tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56985459139340644202023-11-16T03:26:22.927-08:00McBee5Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-91960846491533697682011-04-14T12:15:00.000-07:002011-04-14T13:54:03.367-07:00It has been awhile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWwi8JgmGFEgmzy50qYxC53KMGKa8QjO-vT3GNFFth9K-7QhqG58k_N1o40zDkv4wcdMdi95kECBbC7rmDx57XWdWva_LsL7Q-TBoiUVXJ3PVMQ85LKE4BZTBv0cO1cQ-J0D919FaAQqr/s1600/mcbees-2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWwi8JgmGFEgmzy50qYxC53KMGKa8QjO-vT3GNFFth9K-7QhqG58k_N1o40zDkv4wcdMdi95kECBbC7rmDx57XWdWva_LsL7Q-TBoiUVXJ3PVMQ85LKE4BZTBv0cO1cQ-J0D919FaAQqr/s320/mcbees-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595535631136114306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Well, it has been a while. Over a year since we last blogged. Life has been on fast forward for us. As I am sure</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> it has for many of you.<br />To catch up since last we blogged....<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br />2010 was an amazing but hard year. Katherine started and finished Kindergarten. She loved her teacher as we did and didn't want it to end.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ethel started and finished 3rd grade with the wonderful Ms. Skye (who she has again this year). Ethel has now decided she wants to be a teacher (along with photographer and clothing designer), I know this is attributed directly to Ms. Skyes' wonderful teaching.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ruthie turned 2 and continued to do usual 2 year old things along with dictating our family.<br />Bella continued to grow and chew items around the house as well as dig HUGE holes in our backyard.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Pax kept on going at the Lottery as well as working with a friend in the construction/rem</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FJqU3eCFPC4CBebOXnsaiJzcP8LuC98bq04r3oPwDune2TtRfoMTiStyp7JrzsCGCyOviDbkBR3keB1BSee0trQK6IXQFCdsncmZkH832PpSqs4-GUqeHB9blgv3BzyHsWtAm87d7hvS/s1600/mcbees-10.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FJqU3eCFPC4CBebOXnsaiJzcP8LuC98bq04r3oPwDune2TtRfoMTiStyp7JrzsCGCyOviDbkBR3keB1BSee0trQK6IXQFCdsncmZkH832PpSqs4-GUqeHB9blgv3BzyHsWtAm87d7hvS/s200/mcbees-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595536144277320770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">odeling business on the side.<br />I did many caterings as well as helping out at the girls school.<br />Pappy came over for several dinners/birthdays/holidays and the girls started having an evening a month with him (aka-our date night).<br />My Mom passed away, and that was tough an</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">d derailed us for a long time. We are now back and ready to move forward-at a much slower pace.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">We had wonderful meals and shared vacations with our friends and families during 2010.<br /><br />2011....Well we are into April-almost halfway and here is a recap of 2011 thus far......<br />Katherine is in first grade-Loves school and says the only thing she needs is "more homework"!<br />She is reading, writing and doing math far beyond what a first grader should be learning at. She Loves to read and write and goes through journals like crazy. Katherine started playing the piano this year. That girl has some talent. She loves writing her own music, tha</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">nkfully her teacher enjoys hearing it. At some point we will get a piano as soon as I figure out where to put it! Katherine continues to shred on her skateboard. She is so good it scares me at times. That child truly is fearless when it comes to sports activites. Pax takes her out and rides with her, I try to ask vague questions when they return as I never really want to know what he teachers her (someday she will ask me to take her and I will have to see for myself-I fear that day)!<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ethel is in 4th grade (same teacher as last year). She tells me fourth grade is her favorite (she says that about every year) although I think this year really might be her favorite. She had the honor of Co-hosting our talent show this year with a good friend of hers. Those two girls did wonderful. Of course she couldn't just host she had to do an act a</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">s well. She played her violin which is still one of her favorite things to do. No softball for Ethel this year as we decided to take spring off-she is however trying tennis in after school classes so maybe that will be something she pursues. She is still swimming and getting ready for the swim team this summer. She swims at my dad's pool. When we went last weekend she told me she was going to swim in the lane because she had to train! Ethel is still all about fashion, drama, singing and anything social. She is counting down the days until 6th grade (jr. high) as that is when she can join our student council. I believe in her mind everything up to that point is just practice for student council and speech!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHudkCtVh9zz8L0ZlSrzK8Xy1wEMEBy7kceoaGO2J2gPiv60BIX62EJe9nUZ8Ii_Ozh4vB8Hc9hh1YVOu_pjT1lk66bt8FyzxiIvAcPSdcJFwJjRSryho-cozFWt3rWZkrJBKm3QhEaPTc/s1600/DSCN2522.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHudkCtVh9zz8L0ZlSrzK8Xy1wEMEBy7kceoaGO2J2gPiv60BIX62EJe9nUZ8Ii_Ozh4vB8Hc9hh1YVOu_pjT1lk66bt8FyzxiIvAcPSdcJFwJjRSryho-cozFWt3rWZkrJBKm3QhEaPTc/s200/DSCN2522.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595536507600309714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ruthie is now 3-I can hardly believe it. My little baby is gone. She is a full Toddler now</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">. She </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">will start preschool in the fall (the same one the girls went to, with the same teacher). Ruthie is so excited to go to school. I don't think she quite un</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">derstands it isn't for 5 more months.