Abby's Baptism

I wish I would have posted this sooner, but alas, blogging has been put on the back burner while there are things like swimming, exploring, bike-riding, and more swimming to be done this summer.

Abby was baptized on May 22 and it was wonderful. What a perfect day! We had so much family here (thank you to you all for traveling so far)! Abby was beautiful and prepared and calm. The program was great with grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles speaking, singing, and playing instruments. I was so moved as I looked around that room and saw all of the amazing people in our lives! We are so blessed to have wonderful family and friends that are such great supports to us and our children. Abby couldn't have been happier! We are so proud of you sweetheart and know that this is a decision that will bless your life forever!

Abby and her daddy

The family (Abby's new white shoes were hurting her feet!)

All of the Wilkinson cousins! (obviously they were posing for someone else)

We went to the Portland temple before her baptism to get some shots of her in her dress. Man, I love this girl!

Don't Give Up On Us!

Because it is 11:30 p.m. and I have a new goal to get to bed by 10:30 and because I have cleaning and dishes and various projects that I should be working on and because I have eaten triple berry crisp for breakfast and lunch for 2 days in a row, I decided to update our blog that I haven't even looked at for 5 months! Perfect logic, right? I have so many pictures from Abby's birthday, end of school, trip to Florida, trip to Utah, Abby's baptism, etc. that need to be posted. But it's all seeming a bit overwhelming right now so I thought I would throw on a few from our most recent trip to Utah and make a new goal to get back into blogging. We missed you little blog and if I can keep my kids inside long enough to get on the computer once in a while, I will pay you more attention!

Happy Birthday Emma

My little girl turned 6 this week. I love this girl. She is such a light in our lives. Here are a few things about Emma to help us remember what she loved when she turned 6!

Favorite Food: Lemon Pepper Shrimp Pasta (her request for b-day dinner)

Favorite Colors: orange and blue

Favorite Movie: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Favorite Things to Do: Gymnastics and Soccer and anything with her sister

We love you Emma! Happy Birthday!

Disco Girls

I really couldn't look at those hot dogs anymore. I mean, I don't have to relive it every day, do I? Anyway, here's a better picture to look at. My little disco girls. The girl's school had Disco Bingo Night a few weeks ago. We all got decked out (unfortunately we don't have a photo of Justin in his yellow polyester glory and me in my sweater dress and go-go boots.) We ended up winning a free dinner at Giant Burger (such good onion rings) for the Best Dressed Family so I guess it was worth it. Actually we all had a great time even if I couldn't walk for a few days after all that dancing in my high-heel boots.

High Class!

I don't want to make you jealous of what we had for dinner the other night but . . .

(I am really not sure what Emma is wearing in this picture, think it's a skirt pulled up . . .)

That's right folks, spaghetti dogs. So when you're in the need for a really fancy dish for a dinner party, please don't forget this post :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Feeling Grateful

This morning I am feeling grateful for many things, some of which are . . .

- sunshine and 55 degrees in February

- walking in my neighborhood with Davis in the stroller pointing out every car and dog that passes

- an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my healthy and safe children

- Grape Nuts with bananas and (a few) chocolate chips - oh come on, you know it sounds good to you too!

- good books to read - now reading A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg (it's fantastic)

- good movies - watched Whip It again this past weekend (I realize roller derby is not for everyone - I happened to love it!)

- everything else that I don't have time to list because I now have to go clean up the Kix that Davis has dumped out and stomped on while I was writing this post, which leads me to one last thing I am grateful for - a clean house (not that I have one but if I did, I would be really grateful for it)

What are you grateful for this morning?

Living by Family!

For the last almost 3 years we've been lucky enough to live in Portland, right down the road from Justin's brother and his family. Our kids are all almost the same age and after 4 years in San Francisco (where we had no family), it's been so great to live by them. Justin and his brother are both residents together at OHSU and will both finish at the same time. Although it's not time to say goodbye yet, I am already getting melancholy thinking about possibly not being able to be their neighbors anymore. Our kids have so much fun together and have really grown up together the past 3 years. Here are some highlights over the past few years. We love you guys!

Oaks Park

Picnics at Cannon Beach

Easter Egg Hunts

Lots of hiking and being silly

Pumpkin Patches

First days of school - Emma and Alice got to go to 2 yrs. of preschool together

Sleepovers

Newport Beach

Camping trips

We love you guys!

Better late than never . . . right?

I know that no one even noticed that I didn't post "first day of school" pictures of the girls, especially since I didn't notice until just now. I also know how incriminating it is to be posting them now, in January, as opposed to just not posting them at all. But I think they're cute. And I want them on here. So, here they are!

Emma - First day of Kindergarten - 5 years old

Abby - 1st day of 2nd Grade - 7 years old

(she started a day before Emma)

See, at the rate I'm going, I might just post Christmas pictures by next Halloween!

It was one year ago today . . .

. . . that our trusty (ha ha) old Jeep went up in flames. We actually kinda miss the thing. Justin still thinks we could have saved it :) May it rest in peace (and pieces).

Where are my keys?

This is a question that I usually ask myself a few times a day. But I usually find them a minute later in my coat pocket or in their usual spot on the kitchen counter. The longest I've ever lost my keys was 3 days. I looked everywhere. I found things I hadn't seen since we moved here almost 3 years ago. I found about $5 in change, but no keys. Until Davis and I went to play with the ball popper and the balls wouldn't come out. Now I know just where to look when my keys are lost.

Soon to come: Christmas photos and many other catching-up photos!