"You know why I love your family?"

That's the question my niece Junie asked me just today.

My response: "Because we are so good looking?"

After reassuring me that was one of the reasons, her other (and possibly more important reason) was "because you are always, always, always out doing family activities."

That's a true statement and I wouldn't have it any other way.

We hiked Multnomah Falls today and-as per course- we had a great time.

Eleven switchbacks were torture but we all just pretended we were the VonTrapps hiking out of German occupied Austria and just kept trekking up, up, up! Multnomah Falls is no Swiss Alps but it is brutal when you are trying to keep 4 adults and 3 kids on a 3 foot wide path with major drop offs to one side and slick, sticky mud puddles on the other.
Here are the birthday month twins! Ansen, May 18th and Junie, May 31st (today!).

We made it to the top without losing anyone and the view was to die for. Just beautiful. Oregon really is an incredible place to see. Haven't been here? Come visit us and we'll show you around!

At the top we found ourselves a little lunch spot and enjoyed the trees, mud, chipmunks, mud, food and well....mud.

(what the heck/crap/eff is up with the bags under my eyes???? I mean-seriously. Any suggestions on how to get those things to go away?)

I tried to get a family shot. This is what I got.

Braley's fish face, Jayden not even looking at the camera, 1/2 an Ansen and Jason...arrrgggg!

I tried. I get points for that, don't I?

What a fun way to spend Memorial Day!

What'd you do?

Losing and Finding

I don't know exactly how to write this. Don't know why I am going to write this either but let me just say I want to be done with funerals. Tomorrow I will be attending my 3rd family funeral in the last 6 months. I think 3 is enough, don't you?

In January, on New Years Day, we lost Jason's Uncle Don. Jason loved his Uncle and consistently gives him credit for teaching him how to work hard. Uncle Don was a successful self made business owner and he was always willing to work hard along side whomever was willing to put in a honest days work; even when it made him unpopular.

As a child Jason spent many of his summers and his free time wandering Uncle Don's property just being a carefree child. His memories of his Uncle are some of his most vivid and cherished.

Losing Uncle Don was losing the patriarch of the Widing extended family.

In February we were blessed with Hazel. You all know the story. She was an absolute miracle. She still is! What an amazing little girl. Her life was short but her impact is endless. I guess I don't feel like we "lost" her when she passed. Our relationship has just been put on hold. I know that her parents, grandparents, cousins and aunties and uncles are all looking forward to getting to know her better. I am strategical making my plan on how to become her favorite auntie. If you have any good ideas, call me.

Losing Hazel was losing someone you just met but couldn't get enough of.

Just 2 weeks ago we lost my Aunt Helen. Technically she is my dad's Aunt Helen so she's my great Aunt but let's not get too technical. Back to my point. Aunt Helen and I have gotten to know each other over the past 5 years and I love her. She and my Grandpa Rudy were brother and sister. Man-the stories she had about Rudy. If he were alive I would have to remind him that he deserved (almost) everything his 3 boys threw at him as they grew up. She was sassy and witty and she was always watching Animal Planet (the kids favorite). Aunt Helen helped me realize who I want to be as I grow up.

Losing Aunt Helen is losing someone who had wisdom to help you become your best.

I am done "losing" people for a while. Cross your fingers for me! I really, really want this to be the truth. I am now going to focus on "finding." I am going to find people who can continue teaching me just as Don, Hazel and Helen. I have a great start with the friends I have. I can only imagine that if I actually go seeking for people the wonderful relationships that I can look forward to!

To play or not to play?

That was the question of the day!

Today was the big day. Jayden was all geared up to sing the National Anthem at the Portland Beavers baseball game. I snuck Braley out of school and she, Ansen and I made the trip into the big city to watch the blessed event happen. And then...it rained. The game was cancelled so no singing happened. Bummer. But that is okay because while we were waiting to find out if there was going to be a game or not we had lots of fun. Braley and Ansen in their Boston hats! Bean town pride ba-by. This shot was taken right after we got to the park and about an hour before the game was supposed to start.
Little man wasting some time doing the crowd favorite YMCA.
Jayden being as patient as possible for a 4th grader. She was really bummed that she didn't get to sing.

Little man NOT feeling so patient after a 2 hour wait.

Me and my girls. Braley just loved being at the game. She was singing to the songs, making friends with those sitting around us and dreaming about the perfect stadium lunch.

Mmmmmm....if we couldn't watch a game we may as well eat ourselves silly. Bring on the crap. No seriously, hot dogs, chips, soda, gummy worms. All the worst possible food. Don't judge me and my children's very unhealthy and grotesque lunch.