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">We spend our days going to art parks, ballet and music classes, library story times, running errands, playing house, babies and just giggling and snuggling together. I know I only have a short time left of these precious days. They go by so fast and then it will be on to new things. Some days it is so hard to transition from crayons, colors, shapes and fairy princesses to multiplication tables, speeches, science projects and </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">preteen friendships.<br /><br />If I have learned anything in the last year it has been that time truly is short, family is always supportive and true friends are to be kept close to your heart.<br />I have tried to stop time and it just doesn't work. Our lives where sped up and we feel as we missed some things. I have redirected and righted the ship if you will. Our time together as husband and wife, parents, children, and friends now takes on a different meaning. Our lives are staring to reflect this as well as time itself.<br />My mom used to drink coffee everyday (a lot of coffee), she w</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ould wake up and have a cup of coffee and just sit. Then she would get another cup and chat, when I was little it was with the neighbor who came over. As I got older it was with her friends on the phone, then it was with me on the phone or my Dad at the kitchen table. <br />Everyday, that is how she started her day. I never really got it. I used to see it as a waste of time, really it did take hours from her day. My mom was a pretty busy productive woman until her later older years. I get the importance of this now. <br />This "coffee" time was her way of slowing down the clock and doing what was really important to her. Her way of spending time each day with those she loved. Making each day fresh and giving her the courage to face the days challenges.<br />I like the idea of really being in that moment. My mom did this well when you talked to her, especially one on one. I am hoping some of that is somewhere in me.<br />Since I can't actually stop time, I can only choose to rush through those moments on an exterior level or cherish them and slow down and just be in those moments. 100% focused in the moment. That is were I want to be. <br />I want to snapshot every moment with my kids, friends, family and my husband. I want to remember those moment so clearly that I can recall the sounds and smells of that moment.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RbOxHNyJRlUE0rw72-uEkdIl_z4V1mpCoPwzRFEnDEEvEc-PqOasYiU9YEyfMOfiTiyopAgH_OfMvJI708I9CcfYRTESXqtpyjvrEfX281osJzvNrrbloUTYJELZjoIOQLpNn11WYMLf/s1600/DSCN2222.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RbOxHNyJRlUE0rw72-uEkdIl_z4V1mpCoPwzRFEnDEEvEc-PqOasYiU9YEyfMOfiTiyopAgH_OfMvJI708I9CcfYRTESXqtpyjvrEfX281osJzvNrrbloUTYJELZjoIOQLpNn11WYMLf/s320/DSCN2222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595537103225285490" border="0" /></a></span></span>This is what we are experiencing in 2011. So far it has changed our relationships. With each other, our families (didn't expect that one), and our friendships. <br />I will let you know how our journey progresses (or regresses, just in case I have to right the ship once again).<br />If I stop and ask you for a cup of coffee know that your important to me and I just want to slow down and share some time with you.<br /><br />The McBees<br /></span></span></div>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-53534593597268246722009-12-31T18:42:00.000-08:002009-12-31T20:27:01.246-08:00A few of our favorite things of 2009Another year and a Decade down.....<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">2009 we will miss you as so much of the past 10 years</span></span>.....I will always refer to the first 10 years of the 2000's as the years of babies, finding our home in Oregon, the beginning of a family of friends and a transformation of faith.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKiIdja-4qZXMWrcVSEP3KzXjOOTIw5V_UDIS2vRRRUlhUAaQEML73Wera_AnKhLRlckPv5fVv2tOdPi4xbiyaw2LywE0XBn71Lw12ATl7c2V9vv_xRPRMsv0o8oduYUwpgBaaGR7UjX-/s1600-h/DSCI0143.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKiIdja-4qZXMWrcVSEP3KzXjOOTIw5V_UDIS2vRRRUlhUAaQEML73Wera_AnKhLRlckPv5fVv2tOdPi4xbiyaw2LywE0XBn71Lw12ATl7c2V9vv_xRPRMsv0o8oduYUwpgBaaGR7UjX-/s200/DSCI0143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421611680372435858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjtqhVvL6cVVfhnfPfefSKekN_JQ0I7oueACR4pMFY0N6zz6lGrjIhkfoV5igTkjgsexWkkX_DgIMbNdmSkZBU5fL_ZY0WvCNlSsH9VfV0h2EjVLKz11XJL2evrwMWASrbC9nsZlkkJ92/s1600-h/DSCI0332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjtqhVvL6cVVfhnfPfefSKekN_JQ0I7oueACR4pMFY0N6zz6lGrjIhkfoV5igTkjgsexWkkX_DgIMbNdmSkZBU5fL_ZY0WvCNlSsH9VfV0h2EjVLKz11XJL2evrwMWASrbC9nsZlkkJ92/s200/DSCI0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421611689861361730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Wow! Where did this year go? 2009 </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >flew by. </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >This year was filled with </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >many </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >exciting new </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >things.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-ZhBnWXp_ty5CP_NYr4a8Mse9u5g1U0NwX_6UE0Az3zawPlRUXd_42bFAexK5rFdTGfAnmBolQrnUQxDRMLH5Q84GQ36K9AN19Poh5oUm5JDPBWqBqH3LH2Tt5IkwTNtjniuPwzi8801/s1600-h/DSCN1232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-ZhBnWXp_ty5CP_NYr4a8Mse9u5g1U0NwX_6UE0Az3zawPlRUXd_42bFAexK5rFdTGfAnmBolQrnUQxDRMLH5Q84GQ36K9AN19Poh5oUm5JDPBWqBqH3LH2Tt5IkwTNtjniuPwzi8801/s200/DSCN1232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612379319864306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >For starters </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Katherine turned 5 and started </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Kindergarten, Ruth turned 1 (I have no idea where that year went), Ethel turned 8 and started 3rd grade! I find it hard to believe we have 2 kiddo's in school all day. Ruthie in just one </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >year has gone fr</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >om crawling, to walking and talking up a storm. She possibly could be more of a talker than Katherine.