February Fun...

February gave the Knights a much needed R&R to the Oregon Coast. We had the strangest weather ever with snow one morning, bright sunshine the next, and rain...a little bit of everything but hey that's the NW for you. A highlight for us was visiting the Rogue Brewery and stumbling upon a HUGE beer sale...yes, cases of awesomeness for a mere $20. I even bought myself a rogue t-shirt...a bit corny, yes, but the roguishness of the coast, and trip to pirate's plunder forced me to do it; really. It's right up there with the Goonies t-shirt that I love and wear during the summer. I get quite a few comments on it from people and strange looks from my husband. That shirt I found at a Thrift store in Silverton years ago...random.

 Some doodle pads for bad weather beach moments

 Visiting Pirate's Plunder

Evelyne and I visited the Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not. Haven't been to those places since I was a kid. Nathan took Gilbert to the Undersea Gardens. I asked the ticket person how long each place would take to walk through and the reply was "about 20 minutes." So, Nathan and I coordinated so we'd each be finished at the same time. What I wasn't expecting was Evelyne freaked out in the wax museum. We whizzed through the entire thing...with me holding a 6 year old in my arms the entire time...in 5 minutes. Ripley's was a bit easier, she walked, well ran holding my hand through most of it...another 5 minutes if that. Ahh...that was money well spent....time to open a bottle of that beer.

 Evelyne and I on the Newport Waterfront; isn't she looking old (I mean Eve. not me of course)

 Gilbert and Nathan after visiting the Undersea Gardens

The sunshine on the beach was gorgeous, and although it was Freezing Cold!!! we went and played in the sand.

 Evelyne's daisy...spring is coming soon, right?

 Gilbert playing in the rocks & sand finding treasures

 Evelyne's sand slide

At home, snow and a snow day....

 Snow angel Gilbert

Snowball fighter Evelyne

Managing the Sadness

Today I ache. I ache for a friend in crisis, to hear her voice, to take away her pain. I am sad and helpless living my life while yours has taken a detour. I ache for the boys longing for a simple hug, the husband for just one kiss, the family and friends for just one glance.Where are you now? What are you thinking and feeling and when will you come back and smile, laugh, be your fun and wise self. So accepting, a lover of life, friends, food and fun. When I think of managing the sadness I think of you; you are the one I would turn to for advice. You are the one that makes me feel happy, normal, accepted, free. You are bound by tubes and darkness; a stifled voice among internal chaos.

Gilbert turns 4

Our gilbert turned 4 and we celebrated at the Pizza Caboose in Tigard; his favorite place as he says "In the whole life world."

 Playing Pac Man old style just like we did when we were kids!

 Yummy canadian bacon and pineapple pizza...Gilbert's favorite!

 Chowing down with the cousins!

 Presents! Always a highlight!

 The train birthday cake

Happy birthday my sweet boy, you give me a smile every day. Your warm hugs and sweet nature melt our hearts. I know you had fun at  your favorite place...we love you Gilly-b!

Our first Spanish Language Camp!

Many of you know me and a few other tireless parents have been working to develop and continue Spanish Language instruction to children in our school district. We created a program called W.E.L.L. (Wilsonville Early Language Learning). I love the acronym because through this process, wounds are healing and important next life adventures are happening. We have one main teacher and an assistant. The program is made for 24 Kindergarten and First Grade students and we offer 1-2 day language immersion camp experiences throughout the school year. We are working now on offering scholarship opportunities to native speakers to encourage cross-cultural interaction at an early age. We believe this is the best time and way to gain full understanding and acceptance of others different from ourselves. So, here are a few photos from our first camp, the next one is happening November 11th and 12th. Our school district has cut 9 school days from the year and we are adding those back in through the camps! Yippee!

 Lots of books to read!

 Girls taking a break!

 Many words are learned through song and pictures

 Lunch Break!

Focus on Fall!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

Last weekend we visited the pumpkin patch at Sauvie Island and had a great time riding the hay ride, going through the corn maze, and tailgating with a picnic lunch afterwards. The Hovde clan met us up there and we also had Annika, Evelyne's friend from school, with us. All in all a fun filled day!

It's Fall, It's Time

to get back into blogging life. i've been so absent with it lately, but just quickly had to share a couple of fun things that have happened to the "good knights" these past few months.

1. Gabe and Sadie got married! Yes, finally and No, they weren't already!

2. Evelyne is in first grade! she is loving her new teacher, Mr. Zach and is enjoying piano lessons this fall

 Gilbert was so sad to see her go!

 At Mr. Zach's class

 In the classroom, so cool!

Bus ride home after a long first day!

3. Gilbert is almost 4! I know...how did this happen. He's really excited to be in school with his friends and playing at Kristine's a couple days per week.

 Gilbert's first day of preschool

 Climbing the trees

Loving the puzzles!

4. Nathan and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary this year...yes we are young and oh it was fun. Went to Vegas, drank too much and ate too much but what a fun time!

 Morning ritual of Bloody Marys!

 Going out for the evening!

We stayed at NY NY

5.Loving the Fall weather; had a tumultuous summer this year and am so happy it's behind us!

so, my pledge to myself this fall is to: enjoy life more, write and sit more, and keep in touch with friends!