I went to the zoo and all I remembered was my phone.

Classic--Ellen and her beloved goats

Emily has named these the "Auntie Kim chickens" because they match her hair.

I managed not to freak out, but holy COW we were close to this elk.

What You Might See Late at Night

Emily is reading the Potty Book to Iguana.

He must bet getting ready to potty-train.

Super Baby.

She's dead asleep.

She's just that super.

Princess Curtains

The girls now have princess curtains to match the princess bed-thingie thanks to Auntie Kim. They're in love. Ellen pulls the tulle into her bed and plays with it, completely in awe.

Water Park & Budds

We went to a park (with water features, also know as Pain Park) wtih the San Jose Budds & the Oregon Budds.

Ellen though napping was more fun than being intimidated by the water. She even snuggled with her sister's dress.

I don't think Kaia could take a bad picture if she tried. She's beautiful.

Emily pretended to sleep, and asked that I take a picture of her sleeping, too.


See her huge owie? Pain Park.

(Big) Ellen is an excellent subject.

Another fake sleeping shot.

My tentative girls.

See, Isaiah is completely enjoying the park, as are Jeff & Kaia.

After an initial intimidation, Emily hung with Dave to scope the place out.

So, Ellen's suit really is a shirt, and it CAN cover her belly...just not 100% of the time.

Flashdance in Your Underpants

I don't even know.

Newest Addict

Yep, chocolate milk. She's been drinking it here and there, but now she has to be included in any Starbucks runs where Emily gets a kids' hot chocolate. She'll unleash a storm of baby cursing if she doesn't get her chocolate milk. Oh, and if Emily happens to set hers down--she's prepared to steal. She's quite sneaky. Stealthy. Addicted.

Fish Watcher

Hours. Literally, hours. Ellen can sit/stand and watch the fish for all eternity, and be perfectly happy. Don't worry, the standing worries me, too, but she has surprisingly good balance. I guess she and Emily aren't completely similar.

Vacation, Here We Come!

We leave this evening for the coast. Thank goodness. It's supposed to be between 95 and 102 for the next five days...but we'll be enjoying some 70-something-degree weather.

Never fear, blog readers. I have scheduled posts to show up every day that we're gone. You won't be completely abandoned. Plus, then I'll have lots to post when we get back.

I'll leave you with this picture of Ellen enjoying (!?) a green smoothie that Sarah made--spinach, mango, banana, orange & papaya. She loved it. It was supposed to be mine, but she drank most of it. Emily sucked hers down, too, and asked for seconds. I guess we should feed them more fruits & veggies through the blender...

Secret Play Place

In our new apartment we've arranged our furniture differently, giving the girls a cool "hiding cave" to play in. They love it, and I love that their toys can be in this hidden corner.

Birthday present

Emily spent her birthday money on this awesome backpack so that we can go on some longer hikes. Most of the time she likes to walk, but this will help when we try to go faster, or when her mom freaks out because of the drop-offs on the side of the trail.

Needless to say, she would like to go on a walk/hike right now. NOW. Please.

The Fourth--Mega Post

We had the Budds over to help us celebrate the Fourth, and we had a little bit of early birthday cake for Emily. Ellen enjoyed it immensely.

Emily LOVED the sparklers...which Aunt Cindy bought. I think it was 50 for $1, but I can't be sure.

Ellen thought sparklers were particularly hilarious.

Brennan

Isaiah

Emily

I think this is the actual moment when a random spark shot off and hit Emily in the leg. Gave her some nice blister-burns.