ooops:)

So I have been out of the blogging world until I decided I better get the computer hooked back up and get somethings you cant do with a smartphone done. Blogging is one of those things. I have to restart the computer for the massive updates that I have missed from being off line, but tonight, I will try my darnedest to post what we have been up to for the past two months!

Swimming

Abra has had a new swimming break through...she can swim!! Here are some videos of the little swimmer in action. She usually does better "big arms" but she was intimidated by swimming the long way instead of the short way.

Camping the new improved way

We took the camper out this busy, wet weekend up to Stubbs Stewart Park. It is only a 20 min drive and our phones still work up there..well Rich's did and mine did until Abra dropped it into Shias water bowl. I tell you that the trailer is much more comfortable then the tent!! Yeah, we sold out for comfort, who cares! We had all the kinks worked out by the end of our weekend and have a few ideas of how to make things better for the next trip and the "big trip". I even brought the boys up with me on Friday afternoon for a little fun in the rain. I was really hoping it would hold off long enough for us to play on the playground or go for a little hike, but we decided to try a weekend with the Carlsons when it warms up more consistently (and we can pry Amy and Rich from work!)

Abra and Chris roasting their hot dogs

Carl roasting his hot dog

Shia didn't like the gravel on her toy so she would shake it off if it landed on the ground

Camper

 

It is official, Rich gets all the toys he wants:) This one actually has a purpose. For sabatical, it will make the trip easier and cheaper. Big fat road trip here we come. Here are the basics: 2011 Jayco jayflight. 19 ft with all the extras (nothing says camping like digital tv, airconditioning and stereo system) I should point out that the extras come anymore if you want them or not.

Here is our bed. It is right as you walk into the camper to the right at the very front end!

The view standing in front of the bed.

Standing in the dining area looking towards the front

2nd tooth

I feel bad because I never actually posted a picture of Abra after losing her first tooth. Well, this weekend, she lost her second tooth and this time she didn't swallow it AND the Toothfairy wasn't skimpy with the cash! She got a whole dollar..verses a quarter for the first. That was the last time Daddy "talked" with the Toothfairy!

Early "anniversary" presents

Rich and I will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary next weekend. We made some purchases yesterday and to validate them, we said they are our present to eachother! We have a home gym now:) Our presents were fitness equipment so we would be able to love eachother longer!! We came home with great deals:

We got this weight machine from VanDerJagt for a steal and went to Play it Again Sports for the weight discs. Buying them used, we saved 1/2 of buying new. On this adventure, we discovered that there is in fact a Togos in the Portland Area. It is the ONLY one in Portland and there are only two currently in Oregon, but one is opening in Medford. Rich was SO EXCITED!! He even called his co-worker to inform him of the find! I guess they talk about foods they miss from Cali. Togos and Caspers are the top two!

We then debated on getting cardio equipment..Me: I want it but we should be saving. Rich: yeah but if I look hot, you need to also. Me: true and I would use it more then not. Rich: plus I would use it too.....This actually went on all afternoon, until Rich decided we would go to Dicks and look around. We saw this and it had the stride I liked, it was reasonably priced, and Rich said it was sturdy enough! So we got it!!! Dicks also has a 50% off their clearanced merchandise, so Abra and I picked up sandals for a few bucks each!! Eventful, and now it is time for my work out!

Front yard step one complete!!

For starters, who remembers this picture?

Believe it or not, we had already strated getting rid  of things in this picture. It actually doesn't look that bad when everything is in bloom. But check this out...

Well. here is to a new beginning! We have taken most everything out and started to put up the wall. The next step is to rototill again to get most of the roots out, build the wall and start moving the dirt around and getting some fill dirt to level things out a bit!! This spring, the hope is to have grass in the front yard!!! In addition to this, I will continue the "weeding" process on the sides of the house now! There are some NASTY things growing along that fence that needs to DIE!!

Welcome 2011!

Well, it has been a while since my last post. In fact, we have entered a new year:) The past few weeks have been filled with doing Christmas things like the church Christmas program where Abra was an angel with the other girls

Having the christmas party at school and loosing her first tooth (photo to be added later).

We got to see Santa SEVERAL timed this holiday season, but we especially liked when he was at the neighbors house the week before Christmas. Mrs. Claus even came down some days, but not the day we made it over.

We made a trip down to California to spend Christmas with Grandma Dorothy, Grandpa Jim, Uncle Matt, Aunt Jennifer, Ethan, Andrew and Collin. That was a lot of fun!!! We got lots of fun things and best of all, we got to spend Christmas with family!

