There are a few days of sunshine.  You have to run outside as soon as the clouds clear.

Getting some sunshine!

Long walk at Fort Vancouver on Memorial Day 2011.
Three women, eight kids, four backpacks and a two mile walk, what could go wrong?

Jack and Cecilia were climbing the walls to get started.  Monica got to ride in my backpack.  She was fine as long as we kept moving.

Jack walking with his friend Ryan.

This is Hannah and Ella walking with Cecilia.

The kids attacked a tree and they all walked away with branches.  I think the tree will make it.  Here is Marian, Hannah, Cecilia, Ella, Sean and Jack.

Day of Sledding

Here is some footage of Jack and Cecilia sledding, 

I should really clean out my cell phone files more often.

Daddy is back

Dave got back from Philadelphia today.  He was working on new coin collections with the kids.

My sister's coat

This is my favorite thing Cece wore as a baby.  I am a sucker for a baby in stripes!
 I just found it today for Monica.



Here is Cecilia wearing the same coat when she was this age.

She is on a camping trip sitting on Daddy's lap.  It is so hard to tell the girls apart from their baby pictures!

Matilda the Cat

Matilda our cat tried to bring me a bird she maimed tonight.
 In my panic, I chased after Matilda (with a half dead bird in her jaws squawking very pathetically) into neighbor's side yard where she dropped it.  This is the same house Matilda was locked in overnight.

The end result:   Me walking away from bird (still squawking pathetically with a broken wing, as Matilda carried her around by the wing) so that Matilda could finish killing her as I had no way to do it humanely.

I am sure that cats show love that way but really.

This is Cecilia and Jack with Matilda...

OMSI field trip

Aunt Rachel

Mom was at OMSI today for Cecilia's field trip.  Aunt Rachel came to spend the day with Jack.  Monica was at a friends house.

Jack

This is not what I envisioned for my first post about Jack.  This morning he tripped on the curb in the school parking lot.  Here he is with skinned knees and a lump on his forehead.  Boy, is he tough...

Monica pulled herself up to a standing position today.

Cecilia's last soccer game

Mom: Cecilia, you did really great in your soccer game.
Cecilia: But I didn't score any goals.
Mom: Some professional games will only a one goal score, can you imagine?
Cecilia:  Then I think soccer is more fun when you are a kid.

Indeed...

Celebration of Learning

Cecilia painted her t-shirt at school and presented her community helper, "Zookeeper"

Summer plans

I am trying to be organized so this summer we have down time, family time, time for camping and hiking, time for outdoor food activities (berry picking, picnics, grilling, and tending the garden).  Oh, and need to squeeze in swimming lessons, Vacation Bible School, Music camp, and reading camp.
I hope to have the schedule ready in the next few weeks.