6 month update

Well here is your 6 month picture. I might not look much bigger than the last picture but I sure feel large. I have just over 2 months left if everything goes according to plan.

The weather has been beautiful and plants are all going nuts. Not too many flowers out yet except all the lilacs that are just starting to bloom. There were a few hundred spider babies on one of our screen doors this afternoon and Greyson found a bunch of caterpillars crawling around inside the workout room. Apparently sugar ants invaded while we were gone. All but a few stragglers seem to have died from the ant bait put out.

I save a couple shrews, voles and mice from the cats each day. Luckily the cats like to play with them for a long time so I have a chance to save them before they get killed.

I think that is all of the small talk I have.
-Mel

dean's will not be able to attend

I’m headed out for a workshop north of Seattle.  We returned from our trip to Cape Disappointment- I really like this state park.  I’m hoping I can talk my family members in reserving several sites this summer or next year- I’m looking at the one with a yurt in spot 91…and the rest are primitive camp sites.  The campsite is great for bike riding, clamming, cliff climbing, beach walking, etc.  Anyway- we enjoyed our trip- just wished it had been longer…also was a little sad at all the garbage on the beach- we started to bring garbage bags to the beach- I will bring bigger ones the next time I go.  Lots of plastic lids and shotgun shells…L All family and friends are invited to join the next camping adventure- Brian has the last week in June off- so we’ve made reservations at the Pacific Beach State Park.  We’re on one of the sites that has a view of the ocean- near or on sand. 

Real quick update

Boys are in baseball- pictures will be sent this weekend- I hope.

Emma is quite the talker- always trying out new big words and mimicking her brothers.

Kalena is getting tall- she’s a brute and can take her sister down to the ground anytime.

Well got to run.

Mother's Day (from Mom/Janice)

Next Sunday is Mother's Day. My children and their families are all officially invited to come for the weekend if you are up for the drive. I know it is a very long way, so I understand if you can't make it or are visiting other mothers. Mothers and mother-in-laws are invited as well. I hope the good weather holds until then.

Noah Phillip

More baby pictures.. Michelle and Christopher made a trip to Chicago to see the new nephew.. It probably will not surprise anyone if Grandma buys Noah's parents a new Web Cam.. It will help us stay connected.

color

character

One of the highlights of our trip so far, was this guy.

We sat down beneath the canopied bird enclosure to watch him puree a small mouse with his bill, which was decidedly ill-suited for the purpose, for about 5 minutes before finally swallowing it whole. It made our eyes water just watching him.

The moment he was done, in came a group of folks, including a stroller carrying a toddler. The toddler evidently wanted to grab and chase the bird, and the mom lifted him out of the stroller so that he could do so. As the toddler came close and his hands out, the bird immediately tucked his head, puffed his chest, and ran a quick circle around the kid, who immediately burst into tears, scared and isolated by the move. The display worked very well, as if this problem had arisen many times before. As the child cried, the bird simply stood there next to him. The rest of us, content to just watch the animal, laughed heartily, as the mom, a little indignant, carried the kid away to safety. We shared a bit of a high-five after that. The bird, shown here is photographed shortly after the attack.

Vacation

Well we are having a great time here in San Diego. Our hotel is everything we were hoping it would be. You never know when you book something over Expedia whether it will really be like you planned when you get there. But our hotel is the nicest that I have ever stayed at, which isn't saying too much, and is right on the beach and we have a partial view oceanfront view, which surprisingly does have a great view of the ocean from the balcony. The rooms are large and we ended up with 2 queen sized beds which actually works out great since I sleep with about 50 pillows around me at night being pregnant and all. So we each took got our own bed (hey, this isn't a honeymoon). There is a large flat panel plasma TV, a robe to wear, they turn down our bed while we are at dinner and leave chocolates on the pillow. Greyson makes sure to enjoy the wine happy hour where they serve all sorts of alcohol for free down by the patio/pool area. We made a large mistake yesterday however. It was the first really warm sunny day and we sat by the pool reading books, swimming and having drinks brought to us every half hour. And after about 3 hours we were pretty much fried. The only sunscreen I had with us was my Oil of Olay and I think that just washed off with the first swim I took. But I feel a bit better this morning. But the hotel is lovely and I would recommend it if you can get a good price like we did. I think it goes for around $415/night if you book with the hotel but I know we only paid around $180 or so through expedia and to us the extra touches and oceanfront location were completely worth it and made the stay.

So far we have done lots of eating, visited the zoo and wild animal park, visited wine country where Greyson did some wine tasting, explored the boardwalk, relaxed poolside, etc. Today we are going to Sea World and then somewhere fun for dinner and we return home tomorrow. This has really been a great vacation and really the first real one since we have been married (almost 8 years by the way). Well, I think it is time to go down and have breakfast while we watch the surfers do there thing.

Hey, I did notice one weird thing while I was here, the seagulls don't make that awful racket like they do on the Oregon coast. It is really strange.

-Mel

Sickie (from Mom)

I appear to be cursed this year with a weak immune system. I have caught another cold, and this one is a doozy (sp? You know what I mean.) Anyway, I think I am over the worst of it (can't breave frue my node) and heading into the annoying nose blowing and coughing segment. I am sure I am better because tonight I unloaded/reloaded the dishwasher, put away clean clothes and started another load, made a pitcher of orange juice, and took out the garbage. The past two days I sent from chair to bed.

I can't believe my sister - who has very interesting things she has e-mailed her mother about - has not blogged any of it. Hint: Includes a new riding lawn mower and antiques.

Melanie and Greyson are in San Diego. Not quite the warm weather forecast they were hoping for, but plenty of sunshine. I understand Greyson took his laptop with him so I am expecting news on their trip as well. Yet, so far nothing. Hmmmmm. . . Hope they didn't end up in Arkansas like Jennifer and Brian did on their last trip.

Grandpa is dog and cat sitting in Stevenson. I've tried calling twice but no answer. He is either out watching the dogs play or napping. Its an even bet.

I got 4 hanging baskets for the deck. I think they are quite beautiful with small white flowers and some dark red accent ones. I think Dad would have preferred something much more colorful and showy. You can vote when you visit.

It seems very quiet here with neither a husband nor dog. The cats come and go but are pretty much quiet. Well, Will sometimes wails, but not often.

Isn't it also about time for new photos of Noah. They change so quickly when the are newborn. He's probably grown a beard by now.

Hope all is well with y'all. Wash your hands after you read this.