Lettin' The Good Times Roll

Introducing...HEADS-UP GIRLS!

2008-11-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

It's official... I've finally started a girl's friendship group! My longtime friend Sandy (at Reluctant Entertainer) has been prodding me to start a group for Shanna and friends since Shanna was in 1st grade! She's in 5th and I'm finally feeling like I could give it a try... Sandy's called her group Balcony Girls and previously God's Girls and FaithGirlz, we're calling our group Heads-Up Girls.

Heads-Up is significant because it could mean keeping your chin up and not being down, looking towards heaven for guidance, being aware (like "heads up!!!!!), and just sounds like a great motto for having healthy self-esteem.

This is Gabi, Gabi's mom - Anne, and Shanna chatting over cookies and milk..

We moved to the family room after coloring scarecrows... the girls snuggled up on couches with blankies to listen as Miss Anne shared with them about the differences between a clique and a group of people who share a common interest(s)..

Jordan, Haley and Sam were taking notes and listening and participating and learning!

Anne did such a fantastic job at giving the girls a fun exercise to do and I actually had some thinking to do about being inclusive, being friendly and not getting caught up in being exclusive.

She's going to be our guest speaker quite a bit I think!

Haley and Jo at the cookie table!

This is Bonnie, she's one of the coaches helping me each week, she'll be working with the girls on their scripture memory verse...

And then there's Mary Anne, Haley's "Noni", who was an elementary teacher for 25 years! She'll be the "link" to talking to little girls and also will be the crafts guru... I'm so excited and blessed to have this support for our girls.

Next time we're looking forward to a couple girls who are still taking an after-school art class joining us... Lots of great topics to talk about this year!

BLAZERS Opening Night!!!

2008-11-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

Trailblazer Mania this past weekend! Hubby and I went to opening night at the Rose Garden... so awesome!!! Blazers won by 1 point -- sooo exciting! Earth Wind and Fire was the opening act, playing as the Blazers came out... They sounded fantastic and just like you would remember.

OK, so this time we had Lexus Club Level seats, Hubby and Eric love these seats because of the "free" food and buffet that comes with the seats. Literally anything and everything you could want to eat and should NOT eat is up for grabs. And grab I did. Everyone was loaded up with candy, hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn, cookies, drinks and the great buffet food.. there was a taco bar, roast beef and roast turkey and great salads and grilled vegies.
Oh, yes and free hats and posters and bumper stickers. I'm wearing 2 hats because my arms are full.

Blazer stunt team and Blazer dancers are so fun to watch... super-human!

I was shocked that my husband would jump right into the group of girls and swing his arm around one and say "TAKE MY PICTURE!".. Notice all the timid souls just content to look on (probably with major jealousy).

Oh wait! If one Blazer cheerleader is good, then TWO WOULD BE GREAT!!!

And if that weren't enough, who should walk right by us as we were going to sit down, but Jerome Kersey! Next to Clyde "TheGlide" Drexler, Jerome was always our favorite player back in the 90's! What a handsome and gracious man he was... they were shaking hands but I boobed up the picture darn it!

Oh yeah, and the Blazers did play and we did watch and yell and scream and make fun of drunks. A good time. Going back this weekend to watch them play the Minnesota Timberwolves and Kevin Love visiting his hometown. I'm anxious to see how Oregon folks will treat K-Love who went off to UCLA instead of staying here. (He only went one year and then turned pro this year so what d does it matter??)

I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!!!!!

Time To Volunteer!!

2008-10-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday night our family (minus Eric who was sick) went to the Northwest Children's Outreach in the Pearl District of Portland. The ministry serves other organizations in the area, filling needs for complete baby layettes, diaper bags, clothing and toys. It is very clean and well organized by specific type of garment, gender and size. This is one portion - looking down the little girls' row..
After we picked up a child's order, we would go around the building "shopping" for the child -- a specific amount of clothing is placed into each order, several shirts and pants, pajamas, onesies or t-shirts, socks, underwear, a coat, sweatshirt, hat and gloves, shoes, a little scripture book, and 2 toys and 2 or 3 stuffed animals! I cannot imagine what the little 2 year old boy will do when he gets his bag! This is all for one child - so awesome!

