Make A Mess

Conversation between Brenda and Amparo in the car today:

Amparo -- make a mess!, make a mess!
me -- who's making a mess?
Amparo -- Uncle Britton!

You Smell Something

This happened a couple weeks ago when Brenda and the kids were in Hood River. I wasn't there, but the story goes a little something like this:

Brenda walked upstairs to Gerrit's room where a knock out dirty diaper smell hit her. She looked over at Gerrit and started making a "sniffing" noise. ..Sniff ....Sniff

Gerrit quickly froze, turned and looked at Brenda: "You smell somethin? I don't smell anything...What? You don't smell anything" ...

Gerrit has officially started trying Jedi mind tricks to get out of diaper changes.

Afternoon Hike at Eagle Creek

After a morning of prepping for the family coming to town - I decided
to take an afternoon hike at Eagle Creek. I just wish my co-pilot (aka
Brenda Jo) and little passengers (Gerrit and Amparo) were there to
enjoy the beauty. The fall colors are pretty cool around these parts.

Not Hubers, but...

Today was a gorgeous day... a perfectly lovely fall day. We ate lunch and dinner outside. Gerrit played out in the leaves. Amparo and I picked some pumpkins for decorating. Sure, we picked them at Kroger's, but I think she still had a good time. We just couldn't g to Huber's without Bri. Gerrit didn't want to come, he was having too much fun in the yard...

Cherry Pop Tarts

Just 2 more weeks till Brenda and the kids come to Hood River!! wooop!!!

So Everday after work - I give Brenda a call before the kids go off to
bed. Usually I hear some funny story about what Gerrit and Amparo did
that day. Today was no exception.

Brenda gave Gerrit a pop-tart for being such a good boy and eating all
his breakfast - a couple seconds after recieving his treat

Gerrit : " hey! There's blood in my pop-tart!"
Brenda: "no there's not"
Gerrit: "uh huh ....Theres BLOOD in my pop-tart! Look!"
Brenda "Oh, no Gerrit, that's Jelly"

Pretty Honey

Brenda told me tonight that Gerrit has gotten in the habit of calling
her "pretty honey".

A sample of what Gerrit says : "You're alright pretty honey. You're
alright"

Trail behind our house in Hood River

A couple days ago I did a little exploring around our new house in
Hood River. I found this cool little trail that goes from our backyard
to downtown. Overlooks a cool stream and eventually meets up with Hood
River - Talk about cool commute to work!!

Pee Pee!! (and nope, it wasn't Gerrit)

Amparo wanted to sit on the potty... so I helped her. And she went pee pee!
I don't think she understood at all what she was doing but hey, I'll take what I can get...

good mommie

I took the kids to California Pizza Kitchen today while we waited for our car to get new tires... (which was a bit of a bad experience... but I won't bore you with details). Amparo and I sat next to each other while Gerrit sat across the table. Amparo patted my back and said, "mommie... good mommie"... aw thanks...

Colors

Finger paints!!
Our first time...























































And chalk!
(not our first time, but very fun... see, they have polka dots)

Walking?

I think we can say that Amparo is officially walking (!!). She can usually walk across a room before falling down... I never said she was steady, but she'll get there. And when she does fall, it is with grace...

Gerrit Quotes 2

Gerrit asked Brenda to watch Elmo on the "pupu" (computer). Brenda opened up iTunes and because the hard drive was unattached, she couldn't open the video. So she told Gerrit that she couldn't find it.

Gerrit proceed to pick up the mouse and say " Mama mama mama - I find it" - Looked up at the computer screen and mumbled "lets seee here...."

Gerrit Quotes

Last night after a little cookout in the backyard I watched Finding Nemo with the kids.

After a long dramatic part involving Nemo and his friend escaping a jellyfish swarm - Gerrit looked over at me, took his hand, patted my back and said "Don't worry Dada, it'll be awe-right"

Marbles

So I thought for the past couple of days that I have been losing mine...
We've been arriving to our destination, via the car, and when I stop Gerrit hops right out of his carseat. I'm thinking how in the heck can I forget to buckle him in (?!)... I mean it's like 2nd nature now. So today I buckled him in, made a mental note... so I would remember that I did. We got home and he got out of his carseat. Now I never expected him to be able to unlock his own carseat... ever. New rule... only unlock your carseat when mommie says it's ok.

Shoes

Amparo got her very first pair of "real" shoes today...
She's a big girl...

Air Conditioning!!

Today we got a new-to-us car!! And the best part -- it has air conditioning. And the other best part -- Gerrit can climb in while I'm buckling Amparo, so he's not running around in the street! We're all very excited... now on to counting our pennies...

Milestones - Gerrit

Today was Gerrit's first movie (all the way through) in the theater. We saw the movie UP with Opa....it was a good time all around. 

