Preschool Promotion

Today was Emilio's preschool promotion and picnic. Next year he will be going to preschool three days a week instead of just two. Since he's a September baby, he'll have one more year of preschool and then start kindergarten. I'm glad, this way I'll have my boy around for a little longer. He's really enjoyed preschool this year and even said on the way home today, "Mom, my heart is broken." I asked him why and replied, "because I'm going to miss school so much during the summer." We've even had tears about it, or maybe I should say sobs about it. He's been really upset since we came home from the promotion today. I hope he LOVES school in a few years like he does right now. :)
Here's a BEFORE pic (starting preschool in September 08')

Here's his AFTER pic (today, last day of preschool June 09')


Emilio with his favorite teacher, Miss Jenny. Can you see why? She's young and cute, I think he may have had his first crush. :)

Lunchtime
Playing with Will & Logan on the playground

I caught a smile from miss Luci!

Chicago Trip 09'

We just returned from a week in Illinois with family and friends. We had a great time together. Here are our photo highlights.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Bahama Breeze Birthday

A few weeks ago a bunch of my girlfriends met up at Bahama Breeze for a birthday celebration for those of us born in May (me, Taryn and Lindsey). We had such a great night of food and conversation. I'm so blessed to have so many sweet girlfriends!




Me, Annelise, Jaime, Tina, Lindsey, Janelle, Casey, Stacey, Terra, Taryn and Emily (Luci too).

Oh, and here's a cute picture of my sweetpea.

T-Ball, another year, and sunshine

We had an amazing weekend of weather, family and friends up from Portland, another year for me (I turned 32 on Saturday) and a hot T-Ball game.

Highlights-
1. John finished his finals on Thursday evening, and is taking the Summer off from law school. We are all ready for the break!
2. Mom and Dad came up for the weekend on Friday to help me celebrate my birthday.
3. We went to the Bouncy Place Saturday morning. It was the first time I was able to participate since being pregnant.
4. Mom and Dad mowed, edged, weeded my yard (HUGE blessing and birthday gift since I can't find time to do it these days with three little ones).
5. Laurie and Jenny came up from Portland for the week with Jenny's little ones Natalie and Gwen. They had a few things going on up here and were also available to celebrate my b-day with me.
6. Emilio's T-Ball game on Saturday. *I'll elaborate a little later on this and include pix.
7. Michael and Emily had us over for a Birthday BBQ. They made some amazing food for us on the grill!
8. Played some Hand and Foot on Sat. night. John and I beat Mom and Dad this time.
9. Took a hike on Sunday that was beautiful.
10. Got a new grill on Sunday evening with my b-day money, and went out to Red Robin with John and the kiddos.

So back to the T-Ball. It is so dang cute to watch these kids play, mainly because they are so cute, and most of them (including my son much of the time) has no clue what they are doing. Last weekend Emilio loved running the bases so much that when the other team was up to bat and he was supposed to be playing shortstop, he decided he would run the bases again in hopes of getting some more cheers from the crowd. It cracked me up. Also, when the other team bats, all the players on Emilio's team, even those in outfield all run and pig pile on top of the ball fighting for who is going to get it. They don't quite understand they are playing on the same team. Anyway, it is a learning experience and exposing him to team sports I guess. Here are some pictures my dad took on Saturday.




He always take a flying leap onto the base.

Emilio says this part is his favorite part of T-Ball.....running through the parent made tunnel at the end of each game!
Gabi made a new friend, Chunk.

my cloth diaper baby

Last week we started using our cloth diapers on Luci, she was too little to use them from the start. She's big enough now though, and I was reminded of how EASY they are with newborns, no rinsing with their breastmilk poo, just throw them all in the diaper pail and wash every few days. I LOVE the feeling of saving money and helping the Earth with each one I use.
Here's Luciana in her new Celery Dot Super Bummis Whisper Wrap that I bought at a fun earthy baby/mom store called Milagros in Portland. Also, for those of you that haven't heard why I do cloth diapers, here's a link to my first posting on this when Gabi was younger.

Birthday Girl

We want to wish our sweet and beautiful daughter Gabriela Joy a very Happy 3rd Birthday today! We are so thankful for the sassy little lady she is. I compiled pictures from her "Pink Piggy" (because of her obsession) Party this morning in this scrapbook.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Trip to P-town

The kids and I went down to Portland last Thursday. We hadn't been down since Christmas time and thought it would be a good opportunity for everyone to meet Luci. John had to stay home and start studying for finals coming up, poor guy.

The Highlights of our trip were:
1. My Grandma (Luci's middle name is after her first name) surprised us on Thursday when we arrived and was hiding around the corner at my mom's house.
2. Spending time with Mom & Dad, and watching Survivor with them too.
3. The kids being totally entertained with all the kids (from my mom's childcare business) toys, and fun backyard at Nonno & Nana's house.
4. Getting together with my three lifelong friends Julia, Sabrina and Jenny on Friday afternoon. Meeting Gwendolyn (Jenny's new baby for the first time), seeing Julia's little guy Freddy, and being with Bean on her birthday.
5. Hosting a girls' night on Friday with many of my dear friends in Portland. Thanks for making it Julia, Jenny, Theresa, Julian, Molly, Trisha, Tessa, and Amy! We had a great time doing what girls do best....gabbing!
6. Watching my kiddos go swimming at a great new aquatic center in Portland with my parents.
7. Celebrating my Grammy's 79th birthday Saturday night with my mom's side of the family. It was great to see everyone and meet my cousin Ron's new baby Tatum Sue (2 days older than Luci). Played a little Hand & Foot too, that was fun.
8. Going to church on Sunday morning with my parents and hearing a great message on God's grace and seeing their rendition of the "Cardboard Testimonies." If you haven't seen the youtube version, check it out here.
9. Getting Gabi's birthday shopping done with my mom, sales tax-free I might add.
10. Going out to my brother Andrew's home in Stafford, OR on Sunday afternoon. Eating a grubbin' dinner of Blackened Tilapia with Mango Salsa, Salad, and homemade bread (Andrew's fiance Karen Rose baked it special for us, and I even got to bring home a loaf). The kids got to ride on the tractor mower with Uncle Andrew, see cows, a pony and three little lambs too. It was also fun seeing where Andrew & Karen will get married this summer, a beautiful location out in the farm lands.
11. Going out for dessert to Pudding on the Rice, a rice pudding dessert place with over 40 flavors. It was delicious!
12. Seeing our family friend, Laurie on Monday morning.

It was a great trip, exhausting (because we pack so much in when we are in town), but awesome! Here are some picture highlights,

Make a Smilebox photobook