End of School year fun!

The end of Preschool, 2nd grade, and 8th grade was a busy time, but chalked full of sweet memories!

 Grace's Greek Festival!  She had so much fun learning of Greece and constantly clarifies that her outfit is NOT called a Toga.  It is a Chiton, for heaven's sake.

 Ben had LOADS of fun at all his sibling's end of school activities.  He has non stop joy...  Except when he doesn't.  ha ha

 At Lovely Eva's Pre-School graduation!  She did a great job getting up on stage for the commencement, especially because she is SO shy.  She was great and had the best year!  She's already figuring out how multiplication works, so I'm pretty sure she'll eat up Kindergarten.

 Getting fancy for the Spring Show at school.

Master Trumpeteer at work.  He did a great job!

 JR had to speak at a conference in Boston for work, so his cute brothers met him there!  Enjoying the games and sites of Boston!

Enjoying his 32nd Bday cake!

Visiting the Rhododendron gardens with good buddies.

                                               Celebrating with Dad on his Father's Day!

Cutest thing ever.  When we were done giving JR his Father's Day gifts, Ben kept running and grabbing toys and favorite things to give his best buddy dad.  He loves him SO much and wanted to make him happy.  He even gave him a little train tunnel "hat." 

 Going fishing for her LAST 2nd grade field trip.  We did this in conjunction with Greek studies.  SO fun!

 Eva LOVED a ballet class she took for a month.  She eats, sleeps, and drinks ballet.

Tanner's 8th grade campout

This June, I was able to (with the help of several chaperons) take Tanner's class on a camp out at Silver Falls.  We stayed in an amazing old sheep farm called "Old Lodge."  We had a HUGE fire pit in the middle  in which we made cookie s'more sandwiches, made "hobo" dinners, warmed up on cold nights, etc.  We had a dance party, complete with a disco ball and strobe lights, we went on 6 mile hikes, we had spaghetti wars, ate lots of good meals and played to our hearts' delight.  It was a blast, and I had so much fun watching Tanner socialize and have a hugely fun memory of his 8th grade year.  I'm so excited, yet sad he's old enough to be entering high school in the fall.  He is a GREAT kid and I'm so proud of him, but mainly-JR and I feel really blessed at all he's taught us.

EVA's School Picture

We just got Eva's school picture and it is adorable. I thought I would also add some recent videos of her and Ben. Enjoy.

Normal Blood Counts!!!

Since treatment has ended, Grace continues to go in for blood work every two months. She will continue to do so for several years just as a precaution.  We received word from Grace's favorite nurse, Katie, that for the FIRST time in more than THREE years-Grace has a NORMAL blood count!  Even her ITP (platelet condition) has a low, but NORMAL status! What a miracle!  I am using A LOT of exclamation marks!!!  Seriously!!!  We are SO humbled and thankful for all the prayers in Grace's behalf.  They worked!

Re-emerging...

After a LONG, rainy winter...spring has emerged.  We are SO glad! I guess we took a "blog hibernation period" but it's time to play winter catch up.  So, in order of events since January...

Ben decided to play dress up...in girls undies.  Not sure I want to try

to explain this one.

 Eva LOVES playing dress up as well-and "personal make up stylist." 

I turned 32 in January, and still am officially a cradle robber, since I've got four months age gain on my hubby.

 I got an awesome Cricut for my Bday!  Here were Eva's fun Valentine cards and homemade playdough.

Again...dress up...faux nails style.

 Red Velvet Valentine's Day "cupcake in jars"  Je Vous Aime!

Tanner's wicked battle wound from a metal piece off our couch base. It left a gruesome scar, but he thinks it makes him look like a man.  A long with his three arm pit hairs.

 Man beauty extraordinaire!  Need I say more?

 The Leprechaun's visited!  They even visited our "Lou" and then rewarded us by leaving golden coins.

Sunday Finery

The first Sunny day...Ding Dongs, Ice Cream, and sibling affections. Notice how we are relishing

in sunlight?  It's because we see it a handful of times in Portland.

 The same kiddo that dressed up in girls undies pretending to sleep on a Barbie bed.  Funny kid.

Easter finery...except that poor little Ben.  Sick and inside resting.