Milestones - Amparo

For the first time, tonight Amparo stood up by herself without any help from tables, chairs or mamas..

Yay Amparo!!!!

whew, what a mess!

My dad came over and we headed out for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Good start, right? Well, while we were there Amparo went poo poo. I took her to the restroom, no changing table. So I decided to wait till we got home to change her diaper. We stopped off at home and I ran in real quick to grab something I needed to take to the lab. And headed out again... mistake. I should've changed Amparo's diaper. As we were on our way I peeked back at Amparo. She was playing with a tiny bit of her poo poo... great. Ran in to the lab, came right back out and looked at Amparo. She was covered in POOP! Her legs, her arms... all of it -- covered. And the smell... As I was driving home I thought, well at least she didn't eat any. Then I looked back (I need to stop doing that) and there it was -- around her mouth. Really? I mean seriously, does it smell good enough to eat? My dad wouldn't look at her and I sure didn't want to touch her -- but I had to. I threw her in the bathtub, gave her a bath... twice... and then cleaned , throughly scrubbed her carseat.
Oh and when I took off her diaper to put her in the tub, she peed...

The Vacation Report

So we're back!
and here's what happened...

After we photographed a wedding on Sunday, Brian and I drove to Britton and Kristin's to pick up the kids. I came in their house after putting the car seats back in our car and Brian exclaimed, "Amparo just took two steps on her own!" So excited, but... really?? Just while I happened to be gone...

We drove to Black Mountain. Brian's cousin, Jon, is the director at Camp Rockmont. He was nice enough to let us stay the night (or in our case, the morning... we pulled it in at 5 am) in one of the cabins. He took us for a super yummy lunch (think fish tacos) and we got to spend a bit of time with his super sweet family. Very nice since they were unable to attened the wedding (camp is starting soon)...

The rest of the drive to Myrtle beach was pretty hairy, so we won't talk about it...

We basically had 3 very fun days on the beach. It was supposed to rain all week, but it didn't... the weather was just perfect. One morning I asked Gerrit, "how about we take a walk on the beach?". He replied, "yea, that'd be fun!" So cute...

The tide was in, in the morning and by the afternoon, it was back out again. This created a sort-of little pond on the beach a few feet a way from the ocean. Gerrit and Amparo... and Brian (!)... loved playing in it. There were tiny fish swimming around and Brian even caught a sand crab. (Gerrit poured sand on top of it because it was hungry)...

We bought Gerrit some water wings and he "swam" in the pool for the first time ever. Maybe I need some water wings ; )

We rented one of those bicycles to ride on the beach. There were even seats for the kids... So, um yeah, we got to the beach and it was WAY too hard. We didn't make it far before we turned around. So we rented another (for the road) and biked to a park...

Gerrit and Amparo were so worn out, while we were at the beach, from all the fun we were having that (as you can see from the picture with nana) they could fall asleep anywhere.

On Friday we headed to Bath North Carolina for the rehearsal dinner. Brian's parents were following us and then at some point we got separated. As were were driving, Brian said, "we'll take a ferry." I said, "yea, good idea... we'll do that tomorrow." Brian replied with a, "no, I think we're going to take one now(!)" Then the Garman said... board ferry. Funny thing is the ferry boards every 1.5 hours and we happened to get there 15 minutes before boarding time. Thank goodness! And you know... it was fun (a nice little adventure).

We made it to the rehearsal right at 7, Brian's parents had been there for an hour already (they didn't take the ferry).

We stayed with a super neat lady Friday night. She had a guest house off of the main house. There were 4 beds and 2 baths... and a kitchen and 2 tv's... perfect. She even made the big pot of coffee in the morning so Brian and I could have some....

And Saturday morning was the Brooks Cakes Breakfast and wedding. Very nice wedding at the bride's parents house on the water...

We headed for home after the wedding and the drive couldn't have gone smoother. We arrived at 7 am on Sunday...

to see a few images from the wedding (and more) click here.

and here are some photos that aren't over there...

Kroger Lady

Wisdom from the Kroger checkout lady yesterday:

(who has a 26 year old son)

"If I could do it over again - I would spend more time with my kids. They try to make you think your job is the most important thing in the world - it's not - they are. (pointing to Gerrit and Amparo) Don't forget that."

Overheard

Gerrit -- "love you big girl" (to his little sis)

For a visit

Gerrit, Amparo, and I went to visit my mom. I brought her some of the yellow roses from my garden. While we were there Gerrit said, "yaya all gone, yaya all gone?"

Messy

What a mess! The kids and I went to Erin's house to sew. (That's not the messy part)... Emmy went potty and of course Gerrit and Amparo had to go and take in the action. Gerrit comes running out and he says something like, "Pabo touches it!". I ran to the bathroom and there Amparo is... standing next to the potty, arm fully submerged playing with Emmy's poo poo. ACK! I grab her, clean her... thank goodness nothing made it to her mouth. SO that was our morning excitement. Then for lunch we went to skyline. I got spaghetti with chili for Amapro... the chili part, being the messy part. It was all over the place. And then she started to sign please... Her chili covered hand was pleasing all over her shirt. I gave her a bath in the sink...














































Thanks for the photos Erin ; )

Tea

We celebrated Kristin's birthday with a tea party...
See more here.

