Gerrit's Class

Halloween

Last Night

The Oregon Coast -no tan lines here...

I had a great trip home and I can't wait to take Gerrit with me in May. When I got back to OR, we drove to the coast with uncle Britton. It was chilly and rainy - we have since moved on to sunny, warmer temps, but I thought I'd share a few photos from our Cannon Beach visit.

Here's my baby, my little boy. And that look makes me a puddle on the ground. I can't believe he'll start school this fall... he's growing so fast and now I know what my mom meant when she said I'd always be her baby - he's mine.

And I'm going to show Amparo this picture when she's upset with her big brother. Maybe it won't work now, but surely when she's a teenager. That's her I-love-you-and-I-think-you're-really-super look.

I love this picture of the four of them. Next time you see it, it will be in my house, framed.

Easter Eggs

Gerrit and Dragons

Today after church I took Gerrit to see the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" - It was in 3D so Gerrit had to wear these big clunky black glasses - he looked really cute. During the movie there was a scene were the Dragon sticks his face into the camera. I looked over and saw Gerrit leaning back away from the screen like it was going to get him.

Hilarious!!!!

parks and trails

Here's a few pictures from last week I've been meaning to post:
















On Saturday we went to Jackson Park and met up with a few of Brian's coworkers and their kids. Gerrit had fun pushing Amparo on the swing and I think she could've been pushed all day.






































Then later that day went to the Washington side of the river (which I keep calling Indiana) and explored a trail... an easy, paved 1 mile loop. We saw pretty flowers and a little waterfall.












































































Gerrit made it to the top!

Gerrit's 4th Birthday

He's been 4 for about 2 weeks, so I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you about his birthday. The Friday before Gerrit's 4th (!!) birthday we drove up to Seattle. Our first stop, the airplane museum... I could've spent hours there, and I think Gerrit could too. Unfortunately we showed up just 2 hours before closing. We'll definitely make a trip back sometime soon... On Saturday morning we checked out the Pike Place Market. There were so many things to look at there... pretty flowers, fish, jewelry... Gerrit and Amparo got a balloon animal, lasted about 20 minutes, but it's about the memories, right? They loved it. Then we checked out the Seattle Center (space needle, science museum, & fair rides). The kids got to hold their first, and hopefully their last, hissing cockroach @ the science museum. Amparo squished his rear a little and it ran up her arm, that was exciting, for me - I don't think she noticed. Gerrit's favorite part of the museum was playing with the big water feature outside. Amparo rode her first "roller coaster" right next to her big brother. And neither of them were impressed by the views from the Space Needle. We headed over to Gasworks park... so neat! Next time we're bringing a kite - love that hill. Beautiful views - we just had the best time playing/ walking around. And to top the day off, we went over one of the floating bridges. (The whole day we had beautiful views of Mt. Rainier.) On Sunday we checked out the zoo. It was a little chilly that day so we peeked at a few animals, but mainly played in their indoor play area.

sprains and humor

A lot has happened, I think.

On Saturday, Gerrit jumped off a platform @ the May St. playground. He limped/ piggybacked all the way home, but before the incident, he and I just had the best time... just the two of us. We played "soccer" and went down a few slides and swung on a few swings and of course I chased him a bit... he's getting fast (!)

When we got back home, Amparo was awake from her nap so Brian and I packed the kids in the stroller and walked into town. We went down to the beachy/ playground area... SO fun! Can't wait till it gets even warmer and we can stick our toes in the river.

Later that night, Gerrit couldn't put any weight on his left foot. We debated if we should go to the ER... decided to wait it out till morning... he could after all, wiggle his toes.

In the morning we decided we better go on and take him in. We opted for the immediate care center, only catch...it's in Portland, and it didn't open till 1pm. Since we were headed that way, we stopped by the zoo and looked at some monkeys, giraffes, and the like. Gerrit was now able to limp around a little...

Made it to the immediate care and turns out he had sprained his ankle. Doctor ordered Motrin and a foot rub... nice, huh? Gerrit thought so.

He's all better now...