<br /><br />So here are a few hig</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >hlights and special moments of last </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >year</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >......<br />Pappy is now an Oregonian and a Duck fan (as well as Katherine a college football fan)!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Our 10 year anniversary!-How is that possible-</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sW7Sq4dyDktYDnZMGJgRDWsy4H8sr6eQYdTbfWAhRWcnOU_jESrEYtK7hrLRzI6jrfeG1xQdIxGHDvYBidVAznhvzjN7NHiuMv6As-FA5O9F9jOpuBXXdnnXYOYucjglaTfAJBc8y2YD/s1600-h/DSCN1114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sW7Sq4dyDktYDnZMGJgRDWsy4H8sr6eQYdTbfWAhRWcnOU_jESrEYtK7hrLRzI6jrfeG1xQdIxGHDvYBidVAznhvzjN7NHiuMv6As-FA5O9F9jOpuBXXdnnXYOYucjglaTfAJBc8y2YD/s200/DSCN1114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612369486315490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Already?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Ethel's softball team-what an awesome experience-those </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >girls rocked the Rose City.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br />Grant Swim te</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >am-We can't wait until next summer-those coaches are amazing and so </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >inspiring.<br /><br />SunRiver vacation-AAHH SunRiver, what a g</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >reat time, great frie</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >nds and Ethel finally rides a horse on her own. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnOLy3IDXviwVJ2IWgxp_hr591yhQ5cx2Wmn2LQNUe7OiAcfMxlvCRkFPh7qfChe7wKLrAv_SFLZ02R2rqmfzyD9rSlXRTiE-R_8ULkA_AN-KUXHB3sMRy7w9q4ORjRSMqEdffvVSAmLt/s1600-h/DSCN1047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnOLy3IDXviwVJ2IWgxp_hr591yhQ5cx2Wmn2LQNUe7OiAcfMxlvCRkFPh7qfChe7wKLrAv_SFLZ02R2rqmfzyD9rSlXRTiE-R_8ULkA_AN-KUXHB3sMRy7w9q4ORjRSMqEdffvVSAmLt/s200/DSCN1047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612363155069906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >The SunRiver talentshow-not sure h</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >ow we top this one next year!<br /><br />The McBee Family trip to San Diego- Sun, Surf, Sand and silly Vegas McBee's, need I say more!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >The s</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >tart of a new scho</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >ol year with 2 amazing teachers at one terrific school a</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oERSDk5ZYk5v-CC-rLfxxRjMB3A0L7q0IZEP808x3Ko10pmOvcARiZmWSLjpwnzTuD1644DwftvTb_nUXH0t48TqWy49E7CZ3VBmscdy3gF5vUD0imkZXnT29sQS9RPVC7WHaxFyWBGk/s1600-h/DSCN1595.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oERSDk5ZYk5v-CC-rLfxxRjMB3A0L7q0IZEP808x3Ko10pmOvcARiZmWSLjpwnzTuD1644DwftvTb_nUXH0t48TqWy49E7CZ3VBmscdy3gF5vUD0imkZXnT29sQS9RPVC7WHaxFyWBGk/s200/DSCN1595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612923949963010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >nd community.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Hanging with just RooRoo all day and being silly (I'm gonna miss these days :( she is growing fast).</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Getting the puppy :) Bella is almost 5</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >months old and growing into a doggie-Paxton calls these the teen years for her. Everyday is either really good or really </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yHIgWBC5bLmzoYMa7qQ9of9RM200hGhFnLoFR8qHniChlL36McvxmRFc8dMgxQu4XWtS6eox23NPPEws4ZuAbanaOaFADJPkPBx2UG0nRVVRCBikaQ3MmUfZwWHGGIit4UmEhTRytewc/s1600-h/DSCN1476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yHIgWBC5bLmzoYMa7qQ9of9RM200hGhFnLoFR8qHniChlL36McvxmRFc8dMgxQu4XWtS6eox23NPPEws4ZuAbanaOaFADJPkPBx2UG0nRVVRCBikaQ3MmUfZwWHGGIit4UmEhTRytewc/s200/DSCN1476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612912416518210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >bad with her but</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > soon she will grow out of those teen years </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >and be an Old Dog! She is a cutie and we are all </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2ebW1fEfc9Bfjdtg49SObGQVJGA_OuadvQRVcZjferenGzl5gf2V-78JSNTUuMyqJZdF4G88QouC5gfqhMxo8_ZLeRCw34osQL3jNQLcdnAHxdx_XmR3lm83O2XTg2zl5GY_Bqw0oXFK/s1600-h/DSCN1659.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2ebW1fEfc9Bfjdtg49SObGQVJGA_OuadvQRVcZjferenGzl5gf2V-78JSNTUuMyqJZdF4G88QouC5gfqhMxo8_ZLeRCw34osQL3jNQLcdnAHxdx_XmR3lm83O2XTg2zl5GY_Bqw0oXFK/s200/DSCN1659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421613842131573122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >so happy she is part of our family.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Our Christmas traditions: The tree farm</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > in Sandy, Or.-on the windiest day, making new </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGtro_-q41ELNm32PONUMAhYikKbW1uLQYYbfpsm2ryEMivqxSx_GCbr2XWUq-bwTXL9mdN_TmDZjmOoE_M8Lz6wSM1O_2x6G73cHyr0-C2e2gRZpf0HWhdZlgEnzyybPBuNfTa1V7W30/s1600-h/DSCN1646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGtro_-q41ELNm32PONUMAhYikKbW1uLQYYbfpsm2ryEMivqxSx_GCbr2XWUq-bwTXL9mdN_TmDZjmOoE_M8Lz6wSM1O_2x6G73cHyr0-C2e2gRZpf0HWhdZlgEnzyybPBuNfTa1V7W30/s200/DSCN1646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421613853625663458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Christmas traditions with Pappy, Our annual Christmas Eve Party and of course Christmas Day with</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > the Peters and Sleepers.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br />Playing in the snow when it finally falls her</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4TRz_p1QSNLAKPmyndYRtr6qxPcUY1rin14oHAPoM92xAdRL-XQRTWV6bY-wt_CEup6Am4HNoBm5l0rLBrMeh2Mu2opzOo946FeZjze7yXK8M1CBtppFrCv9O_Bi2l_dGNIXlS5DjT-I/s1600-h/DSCN1696.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4TRz_p1QSNLAKPmyndYRtr6qxPcUY1rin14oHAPoM92xAdRL-XQRTWV6bY-wt_CEup6Am4HNoBm5l0rLBrMeh2Mu2opzOo946FeZjze7yXK8M1CBtppFrCv9O_Bi2l_dGNIXlS5DjT-I/s200/DSCN1696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421613859934713634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >e in Portland.