32

From April 15...

Yes, a little behind on the blogging.  I have a completely new work schedule which deserves its own post. :)

B gathered together my family up to my Dad's house for some delicious Flying Pie Pizza (the BBQ chicken pizza was SO good!), salad and of course cake to celebrate my birthday (April 11).  B knows that being with my family is my favorite, so this was a perfect way to celebrate! Thank you B! And thank you to all my family for coming to celebrate me turning 32 (!).  I received so many wonderful gifts...plants, handmade gifts, giftcards, and I have to give a special shout out to Steph for her gift to me.  She knows me like no other and put together a package of some of my favorites: sourballs, Biore strips (don't ask), and a Gilly shirt! Love her!

Olivia loves her Uncle Randy

She flocks to the basketballs when we're up at Grandpa's house

Austin and Peyton played Ninjago/swords the entire night.  I love that they are at a good age now to play together.

Delicious homemade cake! My fave

Listening to everyone singing happy birthday...always fun

Making a wish

Gilly...................

Olivia loves all the men in the family. Here she is with Uncle Randy and Cousin Brandon.  Flirty McFlirterson

My soon-to-be Niece Kate made this leather chevron bracelet for me.  Love it!

My nephew Drew's girlfriend made this gorgeous mason jar vase.  I wish I had the craft talent  these girls do!

No Tee

Yesterday, for the last inning of Peyton's game they batted with no tee.  I RACED from work, hoping to catch at least one inning...I sped, and then sprinted from my car to the field..only to see Peyton standing on first base.  He had his last at bat.  :(
BUT B got it on video for me...so proud of my boy.  He's improved so much this season!

Happy Birthday B~

Brandon turned 32 yesterday...finally I can say we're the same age! :)
After work we met up at Famous Dave's BBQ with family to celebrate.  WOW, it was so delicious!  If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it...really good BBQ place.

Sibling love.  

Peyton taking pictures...

Trying to get a pic of B with the kids...but it just didn't work.  haha

B's cousin Victoria and Aunt Rochelle

Family pic

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is now and forever will be bittersweet for me.  I had a hard time fully enjoying the day without my mom.  B's parents took the kids overnight the night before so we could go to my sister's b-day celebration, so we got to stay up late AND sleep in til like 8:30!  It was nice! B made me some Belgian waffles for breakfast and we ran a few errands together.  Simple things like that make me happy.  B was upset because he did a project with the kids that ending up falling apart a bit.  I still loved it though! It was cement stepping stones for my garden with the kids' hand/foot prints.  We'll probably buy another kit to try it again.

My loves and I!

Peyton made me this at school for Mother's Day

And this candle holder...love the homemade gifts!

After Olivia had her morning nap, we picked up the kids and headed up to Mt Calvary to take my mom some flowers.  Again...bittersweet.  It was a beautiful day, but it's hard being there...

Olivia smelling the flowers.  I know my mom is constantly smiling down  at the kids...

After more naps, we headed to B's parent's house for dinner to celebrate with his mom.  Happy Mother's Day to her, she is like a mom to me!

50

My sister turned the big 5-0 on May 11.  She's the firstborn of the 5 of us.  I found this awesome idea on Pinterest for a gift of 50 memories.  I emailed a ton of family and friends asking them to mail me memories of her.  I got exactly 50 back! She was surprised and loved it. She read a few of them out loud...some made her nostalgic, some were hilarious, and some were embarrassing!  Thank you to everyone who sent in their memories! She had a get-together at her house last weekend of yummy BBQ, drinks (fireball!), and cake.  Happy Birthday to my big sister! Love you!

50  years of memories

May summer-like SUN!

The last week or so has been so hot and sunny! It totally felt like summer...now we're back to cloudy and rain is next in the forecast.  We enjoyed it while it lasted though.  Lots of t-ball, playing outside, and yard work.

Peyton is such a great helper outside.

Cutie

I can't even begin to explain how much I LOVE that she is already loving basketball!

Riding his bike super-duper fast!

Blowing bubbles for sister

She thought she was pretty slick in big brother's John Deere

Olivia is ALL over the place at Peyton's games.  B and I take turns chasing her around everywhere

She's made a couple little friends in the process!

Peyton is doing so well in t-ball! They have been doing more hitting without a tee during practice and also sometimes in the last inning of the games.  He said he likes to hit more without the tee.

Running bases

Anniversary dinner

Last night, B picked me up from work and we went to the Melting Pot for our anniversary dinner.  It never fails to disappoint...so good, and we were so full!

iPhone pics...out of order.

Dessert.  We had the S'more chocolate fondue

(ignore the freaky eyes) B had long-stemmed roses at the table for me.  Sweet guy!



This was fun surprise with dessert



Lots of delicious meat/seafood for our main course.  So good!

Rain (lightening) out

We've been extremely lucky with weather as far as t-ball is concerned.  We have had no-rain outs, but last week we did have a game cancelled due to lightening in Troutdale.  It looked ugly, and hadn't started to rain yet.  Black clouds and lightening for sure though.  So, we headed back to the park by our house to play for a while before it down poured.  The kids had so much fun swinging and running around. Gotta love Oregon for baseball season...I remember it all too well when I played softball all those years. Peyton playing t-ball brings back so many fun memories for B and I. We're really enjoying this season.

Checking out the duckies

15 Months

Yesterday Olivia turned 15 months.  She is as lively and fun as ever! This past month, she seems to have grown a bit more mischevious.  She is getting into more stuff than before.  It's crazy how fast she can empty a cupboard or drawer.  Just this morning, I was running around cleaning, and getting ready and I walked into the kitchen where she had a box of Cherrios out, and feeding them to Tootsie. 
Her fine motor skills have taken off this past month.  She loves to try and snap or buckle things, and wants to try and zip up her own coat. She loves to push buttons and has mastered unlocking my iPhone. She's notorious for getting into my purse, emptying my wallet, etc.  I always find lots of fun treasures that she's put in there.
Olivia can still be a clingy little thing, especially if she's tired, or if it's clear I'm busy with something.  She will follow me around as I clean up, whining, wanting me to pick her up.  If she's outside, it's a whole different story.   She does not want to be held and will squirm, wanting down, and saying "Wa, wa" (Walk). 
Olivia has been a bit picky food-wise this past month.  All she seems to want is fruit and veggies.  It's a phase I'm sure.  Her sleep has been okay, but with a few wake-ups during the night, just needing a snuggle.  I'm sure it's due to my change in work schedule and I'm hoping it resolves soon.

This morning, B and I took her to her 15-month doc appointment and she's a healthy, big girl!

Weight: 25 lbs 1 oz (80%)
Height: 32.5 inches (95%)
Head: 48 cm (90%)

Hard at work on not one but TWO laptops.

Always bombarding each other with hugs

This girl loves basketball. 

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B and I took her for her first Starbucks treat after her appointment today.  She loved her Petite Vanilla Scone.

She loves to put shoes on...here she is trying out some heels

Trying on Peyton's shades

First pair of piggies



Olivia often copies Peyton...including sitting in time-out.  She thinks its the cool thing to do...we'll see how fast that changes when she's put in her first time-out!