Day 247

Les got to cross one off his bucket list; he and his good friend Brian drove up to Tacoma to see AC/DC in concert.

Day 246

I suppose the day will soon come when the kids can no longer bathe together. I am sure that will come as quite a shock to Kaitlyn because Parker has always been a part of her baths. Even when she was in the tiny infant bath tub, we would set it in the big tub and Parker would climb right up next to her and "help" with her bath. For now, at least, they play well together. That is until Parker announces that it is time for Sissy to get out now.

Day 245

As a parent, you are always worried when things are too quiet. I had just finished putting Kaitlyn down for her nap when I was startled by the lack of noise coming from the living room. As I came down the hall, I happened upon a very content Parker. Off in a corner of the dining room, he had built a track out of foam puzzle pieces and was very happily making "choo choo" noises as he pulled his trains along.

Day 244

Of course, the family had to celebrate Les finishing up the deck by having dinner out in the summer sun. We have had such luck with the weather this year; I think that Les has grilled more this summer than the past couple combined. And Parker has decided that he'll eat the bratwurst, which is nice to add another item to the short list of foods he will eat.

Day 243

Here is Les' new home office. He took a day to work from home so he could finish staining the deck and put up the new tiki torches. And so was able to bring his laptop out on the newly refurbished deck to check in at work.

Day 242

Things that make Parker Smile:

• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Imagination Movers
• Buzz Lightyear
• Bug's Life (or as Parker calls it "Bug Movie)
• "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" from Lion King
• PBJ Sandwhiches and Chips for EVERY meal
• Going to the Park
• Playing with Daddy - Let's Fight!

Day 241

This is a rare sight of late, Parker sleeping in his own bed. Most nights we are awoken in the wee hours to Parker slamming our door closed and inviting himself into our bed. We think he has been having nightmares. He will usually fall quickly back to sleep, but then it's Les & I who will not sleep soundly the rest of the night because Parker hogs the bed & the covers.

Day 240

Kaitlyn loves the camera. She brings out her "cheese" face as soon as she sees it; it has become hard to catch her in a candid moment. But I suppose when I can get smiles like this one, I really shouldn't complain. Oh, to know the mischievous thoughts behind that smile . . .

Day 239

Today was the last day for the Clackamas County Fair in Canby, so I took Parker and Kaitlyn for a couple of hours before nap time. They really liked looking at all the animals (especially the piglets) and Parker even got to go on a pony ride. I bought some tickets for the rides, but Parker decided about halfway through the first one ("driving" a truck on a loop track) that he was all done and didn't want to go on any more. Oh well, he still has time to become a roller coater fiend like his parents.

Day 238

Another quick trip to Hammerle Park after Saturday family dinner . . . while Kaitlyn was picking up handfuls of dirt and throwing them, Les and Parker took a home run lap around the bases.

Day 237

You know that you've been taking too many pictures of your kids when they do cute things and say "cheese" even when you aren't holding the camera. Fortunately, Parker was willing to give a repeat performance, after I came back with the camera.

Day 236

Parker's first time ever eating corn-on-the-cob. He was quite pleased with himself for eating "big boy corn."

Day 235

Our good weather karma has been quite a blessing this summer. A little romp in the pool before dinner has been great for the kids.

Day 234

Before heading out the door this morning Parker and Missy sat for a little impromptu photo session. This is really the only time Parker's hair ever looks combed - in the five minutes between getting it combed and getting to the car in the morning.

Day 233

After visiting the Woodland Park Zoo (cutest baby gorilla ever!), the Girls paid a visit to Groundspeak Headquarters which is the home office for all things Geocaching. We got to sign the log and were giving the Groundspeak Lackey geocoin. Kaitlyn picked a sticker out of the treasure chest which she put over her mouth and wore it that way for the rest of the afternoon. Many thanks go to the nice staffer who let us interrupt her business day and then even offered to take a photo for us.

Day 232

Kaitlyn joined Mindy, Carrie & I for a Girls' Weekend in Seattle. After visiting the Seattle Center & Pike's Market, we walked down on the waterfront and Kaitlyn got to ride on a Carousel for the first time. Needless to say, she enjoyed it very much. Before the ride actually started, she had to test out about 7 different horses until she found the right one.