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Our incre</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >dible friends who are there for us and truly get us-We appreciate and Love you guys tons-Thanks for all the memories in 2009. Looking forward to 2010 and the me</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >mories to come</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvhkzo7d9PjHK1DSIecwU6X2NXKcoQH_8JrMp77qhX9QwtKtcwvIfV1o8qHpxhEOyl823sd3SrTSZ555SKo3vryblpmfdtSmZk6lHaexDca_SHtVVmizYOp6AF5Yo_A-pBORESf9kYceb/s1600-h/DSCN1633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvhkzo7d9PjHK1DSIecwU6X2NXKcoQH_8JrMp77qhX9QwtKtcwvIfV1o8qHpxhEOyl823sd3SrTSZ555SKo3vryblpmfdtSmZk6lHaexDca_SHtVVmizYOp6AF5Yo_A-pBORESf9kYceb/s200/DSCN1633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612929718696930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Wishing you all a Wonderful 2010! Life goes by so fast, take time to see, smell, taste love and laugh in it : )<br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxRB7vg0jbCg5iGKmhZDWGGCNN7KUOxS-pOcDjv-3Z5cPbxI_NoNfiyj4CsSlzzzSfJPV3eD-SkdFcThCGBv60SNWFnCZ8ywUmeuAhxuYy86uABfi9pS3n47DoFofclmQPsrFwoiNskvx/s1600-h/DSCI0366.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxRB7vg0jbCg5iGKmhZDWGGCNN7KUOxS-pOcDjv-3Z5cPbxI_NoNfiyj4CsSlzzzSfJPV3eD-SkdFcThCGBv60SNWFnCZ8ywUmeuAhxuYy86uABfi9pS3n47DoFofclmQPsrFwoiNskvx/s200/DSCI0366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421611698333706386" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Love,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >McBee5</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Paxton, Julie, </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Ethel 8, Katherine 5, Ruthie 1, and Bella<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGIilbdfFD89x85V_Je9Q0jPBRdQgcE50ZaFGCWFbdqqzKae8XTraJIssyXZuWkvT0h6bCcRTian7x3f49osR_aVv50oxiodHx_F9w6mGDoKqLP3Xkomsy6Z0J1B9H-5yCZSEGMJUlOLO/s1600-h/DSCN1739.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGIilbdfFD89x85V_Je9Q0jPBRdQgcE50ZaFGCWFbdqqzKae8XTraJIssyXZuWkvT0h6bCcRTian7x3f49osR_aVv50oxiodHx_F9w6mGDoKqLP3Xkomsy6Z0J1B9H-5yCZSEGMJUlOLO/s200/DSCN1739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421614310710418178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbJgcUrp3BdFScOw-9P6yhuUWn1wzsjANYFXA8lDr0e6AtGaIPFNZGadeV1fxy-qrsHDRlB-C1xWlLhmJiak8ryUnrZyZXdmb-rPNviLLL_DoAt2JTyhUXhyphenhyphenN2pZJyZH6QWeA_FD7i4Qk/s1600-h/DSCN1737.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbJgcUrp3BdFScOw-9P6yhuUWn1wzsjANYFXA8lDr0e6AtGaIPFNZGadeV1fxy-qrsHDRlB-C1xWlLhmJiak8ryUnrZyZXdmb-rPNviLLL_DoAt2JTyhUXhyphenhyphenN2pZJyZH6QWeA_FD7i4Qk/s200/DSCN1737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421614299357244306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplQEU19OZ3yVNY6TSyXTyINaegH9EvbYvh9fTF98_-v7AZuxUPe4EM7tXgzsfyL-bcISsQ6VW9J9gP1g1bAjmitAfaBOzhA9-PnNuPRKP1GvayhDCCzIvK-Pqem4XkknxnxxVH6WHJL74/s1600-h/DSCN1738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplQEU19OZ3yVNY6TSyXTyINaegH9EvbYvh9fTF98_-v7AZuxUPe4EM7tXgzsfyL-bcISsQ6VW9J9gP1g1bAjmitAfaBOzhA9-PnNuPRKP1GvayhDCCzIvK-Pqem4XkknxnxxVH6WHJL74/s200/DSCN1738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421614300917386018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0LYmLs5-kgIRR_V_uayPpwetMKN5dqqRe41ssCeY-qzdbF5Yy5hntW9j6M5rPWSOFsiJ6oTBqHI_fak9Hgo9L0xhjlO0X3OXwJiKztNt6f6uyqxqAxTTAysPvkfQwgbAmfImbD0X92li/s1600-h/DSCN1744.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0LYmLs5-kgIRR_V_uayPpwetMKN5dqqRe41ssCeY-qzdbF5Yy5hntW9j6M5rPWSOFsiJ6oTBqHI_fak9Hgo9L0xhjlO0X3OXwJiKztNt6f6uyqxqAxTTAysPvkfQwgbAmfImbD0X92li/s200/DSCN1744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421614569780493586" border="0" /></a></div>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-25366707432046649342009-10-23T21:17:00.000-07:002009-10-23T23:09:17.709-07:00Back to school and PuppyLove<span style="font-style: italic;">Cozy slippers, fleece hoodies, dark rainy mornings,</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywKJkL59uQS1MQ3z5Nr9mhYb2tOhmxEr0J4ZR9vxpDO92HfvSI3e67sw4YuIABOGZ-HUqGdy0CXpaVVmzKUPXQbdbLWj8KYWJovBEkm3MP6PcvLorFeTSHMVxpI3tv5XRhqEe2ypPwzW2/s1600-h/DSCN1541.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywKJkL59uQS1MQ3z5Nr9mhYb2tOhmxEr0J4ZR9vxpDO92HfvSI3e67sw4YuIABOGZ-HUqGdy0CXpaVVmzKUPXQbdbLWj8KYWJovBEkm3MP6PcvLorFeTSHMVxpI3tv5XRhqEe2ypPwzW2/s320/DSCN1541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396037130222617746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">the sound of crunching leaves under your feet and the smell of </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">nutmeg toasting in the oven....aah it is FALL.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> Well it is officially Fall here in Portland. The rain has started </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">as well as the wind and all the beautiful colored leaves are starting to fall to the ground. Katherine and Ethel have</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> been in school for a month now. Ruthie is wondering</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> were everyone went? She walks around-still, asking for Kay Kay and Iyah (Ethel)? She is really mis</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">sing her sisters. I think she needs to get out more and have some play dates. We are finally on a sche</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">dule. I never thought I would be in b</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ed by 10:30 every night or up by 6:3</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">0 every </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">morning but I am. The school schedule has been good for us. Paxton and I feel as though we </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">are getting more accomplished, although we are so </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">exhausted by the evening. I am still not a morning person but with a few cups of </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">coffee and I'm ready to go by 9am.