My husband Jim isn't normally a big shopper so this required extreme concentration..

OK, so he did have some break time with Noelle's husband Brad... apparently some macho "fishing" talk was needed.

Jenae absolutely loved this night and she said "when do we get to come back!!??" She would dig around the stack of names to find the little babies and then become a personal stylist to that baby... she was putting together the most adorable little outfits!

Shanna also had a great time, what 10 year old girl wouldn't enjoy "shopping" for cute clothes and fun toys for other kids? She was also adding her fashionista flair to her bags. (I'm now thinking that maybe dear ol' Dad shouldn't have been left alone with clothing choices - hmmm)..

This is my dear friend Noelle at the end of the night, she's so beautiful but it took me 3 tries to get a picture of her with her eyes open - haha!

One last picture of Shanna the cutie making a little baby girl warm and adorable!

We're going to be taking our kids to NCO every month on the last Tuesday night as part of our community group at our church, Rolling Hills Community Church. If any of you in the area want to join us, please do!

Portland Farmer's Market ... Sigh....

2008-10-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

I recently enjoyed a beautiful day at an outing to the Portland Farmer's Market downtown by PSU. Some friends and I went to South Park (not the comic strip) for a great lunch and then went to the last farmer's market of the season (sad). I wanted to share some pictures of the crisp Fall day!
Here's Judith (red jacket) and Noelle (black jacket) getting ready to buy some flowers..
I didn't buy any pickles from Picklopolis but I did enjoy the sign.

Every imaginable variety of organically grown vegetable was displayed and it was just fun to walk around marvelling at the beauty!

Lots of vendors had beautiful flowers for sale, quite a treat in October!

Portland is a very eclectic little city as I'm beginning to see more and more... Noelle works as a realtor downtown and she's got the pulse of the city for sure! As I go places with her I will keep posting pictures of my new discoveries.

Eric's Birthday and Choir Concert

2008-10-27T21:11:00.001-07:00

Eric took of his buddies to Red Robin and a movie for his 15th birthday last week... L-R are Conor, Eric, Derek and Nick...
Eric and Derek went to school together K, 1st and 2nd at Kennedy Elementary in Medford, OR and then again in Middle School. Derek moved up here to the Portland area about 6 months before us so even tho they aren't at the same school we have Derek here a lot!

I think ice cream was a bit much after their dinners... It's so amazing to think that Eric's 15 and can legally drive a car! The permit test is happening this week sometime. Yikes. Be on the lookout.

Eric's first high school choir concert was this week, he sang with the Tenor/Bass Choir and in the All-Boys songs. He's front row and center in this picture.

He had a falsetto solo in the old 50's song "Get a Job".... he didn't even seem nervous and sang really great --- the boy with the long, swaggy hair in the top right of the picture is a senior in Jenae's class and is already college bound with a full-ride vocal scholarship! Eric and Justin sang the highest part in another song together because they both have a high range... Eric was excited.

High School Musical On Ice - Amazing!

2008-10-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Troy and Gabriella looked a little bit different than they do on-screen, (actually a LOT different), but the lip-syncing was great and we all had a blast!

Ryan and Sharpay were pretty close in resemblance and fabulous dancers and skaters as well..

It's absoutey crazzzzy what people can do on ice skates; it looks as easy as walking across a gym floor. (Which the Rose Garden actually is when the Trailblazers are playing on it!)

My friend Gina and I, she's Haley's mom...

Shanna and Haey looking at the program while waiting outside in the cold. It was a great night!

OK, We DO Have 3 Kids....

2008-09-22T07:51:00.001-07:00

Little Miss Thang.........

So, the little 5th grader - Shanna - doesn't lead a life as exciting as Jenae and Eric.... but I've had it pointed out to me this morning that she's not been in my blog lately. She actually DOES exist so this is a little tribute to Shanna Kristine. Who someday will be veeerrrry lucky to be the only child in this house!

She plays on a club volleyball team... She faces the right direction sometimes....
She is very serious and intent on getting the serve... She has braces on her little teeth and she's just a sweetheart!!
Love you Shannie!!!