Oh and on the way to Portland, we also stopped by the Vista House. What a beautiful view! I loved it because Brian hadn't been there before... so it was a first for all of us. The kids weren't too wow-ed so we moved on fairly quickly. (I can't wait till I can actually stop and read the signs at museums/historical spots/ anywhere with signs -- but I don't want to wish away now either)

A few other things that have been going on around here...

The kids pick up their toys before bed every night, helps keep me sane at the end of the day. But it's so cute because, as they're picking up, Amparo says, "good job guys". (And she's right)
She has also discovered potty humor. She held a cup to her face and it made a "brrrrrr" sound. She laughed so hard and kept replicating the sound and laughing, laughing, laughing. We got video.

A Good Day

So my last post was about a not so good day, today is about a really good day (and those, I like to remember). It started when the kids woke up... they were both in the best, sweetest moods. Amparo rubbed Gerrit's back till he woke up and then he hugged her. They giggled and cuddled and it was perfect. Then we met daddy for lunch at the taco place. After Amparo's nap, the three of us walked to the park and had a fun time playing. Amparo went down the slide on her bum with no help! She usually goes on her tummy (the safer route), but today she was a really big girl. And Gerrit helped me make dinner... pancakes and eggs, his favorite! Seriously, he'd eat that at every meal if he could. We read and prayed before bed... it was a good day.






























*Photos from this past weekend

Today was just one of those days... I think gremlins were inhabiting my babies. I won't go into details (and, to be honest, I'd rather not remember those anyways) but they were just different kids today. Let's hope they'll wake tomorrow with happy hearts. After dinner, Brian was kind enough to get them ready for bed as I happily cleaned the kitchen. I know, it's like, whoopty-do... cleaning a kitchen, but in peace and quite, it really is a blessing.
Earlier in the day we walked to the UPS store (got to use the new stroller!!) and on the walk home we stopped by the May Street School playground.

Spring is coming to the Hood

Almost 50 degrees today - and the sun is shining!! Hood River is a buzz about spring....meanwhile....

- the east coast is getting a pounding of snow.... 2+ feet ,and more is coming.....

Good times!

There's a new photographer in town

Last year for Gerrit's birthday, we got him a camera. He wasn't really very into it then and it had since gotten lost in the move. Well, I've been working my tail off downstairs -- organizing and beautifying -- and I found it(!!) Gerrit loves it and can actually operate it all on his own now. Sunday was such a sunny, warmish day so Brian and Gerrit decided to go on a photography hike. Here is what Gerrit saw.

@ Dog River coffee this morning

OMSI

We went to OMSI last Saturday and had a bunch of fun, but the big news -- Gerrit stayed 100% dry the whole day. He's been doing that for about a week or more, but this was our first real outing. I was pretty excited about it.

OK -- so a few things I have noticed here... people ask if you have any dogs, not kids (and quite honestly, I say no with a little guilt in my voice), and at the bank drive-thru, they have dog treats not lolly pops. Needless to say, Gerrit was very disappointed.















* A photo from Halloween. This one makes me giggle... Amparo and Bella are trying to eat through their wrappers to get at some candy and Emmy and Gerrit are obviously checking out their next score. (Thanks for taking one of all 6 of us Bri -- a rare occasion)

Night out and Baby-sitters

A week ago today -- I know, I've fallen off the blogging wagon -- we went to Summit's winter party. I like being able to put a face and personality with his co-workers now. And it was nice to be out on a sort-of date with my husband, but my stomach was in knots over leaving the kids with a baby-sitter. They've only been watched by family or close friends (a luxury we left in KY). I should've known, but they did GREAT! I don't even think they noticed when we walked out the sitter's door. When we picked them up, they told us all about the kitties (Ms. Shannon had two) and all the fun they had. I guess they aren't as attached to us as we thought...

*Taken while Nellie was on bedrest, pre-twins

Red Shirt Wednesdays

Gerrit talking to himself while playing with his Thomas trains

Please take my coat off

Playmates

First Trip to Portland

Full details coming - in the meantime check out some of the photos and videos: