Happy Birthday Mom-Lynda-Oma

Best 60th beach birthday bash ever!

Oma Lynda (Trev's mama) is turning 60 this week. Her wish was to spend this birthday with her kids and husband. Everyone pitched in to make her birthday weekend memorable.....

The birthday girl with her granddaughter.

Bath time in the kitchen sink.

Opa teaches Cecilia all about sea creatures.

Trevor challenges his mom, who has a broken wrist, to a game of beach paddle ball.

Drew, Brandon and Trevor teamed up to make delicious meals every night!

Oysters as big as your head.

Not such a good picture of Drew, however, a great shot of Trevor's yummy salmon dinner.

Everyone is suited up and ready for a hike.

Hiking along the ocean bluffs.

Lynda basking in the birthday glow.

Happy Birthday Celeste

Best 1st birthday party ever!
It was filled to the max with fun:

There were lots of cool kiddos to amuse Cecilia, though we admit we have no clue who is holding her in this picture. He seems to be doing a fairly good job, and since he doesn't have facial hair she isn't frightened.

Her buddy Greta was down for some good old floor time.

The best part was definitely when the birthday girl and her daddy pulled out this incredible stunt. Thank goodness her mama and grandparents were in the other room, especially when Trevor made him do it a second time for this picture.

Punk Rock Portland

One of the many reasons we love this city so much.

This band (equipped with a fog machine) is rocking out for marathon runners on a Sunday morning. Awesome.

A Proud Daddy

So the only reason Cecilia wore this ensemble, rather than green and gold, on Monday night was because this outfit was too cute to pass up.

Cecilia was totally aghast with her parents for bringing her to the pub to watch a football game. The room was dark (and her crib was not in sight), people were yelling and clapping, and her parents (mostly her daddy) were fixated on this big screen that she wasn't even allowed to look at. Thankfully her favorite cereal always pleases her when she is in an alien environment.

Vaux Swift Roosting

A unique activity that attracts thousands of Portlanders (and a few Peregrine Falcons) to a downtown elementary school on any given evening in September.

People arrive early to get good seats and have a glass of wine or beer before the show begins.

Most children do not actually witness the entire 30 minute to an hour show. They find card board sledding to be way more entertaining.

This little gal is ready. She hears the birds circling.

One Group Lands and Escapes the Peregrine Falcon

This is just a short video Seth took the night we watched the Swifts roost. You can check out a PBS documentary (On The Wing) about these little birdies and their love for this Portland chimney.

"I Love BluBlockers......and the Emmer Family"

"Wow"

Cecilia, still captivated five minutes later, wonders why her parents don't wear these sweet shades.

Cecilia also wonders how many times she will have to visit Multnomah Falls in her lifetime.

It was great to see you, Jill and Patrick!

SETH!

Seth frolfs (thanks Scott, I always forget to use that cool word), Cecilia caddies and mama takes endless pictures.

We took her out to play the last hole/basket.

Not bad. Thanks for passing on your mad skills Seth!

Afternoon Tea?

Why would we give our babe a tea bag to suck on, you ask.

Teething pain.
Chamomile tea seems to calm her and soothe those swollen gums.

These pictures were taking two weeks ago. Since then, a pair of pearly whites have popped up. Pictures of the tiny teeth to come.......

Back to the Beach

We spent the past weekend at a beach house with three other couples and three sweet babies.

Amber, Tenneal, and Dexter (+ Cecilia and Greta) stroll down Rockaway Beach.

Cecilia wonders how long she will have to wait before she gets to eat.

Not long. This feeding system is so convenient.

Trevor braves the chilly waters.

Cecilia stays cozy against her pop.

Beach House Babes

Greta, C and Celeste get rowdy.

Celeste explains how to be a prodigious pianist.

Guy and Daisy Quietly Sip Tea. Omar Lounges on the Floor.

No one seems concerned that the kitchen is ablaze.

Cecilia Demonstrates Her Mastery of Sitting and Grabbing

Hike + Beach = Awesome Sunday!

The Saddle Mountain summit, which affords gorgeous views of the Cascade Range and the Oregon/Washington coast,
sits 3283' above sea level and lies about 10 miles from the ocean.
Unfortunately, we were not skilled enough to capture any of those sweet views with our camera.

We did, however, get a few fun beach shots:

Trevor soaks up the sun while Cecilia enjoys some tummy time after the tiring hike.

Beach Critter. This crab is very alive and very feisty.

Family picture.

Another sunny day in Portland.

Cecilia's New Favorite Hobby: Eating REAL Food!

"Bananas are okay."

"I love avocados!"

"Carrots are fun to hold and they feel good on the swollen gums, though they are kind of tough to eat without teeth."

"Yeah, more of that good green stuff!"

"Ahh, not that green stuff. "
We are not actually giving Cecilia lettuce to eat. She is just accustomed to picking anything up and sticking it in her mouth. I had to take this cute picture before taking the leaf away.

We Are Home!

We have actually been home for a month.
Here are a few shots of the fun times we've enjoyed in Portland heat:

Cecilia's first solid: ice cubes.
When it was 105, she would suck one down in less than 5 minutes and cry when it disappeared.
Greta, in the background, is not so interested in the cupcake her daddy is offering.

The whole family had a blast at our neighborhood block party. Cecilia got to coo and smile with a slew of baby lovers. Trevor had plenty to eat and Tenneal (below) took a trip down the slide when the kiddies were whacking away at the pinata.

We have been strolling down to our new neighborhood farmer's market (a 10 minute walk). This is a dream for us, especially since a booth at the market sharpens scissors, knives, and shears! Wow, the little things that are exciting these days.......

Talk about exciting! We also got to visit with Ann Marie and her sweet friends. Thanks for fitting us into your schedule lady!