Tualatin HS Homecoming 2008

2008-09-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

Freshman (Eric) and Senior (Jenae) ... Wow... So much fun! We had Eric's group come over at 5 pm and we had snacks and pictures for his group, then off they went to Hayden's Lakefront Grill for dinner.

This is Eric and his date, Jourdan.

Eric and his best buds, Payton and Conor.
Eric's whole big group before heading off to dinner... first high school dance!
Jenae snuck downstairs from her friends and got some pictures with Eric. Then her friends and their dates had their picture taking session...

Jenae and Kevin... ouch.
Jenae, Karissa, Alex and Alexa.
Seniors getting pictures before going to dinner at McCormick and Schmick's at Bridgeport Village.... these guys are so lucky to live in a place where there's so many awesome things to do!
Jenae was getting sick of pictures by now..
And my FAVORITE picture of the night which I will treasure forever.....

Or do you think it's this one????

Sigh............ Tears............

Visit With My Aunt Nancy & Uncle Tony!

2008-09-19T15:52:00.001-07:00

My Aunt and Uncle stopped by with their good friends Joe and Marcia over the weekend... we had a GREAT visit! Eric & Jenae just love my Aunt Nancy and Aunt Robin -- 2 of my dad's sisters... They are freakin' hilarious (well, their guys are too!) Jenae and Eric came back with all kinds of bad stories about their aunts when they went down to So. Cal. in July!! Aunt Cherie is spared their bad rep because she's on the East coast. Someday we'll all get together I hope!

Uncle Tony gives Eric a bad time and vice-versa... it's USC vs. UO for these two!
Thanks for stopping by - we'll see you at Spring Break for cheerleading nationals!

Speaking of cheerleading... a few pictures from last weekend:

Tonight's the homecoming parade and game - Jenae's last high school homecoming game! Sad...

Grain Goodness

2008-09-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

My breadmaker has been getting quite the workout of late, two loaves were birthed today. This beautiful honey wheat bread.....
and this amazing banana bread with walnuts (lots) and chocolate chips....
The wheat bread which is just the standard honey wheat recipe from the Breadman pamphlet is very good as printed, but for a shout-out to Omega 3's I dropped in a good 1/2 cup of finely ground walnuts. Trying to get hubby's Hdl cholesterol up, and the rest of us will benefit too. I also used canola oil instead of melted butter (duh!), and subbed 1/4 c. of egg beaters for the egg. Jenae said at dinner "mom your bread is dank"! I said, "Is that good or bad"? haha
(It's good.)

First Day of Jenae's Senior Year!!

2008-09-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

My little baby has started her last year of high school. It's something that she and I can't believe; we talked about it today after school / before cheer practice... she said that it really hasn't hit any of them yet, they kind of look around for the "older" kids, and then realize they ARE the older kids now!
I took these pictures of Karissa, Jenae and Alex after they had been at Senior Sunrise 6:00 am, then came home before school started...
Jenae drives Eric to school every day now, no more bus for him!
It's great having them both at the same school....even if just for a year.... although her guy friends came and found him today and carried him into the senior hallway and gave him a big wedgie in front of a giant group of seniors!!
The girls do love teasing Eric (and he loves it too I assure you).
Tomorrow night's the first home football game!! It will be very exciting for this mom! Eric gets to wear his Tualatin Mafia shirt for the first time and Jenae's going to be cheering on the big box right in the center! I'll post lots of pictures for sure.

B-A-C-K TO SCHOOL ... (Happy Voice!)

2008-09-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

Eric's first day as a bald Freshman!! Tualatin High School now has TWO Giorvas kids! I'm happy that they get a year together. Both Jenae and Eric came home today saying how cool it is to see each other all during the day. Jenae and the other seniors (yes, indeed, senior) don't start until tomorrow but she's a Packleader (freshman babysitter) so she went today too. She is doing lots of leadership things - she spoke today at the opening rally and she's in charge of the rally on Friday too. No pictures of her today but I'll get some of her tomorrow morning on her way to Senior Sunrise (watch the sun rise together on the first day, watch the sun set on the last! Cute, eh?)
Eric and Shanna getting ready to head off to 9th and 5th grades...
Shanna's in a class with two good friends, Sam-left and Maddie-right. She likes her teacher so far, but this judgment may be revised at any time..
Fun organizing all the classroom goodies!!!
I had a fabulous day of working and enjoying the solitude! Beautiful weather and sunshine and children happily nestled away at school. Priceless.

