Day 181/365

Burgerville.
Oregon's finest fast food chain.
Yukon Gold Criss Cut Fries, Halibut Sandwich and a chocolate Hazelnut shake was my favorite meal of choice when pregnant with Katie.
This one is right by my OB office ~ it was the site of many lunches on appt. days.
Andrew and I enjoyed a quick (and delightful) lunch before his allergist appt.
(Skin test next month).

Day 180/365

Vacation Bible School was this week.
"Son surf beach" was the theme this year.
174 kids attended!
I'm so grateful that my kids have this experience each year.

PS. this picture was actually taken on thursday.  I brought my camera on wed. and forgot the memory card!
So I had to cheat a bit. :)

Day 179/365

A little role reversal today.
Matthew taught me how to play chess.
And then let me win.
He intentionally let me move out of "check" (or is it "Check Mate?") 3 different times just to keep the game going.

Day 178/365

After a lot of hard work on behalf of many people, Vacation Bible School started today!!
The kids had a GREAT time.
I am SO grateful for this ministry and all the people who contribute their efforts to it each year.

Day 177/365

After spending the afternoon decorating for Vacation Bible School, the ladies from my small group came over for "movie night." We had brownie sundaes, put the movie in (never watched it), cut crafts for VBS (note the garbage and box) and then just sat and talked for 6 hours!  Dan took this photo around midnight. :)  They are a wonderful group of women who inspire me in many ways ~ it would be nice to do this more often.

Day 176/365

The Great House Clean out of 2011 continues.
The Linen Closet and kids' bathroom are now finished.
The bonus room was started today.
I'm determined to see it through, but it's been a LOT of work.
We have TOO MUCH STUFF!

Day 175/365

A new stage of life: 
After tucking the boys in for the night I peeked back into their room to find them both reading in bed.
It made me smile.

Day 174/365

Shannon and I told Hannah and Matthew that if they read the Judy Moody book we'd take them to see the movie.
They both read it in a day and a half!
We made good on our promise and took them out tonight.
The movie was AWFUL, but the company was wonderful.
Special night with our oldest kids--Who are so much alike!
(Dates to come with the middles and youngest ones too.)  :)

Day 173/365

First and Last Day of First Grade.
Schools out for SUMMER!!!
(At last!)

Day 172/365

Andrew broke this angel last year.
It holds great sentimental value to me.
(It's from a nativity from my childhood and perched atop the creche that my Dad made).
It was a BAD day.
I glued it back together last night, though it was missing a piece in the front.
Katie saw to its demise this morning.

Day 171/365

Noah and Andrew were SO HAPPY to have the whole day to play together.
Kingdoms were conquered, Bad guys captured, and justice prevailed.
Mike called and reported that Noah put himself to bed when he returned home
...he was completely worn out from all of his heroic deeds from the day.

Day 170/365

Happy Father's Day, Dan!
We returned home late in the afternoon and opened gifts with Dan.
~ Some fun things for his grill.
A relaxing evening followed.
The kids are so lucky to have such a great Dad.

Day 169/365

Our first trip in (almost exactly) 6 years without kids!
We spent a wonderful weekend in Seattle.
It was much too short...but we really missed the kids!

Day 168/365

Mom and Winnie arrived today to watch the kids while Dan and I escape for the weekend.
Before leaving I took the Grandmas out to celebrate Mom's birthday over lunch.
(Hawaiian food at Tommy O's ~ delish!)
Happy Birthday, Mom!

Day 167/365

I took photos of Matthew's first grade art work today.

This was my favorite piece of his art from the year.

I plan to frame and hang it in the house. 

Day 166/365

"'C'mon partner!"  Grace said as they climbed on to Dan's childhood "horse."
(I tease him by calling it a cow.  It looks like a cow, doesn't it?)
Fun was had being "Cowgirls" this morning.

Day 165/365

A COLD weeknight dinner on the back patio with friends.
It felt like late October!
Warm chocolate chip pie waited for us inside for dessert.
It was nice to trade baseball games (Matthew's season is over) for time with friends.
PS.  How cute is Dan's smile?  That's what snagged me.  :)

Day 164/365

We went to watch my nephew Isaiah play baseball tonight. 
Their last game concluding an undefeated season!
He plays well enough to get away with these shoes.  :)
He's 8 years old, but was drafted to play up with the 9 & 10 year olds.
He's our family superstar! :)

Day 163/365

Claire's Barbie 6th Birthday!
A happy afternoon spent celebrating a special little girl.
We love you, Claire!!

Day 162/365

Watching the clouds go by.
Hope to have a lot of pictures like this during our Summer.

Day 161/365

A childhood fascination...Ants!

Day 160/365

"Would you care for some tea, Mrs. Nesbitt?"
Andrew says as he pours "tea" (water) into Katie's cup.
An early morning tea party in the backyard.
Andrew hasn't even gotten dressed yet. :)

Day 159/365

Can you figure out this picture?

Fun at bedtime with Mommy while Daddy worked the concession stand.

Day 158/365

Matthew's music program was today.
Held in their new gym.
I was in the back and couldn't get a good picture, but it's documented!
:)  It was very cute.

Day 157/365

(Matthew took off his shirt because his sunburn was hurting).
Matthew shows off his green ribbon for running 20 miles.
Yes, 20 miles!
They started running during recesses in May.
They get a ticket from the recess teacher as they finish each lap, then turn in their tickets to their teacher who tallies their distance.
They receive a ribbon at 10 mile increments.
Matthew was so excited to make it to the 20 mile mark today.
I was impressed!

Day 156/365

3 1/2 hours straight of swimming in the backyard.
Finally, some sunshine!!!
It was glorious.
The kids were thrilled and went to bed exhausted and sunburned.  (oops).

Day 155/365

An 8th Birthday Lego party for Matthew's at Big Al's.
A fun time was had by all!
When Matthew went to bed he said,
"Thank you for making that party for me, Mama."
It made all the work worthwhile.
I love you, sweet boy.
Happy Birthday!

Day 154/365

Matthew's Lego cake!
White with Cookies & Cream filling was his request.
Matthew made the "cake plate" for me.

Day 153/365

Mini Figure cupcakes made from the mold Grammie brought back from Germany.

Day 152/365

A themed sugar cookie has been a family favorite at the kids' birthday celebrations since Matthew's first birthday.  I have always loved sugar cookies and started collecting cutters and sprinkles as a newlywed.