It's good someone has time to use this machine

I just wish it were me.

This is why we come see Grandma...


and....

this is why we come see Grandpa...

New organization system

Grandma and Grandpa will need lots of time to reorganize their cupboards to pre-Blake state. He's one busy boy.

Girly time

It's impossible to come to Anchorage without going to Jackie's. She's our awesome Mary Kay lady. I believe my mom started seeing her for makeup in 1988. When Angelina and I became old enough to wear makeup, Mom has always taken us with her. Angelina and her daughter became friends and played soccer on their club team all through high school.

Jackie came over the morning of my wedding and did my makeup for me. Her daughter did my mom's hair. Anyway, all of this background is just to show you how happy it made me to take Carolyn with me. She's been there before, once.


She took great joy in painting her face with purple eyeshadow when I was occupied and not paying attention.

This time I decided to let her play dress up with me while Angelina worked on doing wedding makeup. She picked out an eyeshadow and a blush. She didn't want to put them on because she wanted to keep them, but she jumped at the chance for Jackie to paint her nails.



Carolyn really enjoyed her 'girl time.' After the makeup, she spent the rest of her time coloring and playing with her new friend.

How I yearn for a backyard

Portland has a lot going for it. I really enjoy it, but I also wish for a neighborhood like my parents. Sidewalks down every street, backyards and front yards. Some of that I can get in Portland, but I haven't seen many neighborhoods around there that have sidewalks everywhere.

My kids are loving the back yard, and trees to climb. Carolyn climbed the honeysuckle because she couldn't reach the bottom branch on the birch tree that I like to climb. Well, I should say climbed once. I did it yesterday, but that might be the first time in ten years. I used to sit up there all the time.

Blake likes Grandma and Grandpa a lot more than he did in December. He loves giving them hugs and is learning how to say Grandpa.

This is how I will look when we get a yard!

For cuteness sake!

Berries in the Northwest

One way we've kept busy this summer is lots of berry picking. I have too much going on to try to jam or do any canning this summer. I know I will regret it this winter, but life is crazy. I enjoy the super low prices and my kids enjoy eating as much fruit as they can while we are there.

At the park

We went to the park last night to meet up with my cousin Tyson, his wife, and kids. It's been about 3 years since we saw them last, so it was nice to be able to see him. It seems like everyone is coming to Alaska this summer. It's too bad that Jeremy is still at home in Oregon.


Our cousin Savannah spent her time lining up rocks very carefully.

Carolyn and Blake liked to sit here on this seat. It was fun to listen to Blake say "wheeeee!"
Sometimes there was a whole passel of kids sitting on this carriage. Next to Carolyn is her cousin Sarelle. Next to her is this sweet little boy who came running anytime the children got on here for a ride. He also provided quite a bit of amusement for the children when his dad busted out the bubbles.

Grandma and Grandpa provided the power to help them s-l-o-w-l-y move back and forth.


Grandpa taught Carolyn how to go down this "slide." She was very proud. Also this will help her go down what I call the "slide of death" at the new park by our house.


Blake gave me quite a scare at one point and I couldn't find him. He was hiding in this tunnel. I should have known to look here. He sat in here quite a bit while we were at the park.

Afterward, we went to Arctic Roadrunner for some delicious burgers, although the shake left something to be desired. I just need good shakes! Where's a Cheeburger Cheeburger when you need one?