It's Been Quiet Around Here...

2008-08-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

With Shanna gone to visit our friends Byron and Sarah's little girl Caitlin. We met up with them at PF Chang's at Bridgeport Village on Sunday, had a great visit, then off they went!

Caitlin on left and Shanna - so happy to see each other after a year!
Our dear friends Byron and Sarah, we miss going to movies with them every weekend!
The girls hamming it up....
Karol and Sarah, bff's of course! Byron and Sarah's daughter Megan and son-in-Law Andy.. They're moving up here in a month! yayayayay!!!!
After lunch, the kids played in a radio contest promo game.... Andy won a gift certificate at UnderUForMen - haha...

Getting sticky with it....
Caitlin and Megan - twins much???
After saying our goodbyes I met my mom who had my brother Greg and wife Jen's little girl, Morgan with her.... we went to Ross and had a fun time with her. I believe my mom (Nana) was told NOT to purchase any toys for Morgs but we had to bribe her to get her into the cart!! Sorry Greg and Jen..... btw, my name is "Auntie Teerol".
It's been good for Shanna to be away with her friend, but I'm anxious to go get her tomorrow!!

30th Anniversary Party!

2008-08-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

My sister-and-brother-in-law, Tim and Judy, had a surprise 30th Anniversary luau thrown by their 5 kids this weekend.. The kids had them arrive at the park blindfolded (they thought they were going to Mexican food!).....
and then they took the blindfolds off to "SURPRISE!!!" and many, many old and new friends and family members! Plus a big sign announcing their gift of a trip to Maui this December!
Tony, the oldest, almost 30 years old, read a very touching and funny poem written for his parents..... there's a lot of humor needed in a family with 5 kids each born 2 years apart! The 4 kids pictured are: Jana, Janine, Tony and Jandi. Timmy, the baby, is serving a mission in Brazil for 2 years.
Tony and his wife, Krista, put together a fantastic video presentation with lots of great pictures from Tim and Judy's wedding, then a journey through each of the kids being born, then on to the grandkids.... everyone was in tears, it was very touching.
This is our great-niece, Abby, Tony and Krista's 2nd child. (Tim and Judy's only grand-daughter out of FIVE grandkids!) Anyway, nobody can get near Abby except Krista when she's awake, so I got this shot quickly!

This is Conner, swinging away at a pinata... He's Janine's baby.
This is Kasen, Rosie's 3rd child. Rosie is another one of our nieces from sister-in-law Joann.
This is my baby girl Shanna with Rosie's middle child, Graci. She's actually so much like Jenae as a 3 year old it's unbelievable.
And here's Preston, Tony and Krista's son, spittttttting image of daddy as a baby!!
Benjamin is Jana's oldest boy, he's one of the few blondes in the family because his daddy is very blonde! There's never been a blonde kid in Tim and Judy's family so Jana having little blondes is very funny!

And here's Jana with tiny baby boy Elijah.... he's blonde too and just as precious as can be. What a sweet cuddle bug he is!
Eric and Jenae (and Shanna of course) pretty much spent the day chasing around after their cousin's little babies... the moms are completely worn out these days!
It was a beautiful party with chicken and beef kabobs, lots of fruit, salads, rolls, chips and salsa and costco cakes (the best!)... Grants Pass Oregon has a beautiful park but boy, was it hot that day! Us Portlanders felt a wee bit uncomortable .... (read: sweating like pigs).....
Great Job Tony and Krista, Jana, Jandi, Janine! It was an awesome day!

SENIOR!??!

2008-08-25T19:41:00.001-07:00

Jenae's starting her senior year next week! I can't believe it. I. Can't. Believe. It. She's such a great girl, just so darn funny... she keeps things hoppin' wherever she is. I'm going to really try and focus on savoring every single moment of this year before she's off to OSU or UO next year. Last year of being a cheer-mom unless Shanna wants to cheer in high school -- she's recently saying she does want to be a cheerleader. I took this picture of the 4 senior girls on Varsity at Tualatin High School last week. They're beauties, right?? (Jenae's the one without blonde hair and blue eyes FYI) She looks like a foreign exchange student in Sweden.

