family
Summer Dayz - catching up with the sun
This summer has been filled with...
Family reunions - we have one every 5 years. I have missed several reunions because of prior commitments but this year it was in Portland so I had no conflicts and was excited to go. Family reunions tend to blow me away, especially as our families grow. Now the fourth generation [yonsei - my generation on this side of the family] are having kids! We can't keep track of who belongs to who. It was fun to catch up - spend time with cousins...and there are a lot of them.
[the Iwata family olympics - Mt Tabor Park - this is a very competive family!]
Most importantly I enjoy the time catching up with the older generations - the second generation of Iwata's
Also spending time with this almost five year old girlie...
and the new addition to the family... Cole
A full summer.
Welcoming baby Cole
I have a good reason to be MIA from blog land lately!
[cole ryden gurney]
I have had my niece here for 3.5 days and can't believe how worn out I am! Here were my observations:
- Definitely need to add 30 to 45 minutes onto each appt so you are on time
- Car seat - while I know this is a safety device...it is the bane of my existence!
- My niece eats healthier than I do
- You need your sleep to keep up with a four year old
- Bath time can be LONG and I was told that I didn't have any fun toys in the tub
- Four year old children keep it real
- She has a very high pitched laughing scream that can make you want to pass out
- Loves make up
- Focusing can be tough for a four year old
- They have to go potty at the worst times
To all my US friends - have a wonderful holiday weekend! To all others - enjoy it! Be sure to check back on Sunday for our annual 4th of July post...
Summer Fun | Finally!
Last weekend was hopefully the start of summer for the Pacific NW - while I really don't count on great weather until after the 4th, this spring has been awful. More like winter than spring!
Here are a couple of blurry shots of my niece in her new pool - she loves to be thrown in the air by her dad, even when she belly flops! Remember those summer days when you stayed in the water or ran through the sprinklers until your skin wrinkled? This was one of those great summer days...
After a day in the pool and BBQ I came home and slept for ten hours!
Petal Power
This little one is fueled with more than petals!
It was a very Merry Christmas...
I can't believe it was just Christmas - whirlwind of family and friends! Now the house is quiet and a mess, but I have no energy to start the clean up. The decor will stay up until the first weekend in January, we are enjoying the festive look (at least that is what I am telling myself!). Here are a few photos of Christmas 2009....
Christmas snowglobes safe and sound
Jesse opening presents on Christmas day - a blur
Experiencing her first Christmas cracker
My MIL from the South. Can't you tell? She has a stick of butter in her hand!
Hope you all had wonderful holiday celebrations!
Happy Thanksgiving!
We hope you enjoy your day with family and friends!
I am taking a break from the blog and until next week - see you then!
Blogging & Scrapbooking - Change
Today this class asked: "Think back to one of the most amazing days in your life". My wedding and marrying Kirk was the first thing that came to mind. The second thing that came to mind was change.
I LOVE change. CHANGE (verb with object) to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc. of something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone; to change ones name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history. Let me preface though that I like change with my rules attached - I'm human right... change on my terms is wonderful!
Getting married at 30 (that was considered very late in life, back then). This was the best day of my life. One that I was convinced would never happen given my past relationships. It was also the first day of many life changes to come. Some I was prepared for and others not so much.
For someone that was always extremely independent (on the outside) and (thought I was) in control of my life, this was the first day of sharing my life with someone. Hindsight, I really had no idea what this meant or how it would affect me.
This day marked the first day of many BIG changes for me. Exciting ones - new house, new car, new job, new family members, new friends - new identity. This new identity was the toughest for me. I fought kicking and screaming. Oh how I wished friends and family would have been honest to me about all this change. Yet I am grateful that I experienced it on my own. Those experiences are what make us unique right? I learned how to re-invent myself once again.
Inspired by this layout. All patterned paper by American Crafts Travel line. Bingo card, round sticker, ruler sticker and 'know this' by Jenni Bowlin. Chipboard heart...not sure, maybe HS. Doily from stash - I knew I would use this someday. Font for journaling American Typewriter. Layout will go in my 'Me' album.
Birthday Girl turns FOUR!
This little one is not so little anymore! We celebrated her birthday last week and she likes to remind you that she is not three anymore
She is FOUR
I played around with some Seventies action from PW. I thought it was fitting with the headband and all the baubles she chose to wear.
