First Day of School

*This is really going to mess up the organization here. Oh well*

Monday, September 12th was the girls first full day at school. Quinn is there two mornings a week and Ella has three. This was much easier the second time around!!! I remember feeling the emptiness of my car driving home from the first drop off with Ella two years ago. I knew she was fine, but felt like I lost my kid somewhere. Yesterday, Quinn waved good-bye and I raced off to meet a friend for coffee and worked in my sweatshop (details of this endeavor to come). I did, however, be sure to keep my cell phone nearby in case of a first day emergency.

The girls out front before heading up to the car.

Ella's solo shot. Quinn refused hers, chasing Ella around the yard for a hug. Their love runs deep these days!

Sneak attack solo photo at pick-up. She didn't even notice me coming into the room, so this was actually her first glance up at me. She had a great day.

Seattle

Two weeks after the reunion, the girls and I packed back up in the car and headed north to Seattle for a few days mid-week. This was a great way to get in some much needed girl time and avoid the summer doldrums during the gap between school letting out and summer activities starting. We had so much fun with the Freises and can't wait to head back, hopefully with Greg in tow.

At Discovery Park on a beautiful day. The Sound put on a good show for us- giant sea snail (huge!), squirting clams, and...something else that I can't remember since I'm so behind in updating. Julie, can you help me out here?

Quinn face-planted in the water in true Quinn style.

Cheering for Jeremy at his softball game. The three big girls were all yelling for "Daddy" to hit a homer. So cute.

Haircut

**This picture is amazing to me. 3 months ago only, and she looks so young compared to now!!!**

Grandma Visits (and Mom and Dad get a weekend off)

The first weekend of June was Greg's 10 Year College Reunion at UPS. We were lucky enough to have a willing and able Grandma come stay with the kids so we could enjoy a little R&R. This was the first time we left Quinn overnight, and only the second time we left Ella more than one night. The kids obviously did great in Grandma's care, and we came home more tired than when we left, but had a great time acting like college freshman. Grandma came a couple days before we left town and we had a lovely visit. Here are just a few pics from a trip to the Chinese Gardens.

And one of most of the Logger guys:

Family HIke

This Spring/Early Summer was especially coldy-rainy, making us wait until August for some solid sunny and hot stretches. Since swimming in 60 degree weather is not so appealing to the over-30 set of the family, we spent some time hiking in Forest Park. Greg the pack-mule carried Quinn, enabling us to hike up to 3+ miles at a time. Ella is such a trooper on the trail, only sometimes requiring a song or two to keep her mind off of being tired (or maybe bored).

A Visit from the Hutchins

We were lucky enough to have our good friends, the Hutchins, come out for a nice long visit the end of May. Despite the especially cold rainy spring this year, we had a fantastic sunny week exploring downtown, playing at Washington Park, hiking Multnomah Falls/touring the Gorge, and just hanging out at home while the kids played. The big kids had a blast playing together in the yard, riding the streetcar together, swimming in the kiddie pool. They are both "thinkers" so related pretty well. Quinn and their youngest played around eachother, and Quinn wanted to be just like A for weeks after they went home. Thanks for coming to visit, friends!

The kids (Quinn and M snapping their fingers like the grown ups trying to get A's attention) after completing the 3 mile hike. Quinn got to ride in the backpack.

Ella and M consulting her home drawn map.

Yay! Hutchins family at Latourel Falls.

Me and my girls. Greg was working alot this week and sadly missed out on most of our adventures. :(

Easter Weekend

Yay! The Freises are back in the NW so we got lucky enough to have a visit Easter weekend. The girls spent Friday afternoon playing outside in the sun and dyeing eggs. This was the first nice weather we had in a long time so we all felt pretty euphoric about it.

These were the coolest little q-tip egg dye markers for coloring on the eggs. Big hit, way more exciting than the dye baths.

Quinn napped through the eggs dyeing, but was more than happy to have a baby to hold for a couple days.

On Saturday we met up with some friends for an Egg Hunt. Not much hunting involved, just eggs scattered throughout a field. The kids had a blast and the weather was amazing. Afterwards we had a lovely picnic with the Moehls.

Next year, Kate.

Quinn at the 0-3 hunt.

Ella at the big kids hunt. She was biased towards the pink eggs, so ran by several that could have been hers. More coaching next year...

Still Early 30's

The ooohs and aaaahhhs I heard coming from the dining room, turns out, were not just from visual delight. Poor girl was so upset she cried herself to an early bedtime and missed yet another birthday candle blowing out celebration.

An attempt to get just one photo with my girls on my birthday before Quinn went to bed.

Thanks to Susie, we got to go out for a fabulous dinner at Nostrana while she babysat the kids. Notice Ella's fanciness for the occasion.

Cake Pops

Maeve brought a Cake Pop book on her visit for Quinn's birthday. Of course, Ella was really excited about this. They take our Kid Cake book to a whole other level. I knew she wasn't going to be content to wait for a party to make them, so we made a few varieties for Easter/Spring. The chicks were the cutest, but she of course loved the pink butterflies. Quinn just thought they tasted good!

Jumping

Quinn learned to jump on two feet in April. We thought it was fun to take action shots. They loved to take a few photos, then check them out on the camera. Full rainy afternoon's entertainment.

The best action shot of them all. She was "all pinked up." Bracelet, ring, socks, and all.

Quinn's Birthday

Early morning present opening

What do you know? Another baby. Quinn loves babies. Atleast 2, but usually 6 sleep in her crib each night. The one she got for her first birthday is still the favorite.

Granny and Grandpa took her out for a birthday lunch at Bridgeport Brewery.

Apparently we were thirsty. :) Quinn ate almost nothing, but had fun.

The Murrows came over for a mini-party after nap. The kids played and we all sang and had cake. She finally realized it was her birthday when we all sang Happy Birthday. You can see her scanning the room in the video below, taking it all in.

Happy Birthday, Quinny!

Singing

March 4, 2011

A small sampling of Quinn's developing speech. She has learned so much in the past weeks. I should take a new video to compare....

Snow Day

Our one true snow day of the season this year. We had to hurry up and play outside in the morning before it melted. The kids had a blast sledding down our hill in the yard with their friends, eating snow, and collecting it in buckets. I think we're going to have to get a slip-n-slide this summer.

February 23, 2011

Vacation Week

We are so excited Dad's home this week!!!

Greg had a much needed vacation week in March, where our vacation consisted of staying home. We did all our normal activities with the kids, plus a couple ski days for Greg, a Day Off for me, three nights out sans kids, and a couple extra fun activities for the kids. The days went by way to quickly.

Pump It Up Slide

Last day of the session=Water slide day

Valentines

Ella and I did some serious Valentine crafting this year in a attempt to stave off the winter time boredom of being locked indoors. I think we made 33 in total. We were sweeping up glitter for weeks on end, but i think it was worth it.









Quinn was always napping while we did this project, but doesn't she look cute in her Valentine-colored dress?

Bunny's Birthday

We had a birthday party for Bunny a couple months ago. Complete with bunny cake and three candles, for her third birthday. Ella did the frosting and sprinkles mostly on her own. She was very excited about this, insisting that we wait for Susie to come over for the celebration.