</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85QWGAAULL6C33zx0X3vVwt4TxKhZIDWrT2rUcEh1VAk-9T-qTgbTYqW1cXHhhg6vbqZ3Ag3NlG8ePY065CRo8jmrim3J4E-1qbdOTPOgiPE6VwX9WsajPCHxpXUXRdv2Yl_cqUUv-5Ni/s1600-h/DSCN1416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85QWGAAULL6C33zx0X3vVwt4TxKhZIDWrT2rUcEh1VAk-9T-qTgbTYqW1cXHhhg6vbqZ3Ag3NlG8ePY065CRo8jmrim3J4E-1qbdOTPOgiPE6VwX9WsajPCHxpXUXRdv2Yl_cqUUv-5Ni/s320/DSCN1416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396037114473754818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Ethel has a wonderful teacher again this year, we have been so fortunate at this school. It is such an amazing community of Parents/</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">students, teachers, and other staff as well as the community it sits in. Ethel is in a 3rd/4th blend and her teacher runs her cl</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ass as a town. There are all kinds of jobs the kids get to do to help run the town. Well they had an election at the b</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">eginning of the year and Ethel ran for Mayor-and she won! Her teacher said Ethel gave the best speech she has ev</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">er heard. I have no doubt there will b</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">e more elections in her future-VOTE ETHEL MCBEE!<br />Katherine started Kindergarten and it was a tad of a rocky start. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Those p</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">oor little kiddos..There first day was on a Friday and the kids did fine. Then on Monday the kiddos were all crying for their mom's. They didn'</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4kLRwVbsRX8JgVsbCeCCUkjUiXK_AAHAV-7ar6iP_kAv6oon1vxUgqdXrQgWxiCJJPmoqEScV45sptzBRl8gGHBvf8zHStuSPCBhcMARR6CYDQ_qhyphenhyphenZmvPvM5UeSSYeM7Zd9gUHcRPD6/s1600-h/DSCN1513.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4kLRwVbsRX8JgVsbCeCCUkjUiXK_AAHAV-7ar6iP_kAv6oon1vxUgqdXrQgWxiCJJPmoqEScV45sptzBRl8gGHBvf8zHStuSPCBhcMARR6CYDQ_qhyphenhyphenZmvPvM5UeSSYeM7Zd9gUHcRPD6/s320/DSCN1513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396037143173919058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">t know what hit them. I think all those kids thought..wel</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">l this isn't so bad for o</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ne day, wait you mean I have to come back</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> on Monday! It was like that the whole first week, very hard to take as a Momma. Katherine did O.K. she was a bit clingy that week but quickly got over it. Katherine's teacher is the sweetest lady. She reminds me of our friend Angi's Mom. Her teacher has seen it all and you can bring any question to her and she has advice for you. Katherine just adores her. Katherine has made a bunch of friends in her class and gets all kinds of responsibilities. Kindergarten has been so good for her.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Ruthie, she is a Ham! She is by far our silliest little girl (I really didn't think anyone could top Katherine but age for age-Ruthie wins). She defi</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">nitely has a deter</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">mination that Ethel and KayKay posses. Ruthie is al</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ways smiling and say</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ing something really loud. The </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0lM6HA1PJrymCzv7obV0nWrOV-67XxmzbKAMcbVSHZXVH91lOBiybuhDJSg3e1fG4khqsFxsISqHcoVj5znuCa7Bfrc6dopH5sGxwOKtHIGMV5ZmbMoNOsWDfMgSPoD9oBfmG1qkodk3/s1600-h/DSCN1504.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0lM6HA1PJrymCzv7obV0nWrOV-67XxmzbKAMcbVSHZXVH91lOBiybuhDJSg3e1fG4khqsFxsISqHcoVj5znuCa7Bfrc6dopH5sGxwOKtHIGMV5ZmbMoNOsWDfMgSPoD9oBfmG1qkodk3/s320/DSCN1504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396037135447782578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">funny part is she has a really deep voice, what a contrast to her sist</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">er her has a voice like snow white! Ruthie is starting to count and can get to 3. We are starting the</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> potty training with her-she is getting the hang of it but there is definitel</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">y a time d</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">elay. She loves to put her shoes on and a coat (must have a hood) on first thing in the morning. Sometimes she'll ea</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G7roM2jS-AZWDw-zgz2CbZsYk-pJ4hajPUJAjiZdhX4Qhu-Mvt3u21NtyRB25I3f8db2oLeZG7ojH7lSQR7v9WfFuiDczD5lJ9DMPegmPMWPo-hF3FFYDbFzoKoI381-jB79YdO4NGMu/s1600-h/DSCN1509.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G7roM2jS-AZWDw-zgz2CbZsYk-pJ4hajPUJAjiZdhX4Qhu-Mvt3u21NtyRB25I3f8db2oLeZG7ojH7lSQR7v9WfFuiDczD5lJ9DMPegmPMWPo-hF3FFYDbFzoKoI381-jB79YdO4NGMu/s320/DSCN1509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396037124597259810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">t breakfast in a diaper, coat, and shoes only!<br /><br />We went to the pumpkin patch this past week. Rode the hayride, got our pumpkins, went in the corn maze (a total wet,</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> muddy mess), rode the cow train and saw all the animals and picked up a few goodies at the market. Whew, what a fantastic family fall day! For Halloween Ruthie is going to be a cheerlea</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">der, Katherine a Rock </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">St</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ar, a</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">nd Ethel a Masqu</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">er</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ade princess. We of course will be tric</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">k o</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">r treating over at the Peters once again-(Jackson, behave yourself, what would w</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">e do without seeing yo</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">u guys on Halloween).