White Christmas - I Mean Summer

2008-08-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

This is what we awaken to after our short summer night's sleep (because Jenae comes home in the wee hours and Eric and friends are very loud playing whatever it is they play)............

Seriously, I'm sick of toilet paper in our trees. This has been our plague since Jenae was in 8th grade.... no matter what school she goes to, no matter where we live, WE are the ones that get tp'd. Twice in the last week! The kids here are amateurs compared to the tp'ers in Medford that used to get us... they were real pros.

Waikiki To Visit The Sharps

2008-08-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Eric and Shanna were really great together on this trip to visit Bob and Cindy.

This is Cindy with a little Japanese lady at the Food Court at Mauna Loa center. She spoke verrry little English, and we couldn't understand what she would say to us... the words would just get more and more emphatic and harder to understand! She wanted me to give her either my camera or a picture of her but I couldn't do either. I think she got mad.
The food court was crazy busy and we were lucky to get 3 seats together.
Eric wading in the water by Bob and Cindy's house.
Bob - looks like he walks on water. He does not.
Shanna at Waikiki Beach.
We had such a great time visiting with the Sharps, they were great hosts to us. We ate out at several restaurants, some better than others - haha, and played cards every night. Their condo is nice and clean, freshly painted with Cindy's artistic decorating ability... very oriental. Bob's working hard as the resident manager over all 64 condos... it's too much for a retired firefighter in my opinion! Thanks again guys, we'll be back in a couple months!

Sorry - I've Been Busy!!!!!

2008-08-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

A lot of the fam and friends have been saying, "Why aren't you blogging??" Simple answer: kids home for the summer. I've just not been able to get to the computer and download photos... but I HAVE been taking pics all along!

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow - NOT.

2008-07-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

We took Jenae and Eric to the Portland airport for their big first trip alone together! They're going to spend 5 days in Huntington Beach Cali with my dad and step-mom. It's the world series of surfing this weekend and Eric's crazy for surfing! Jenae will just hang out at the beach and shop with Grandma Laura. They're also going to spend a long day at Disneyland by themselves, that will be a big occasion - no supervision!!

It's interesting that when I had my little babies I couldn't imagine an hour without him or her. Then when they started getting close to school age I couldn't imagine how I was going to make it 4 WHOLE HOURS without him or her. Then the first time they spent the night at someone's house - how long the evening was! Now that my 2 oldest kids are high schoolers (senior and freshman) I look forward to them out of the house and some ALONE TIME!!! The two of them are never here without at least 1 other body. Jenae usually has her 3 closest girlfriends with her at all times and Eric has the neighborhood boys and his 2 good friends that live a few blocks away. We stash them in all parts of the house for guitar hero, Wii, etc. -- the garage, the living room, the family room, etc. and we retreat to our bedroom for quiet! In just 4 more years it will be relatively peaceful with only Shanna at home. I love the kids and their friends and I know they're safe when they're here at home but I'm going to enjoy the next 4 days for all it's worth!

Oo-oh-hhh, Say Can You See??!!!??

2008-07-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Haley and Shanna in the Escalade..

4th of July Parade starts at Bridgeport Elementary and winds through our subdivision (Fox Hills). It's just good ol' Americana at it's best!

Lots and lots of little kids, babies, moms and dads -- on bikes, scooters, wagons, even a tractor!
Ready, set, go!!!
Eric's gang throwing candy AT the parade kids.... (he's 2nd from left sitting. )
BFF's with red and blue hair. Haley's got a Sunriver tan. Shanna's red, WHITE and blue.
Hope you all had a Happy safe 4th!

View With Caution.....

2008-07-04T21:10:00.001-07:00

Don't say I didn't warn you....
Jenae's cheer coach just posted pictures from cheer camp.
There's this little gem of the girls with greasy hair parted weird (and tied under her chin??!!?), no makeup and sappy grins.
Oh and I do love the ear sticking out also.
I'm one proud mom indeed.

This is what she looks like tonight, just 1 week later.... Extreme Makeover concluded.

Sorry about the odd size of this picture... not sure what's up with that.

