Bald Peak State Park

On Friday we headed up to this park, which didn't have lots of hiking space, but had amazing views. We made another sandwich dinner, and had the rest of the chips & oreos. Because I know you were curious. :)

Shoot--Jon took better pictures of Mt. Hood. I promise. But it was a really hazy day.

Jon took this picture. Don't be fooled by the writing on it. It's related to an editing program.

Champoeg State Park

On Thursday we headed out to Champoeg state park, which is ONLY about 20 minutes away (!!). We got Subway sandwiches (sing along--"Five dollar footlong!"), and chips & drinks from Target (cheaper). We had a little picnic dinner and talked about making this a regular thing.

After dinner we headed on an exploring hike...

Em and I checked out the water, and whispered so that we wouldn't disturb the fish. I think that's been ingrained in me since birth--"Don't scare the fish!"

Rabbit:



Emily preferred to run through the fields, while the rest of us used the path.

She may have stumbled once or twice.

More awesome wildlife...

When we were done with the 2-mile-ish hike, we came back to the tables and had Oreos. It was Ellen's first Oreo experience. Emily, however, is a pro, and tried to get away with only eating the cream and handing me the licked cookies.
I don't think so.

I didn't know the giggles meant this

Sure, I heard them playing after we put them to bed. But it eventually stopped. I even went in and took the "no pacifier" picture. It wasn't until this morning that I went in and discovered poor Ellen, covered in books. Poor thing had hardly any room to sleep!

See this face?

Right there? Do you see it? Around the lips? There's a... a... a bareness. An absence. Something's missing... Why yes, that's it! She's pacifier free!!! And she even managed without a 12-step program. Barely.

The castle

Jon made Emily an amazing castle in the space between her room & the bathroom door (formerly occupied by a dresser).

She loves it so much that she started sleeping in the spacious castle.

Maybe they should just share a bed

On Monday night we found Emily sleeping here, next to Ellen's bed. I think we have pictures of Kronk sleeping like this when Emily was born.

Clarification

At the park, Emily found and carried around this rock. She tickled it, put it to sleep, and played with it. When Charlene asked her what it's name was, she said, "Baby brother." So if you saw my mom's comment on the park post, it may have tricked you. I'm not pregnant.

Forward-facing

It's a small picture from my phone, but Ellen is delighted to be forward-facing in her carseat!

McIver State Park

On Monday we went with our friends the Huwes & Mundens to McIver State Park in Estacada. We got there pretty early in the morning. The guys played lots of disc golf, the girls hung out. Emily & Ellen proved that they'll be good at camping because they did a great job of playing with "nature". We had a BBQ. We laid around on blankets. It was GREAT.

Oh, did I mention what a trooper Ellen was? She was playing on this blanket, and just...laid down. I'm lucky I noticed she was going to sleep so that I could move her into the shade. Her sister, um, well, did NOT nap.

Snacks. Isn't that what a holiday weekend is about?

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!

At least, that's a caption I could give to this set of pictures. Ellen sometimes pulls at her hair--when she's tired, or bored, or...something. The best is when her hands are full of syrup, as they were on Sunday.

I mean, who really needs fancy, expensive hair product?

Ikea run (just like everybody else)

On Saturday we went to Ikea to take advantage of their great sales. As did tons of other people. The line wrapped around the building, but actually moved relatively quickly.

We got one new nightstand--we'll add the second in the future.

We also COMPLETELY rearranged the girls' room. We got the shelf (one of the BIG deals of the weekend) to act as a dresser, and it was awesome to add all of this storage to their room. These pictures were before we were completely done, but it looks great, and Em & El have lots of room now to play on the floor.

Emilyism

Emily: Mommy, we will go on a date.
Me: Tomorrow?
Em: Yes. And it will be three girls.
Me: Me, you, and Ellen?
Em: Yes, and Daddy will be a girl, too. He will be a princess, and he will walk like this (up on toes as if she's wearing high heels).

Dancing

Ellen has loved playing with this toy recently. We hear the alphabet song almost nonstop these days...and often find her dancing along.

Sheet me!

We've done this before, but I'm not sure it had an official title. Today I was making our bed, and Emily offered to help. Then she laid down and exclaimed, "Sheet me!" So I did. Daddy had to come and test out the sheets, and she would've stayed there for a LONG time if we'd let her.