R.I.P. Bunny-face

Rest in Peace, sweet Bunnyface. You showed up in our backyard unexpectedly and were a source of enjoyment for all of us. Unfortunately, your bold and friendly nature was your undoing. Your passing has left a noticeable empty spot in our lives and you taught us all a very valuable lesson: sometimes even the ugliest, stupidest rabbit can brighten up a little corner of the world.

First Day of Kindergarten

....And we are off to Templeton!  My big girls started Kindergarten this week in Mrs. Deuel's afternoon class.

Jocie and Kurt walking together to school.

Stopping briefly for a picture of her cute first day outfit.

Kate looks like she is off to a great adventure in her cute new outfit with her new backpack.

Kate, me and Jocie.  

Walking to school with their skinny legs and huge backpacks.

We made it!

K&J eagerly awaiting their teacher.

Preschool Graduation

Oops - this is a little out of order, but it was one of our biggest events of the summer.  Kate and Jocie graduated from their preschool program! There was an actual graduation ceremony in June, but we had to miss it because both girls were sick.  Their teacher was kind enough to do another brief ceremony at the end of their summer program. After 2 1/2 years in the Sunset SAIL classroom, we had to say goodbye to an amazing group of educators. Each and every person who worked with our girls has earned our love and respect and we will miss them so much. They changed our lives and not only have prepared the girls to enter the K-12 educational system, but they loved them unconditionally. It was hard to say goodbye, but we are lucky to have been a part of this program.

Kate and Jocie hanging out together on the bean bag chair before graduation.

Jocelyn with her classroom assistants, Sue, Kathy and Pepi.

Kate with her classroom assistants - Katie, Lindsey, Brett and Brittnee.

Teacher Laura and Jocie with her diploma.

Kate and Lindsey - can you feel the love?  It's moments like these that make it so hard to leave!

Teacher Laura and Kate with her diploma.

Kathy walking the girls out the gate one last time.

Picnic at Vancouver Lake

We've lived in Portland for almost 17 years and we had never been to Vancouver Lake so we decided to take a picnic lunch and check it out.

Jocie, Kurt and Kate enjoying our picnic.

Kurt and Kate wading.

Me and my girls - can you see the smoke from the wildfires causing haze in the background?

Jocie giving Kurt a big hug.

Family Fun Time at Enchanted Forest

We tried to pack as many fun family activities into Labor Day weekend as possible.  What better way to enjoy ourselves than to head down to the Enchanted Forest?  The girls love it there - and on this particular trip, they really seemed to enjoy the rides!

Kate loved going up and down the stairs into the dungeon.

Kurt and Jocie.

Kate, Me and Jocie.

Self portrait of the fam on the log ride, right at the beginning.

Going UP UP UP, not realizing how much water we were going to encounter.

Mistakes were made - we admit that. Kate and I were in the front of the boat and were wet from head to toe. Luckily they had fun on the ride and it was warm enough to dry us out quickly.

Labor Day Weekend at Oaks Park

We've tried to take the girls to Oaks Park once before, but it was so crowded that we thought trying a week day instead of a weekend might be better.  Not true.  This time, we decided to kick off our Labor Day weekend activities with all of the fun rides and games but the crowds were even worse!  So, instead of trying to force wiggly kids into waiting in crazy lines, we walked around the park, ate ice cream and went down to the river.  It was totally delightful!

Kate, Kurt and Jocie at the entrance.

Clowning around.  Jocelyn is giving the chicken the fish eye.

K&J waiting for the train to come by again. They loved sitting on the barrels.

Best photo ever! Kate LOVED sharing our ice cream cone.

Jocie's face says it all. Yuck - you eat it.

Kate wading into the river.  She couldn't wait to get her shoes off and get her feet in the sand.

Jocelyn tossing rocks into the river.

Twin time, doing exactly what they love to do. Playing in the water and throwing rocks.

Lake Seaside

Another hot day, another trip to the beach.  This time, as the tide came in, it filled in a depression in the sand that spanned the entire beach.  There was about 2 ft of water filling a good portion of the beach so we deemed it Lake Seaside. The girls LOVED it, especially since the water got a bit warmer than the ocean as the day progressed.

Family self portrait

Kate, Kurt and Jocie in Lake Seaside - can you see how big the flooded area was?  Pretty cool, huh?

J&K in the lake.

J&K in nearly identical poses, save Jocie's crooked leg.

Me and Jocie.

Playing in the actual surf.

Jocie showing off her moves.

Beautiful Kate.

Silly Jocie.

4th of July

We had a very festive 4th this year at my mom's house. Lots of decorations and good food, not to mention tons of fireworks. Our family friends, John and Kathi, were there to enjoy the day with us.

The decor and pieces of flair.

Another attempt at a family photo.

Patriotic swinging with Jocie and Grampa.

Kate and Jocie in their adorable 4th of July dresses from Aunt Holly.

Jocie relaxing in the hammock.

Jocie posing in the big hat.

Kate trying the big hat on, right after she stole it from her sister.

Me and Kate.

Sweet Jocelyn.

Kate giving Jocie the fish eye as she cheers for fireworks.

Ack! I have a sticker on my face! Jocie loved the stickers, but not on her.

Kate swimming and smiling.

Jocie with a big swimming smile, too.

1, 2, 3 - attack Papa!

Lovely array of snacks.

More patriotic swinging. Kate liked waving the flag instead of holding on.

Kate trying on some of the flair - she was more interested in the M&Ms.

Fun day with family and friends!