<br /><br />So our big news is......We added another member to our family, a little pupp</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLz3oNpjWyPmXsolgwd2id09gNRbDH-qkPuxK-DZno21J2QDeUxlrm1HiBburpWz6QSrlhEJMrGUa1CagHsBSUKxkZUKVg0jyoiBGdh0ttAKXTk1BxR8pBiu0YBa32XnOuB7xxXEs33yQ/s1600-h/DSCN1484.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLz3oNpjWyPmXsolgwd2id09gNRbDH-qkPuxK-DZno21J2QDeUxlrm1HiBburpWz6QSrlhEJMrGUa1CagHsBSUKxkZUKVg0jyoiBGdh0ttAKXTk1BxR8pBiu0YBa32XnOuB7xxXEs33yQ/s320/DSCN1484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396038390927470626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">y! Her </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">name is Bella. It took the girls less than a minute to name her-I was shocked </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I thought for sure she would go n</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ameless for at least a day. She is now 11 weeks old. We have </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">had her for 3 weeks now. Pa</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">xton finally caved in. What a softy he is. I think he is starting to enjoy her </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">more and more. She is a Lab/springer mix. She is really smart, a bit of a mouthy girl but is</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> getting much better. Is a total lover and wants to be right next to you all the time.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> She is so wonder</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ful with the girls. Ruthie and her are total buddies. T</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">hey are always together, mo</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">stly causing trouble!</span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAEJkSZaIzv_gTN6_NKGBo2Alo3BSccQjhR4yGcdqKf1nLPRagOyQPQxFqHuK4Dr5_3bYBEUZbHfJ7LdKIBEf-FeB71qhszhHoncTnIKQmtQ4-gx7X6XWnksxHAm7GxHBB7qqyyfiJTQR/s1600-h/DSCI0224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAEJkSZaIzv_gTN6_NKGBo2Alo3BSccQjhR4yGcdqKf1nLPRagOyQPQxFqHuK4Dr5_3bYBEUZbHfJ7LdKIBEf-FeB71qhszhHoncTnIKQmtQ4-gx7X6XWnksxHAm7GxHBB7qqyyfiJTQR/s320/DSCI0224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396038398922798242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NiAJCDZYjb077sRujWhJzmDREpeh0wat0LeCNGg_TFZFY3Xv0TuSQuKT1FnzQZcWNR7LeqgLLennhxmsUyDf8DQgFifyHrR9GoypEYE_k3dNEsGrTSjnAwPONeAd6F8Fio1u6pRl3U7L/s1600-h/DSCN1482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NiAJCDZYjb077sRujWhJzmDREpeh0wat0LeCNGg_TFZFY3Xv0TuSQuKT1FnzQZcWNR7LeqgLLennhxmsUyDf8DQgFifyHrR9GoypEYE_k3dNEsGrTSjnAwPONeAd6F8Fio1u6pRl3U7L/s320/DSCN1482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396038380636924066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Well, I hope you all enjoy y</span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">our fall, soon it will be winter and </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">we will be </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">celebrating another year!</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Love to you all,<br />McBee5<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-85891064294406461462009-09-04T11:28:00.000-07:002009-09-04T14:39:07.466-07:00Summers End<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8fMi1hKeTPLQ6rZLt0vXXUZS3UjY0x-SbHrm3ecOED8ah2geFpsc_Rc65m1zmeevTrHdYf6MnM2eDJhdOTclVb0fAnEgYytBRivUhNA-AQNQHeuOSOrfNjvTBlaOxWZ2KwRQb5zUpkaL/s1600-h/DSCN1042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8fMi1hKeTPLQ6rZLt0vXXUZS3UjY0x-SbHrm3ecOED8ah2geFpsc_Rc65m1zmeevTrHdYf6MnM2eDJhdOTclVb0fAnEgYytBRivUhNA-AQNQHeuOSOrfNjvTBlaOxWZ2KwRQb5zUpkaL/s320/DSCN1042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377724986622367490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Warm sandy beaches, purple sunsets,beautiful smiles,<br />perfectly chilled beer, dancing with friends, tasty cheese and finding another pair of goggles....Oh where has the summer gone?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Summer is almost over. Ethel and Katherine go back to school on Tuesday. Where has the summer </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">gone? Paxton and I vowed to have a </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">slow relaxing summer and it has </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">been so busy. I think this is just how things </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">are </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">going to be with kids in school and </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">on that schedule.</span></span></span></span><br /><br />Our Summer started off with trip to SanDiego to visit the McBee-Park/Dodgin Clan. There was 11 of us all together. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5zwyD9DQDYm7xfa3CuEVlo5f6KmQkPdOQOgJCDjHyipXAyEHV2ficY08PSVVoW8W74ZIsydL3D7rgE4t_-fL_pDJbP7NsEYylABTtgcN8DrypJzyGTDFXtjvg-zbabI7odfGfdvJtXXm/s1600-h/DSCN0977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5zwyD9DQDYm7xfa3CuEVlo5f6KmQkPdOQOgJCDjHyipXAyEHV2ficY08PSVVoW8W74ZIsydL3D7rgE4t_-fL_pDJbP7NsEYylABTtgcN8DrypJzyGTDFXtjvg-zbabI7odfGfdvJtXXm/s320/DSCN0977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377696990030959122" border="0" /></a>The weather was good, and the company was better! The girls loved just playing in the sand-Ruthie loved eating it. Ethel did a ton of boogie boarding with Pax. The first day down to the beach Katherine got stung by a jellyfish but was such a good sport about it, after the sting went away she went right back in the water! It was a fun time seeing our cousins, aunt, and grandparents. Oh, Ethel also recruited everyone for a game of softball on the beach. We watched sea world fireworks every night, and taught the McBee/Park/Dodgin Clan about "favorite part of our day" and "Talent shows", aah, life with little girls! All in All it was a good start to Summer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CGNC0TLoxWAlXq5EJFDevXYldAvEUYB8YdX2-oThQiZTc4KLdkx7afMMMBoLl5_8PSlVfDUVlJgaX0ZzneHVeZ8BIz_g2refM5HD2ADCoHASeiqWi7ApmslYuROB2T0MBoWfCQFi0YkU/s1600-h/DSCN0968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CGNC0TLoxWAlXq5EJFDevXYldAvEUYB8YdX2-oThQiZTc4KLdkx7afMMMBoLl5_8PSlVfDUVlJgaX0ZzneHVeZ8BIz_g2refM5HD2ADCoHASeiqWi7ApmslYuROB2T0MBoWfCQFi0YkU/s320/DSCN0968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377697780834482178" border="0" /></a><br />We came back and rolled right into one of our favorite Holidays.....4Th of July<br />For years our friends the Sleepers have been trying to get us to come to their 4Th of July party and we have declined-Ethel loves her Blue Lake Park on the 4Th. Well this year we decided to go to Blue Lake and give it one last try. Yup, next year we will be at the Sleepers. Blue Lake has gotten much to commercialized and busy for us. One of the reasons we loved it was it had this total small town feel to it. