Fireworks!

In honor of my impending 30th birthday (next friday, 6-6) the City of Portland decided to have a fireworks spactacular last night. Okay, I exaggerate. Really it's Rose Festival time here in P-town and last night we got some friends together and enjoyed some great fireworks! We had great seats right on the waterfront and the kids loved being out late and getting to eat treats. We even got in on some glow stick action. Note to self: don't let your 3 year old be in charge of his. Your van, your hands, your jeans and your face will suffer the consequences! I love this time of year because this is when the Northwest starts getting really good weather and we can be outside all the time!

5 happy campers

Lorelei, Dave, Devin, and Jalen

Joe, Annie and Joshua

Jesse, Cheryl and Ava

Class Of 2008

Ansen Sjors "graduated" from preschool yesterday. He had such a great year and I am so proud of him for being such a Big Boy and going to school just like his sisters. Graduation was so funny to watch. I mean how can you not enjoy a bunch of rowdy kiddos not wanting to or caring about graduation? You would think that after 5 of these bad boys I'd get tired of them BUT I just love love love watching my little ones wear those grad caps. My Ansen was voted "Most likely to be a Ladies Man." Jason couldn't be more proud. After the official ceremony we had ice cream cake from Cold Stone! Y-u-m-m-y!! Ansen Sjors-We Love YOU! Good job this year little man.

*These are Ansen's two buddies from this year. Teacher Matt and Teacher Taylor. They were so wonderful with him and he just loved being with them. Teacher Matt is a big leveraging factor at our home...."we need to_____or we can't go see Teacher Matt today."

Crazy Hair Day

It is Spirit Week at school and today is Crazy Hair Day. The ladies couldn't have been more excited for this day. In fact, Jayden has been looking forward to it ALL year! It took Braley a few minutes to jump on board but she too is sporting a "crazy 'do."

The Quest To Stay Cool

With the temprature climbing to 100 degrees this past weekend we did everything we could think of to stay cool.

3rd Birthday Highlights

What a great few days Ansen has had. What better way to celebrate than with a whole weekend all about you? What a lucky little duck this 3 year old is! He spent his time partying with family and friends. He also was able to wear his bathing suit ALL weekend which made him the happiest boy alive! (It was in the upper 90's for 4 days in a row--H-O-T) He really enjoyed opening presents and has been busily/happily/quietly playing for the past few days. He is going through a major superhero phase right now and received a great new Super Hero Cape so now he is "Super Ansen" where ever we go. We just love him!

A cake for our Super Hero

The only ice cream appropriate for our pint sized caped wonder.

Please excuse the fact that he looks like there is no meat on his bones. He just had to take a realllllly big breath to blow out that candle

We had banana splits on his actual birthday....so yummy.

Every Super hero needs transportation. Meet his new trusty sidekick "Mr. My Bike" He travels at the speed of light and knows never to cross the street alone.

Hip Hip Hooray! I'm 3 Today!

Ansen is three today and boy is he excited. Three years old!!!! Yippeeee! We are so happy to have him around. He sure makes life fun and exciting for all of us! Never, ever a dull moment with this guy around. Happy birthday Ansen Sjors! We love love love you!!!

Fun With Face Paint!

We went Arts Night at the Ladies school a week ago. They had a bunch of really fun activities but the kids loved the face painting booth the most. Surprise, surprise.

Do Me A Favor, Okay?

I need a favor. A big one. Jason and I have decided that it is probably time to move on and try out a new town. We have been here for 5 years and have really enjoyed ourselves, but it's time to go. While this excites me I am totally sick to my stomach about it as well. I am just too comfortable here in my current hometown and although I know it's time to go and it's the right thing to do I am just so nervous! So, here is where you come into play. TELL me its going to be okay. TELL me that as long as we do this with the right purpose and not on a whim we will end up right where we need to be and where the Lord wants us! TELL me we will be fine and the kids will be great. I know its a lot to ask but I could really use the encouragement! I love moving, Jason loves moving, it's the kids I worry about. Why I worry I don't know. They are flexible and its not like we are leaving the country--heck we aren't even leaving the state. So anyway your support would be much appreciated. Have a good day. I am now going to go continue to worry myself into a state of nausea.

This Little Piggy...

went and had a pedicure! Mom, Kirstin and I had our toes done. So fun and relaxing. I never get to do stuff like this at home. Please excuse my foot (bottom) and Kirstin's foot (top)....we look like we have enough room to fit a whole other toe in between our big toe and the one next to it. What freakish feet. Mom (left) doesn't have that issue so apparently we got it from dear old dad.

A Trip To Yankee Candle

Yankee Candle is quite possibly the greatest place ever and i try to make a trip every time I go home. I just love it! The candles smell beautiful and you can even make your own. Apart from the candle making they have a a bunch of little "towns" decorated for Christmas with each one selling beautiful ornaments from around the world. Again, I just love it! The Big Man in Red is there each weekend to check on all the kids who happen to be there shopping. The girls, Making a wish
Dad and 2 of his girls

Princess Wars...I can take her

We made up

Ma and Jamie catching snow flakes

The real King and Queen

Random, I know, but they are trying out lawn furniture

Like I said, I love this place

And I love this state

Cranium, anyone?

We played Cranium on Saturday night. The competition was fierce but in the end only one team rose above the rest. Can you guess which one?

Team Name: Deep In Thought

Team Members: Dad and Anders

Team Name: Who's Your Mama?
Team Members: Nikki and Dana

Team Name: "Hum"bug
Team Members: Ma and Kirstin

Team Name: Cranium means brain, right?

Team Members: Jamie and Travis

And the winners and champions of Cranium 2008.......

I know, I don't know how it happend either. Heaven help us!

It's Brocky Time!

Meet Brockden JamesHe loves to read...

With me and his cousin Emily!
I love him and...
He loves his Auntie Nana. (That's me!)