Super Saturday

Our Spring feast was today. What a good time! And you should've just seen the "Beer Cave" the Supers had prepared... it was pretty awesome. Gerrit, of course, was a fan of the jumpies. And Amparo was so worn out from all the excitement, she was out like a light on the way back to nana's. After we dropped the kids off, Brian and I went back to the feast (we forgot the diaper bag). But, since we were there, we had another drink and more fellowship. Then we had a couple's bridal shower to attend. Brian's friend, Spence, is getting married in June. Brian is one of the groomsmen and I'm the photographer. (This will be the 2nd wedding I shoot that Brian is a part of). Our gift was the Apples to Apples game... which is how we ended the night. And guess who won... I did! Eight people we're playing and I won... I think that is the first board game that I ever won! Ever. Do you think Nellie ever let me win when we were little... I don't think so.
We picked up the kids and headed for home... all of us, exhausted.

Humus Yummus

In an attempt to make a sandwich that Amparo could eat (besides just turkey and bread), I came up with this: (for her of course, no cheese)

2 slices of toast, hummus spread on both, turkey, havarti cheese (with dill), and one roasted red pepper...

So yummy!

Fine As Wine

Tonight I ran into Kroger with Gerrit after going to the first waterfront Wednesday's of the summer. Gerrit ran over a large black lady while trying to find 'mama's ice cream' - The lady made a comment on how Gerrit knew where the ice cream isle was....and had a nice chuckle.

After finding 'Mama's Ice Cream' the nice lady came up and got a little closer to Gerrit. She bent down and said ' oh, he is beautiful --- just fine!! Fine like wine!! - Tell your mama thank you for having you - just beautiful'

Another woman has fallen for Gerrit's smooth ways

Face forward

Today we turned Amparo around in her car seat. I thought Gerrit would really think it was something, but when I was buckling him in, I said, "look at sissy!" He said, "Oh, hi sissy". I don't think he even noticed. Or maybe he did, but didn't think it as as neat as I thought...

Frantic

That pretty much describes me before I left for the photo class today. I could not find my keys! So I ended up taking Brian's car (which used to be mine, but now it's his... and it smells a little funny). Well I found them... my keys. They were in my purse. The SAME purse I was carrying around the house in search of... my keys. But I am glad to have them back... we will be at story time tomorrow. WHEW...
but I think I am going insane. pretty sure.

(and Brian, I love you... smells and all) ; )

EASTER!

He is risen indeed!

We had a full day... full of family, food, and fun. (the three F's, huh?)
We started the day at church (no better way to start), then we headed over to the Pastors house for some celebratin' with our church family. We ate (of course) -- feasted is probably a more appropriate word... the kids had an Easter egg hunt (Gerrit's first) and then they hit a pinata (another first for Gerrit). After it busted, what do you think Gerrit went for? It wasn't the candy or the plastic bugs, it was the beads (aka necklace). Everyone had such a good time... we are truly blessed.
Then we headed over to Britton and Kristin's -- more feasting. Gerrit checked out the "lion" in the basement...
After that we went to my dad's. Turns out Amparo has very sophisticated tastes. She absolutely gobbled up the salmon burger... who would've thunk?

I think we were all ready for bedtime when we got home...

And we're off!

Today we shot our first wedding of the year...
and what a great wedding to start with!
They were so fun and... cute!


















See more here.

Upstairs

Amparo can officially climb the stairs...
And we are ready!

Shabby Apple

Don't you think Amparo should be the next Shabby Apple baby?

She has such a sweet smile and big sparkly eyes. She LOVES pretty dresses (and so does her mama)... and like her, never refuses one...
She's a tiny, petite treat... just a sweet little brunette.

And she would look so ADORABLE in Shabby Apples's Queen of Hearts Dress (little girls and girls dresses from shabby baby).

Jump Jump

Amparo Today

On The Phone

I'm at work - talking to Gerrit on the phone....

I asked "Gerrit, what do you want to do when I get home"

Gerrit: "Um, go to Starbucks"

This Morning

Last Night

... Gerrit has figured out how to climb into the crib...

Sunday

It was such a perfect day outside... what better way to welcome the Spring than by cleaning my car. Which led to my new rule... no more eating in the car. I think I vacuumed my weight in crumbs. Ick.

After nap time, we went to the zoo.

Welcome Claire!

Well, as of yesterday, we have a new cousin... baby Claire.
We can't wait to meet her!
So far the girls are winning out... 3 to 1.