4th of July Pictures Up Next!!!! Stay Tuned!!

THE REAL Dynamic Duo....

2008-07-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

It's not Batman and Robin after all.
The Dynamic Duo is these two cutie pies:

I am a crazy, itching fool after I shave (legs, armpits, whatever).... and these were selected from their homes on the store shelves for their pronouncement of being for "XTRA-SENSITIVE" skin (although one was for merely "SENSITIVE SKIN") ......

No false advertising!! THEY WORK!!!! No itch, no burn, no sting, and best of all -- no hair!!!!!

Just thought I'd share. Do any of you girls get itchy legs after shaving? Or is it just me??

Last Post About Eric. Ever. I Promise.

2008-07-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy my 2 daughters could care less about my blog - they would give me untold amounts of grief about me favoring Eric here... In my "real" world, Eric's always doing guy things with Dad and I'm doing the girl things (cheer and volleyball, shopping, shopping, shopping) with Jenae and Shanna. But..... he's the focus of yet another pictorial.

Eric getting ready to bat - last baseball game! Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!!!
Getting amused by something going on behind the batter.
Getting ready to come on home!!

The good news.... Eric and Hayden enjoying 11 pm bowls of cereal before hitting the sack.

This is the bad news.... The 2 of them can polish off a whole box in one round.

OK, I'm bored with Eric now. Hopefully Jenae and Shanna will get into some trouble soon that I can make fun of. There's hope --- fireworks tomorrow night!!!

How Could One Little Thing...

2008-07-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

... Make me so dang happy??? This little item has made my kitchen sink visits almost enjoyable! The pretty-fruity-orange color inside, the clean and simple design outside, it's made me happier than I could imagine... (Oh, OK, it's not THAT great). I'll always be able to tell when I'm close to running out -- but I suspect I'll keep it filled up pretty close to the top half or more!

Is there anything in your everyday life that makes you want to chortle with glee???

At Least There's No Corn In His Teeth

2008-07-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Eric was pretty into this piece of corn - he was just mowing away on it.
He happily gave me a corn-delirium smile, never suspecting the kernels were affixed to his face. I am evil.

A Little Sprucin' Up

2008-07-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

When we moved into this house in Tualatin from Medford OR a year ago there were golden oak cabinets. We had them painted a just-off-white-nice-creamy-color.
This was a BIIIIG improvement, but still needed the final touches.... They aren't this white but the flash blared right out there! Now I need to de-junkify my countertop and kitchen will be a happy place.
Shanna got some new pictures for her bedroom wall to match ........
her new tres' chic bedspread!! She's got the Parisian / fashionista theme going on!
It was a productive Sunday afternoon I must say!!!

Nope, I Didn't

2008-06-30T08:49:00.001-07:00

I didn't take the job, even tho just 12 hours a week, I just decided I'm going to keep my current job (homemaker extraordinaire).... Since time's running out on my time with kids at home (last year with Jenae, Eric's starting high school and Shanna's in 5th grade), I decided after much deliberation I need and want to be here!

I'm going to be starting a Friendship group with my daughter and any of her friends that want to be a part of it. I've talked with my friend Sandy in Medford for many years about doing one and Shanna's got such a great group of friends I'm ready to take it on. Sandy calls her group Balcony Girls, but that doesn't ring with me. I'm looking for suggestions! The group will be learning friendship principles (one at a time!), do a craft or recipe and just grow together! Forever Friends? Faith Friends? Goodness Girls? Help!

You Know You're An Oregonian....

2008-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

.......... When you arrive at Whole Foods with your Green bags (see 'em everywhere tho!).

Shanna was so excited to take the camera and shoot me!

If you can see the prices of organic produce here, then you can see if we pay more than you do. I am thrilled with the stores that now offer organic produce, milk and meat... not just Trader Joes and Whole Foods anymore.
It is just a joy to behold the clean array of awesome produce. This place is poppin' on Sunday afternoons so lots of people must agree.

I love it that they always have so many checkers and baggers working cuz I hate to wait! These girls were so cute and happily posed for me!

When we were leaving with our healthy groceries, Shanna got a kick out of this car and she said that she want's a "fruit car" someday. Attention-getting for sure.

