Lately.

Here are a few snapshots of what life has been like lately, just around the house....

Typical.

Typical :)

Hattie is saying, "what the hell... I just woke up and there was this mermaid in my bed!"

 So, I had all these grand visions of dressing the girls in their cute, matching dresses and having an impromptu photo shoot. This is how well that turned out....

 

Blaring sunshine 

Her hair is never normal. 

Funny faces. 

Again, blaring sunshine (and nose picking, and closet doors hanging open, and Hattie craning her neck weird.....)

First front yard camp out. Noella and Dad were the brave souls (someone had to sleep inside with Hattie). Since this is the first year in three years we haven't camped, we had to at least make that happen!)

Complete with campfire!

Bedtime stories by the fire - what is better than THAT!?

Alex and Mary Visit...... in JULY

I have totally dropped the ball on keeping up with the blog. Work began and visitors kept pouring in and then everyone got sick.... for like the whole month of September. I honestly don't even know where September went! I have to say it again: for those of you with children who work full time - props to you for getting anything else done besides everything directly related to raising your children. I only work two days a week, but with two kids in the mix now and home ownership to keep up with, it's a wonder how Adam and I manage to get a minute to talk and spend time together at the end of the day!

Moving on. Our next round of visitors were Alex (Adam's brother) and Mary (his girlfriend). We were very busy showing them the sights of Central Oregon. They were able to climb South Sister Mountain, try out some of the mountain biking trails, see Tumalo Falls, and check out the McKenzie River trail and waterfalls. Brewfest was going on (thanks to Mary to bringing that to our attention), which was a perfect way to get a feel of the fun events and festivals that are always going on around here. We hope you guys had fun! I know we did (and Noella sure loved it. Hattie was pretty indifferent)! Thanks for coming to see us!!!!!

Here are just a few pics. Along with everything else that gets put by the wayside, taking pictures has joined that group!

Snuggle time on the couch.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the trail running race they participated in too! Go getters! (Alex placed 3rd in his category, Mary - I think you placed 4th?!).

You can never have too many buddies.

Along the McKenzie River Trail

New mountain biker, earning her stripes :)

Nana and Papa Visit! (Six Weeks Ago.....)

Better late than never - right? 

We were so happy that Nana and Papa got to visit and see our new home in Bend! They hadn't been out to see us in Oregon since Noella was 5 weeks old.

We tried to keep them busy too! While here, they were able to do some painting and drawing of the scenery out here - Adam even got to sneak away while I was at work and the girls were at daycare to take them up to Sparks Lake for some views of the mountains. 

Those are LITERALLY all the pictures we took! What is wrong with me!? I vow to make a conscious effort to take more pictures - especially of these rare times that we get to spend with family from so far away! Poor Tracy and Carol came upon us the second week of daycare/work. Both girls were working through their first illnesses since being back around large groups of kids. We were still able to have a bit of fun though! They got to spectate one of Adam's cyclocross races, take a day trip to Crater Lake, check out the downtown and more of the awesome outdoors that our town has to offer. Hopefully they loved it as much as we do! It was so special to get to share it with you guys. And, apparently, I need you to send me the pictures you guys took....

Happy Harvest

Noella and Hattie's daycare, Growing Tree, organizes such nice events and activities for the kids and families. Every fall, they reserve one of the farms out here, DD Ranch, for all the Growing Tree families to play, pick their pumpkins and socialize. Noella almost did not get to go (3 and 3/4s is a VERY trying age, we are learning), but she was VERY happy she did because she had a ball!

Where Hattie hung out most of the time.....

The giant slide

At the top...

At the bottom.....

Pony Rides!

Feed the cows!

Jump on haybales!

Slide down tubes into hay!

Run through tires!

Happy girl....

 And post-pumpkin patch. Family time on the couch. I guess I should mention that at the very end of our pumpkin patch visit, Noella got her face painted like a girl pirate. Hence the black face-paint.

My favorite three people.

Throwback

To three years ago, when all we had to chase around was this little squishy bundle (and we thought we were busy then!)

And then to four years ago when Adam and I used to go on epic mountain bike rides at the drop of a hat....

Lesson learned: never wish away ANY time whatsoever. I wish I could freeze time.

Emma Visits AGAIN! July 2013

Cousin Emma came to see us again, and we were so happy she did. I'm sure she was bored to tears much of the time, as living with a family with two small children can be cumbersome (naps, routine, needy 3.5 year olds who think everyone is there to play with them!). We tried to show her a good time. We love you Emma!

At Three Creeks Brewery in Sisters, OR. We hooked Emma up with a trail ride with an acquaintance we have in Sisters who owns property and boards horses. 

Second youngest and oldest grandchild on the Noelker's side

Funny story: I left to go for a run one rainy morning leaving Emma to bake cupcakes with Noella.  Guess what? Accidentally substituting salt for the sugar doesn't give you the yummy cupcakes you were hoping for :) Whoops!

Hiking up Pilot Butte one evening. Noella even got to go. 

She is kind of enamored with her....

See what I mean.... always wanted to be dressed like her!

Fire pit night. Even Zeb misses Emma!

Climbing Mt. Bachelor. Emma killed it!

Hanging out at Paulina Lake. Lakeside picnic. 

The adults had an adult beverage. Noella had a chocolate chip cookie

Wait a minute....

Paddling out on the lake. This was right before a gust of wind blew my hat off and we frantically back-paddled to get to it, only to watch it slowly sink.... Noella cried. 

We had FUN! Hattie decided to start sleeping through the night while Emma was here, so as far as I'm concerned - you can come whenever you like! :) We love and miss you, dearie!

Rolling With Her Homies

Hattie's been getting a few steps closer to being mobile. She's been getting good at rolling back to front, but.... there's a catch. She can't be wearing a diaper. Details.... I know.

Catch the video HERE.

We've been having a barrage of visitors, so there will be much posting on that - but that requires too much organization for today. Currently, Adam, his brother Alex and his girlfriend, Mary are all on their way down South Sister Mountain while I juggle the minions.

Later!