Oregon part 3

Wednesday we went berry picking! The kids and I have never gone before and they had a lot of fun. First, blueberries. Ember and Lincoln concentrated really hard at filling their buckets with blueberries. The conversation with Ember went something like this:

Ember: Are you going to pick any berries Mommy?
Me: Yep, and then I am going to eat it!
E: But they aren't washed!
Me: That's okay every once in a while.

I think this conversation opened Ember and Lincoln's minds up to new possibilities because when we moved on to raspberries and boysenberries, Lincoln didn't even have a bucket! Every berry went in his mouth! Ember had a bucket, but only used it half the time. Five berries to eat, one berry in the bucket...

Birthday Fun

First Birthdays are not big for us. Branden and I figure why spend a lot of money on a birthday our kids won't remember? So we celebrated Nikh's birthday a couple days early on Sunday. With just family...(yes, you Lance's are practically family!) It was fun to just spend some fun time together. Nikh was my little fairy princess. I found the cutest little wings at Target!

Branden and I made cute cupcakes that Nikh tried to devour. She really got into it after a little bit.

So much fun! Thanks everyone!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Oh Baby Girl I can't believe you are one already! This year has gone by way too fast. One year ago I was in the hospital with you in my arms wondering about how our lives would change with you in it. Gates up, furniture moved to block paths, baby-proofed house, bottles, late nights, and staring at your cute self while you sleep so peacefully. Aahhh...Truly I will miss the baby stage!

Happy First Birthday Nikh!

Oregon part 2

Monday brought a date for me and Branden! He took me to Powell's Books--a bookstore the size of a city block! Heaven! Then lunch at Benihana's...Yummy!

That evening I went for my very first pedicure with Robyn and Rachelle. Thanks girls, it was fun!

Oregon part 1

Doesn't hate me anymore! Every time I have ever visited Oregon it has rained every day I was there! Apparently Oregon was testing me to see if I would stick by Branden even when times were "rainy." I am happy to say that after 8 years, I passed! Seven days of Oregon sunshine!

We decided to go visit Grandma & Grandpa Boyles, and Rachelle & Justin. It was a lot of fun. We got to do so many fun things. The first of which was we decided at the last minute to go a day earlier than planned to get there in time for the Old Fashion Festival.

Piggies!

Also in July I finally pulled Nikh's hair into pigtails. They were so adorable I just had to take pictures.

Swimming...

Yes, I am a slacker. I have been enjoying my first long summer in 7 years! I have only opened my computer twice including this time!
SO...back in July we took the kids swimming. It was a little cloudy, but the water was still warmish. We all had a lot of fun.

Ama joined us to help with Nikh when she was tired of the water.

My sexy man!

I even got to try out my new waterproof video camera! Nikh loved kicking her legs when they were in the water (even though I kind of chopped off most of her legs). Ember and Linc enjoyed showing me how big they were getting by plugging their noses and going in the water.