Bella's Birthday....

Patience and fortitude, patience and fortitude...." is what my mom has always said. It is what you will need while your peruse this lengthy post documenting my mom, sisters and nephews visit to us in the great state of Oregon. It is what they all needed as they drove across two states to get here with two children.


Bella with her cake from Whole Foods, which she has been asking for everytime we are in the store for the last 3 months. I mean honestly. And luckily Grandma was in town, who is sweet enough to say "Whatever the princess wants."

On the morning of her birthday all she wanted to do was go milk the goats with momma and visit the farm. So we all went to do the chores because I was in charge for the weekend while the farmers were away. And of course enjoyed our favorite donuts while there.

Not the most flattering shot of the goat but captures the moment don't you think.

Better.

Feeding the pony.

Bella turned up the quirky notch in all photos with Grandma, as you will be able to tell.

Sweet Conner helping with the chores.

I don't even know what to say about that face.

Ian is the most amicable little boy ever. So chill and in his own world. Our favorite recent quote from him, though there are new ones everyday is: "(reading from the primary song book) Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Bella, until the Autobots came and told her to CALM DOWN." Love it!

Boom, boom ain't it great to be crazy!

Again. Strike a pose.

Grandma and all the grandkids.

Choo, choo. At the OMSI. Who knew science was fun? Not me.

And seriously, could you have guest come to Oregon and NOT partake of the sweet berries....NO! So we went berry picking. So fun.

I can neither confirm nor deny, that my kid went off into the wheat to go pee. (huge shoulder shrug here.)

With a car full of whiney kids, and still an entire city of Seaside to see without strollers, we decided to take the bicycle tour. Six seater, no less.
And let's just say it, how gorgeous is my mom?! Love you.

Playing the ocean at Cannon Beach.

My wanderer. He just meanders everywhere.

This picture is just pure poetry, considering that Bella's most recent career choice is "Softball, tennis, basketball teamer princess." What is that?

I am madly in love with my children. They are truly the hightlight of our lives. Bella is the most unique, wonderful, kind, charismatic (how can she be so like that so young is beyond me) smart, fun, sweet love of my life. I adore that she wants "just girl time with mom." I love that she loves people, all of them so fervently from the depths of her heart. I love that she has her paper doll and cabbage in order laying by her bed when she goes to sleep. I love that she asks for a fourth book at bedtime. I love that she gets excited to see us. I love that she is brave. I have so much to learn from her and look forward to learning it through our lifetime. Happy Birthday, my little girl. We love you.

Thank you mom and Annie Annie for making the trip to support and love us and adore the little girl we all want to squeeze. Love you mommy.

Ordinaries....

"....how love builds itself unconsciously,he thought, out of the momentous ordinary."
-Susan Vreeland

Here are some of our ordinaries:

Bella playing in what is hands-down the oddest swing I have ever seen. However, it kept her attention for an hour.

Harry was so quiet for a while, so I went in and this is what he was doing. Playing trains with no incident.

The dolphin swing at the park.

One of Harry and Bella's favorite people, Amelia at the park.

Fabulous Agricultural day...

On Saturday, Bella's friend came down the hill in the back yard with a yellow cherry in his hand. "Where did you get that?" . He replied "from your cherry tree." Duh. But hello, I didn't know that the ridiculously steep incline in my backyard held a cherry tree upright behind that maple tree.....I HAVE A CHERRY TREE! YIPPEEE! I have a cherry tree, an apple tree, my peas actually came up and my tomatoes and cucumbers are very promising. Throw one potential watermelon plant in the mix and WALAAA....you have a thrilled Kristin!

But oh, the blessings don't stop there. Have you tasted manna from heaven? Well, I'm not sure what manna is in the first place, but I got some! The farmer that is just up the street that I go to to get Harry's raw goat milk asked me if I would be interested in a trade. All ears, I folded my arms, leaned against the car, and started the negotiations. Final result: The farmer asked if I would milk the goats occasionally so that he and his wife, could go out of town or just take the day off. SOLD! In turn, I get all the organic produce from the garden that I would like, all the raw goat milk I would like, and all the organic eggs. Basically anything from their farm, I can have in return, including some delicious organic blueberries. Who needs money, will work for FABULOUS FOOD.

Kent is stoked about this...though learning to like goat milk will be a bit of an adjustment, he is doing great. (It really does taste the same, if you drink it raw and fresh.) He loves the idea that he has a busty milkmaid for a wife. Can that go on my tombstone?

This is me, all smiles, with my new prospects! (taken by Bella...of course.) I will post pictures of the sweet goats later. They are so adorable.

Tears...

So we all have days where we wish that crying were an answer to life's greatest challenge (aka motherhood). Seriously, from a kids perspective, if I could cry and get someone to do something about it, I would. Especially for me because I am not a crier. I had heard the 45th whine call of the day, and this was at breakfast before I called it quits! I've had it! I called on the heavens to just give me some good old-fashioned tears.......I would just feel so much better. And then Bella says the prayer which goes something like this. "And daddy can be mean sometimes but it's ok, bless mommy to be nice..." etc. etc. etc. Now if guilt had anyplace in my world this may have worked. But what did work is that I did cry, it's just that I was laughing so hard at the insanity of it all. Tears of a different color.

Own it!
I love his "hehehe" laugh. Is it phsychologicaly sound to have a courtesy laugh at 2?

Cute as a button.

Friends in far places...

You know you're loved when your best friend drives 12 long hours with three small children in 1 huge SUV (which breaks down on the way) to get to the great Northwest to see you! Meet Mel....one of the sweetest friends in the world and greatest moms in the universe. We grew up next door to each other, with each other, in spite of each other and because of each other. Now that is friendship.

We went to Cannon Beach, Seaside, talked, played, ate and just hung out together. Steve and Mel
Bella and Ellie in the tidal pools. The girls loved, loved, loved being together!

Steve and Kent.....very, very patient men. Not that we are THAT bad.

One of the greatest blessings in my life are our friends. Friendship is a priceless thing to me. So having my friend who has known me since I was eight come to see us made our year! An old friend......they know your whole story and still love you.