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!

Halloween . . . Finally!

I knew I had to get these on the blog before Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a great Halloween. Justin laughs at me for saying that it is one of my favorite holidays, but it just is. I love it! I love the costumes, the decorations, the trick or treating, the Snickers, all of it. We had a great one this year. The girls are still young enough to love trick or treating and old

enough for us not to have to remind them to say thank you after each house. Here are a few pictures from the big night.

My little witches getting ready for trick or treating

Me and the Wizard

Yes, the legs were a little short when he's sitting down but I mean really, have you ever seen a cuter little lion, I couldn't stop squishing his little face!

Yes, it's true, I do get to cuddle him all day!

So, I do realize looking at this picture that Davis looks a little out of place . . .

Hope you all had a good one!

A few recent gems . . .

I know I really should be posting Halloween pictures on here and I will get to that. But I wanted to share a few of the many crazy things that come out of Abby's mouth on a daily basis. That girl seriously cracks us up.

Abby: But Mom, you and Dad can just leave us here while you go out. We don't need a babysitter.

Justin: What would you do if we left you here alone? (don't worry, he wasn't really considering it, just curious what her answer would be)

Abby: (shrugging her shoulders) I dunno, probably just dance on the tables naked.

Okay, I must say here that she has never seen either of us do that or, to my knowledge, seen that in any movie or T.V. show. I don't know where she comes up with this stuff. We got a babysitter by the way!

Next one:

Lanie: Abby, I really want you to take it easy today so you can get better soon!

Abby: (looking at me with a bored look) Really Mom, I thought I was going to an Extreme Tree-Climbing Competition today.

Thanks for always making us laugh Abby!

The Little Big Man Turns 1 !!!!!

Our little guy turned one this past week. Wow, I know it's so cliche, but it went by so fast. He went from being the most cuddly, squishy, calm little thing to being a big crazy 1 year old with so much funny personality. We have had the best year with you Davis. You keep us busy and laughing all day long. We are so grateful to have you in our family - we love you Davey-doo! Happy Birthday!

Seattle Weekend

Okay, I am starting at the present and will work my way back (since I've missed about 5 months of blogging). I just realized I never even posted pictures of Abby's b-day in May. I'll get there, slowly but surely!

So, as for this past weekend . . . it was FANTASTIC! Justin had an Ophthalmology conference in Seattle so Davis and I tagged along. We left the girls with our dear friends (thanks again Cary and Matt) but don't feel bad for them for being left behind, they had a total party. I don't think they wanted us to come back.

Justin had meetings all day on Saturday so Davis and I literally hit the pavement for 8 hours straight. I love Seattle. What a great city! We went to the Public Library (I forgot my camera that day - but do go if you are ever in Seattle, it is worth seeing). We shopped and shopped - mostly window but it was fun anyway. We ate at fun cafes and we played on the grass at the waterfront. Davis proved himself to be a worthy shopping companion and didn't even fuss once during his 8 hour stroller imprisonment. The sun was shining and we had a great time.

The next day Justin had morning meeting but we got to walk around in the SUNSHINE (yes it does happen here in the northwest people!) all day again. We hit the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center, the "cool fountain" (I don't know what it's called), Pike Place and some more walking. Thanks for a great weekend boys!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

I don't know how I'm ever going to catch up on all the summer activities, but I'm committed to try. . . at least right now I am. A few weeks ago we got to take the girls to a Portland Beavers vs. Salt Lake Bees game. The girls were so torn about who to root for but it didn't end up really mattering since it was about the lowest scoring baseball game in the history of the game. But we didn't care - we had hot dogs and ice cream sandwiches and that's what really matters, right? After the game they let everyone down on the field to watch Star Wars. The girls were more interested in practicing handstands and cartwheels than watching the movie. It was a fun night - the stuff summer is made of!

Dear Blog,

. . . We haven't visited you in a while. It is summer and we have been busy doing a lot of important things like riding bikes, picking berries, swimming, going for walks, eating popsicles, visiting the Portland sites, and learning to survive 108 degree weather without air conditioning. We're sorry we haven't had time for you but we will visit again soon. Don't give up on us but summer flies by too quickly and we don't want to miss it. See you soon.

The Wilkinsons