Best of Summer 2010

It's been a busy summer for us, and it's kind of hard to believe that summer is really over. Alas, with all our activities I've been neglecting our family blog. Here's my attempt at catching up.

Makenna's favorite pastime lately has been digging/eating dirt/sand:

Below is a video of Makenna and Kiki early in the summer. She has grown even more in love with Kiki and every dog she meets lately, and loves baby-signing dog by sticking out her tongue and panting. It's quite adorable. He's now been part of our family for over a year, and Makenna doesn't remember life without him.

Summer Splashing

Summer is finally here in Portland...

Makenna was elated to splash around in her kiddie pool with Kieran. Not surprisingly Kieran kept wanting to be hosed down. It wasn't even that hot, barely eighty degrees, but with our seventy degree June we were ready to get wet.

We also had a blast at Sunday Parkways North. I wish I had photos or videos, but it was an amazing day. Better than the weather, Kieran rode a few mile loop with full gusto. Makenna slept in her bike seat, and we all enjoyed the family ride amidst hundreds of pedaling Portlanders.

Sunny Silver Falls

Here are a few pics from our recent trip to Silver Falls State Park for Mother's Day weekend. It is one of my favorite places, and hiking through all the waterfalls is always majestic. My Mom drove up with Kieran, since he had been visiting for the week (loving his new-found freedom!)

We also met up with good friends who we were really close to when we lived in Ashland, and it was great to reconnect. Their son is in between Kieran and Makenna's ages, and they all had a great time together. Shareen is also pregnant, she we're looking forward to seeing their family grow!

We rented cabins, since we're not die-hard enough to go camping in May. It turned out that the weather was amazing, clear blue skies and sun all weekend. I completely agreed with Kieran when he asked as we he asked "Mommy, when are we coming back to Silver Falls?"

Happy Mama's Day indeed.

Backyard Play

We had a blast in the back yard this past weekend. The spring weather was beautiful and we got our garden prepped and mostly planted. Kev took the kids on wheel barrow rides, which they loved. Makenna enjoyed dumping buckets of weeds and showing us how she can walk carrying enormous dandelions around the yard. Kier pretended to sell me plants from our shed's unique Popsicle stand pull down table. Although I didn't get any adorable pics, Makenna is totally in love with Kiki and shows her affection whenever she manages to chase him down...I'll try to get a video of it soon, too cute!

Hope you are enjoying your spring...stop by if you're in the neighborhood, we'll more than likely be in the back yard!

Happy Easter!

My have they grown since last Easter. Makenna is toddling everywhere and Kieran is taking his role as big brother to a new level, finding new ways to play and laugh together every day.

Kevin is fixing Makenna's hair, although her little curls have a life of their own. As you can see, Kier is no longer a blondie and his hair double in thickness.

Kieran enjoying a fun new Easter tradition. The Easter Bunny tied ribbon to the baskets and wrapped it all over the house in a maze to his bed. He had fun unraveling it all and then hiding them again with a tangle of ribbon...at least it kept him occupied while I made dinner!

Makenna's signature face, she loves getting people to laugh and smile.
She's pretty good herself too, I think she looks like a little bunny rabbit here!

Palm Sunday at Grace. We love that place more every time.
Kieran was getting the rain drops to fall from the cherry blossoms branches!
Daddy's little girl.

Beach trip w/ friends

Last weekend we headed to the coast for a beach trip at Nehalem Bay State Park. We stayed at the yurts, which turned out to be a good option since a storm came in on Saturday. We're lucky because it turns out that one of my friends through work has children in the same classes as ours. It was a great getaway.

Makenna crawling in the sunny grass, picking daisies!

Makenna just learned "touchdown," like her big bro.

Fiona discovering how slow the sand makes your steps.

Dean enjoying some beach time.

Friends.

Sweet friends.

Horsey Girl

Makenna got a fun little horsey, zebra really, for her birthday from her Auntie Miel. Since she lives across the country, this is the best way to say thank you! Hope this gives you a smile too :-)

Sorry for making you turn your head, but I can't seem to figure out how to rotate videos...

PS Ignore Kieran's squeals, Kev is tickling him.