just before showtime

Emilia and Noella. Notice how dainty and sweet Emilia is eating her ice cream. Or maybe it just appears that way sitting next to Noella.

Did I get it all?

She truly, truly loved this field trip. I'm so happy we did it. Worth every penny. She still talks about it!