And here come more storm clouds...

While I wish there had been a ball game and I really, really wish the National Anthem had been sung but I am so gald that I......got to spend my day with these three!

Still LOST

I liked the LOST finale but I am still so full of questions. Here are just a few:http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1936291

Alright, who's got answers for me?

My Spidey Senses Tell Me

That this Superhero had a birthday party today.

Spiderman was everywhere in our house and Ansen loved it!
In the house, we played pin-the-web on Spiderman. Outside, we had a relay race. Note for next year: 16 kids running around on wet grass and climbing on wet playground equipment may require us to up our property insurance. I think the kids had fun with the games....I know some parents (Shaun Grimmett, I am talking about you) were willing to do whatever it took to make sure the team they captained came in first. The relay was so fun to watch I forgot to take pictures.

The birthday boy declared hot dogs, chips, and fruit as his official birthday dinner. Sweet! So easy.

Because we are the most uncreative parents alive, we let WalMart do the creativity. From our Spiderman decorations, to the Spiderman Happy Birthday banner, to the Spiderman cupcakes in the shape of Spiderman's face, this birthday was brought to you by WalMart.
(Except for the blue cupcakes. I actually cracked open a ready made cake mix, and Jason mixed the blue frosting all by himself. Just call us Betty Crocker!)
Ansen had so much fun and we were so glad to share his 5th birthday with so many of his friends. SpideyAnsen was exhausted and curled up with his faithful sidekick, Rama-lama, at the end of the day; and faster then you can say "super duper Spiderman birthday " our very own superhero was asleep.

Happy Birthday (again) Ansen.

5 is going to be awesome!

Just My Daddy and Me

Yesterday I graduated from kindergarten.

My dad said "let's go camping!"

So we went camping, just my daddy and me.

It was raining and cold but I didn't mind...cause I was with my daddy.

At night my daddy and me slept in the truck bed. My daddy wanted to make a fort and I said "Okay, if we have to." We were toasty warm. Daddy got a little scared so I shared his cot with him to help him feel safe and sound. He liked that.

The next morning daddy was cold and I decided that mommy and the girls were probably missing us too much so we came home early.

On the way home I decided to stay wide awake to keep daddy busy as he drove.

I never nap anymore...especially now that I am five.

My daddy and I had lots of fun camping. Even in the rain. Why? Cause it was just my daddy and me. That's why.
My daddy is my favorite friend.
Next year we are going to go camping again....

Just my daddy and me!

Swim Lessons

It is hard to find 1 thing all 3 kiddos like.... something all 3 love is pretty much impossible.

Swimming is ONE thing that they all love, love, love.

They love doing anything with water so swim lessons have been perfect for them since they are all fish.

Here's my angel fish, Miss Brays.

She just loves to learn new things, swim in the deep end and go off the rope swing.

Kahau is my shark. This girl attacks any new skill with confidence and determination. She WILL be the best in her class...don't even try and argue the point. You will lose.


Here is my humahumanucanuca'apu'a'a.
Translation: little fish with big name. And yes that is Ansen. I will give you a dollar if you can keep him above the water for longer than 10 seconds.

I love the pool and they love the pool. They are just happy to be in the water. Happy swimming everyone!

...and it's only Wednesday

This week is insane. Insane, I tell you! It's Wednesday and I am tired, Jason's tired and the kids are tired. Here's what we have been doing, are doing, and will be doing between last Monday and this Saturday.

4 field trips

1 school play for Braley

1 parent volunteer day @ preschool

4 days of zumba for me

1 birthday for Ansen

1 music festival for Jayden

1 Kindergarten physical

1 death in the family

1 day trip to California for Jason

1 birthday party

1 meeting with the school board to discuss school uniforms

1 dance/cheer practice for with the young women for girls camp
6 swim lessons

1 preschool graduation

1 father and son camp out

1 mom and daughters movie night (anyone have the 1st Harry Potter I can borrow?)

.......is it Sunday yet?

FIVE!

Ansen is FIVE!!! Five years ago today this kid showed up and our lives have never been the same!

Ansen is a great brother, friend and son!

FIVE is a huge deal at our house and we can't wait to play-play-play with this kid to celebrate!

Happy Birthday little man. We sure love you!

Hey Ma!!!!

All of us wanted to say:

We are so super proud of you! All your hard work has paid off!

Hip!

Hip!

Hooray!!!!

You go class of 2010!

Forsberg represent!

....and Travis!!! Happy Graduation Day to you too! You are so "smart" to have married into our family. Great job!