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkX9vzRtOjoixZF21F-LZAvcCF29SsSelzyIwA5DO5otHK_fhdpmqoLNhLD43-HRbMMcASXN7AYpG1ANb6_TvVEzsxMLVS54zgZj5hILoGniwLnb0DRCbsFN73Xik8jDPITUi6kH14-C6/s1600-h/DSCN1092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkX9vzRtOjoixZF21F-LZAvcCF29SsSelzyIwA5DO5otHK_fhdpmqoLNhLD43-HRbMMcASXN7AYpG1ANb6_TvVEzsxMLVS54zgZj5hILoGniwLnb0DRCbsFN73Xik8jDPITUi6kH14-C6/s320/DSCN1092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377700086621925474" border="0" /></a>Also and this was the kicker for me, during their firework display which is always choreographed to Proud Patriotic Music-they played.......<span style="font-style: italic;">Sting</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> instead-He is</span><span style="font-size:100%;">n't even from America! So next year-with Ethel's approval we will be at the Sl</span><span style="font-size:100%;">eepers and Bill I expect you to sing <span style="font-style: italic;">God Bless America</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">The upside was that my Dad was here and got to spend it with us. So that was fun, and as always we ran into a few people w</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e knew.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdEfGuNKDAJnuIMjUdoSAbaNiB6crDCIhBi26F9X7pJct7o8VV-Lj5WTJQabhD8V53mKE5SaNhirPLK38JF9qjvx3PUoVsdNX81n9WVPJORTNeDaTO5Ght5eHjlZcL58DCTb_VAz_eKhc/s1600-h/DSCN1110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdEfGuNKDAJnuIMjUdoSAbaNiB6crDCIhBi26F9X7pJct7o8VV-Lj5WTJQabhD8V53mKE5SaNhirPLK38JF9qjvx3PUoVsdNX81n9WVPJORTNeDaTO5Ght5eHjlZcL58DCTb_VAz_eKhc/s320/DSCN1110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377708315994624882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">July was spent waking up early and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">getting Ethel off to swim team (every morning </span><span style="font-size:100%;">by 8:00 am) and Katherine off to her swim lessons or her chosen camp of the week.<br />Katherine thinks camp is the best thing ever and would choose anything where she could bring a lunch and ma</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ke a craft!</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Ethel had several swim meets this summer. Her events she entered in where: 25 fly (butterfly), 25 backstroke, 25 free relay, medley relay. Her favorite and her best </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtfonshmCbtNlZnPToQ_k0mHY90Y7oYrghxJfexVPX8Spx2vIb8ailjgQVTlhqDBuXw3L78452FMmvjJ1iinZ8hQpVAEoaBLijwLL3awH1sfd1RxN2K4ytGlTCDTNGo3RAoS_U47uRqVV/s1600-h/DSCN1115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtfonshmCbtNlZnPToQ_k0mHY90Y7oYrghxJfexVPX8Spx2vIb8ailjgQVTlhqDBuXw3L78452FMmvjJ1iinZ8hQpVAEoaBLijwLL3awH1sfd1RxN2K4ytGlTCDTNGo3RAoS_U47uRqVV/s320/DSCN1115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377708866176757122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">event is backstroke.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Ethel continues to take violin and enjoy it. </span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">At the end of July we had a visit from our niece Sabrina from Las Vegas. It was a short time but fun. We all went swimming one day, went shopping at the mall and spent a fun HOT day up in Washington visiting Aunt Pam, Uncle Bob, Grandma Keen and the cousins. I c</span><span style="font-size:100%;">an't believe s</span><span style="font-size:100%;">he will be a senior this year and is planning for col</span><span style="font-size:100%;">lege. It was 10 </span><span style="font-size:100%;">years ago she came for her first visit to Oregon to spend a</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> week with us! We enjoy her time so much.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuQuDqoHEeAzgqbgMsWcRyLC5ZtJqYub43jy31QnFsEGs2P_P1DnOyHTPcP_bwNXr0yopVthEcNahiVDX65_t1uhWVctCnmJvs1ktq9gGgfjJUFgBbVoKOki8DNOlP7YLjLNcsJ3NxJbx/s1600-h/DSCI0043.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuQuDqoHEeAzgqbgMsWcRyLC5ZtJqYub43jy31QnFsEGs2P_P1DnOyHTPcP_bwNXr0yopVthEcNahiVDX65_t1uhWVctCnmJvs1ktq9gGgfjJUFgBbVoKOki8DNOlP7YLjLNcsJ3NxJbx/s320/DSCI0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377706819777041250" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YbdIi8nukoBbOwJBLcHpTkDxnBkekmgJL33oD9s2L4HdZGMzVaTuORgiYI4xOd1Qqp0ItFkgUKtBJRkm_DrtCbrO57WUSXXfCW_eLqMDYD7fO4msnSeouy2huo-4URAvJwT4dxPpJTD1/s1600-h/DSCN1202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YbdIi8nukoBbOwJBLcHpTkDxnBkekmgJL33oD9s2L4HdZGMzVaTuORgiYI4xOd1Qqp0ItFkgUKtBJRkm_DrtCbrO57WUSXXfCW_eLqMDYD7fO4msnSeouy2huo-4URAvJwT4dxPpJTD1/s320/DSCN1202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377718982900292818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />August has been our busiest but most relaxing month of this summer. We went to Sunri<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymG39QjATaWRI29rx8BvdcVe9STMXkO7KO3vQRZuoxHVETzXwBDuHepfiKhxy6E5j4nGScAPf0BExduoe9dZT3NRBSzdpZZobEXEaF2uuK4m-oTqFn12nGNa_CgUCDgZySlJ5jrnZnxjH/s1600-h/DSCN1239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymG39QjATaWRI29rx8BvdcVe9STMXkO7KO3vQRZuoxHVETzXwBDuHepfiKhxy6E5j4nGScAPf0BExduoe9dZT3NRBSzdpZZobEXEaF2uuK4m-oTqFn12nGNa_CgUCDgZySlJ5jrnZnxjH/s320/DSCN1239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377718412125018642" border="0" /></a>ver, Oregon with Sleepers, Peters, Dana and a friend of theirs from Texas came too. It was a lot of fun, swimming, biking, watching the deer invade our back patio and of course the Grand Finale....The Annual Kids Sunriver talent show! The kids all did an exceptional job this year and at the end there was a bonus (props to Dana for adding this in) The adults all threw their own dance party! I'm sure our kids all think we are absolutely nuts but oh well that was the best night!