Day 231

I can't tell you how many times we've been to Red Lobster, yet Parker is still fascinated by the lobster. This time, one of the employees took one of the them out so that Parker could have a closer look - he was even brave enough to touch it.

Day 230

So this is what most Friday nights look like for Les (when he is winning that is!). Is this where I mention that I am the best wife ever?

Day 229

As near the 2/3 mark of this project, I am ever so glad Les and I got iPhones. They might not take the best quality pictures, but it does allow us to capture moments like this. Both the kids carrying their own backpacks out the door from daycare. Also let me mention that I am specifically glad that Les got an iPhone, because he's really be saving me by snapping pictures on days when I seem to have forgotten.

Day 228

Since we didn't have a real summer vacation planned this year, I just took a few days off work here and there to scrapbook or do some geocaching. Today, Mindy and I (and Carrie for part of the time too!) did the Canby Geocaching Challenge. One of the stops on our list was the Swan Island Dahlia Farm. All the flowers were in bloom and it was gorgeous! I hadn't realized that there was a Dahlia farm so close by or that they came in such a stunning variety of colors. (As a bonus, I got to fiddle with the macro setting on my camera)

Day 227

We got a little ran in Portland today - which was nice because it was the first rain in quite a long time. Parker really likes my umbrella because it has a button that you press and it pops right open. (In 'boy world' that makes it almost as fun as a power tool!). I was lucky enough to grab the camera in time to get this cute shot - it makes me think he could be a model in a umbrella catalog or something!

Day 226

Finishing up our Mt. Hood Territory Geocaching challenge, Mindy, Carrie & I got to visit a historic home in Molalla. Out in front was a scale replica of a Forest Service lookout tower - on which I had to, of course, do a little King Kong impression.

Day 225

Parker and Les decided it was time to make some sugar cookies. Technically they were already "made," but they put them on the cookie sheet & decorated them with sprinkles! Also up on the counter with Parker, a bag of Kaitlyn's new favorite treat "paw-corn."

Day 224

Doesn't Mt. Hood look naked when it is not covered in snow? Mindy & I did the Mt. Hood Territory Geocaching Challenge today (okay we did 6 of the 10, but are finishing the rest tomorrow!). On the drive up to Timberline Lodge we passed through a cloud to a glorious view of the mountain and sunny skies. I'd never actually been in the Lodge before, so after finding the first cache we went in to look at all the historic memorabilia. It was a great day for caching; we even got to have lunch at Calamity Jane's in Sandy!

Day 223

Nearly every evening on the way home, Parker asks if we can go to the park. Some nights, all I want to do is just go home and veg out on the couch. However, some nights we do actually make it to the park (often enough that I don't feel guilty; although I had him convinced for a while that playing out on the deck was just as much fun). Hopefully by next summer, we will have the yard all cleaned up and have grass planted so that they can run & play outside at home.



A note about this photo: I had just told Kaitlyn it was time to go home for dinner and her response was to turn and run the opposite direction. Gotta love her!

Day 222

Les' summer project has been to refinish the deck. After hours of work, it was finally ready to be re-stained. Parker was so excited to do "chores" with Dad (Some how we have convinced Parker that "chores" are the best thing ever, I am sure that won't last long) . . . I am not sure how much help he was, but he had a lot of fun.

Day 221

When I work on the computer (usually trying to keep up with my blog), I toss the Blazer blanket on the floor so Missy has a cozy place to lie. After awhile Mama Kitty decided to cuddle up next to Missy, so the two of them keep me company.

Day 220

Pulling up to the house after going to my monthly Craft Night with Annie, I happend to notice a wonderful full moon. It was so clear and crisp . . . made me wish I had a camera with a telephoto lens.

Day 219

Out on the deck again . . . it's a little cooler today, so Parker had to take a break from the pool to warm up. Those eyes!

He will be able to use those as weapons against women when he gets older.

Day 218

Kaitlyn's first homemade tattoo.

Day 217

Okay, maybe this is my new favorite picture of the two kids together. We went to Chevy's for family dinner on Saturday night. The kids were running around a bit (sorry fellow diners) and finally Parker sat down and then he invited Kaitlyn to sit with him. They are so cute!