November Rain

Ah, the Oregon Coast... after 2 1/2 years, we FINALLY got to go to the beach. However, in true Oregon fashion, it rained NONSTOP for the entire weekend, with 40-50 mph winds. So we didn't get to do a whole lot, but Mariel got to see the ocean, some seals and go the Oregon Coast Aquarium and see sharks, seals, puffins, crabs and LOTS of fish. The picture to the right are some harbor seals that Mariel was calling out to going "argh, argh, argh" they were quite intent on watching us.

November Update, lots goin' on!

At last! I have time to post some pictures of our trip home in September...some Halloween pictures...and our trip to the coast at the beginning of November. Thanksgiving is coming soon... where does the time go? Is it me or does having a child simply put your life in 5th gear?
Mariel is going to be 20 MONTHS OLD! I can't believe it! She's nearly 2!

Personality wise, she's 3. Intelligence wise, she's about 2 1/2... the only way you'd know she's not even 2 is if you knew her birthday. She's talking in sentences...describing things like "big dirty truck!" and "pretty cute huh?" and "dude...sweet!(that's my favorite)". She knows a few colors and shapes, and knows her numbers 1-9...she can identify her name and knows how to spell it if you show her the letters. I think it's pretty incredible!

Anyway, she's working on the potty training.. (she poo-poo'd on the big potty 3 times last week!...thanks Betty), and we have her wearing her own undies at night for an hour or two so that she gets used to feeling what it's like to go potty.

She is rid of the BINKY... YEAH! However, now she insists on having a book in bed with her to read before she naps or goes to sleep. Her FAVORITE books are "OLIVIA" series... she can't get enough of them.

Enjoy the pics...as always, thanks for being patient!

Mariel's First Sprinkler Experience

These are a little out of order, since I last posted pictures from our getting ready to go to Illinois ... but they are so fun that I had to share them. Mariel had such a BLAST learning about how the sprinkler worked. It took a few turns, and the sprinkler got her quite a few times smack in the face, but she loved it. It was so great to be able to go out and enjoy our new yard.

Mariel's First Sprinkler Experience

We got such a kick out of watching Mariel play with the sprinkler! We had put in our new backyard, and were so happy to see Mariel being able to enjoy it. She had a BLAST!
These pictures are out of order, compared the one's that I've already put in... but I had to share these... they are too cute. :)
One cooled off, wet, summer baby.
All Eric and I could do was close our eyes and say "OUCH" and "OHHHH"... she quickly learned that the sprinkler moves from side to side, therefore she had to get out of the way.
But it got her again... and again...and again.

 

Getting ready to go visit Illinois & Wisconsin!

Mariel's suitcase is ready and anxious to take flight...but where's Mariel?
I'm just about ready to go...
When do we leave???

Mariel is learning how to dress herself... she can get shorts on all the way up!

 

Mariel's New Vaccuum Cleaner

 

A Sunday morning park trip ...

 

A day at the park...

Happy Birthday Aunt Megan!

 

Reading time

 

Mariel's trip to Grandma & Grandpa D's

 

From Start to Finish!

Here it is... the journal of our hard work on our new back yard! We finished laying the sod today and it is truly amazing how nice it turned out.
We'll be playing and jumping on it in just a couple weeks! Enjoy!
Prep work... killed off the old grass and raked, raked and raked to get rid of the foxtails. Eric dug out around the juniper stump to prepare for getting ride of it.
Down to dirt...
Dumped the topsoil and raked it out. Hi Maya!!!

 

Preparing the landscape

Nasty juniper tree stump!
Eric's new favorite toy :)

MARIEL... supervising the project from the air-conditioned office with a view.