The trip was cut a little short because of snow expected to shut the passes down, but that was good because we got home and everyone needed a few days recovery from the fun!

Now, we are back in the swing of things. Rich is working and trying to figure out away to squeeze fishing and hunting in his schedule. Abra is busy with preschool, dance class and we added swimming to her activities! I am busy cleaning up after them both and working on the yard!! ONE MORE WEEK and then the front yard will be clear of green vegetation!!!!! Then we can start working on making it look pretty and getting the side yards cleared and finally, THE BACK!!



Santa 2010

we went to the mall today and saw santa. we usually get a picture, but the prices were uch more then last year and i knew we would have another chance at some point this holiday season. abra enjoyed visiting with the big guy and told him what she really wanted for christmas.

charlie brown thanksgiving

we love to watch charlie brown videos associated with the holiday. i was talking with rich about having chicken since it was just us, and abra suggested we have a charlie brown thanksgiving...so we did for lunch. popcorn, pretzels, jellybeans and toast. i made her add some lunch meat to her toast. she loved our special lunch. rick joined us for dinner where we had ham, sweet potatoes, corn, apple pie and pumpkin pie. i think abra ate more than all of us. it was a nice, relaxing day that rich didnt have to go into work which has been rare lately.

santa advent calendar

i saw a calendar on the pottery barn kids website and thought to myself, i can make the for much less then they are selling it for. twenty dollars later i have one santa and enoough leftovers to make more with the exception of of the list felt, that i need to get more of, but still far less then buying them. i think the next ones will look much better because i have made one and have an idea how to do it.

the wall

we had another productive weekend. rich fixed the dryer, we played with abra, and we stated building the wall. my shelves are on hold again, but it will be nice to get the front yard finished. here is the vision, three blocks high all the way from the fence to the driveway. then we will fill with dirt to make the yard level/ gradual slope. on top will be grass with plants along the house and the fence. abra even wanted in on the fun.

halloween

Halloween fell on reformation sunday this year, so we had a busy day. abra and i went to church and had potluck afterwards, then we stopped and got a pumpkin because we hadn't done that yet, followed by a trip to walmart to pick up some groceries, finally home to carve the pumpkin and get ready to trick or treat.abra dressed up this year as barbie mariposa/butterfly fairy. when rich got home he took abra to the college and trick or treated around the dorms, then worked their way home.i got to stay home for the first time ever and pass out candy, do laundry, wash dishes, make dinner, you know, the things that you are grateful when everyone is out of the house so you can just get them done.overall, it was a huge success and abra has more than enough candy.

more trees gone

rich felt ambitious and cut down the remaining trees we were thinking about replacing. he cut eight more tree clusters down. all that remains to be taken out is the juniper and the rotting cedar in the back. might take one of the cedars out that is next to the shop, but that will be later determined. for all you tree lovers, i am planning on planting two apple trees in the backyard and some other bushes and shrubs. we are spending our outside time ripping out the front yard so we can work on the curb appeal. slowly but surely, it will get done

new truck

abra's 5th birthday

it just dawned on me that i never posted birthday pictures from a month ago.

erin's visit

my dearest college roommate visited this weekend. it was a short, but good weekend. saturday started with a quick lesson in pancake making, then we hit up hillsboro farmers market and scored tons of fruit ansd veggies plus a box of apples for five dollars. in the afternoon, we went wine tasting around forest grove then home for dinner and campfire.we spent sunday hanging around watching football and chatting until her conference. i cant wait to go visit phoenix, or when she moves to portland

side note

I have many things to update from the past few weeks. some things are on the camera and some on the phone. the next few entries will not be in chronological order. enjoy nonetheless

Abra's helper

i had to stop abra from playing to do her chores, i guess the novelty has worn off. chris wanted to help so he helped put her clothes away, make her bed and even brush her teeth. yes, chris is moving abras arm for her while she held the toothbrush in place.

Projects

I haven't been super motivated to do much in the way of projects and crafts since returning home from Iowa. I have a LONG list of things to make and finally it has hit me, the urge to get somethings done! I made decorative soap for the bathroom last weekend with the Abra.





I saw a magnetic chore chart on a U create and really wanted to make one for Abra. The thing is, I was too cheap to by the $5 sheet of metal at the store when I knew that there could be a cheaper way! Well, after a week of searching, I thought it is going to hang on the refrigerator and that is magnetic, and I really don't want to mess with wood to make it pretty, so why not just use scrapbook paper and contact paper it to the refrigerator! 30 minutes later, project complete. If any of my dear local friends are interested in doing this or similar, I have PLENTY of gems left and tons of paper, so let me know:)