Hustle Bustle

Below is a photo of part of the cast from the school musical, The Wizard of Oz. Seth was a soldier, and did a great song and dance that is only recorded on the video camera. As I'm too lazy to walk downstairs and get it right now, this picture will have to suffice. (Yes, I did run five miles this morning, is that irony?) Also on the video cam is the recording of his performance at the school talent show. He played Ode to Joy and Old West Rodeo on the piano. Considering we still have performances at the Cub Scout talent show and a piano recital this week, I think he'll be able to play those songs in his sleep by the weekend.
I made cupcake trees for my niece's baptism. They almost killed me. Now Al wants them for her birthday too.
The fam came for the niece's baptism. This picture well summarizes the visit. Busy happy chaos . . . they can come again any time.
These are the remains from T's dinner last night. He didn't want the bread any more after he buttered it himself. Obviously I was distracted at the time.
It is that time of year again, when I'm going to have to take a hiatus from blogging for a little while (aka blog-cation). There are too many performances, games, parties, birthdays, weddings, field days, etc.

At least we're not moving . . . we'll throw that into the mix next year!

Farewell internets! See you in a few weeks!

Seth's Baptism

Lanie did all the refreshments and totally rocks the #8 cookie cutter. Thanks Lanes, I owe you!
The family that was present. My kids possess mad family-photo wrecking skills.

Hiatus

Blogging is not a priority right now. I am busy, busy, busy.

I have to make Seth's costume for the school play. He is a cockroach, which is exactly the part he was hoping for.

It will be his birthday on Tuesday (Eight? Who gave him permission to grow up so quickly???). I get to make cake. I love making cake.

I have yet to finish the laundry created by camping trips two consecutive weekends in a row. The last load is in the dryer now . . .

Family is coming, both mine and Michael's. We'll celebrate birthdays, graduation (Michael again, no he's not done yet . . . just adding more letters to his name, as is his habit) Seth's baptism and The Rose Festival, and it is always more fun to have family celebrate with us. My sister just came home from her mission and she is coming too!!! I guess I should clean.

At some point I should also toilet train T. But it is so much work, and I am lazy . . .

Plus there are all the exciting end of the school year activities, field day, pre-school graduation, school picnics, programs, you get the idea.

The point is, I'm going on a hiatus. Maybe a week. Maybe two. Until I get my act together and am able to produce some quality material. Consider yourselves warned, internets. Things might be a little dull without me around. (Wait, did the internet just heave a giant sigh of relief?)

More Family Travel Log

One of the suburbs in Portland metro has an annual Pumpkin Regatta.  The locals grow humungous pumpkins, hollow them out like a boat, hop inside and race around a pond.  Hilarious, and definitely worth the trip.

This pumpkin is allegedly the second biggest grown in the United States (or the world?  I don't remember) this year.  The pumpkin seemed to have no problem with kids climbing all over it.
Watching people paddle around in giant floating vegetables is pretty entertaining.  I'm pretty sure nobody is setting any speed records in these things.

The Screaming Eagles had their final game and team pizza party.  Our Screaming Eagle is happiest when he is playing goalie.
The fam watching my niece's game.  I told you Michael and his dad both have a photography hobby right?  Well, if you could call it a hobby . . . it might be actually more like a sickness . . .

Mount St. Helens Road Trip

We have one patient Grandma.  Granny Janny also specializes in rocking crying babies, diffusing toddler tantrums, teaching the kidlets songs, and laughing at stale knock-knock jokes.
It isn't often we get a picture with everyone's face looking in the direction of the camera,  This one might be a Christmas card contender.  Plus it was taken before Halloween so you can't see the five extra pounds I've gained snitching chocolate from the trick-or-treat loot.  Definitely a contender.

Michael's dad brought all his photography gear with him.  Michael was in techie heaven trying all the different lenses and equipment on our DSLR.  Michael and his dad both came away with some impressive shots (to be shown in another post).  

He also likes playing with the super-zoom lenses because he can take pictures of my rear end without me knowing it.  Men.
Hiking Johnston ridge with T.  I have to keep him on my shoulders because he will seize any opportunity to perfect his disappearing act.
All the kids became Junior Rangers at the Johnston Ridge Visitor's center.  They got badges, real seismograph readings from the quake monitor, wildlife photo cards and certificates.  The ranger also made the kids promise to eat their vegetables when he swore them in.  I've been reminding them of it all week at dinnertime.

The Relatives Came

The Relatives Came is the title of a hilarious children's book.  Check it out.

Our relatives actually came (they had to inspect our adorable new nephew).  Michael took them to Sauvie Island last week while Seth and I set up for his school carnival.
The grandkids like to put Grandma right to work.
Preparing to launch a pumpkin.



Doesn't it look like fun?  Man, I wish I could have gone.  But don't worry . . . I got to play plenty too.