Oops, STILL Can't Do Math

2008-06-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

HaHa - My mom just informed me that I am 45, NOT 46! And I quote her - "I was there"... too funny. It turns out that I will be 46 on August 4. I suppose it's too late to get back the entire year I've missed being 45. Does anyone else have this trouble remembering their age???

Shanna and Morgan's Birthday

2008-06-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

We also did a little family party for Shanna and her little cousin Morgan who just turned 3. She's my brother and sis-in-law - Greg & Jen's little girl. Morgs is verrrrrry reserved around us but she really looks up to Shanna and we all adore her!! Greg & Jenny live in Beaverton which is 15 minutes from here but we're hoping they'll move into the neighborhood soon!

Shanna's Birthday Affair

2008-06-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

For Shanna's 10th birthday this year, I used Karissa's advice - and took her group of friends out to the salon for makeup, hair and nails! It was a long couple of hours, but they really enjoyed it. They bonded over girl time and I could tell they felt very "adult". They acted completely different than they did at our valentines day party only 4 months ago.

After beautification, Jenae and her friends Karissa and Alex joined us at Penney's for a PHOTO SHOOT! Lots of great shots! I ordered some for everyone.... so hang in there. After a tiring model session we ended up at Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. Everyone was looking at the 12 beautiful girls I had with me. It was an awesome, special birthday for sure.

Haley getting her nails done after the hair and make-up.

Shanna's nails getting done after hair and make-up.

Too bad you can't really see those eyelashes.

Sam getting her hair done.

Shanna getting the war-paint on.

Maddie wasn't too sure about the whole process!

Gabi in background and Sarah in foreground endured lots of curling iron time.

The final product - Top: Haley, Gabi, Jordan, Middle: Alexa, Shanna, Sarah, Bottom: Sam, Riley, Maddie.

Alex, Jenae and Karissa

The girls in a group shot - we'll never see them like this again until Junior Prom!

Shanna and Haley took some "love" shots.

Eric and his friends want to do the make-over party for his 15th in October.

haha

TualatinFest

2008-06-28T08:21:00.001-07:00

A couple weekends ago our town held a festival on the commons by the lake... there was literally a booth for every type of kid activity you've ever or never heard of! A great time for families with little kids to start signing up for activities they might be interested in. TuHS cheerleaders came as ambassadors and Shanna and her friends enjoyed playing around.

Varsity squad taken by Coach Coyle.
Varsity being introduced at the festival. The Mayor has a daughter on JV so there will be lots of perks this year I think!

Shanna and Haley in the sun.
Shanna's friends Maddie, Gabi, Haley and her little bro Blake.

Mr. Boy (Our New Baby)

2008-06-27T21:59:00.001-07:00

To be fair, I needed to add him in here and introduce him as well. Our much-loved friends Bob and Cindy bequeathed him to us when they became dearly departed Hawaiians!!!! The couple we played Hand And Foot with 2 or 3 times a week for 20 years have also moved from the Rogue Valley. Bob's retired from the fire dept. and has a job as a manager of a condo complex on Oahu. We'll be visiting them every few months and I'll show pictures of the new place. We're going to be their FIRST guests in a few weeks! Thanks Bob and Cindy for years of "lettin' the good times roll" (Cindy would say it in French if she were here).... and for Mr. Boy.

My Little Tiny Baby Girl is 10 Now

2008-06-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, Shanna's got the braces on to close up the family front-teeth gap we all have had.

Shanna will kill me when she sees I've let her secret about her blankie out.

And here she is - getting out of 4th grade! On to 5th grade and her last year at Bridgeport Elementary School... how amazing is that??

Why I Love Tide

2008-06-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Eric spends more time horizontal than vertical and he loves it that way.

Busy Day

2008-06-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

Jenae's Team Competed at Oregon State University today... well, they got evaluated by NCA judges ....

Jenae accepted the trophy for her squad as the varsity captain (even tho her coach doesn't use the term captain, she calls her squad Leader)... They got Top Team!!

They were flipping crazy!!! This was Jenae's last cheer camp... she's a Senior this year.. She was one of 6 (or 7?) named as All-American cheerleaders on the last day!! Way to go Jenae!