First Day of School

Today is Tyler's First day of Kindergarten (WAHHHH!!!) at St. John Bosco and Collin's first day at God's Garden. Well, second first day (see post from a year ago). Tyler was very excited to go especially after meeting his teacher and seeing his classroom last night. He even told me it was OK if I was late picking him up. How thoughtful, cause I just might be late!

Collin and I have been rehearsing me leaving him at school. And what you can't see about that "packcack" is there is a pacifier in the side pocket. He promises not to take it out!

The front gate to the school. There was a mob of 8th grade girls fighting over who was going to show him to his classroom. Back off girls!!

Seriously, the door is over there, Mom!

Collin was still a bit unsure about going, but I think our rehearsing paid off! He marched right into his classroom, handed his teacher his project, put his backpack in his cubby, and got to work on some grape scented playdoh. There were NO tears!

I am crossing my fingers that it stays that way!!!

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Tyler and Claire. Best beach friend cousins!

Another way to stop Collin

The obligiatory bath in the sink at the little beach house

Typical beach food--Rice Krispie Treat and Diet Coke

At one point we had more dogs than kids

We finally figured out a way to slow this kid down...

Get him a chihuahua!

This is Oke. He belongs to Matt's cousin, Molly, but Collin would have been thrilled to take him home. Collin would sit for long stretches of time with Oke in his lap. Fortunately, Oke is not your average yippy, annoying Chihuahua. He was very tolerant of his three year old fan.

This is what happens when you have an eleven year old GIRL for a cousin. And you are three and don't know any better

Central Oregon

Slip n Slide Time!

I always wanted a slipe n slide when I was a kid, but my parents would not get one. Sooooo when Tyler and I were at Fred Meyer today, we picked one up!

Collin walked across it a couple of times, fell, and threw in the towel. He's not a huge fan of water anyway. So, off to the sandbox he went!

To Matt and Gretchen:

I tried VERY hard to post pictures from our trip to Europe. I made a fun slide show with captions, but I CAN NOT for the life of me get it to post on the blog. I am very sorry! I really had a great time! Lack of pictures is by no means a reflection of my feelings for my opportunity to travel. And nor did my crappy travelling experience back sour my feelings! I will try to post it some other time, but if I keep trying now, I am afraid that I will end up chucking my laptop out in the street. So out of respect for my dear computer, I think I will stop now.

Love,
Heidi

Summer

For Mike

Happy 4th of July!

We started out the day by going to the Hillsboro 4th of July parade. It is the second biggest candy collecting day coming in just after Halloween.

This is how Collin spent the whole day...hands over ears.

He had a hard time collecting candy. Lucky for him, Tyler was quite good at it!

We then went over to the Hoppers for dinner and fireworks. This is where Collin and Lucy spent their holiday...watching Happy Feet since their ears weren't very happy about the fireworks.

Tyler also had issues with the noise, but found a solution in headphones.

Greetings from Holland!

Matt and Sven trying on some shoes.

Our Trip to Portland from Top to Bottom

Hoover Dam

Death Valley, California

Lowest point in the United States
282 feet below sea level

The boys marked their path all the way to Portland

He wanted to do his part and drive

Collin learned to appreciate Oreos by opening them up and licking the filling

He ran out of paper so used his face

Mt. Hood, Oregon

This dog LOVES the snow!

It was a long trip, but it feels good to be home to sleep on one's own couch!