Portland

We finally organized ourselves and arranged a girls weekend with my sisters, mom and sister in law.  Kim and I hopped on an Amtrak train and headed down to Portland.  My mom, dad and Angie headed up from Bend and Tim and Kelley hosted a delicious and fun Father's Day brunch for us all.  What a fun and relaxing weekend away.  And the first time my dad has has his 4 kids all together on a Father's day in probably 20 years!

The rest of the weekend was filled with good food and drink, shopping and pedicures!

Marty held down the fort (on Father's Day!) and took the kids to all of their many weekend activities. 

They built a Rokenbok Track, rode their bikes to the park, went to German School, 

 and even found time for a little nap

 Josie was at a birthday party when my train arrived home in Seattle but my two men were waiting on the tracks for me.

Happiest of Father's Day to the two best Father's I know.  Such a joy to be able to celebrate with both of them this Father's day!

The Kids

A few random photos to close out the month of May..

Benjamin in his scuba gear at preschool. 

 Josie's love of reading really took hold at the end of the school year.  She would often read on the school bus and on our walk to and from the bus stop.  Luckily she didn't trip as she was so engrossed in her books.

 We all win when Josie reads... by herself and to Benjamin.

 LOVE - the fight a lot but when they get along, it is a beautiful thing.

 Benjamin's hair was getting long and he loved combing it with his fingers.  He said, "I want long hair like you, mommy!"  I said we could go to Menchie's for frozen yogurt if he got his hair cut.... It wasn't a tough choice.

 We had to give our little back garden box a break this year.  We need to do some major trimming back of a lilac tree that has overgrown it's place and is now shading our garden box.  So this year instead of vegetables we planted flower seeds.  Benjamin, like most little boys I presume, loves to dig in and water the garden

One day after the kids got ready for bed we found them quietly reading together...

In May, Benjamin started riding on the double bike and LOVED it. 

One of Josie's best friends, Elliott typically rode the bus home with Josie every Monday and then played here until around dinner time.  Everyone, especially Benjamin, liked having Elliott over.  Here they are walking home from the bus stop.

Painting

We have been talking about repainting several rooms in the house for awhile.  One Saturday in early April we tackled the kitchen.  The kids were in heaven when we let them "help."  Marty was very patient and helped them get the paint in all the right places.  The photos don't do it justice, the orange color looks way better in person. 

 Josie didn't want to get any paint on her shirt....

 Marty directing Josie

 Josie directing Benjamin

 Benjamin going solo

So, one room down and about 4 more to go....

Bunnies!

 The weekend before Easter the kids were invited to two back to back Easter parties.  One of Josie's classmates had an Easter "Bunny" party.  The kids were heaven when the dozen or so live bunnies were brought in.  Josie was a natural, of course.  Benjamin, although very gentle and loving was not all that patient and couldn't figure out why they were not coming to sit in HIS lap.

 They all had fun holding, cuddling and feeding the sweet, little fur balls.

 He finally got to hold one of the baby bunnies!

 Sweet Josie with a sweet little bunny.

 And what Easter party would be complete without an Easter egg hunt.  The kids below sorting out their goodies.