<br />Ethel got to ride a "real horse on a trail, not just a pony". I was the chosen one who got to go with-I have to admit, I am looking forward next year to riding again. That was definitely the highlight for Ethel, I think she smiled the rest of the week!<br />Katherine's favorites <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGePVMpxdz46JgGY0m83gjdwjXNanQ7-IBmje2-PKNADH2Diq8fgS2jelS31R8P90y4wMtgjFahw-NrMQNryj6WytZTdesA3ZAsrB1BGbUkmIAh9lBVmt1v8d8u8TkkNVG80Kg_pVzJbO/s1600-h/DSCN1228.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGePVMpxdz46JgGY0m83gjdwjXNanQ7-IBmje2-PKNADH2Diq8fgS2jelS31R8P90y4wMtgjFahw-NrMQNryj6WytZTdesA3ZAsrB1BGbUkmIAh9lBVmt1v8d8u8TkkNVG80Kg_pVzJbO/s320/DSCN1228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377721386174362882" border="0" /></a>for the week where playing in the pool with Jackson and the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IvZnx61J41Tyqw2uTBrE4qOqCDqElUYJLm9soaWcO5jXhCfSm5R7RsIRshQ03aTaC5JaUiJjDCSOHoLoaD8HNbugTXNe3MmQNr7rzK9G12Kf99c4AGnAQksMUzTOyDowkKLydHGG0rfU/s1600-h/DSCI0104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IvZnx61J41Tyqw2uTBrE4qOqCDqElUYJLm9soaWcO5jXhCfSm5R7RsIRshQ03aTaC5JaUiJjDCSOHoLoaD8HNbugTXNe3MmQNr7rzK9G12Kf99c4AGnAQksMUzTOyDowkKLydHGG0rfU/s320/DSCI0104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377720048016502770" border="0" /></a>talent show.<br />Ruthie decided she would show off her talent in the show by learning to walk that week. This has also developed a new talent in Ruthie, complete independence! She wants no help from anyone at any point, for anything. How does a 16 month old develop that so quickly?<br /><br /><br />We came home from Sunriver in a hurry to plan<br />E<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCNeRF6VUO0MuL6Q1pYWvprdaRuBPoJpGIaz_jP2fdBzWGLzdDJrwLABKHZQmdfG1GNnwQrvVsswre341u0fQ8hM_8pUV0UVnkZQ8BLKx6CMRR6ZCSn1Lxy3i3vWs3p38FzhQZjS77Lf2/s1600-h/DSCN1352.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCNeRF6VUO0MuL6Q1pYWvprdaRuBPoJpGIaz_jP2fdBzWGLzdDJrwLABKHZQmdfG1GNnwQrvVsswre341u0fQ8hM_8pUV0UVnkZQ8BLKx6CMRR6ZCSn1Lxy3i3vWs3p38FzhQZjS77Lf2/s320/DSCN1352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377723324700159458" border="0" /></a>thel's Birthday party. She reques<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreuJd3POjfQen5I0GwMZ1frV7h8wnOCB3jITa6WgeDzWq7a-_aCy7B0XR0a_9rb6pbY8I01fvK1dVqA7N0HJaxV_V6wZTumrk8J8R2ZG0Od3mljRDGTlMiGKFQdaN4yU2nBvZeoD4_NyI/s1600-h/DSCI0118.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreuJd3POjfQen5I0GwMZ1frV7h8wnOCB3jITa6WgeDzWq7a-_aCy7B0XR0a_9rb6pbY8I01fvK1dVqA7N0HJaxV_V6wZTumrk8J8R2ZG0Od3mljRDGTlMiGKFQdaN4yU2nBvZeoD4_NyI/s320/DSCI0118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377722132776438786" border="0" /></a>ted a dinner of Potstickers, Chicken and rice on her actual Birthday. A Karaoke Party was in order for her "Family and Friends" party. Ethel also wrote a comedy which was performed by all of her friends and herself at her party.<br />We had a wonderful time and it was so much fun to catch up with everyone we hadn't seen this summer.<br /><br />I can not believe Ethel is 8 and will be starting 3rd grade in just 4 days. Where or Where have the years gone? Katherine will be in Kindergarten all day, gets to take a lunch, go to PE and learn spanish among many other exciting things. This transition with Katherine has been much harder on me than with Ethel going to school. Ethel has always had an old soul and has went head on into anything. Katherine is ready for the challenge and very excited but it is me who will always see her as the little sister, and little girl-my babies are all growing up so, so, fast.<br />Ruthie and I have plans of our own this school year. She will be taking classes at our local parks and rec (music, playgym ect.) and spending many mornings at bookbabies at the library as well as working on this new found independence of hers!<br /><br />I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing and fun filled summer.<br />We enjoyed catching up with many of you.<br />Enjoy your last few days and for those of you who are fortunate enough to have an indian summer like we do-enjoy the end of summer sunsets!<br />Love,<br />The McBee Family<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></div>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-32452058739849768842009-05-29T21:31:00.000-07:002009-05-29T23:29:40.873-07:00It's Official!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHyuPYp4jgfYEG0l4t-eeNfu-SSNrLvi_fTSCYtNmyAyXiF3cW6JIYPWS1olF4vnNN0XmmPlJakrOumRi0FjBjsl4ijZ_k1V0vFz1K5Ic83leA0Oethx5PHV4-vdF2AIzrovI4lcfg3hx/s1600-h/DSCN0854.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHyuPYp4jgfYEG0l4t-eeNfu-SSNrLvi_fTSCYtNmyAyXiF3cW6JIYPWS1olF4vnNN0XmmPlJakrOumRi0FjBjsl4ijZ_k1V0vFz1K5Ic83leA0Oethx5PHV4-vdF2AIzrovI4lcfg3hx/s320/DSCN0854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341493127832743170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">So this post is titled "It's Official" for several reasons....Please read on to find</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> out more.<br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">We "officially" are blogging once a month now.<br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br />Summer is almost here in Portland-It was 88 degrees today!<br />Well, we all know I'm not fond of warm weather and sunshine but I have to admit I'm kinda excited for the change in weather as well as the chance to sleep in a tad! There are 8 more days of school left... Our first year at school has been amazing and I'm actually quite sad to see it come to an end. Next year we will have 2 girls (Ethel and Katherine) in the same school at the same time. Next year will b</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">e interesting but exciting.<br /><br />Softball is slowly coming to an end. Just a few games</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> left. Ethel has totally enjoyed herself and I guess we are a softball family now. So far our family sports are Swimming, soccer and softball-who kno</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ws what Ruthie will like? Maybe basketball? We are </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">hoping we get one who is into it!<br /><br />Our summer will "officially" begin in 3 weeks when Ethel's s</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">wim team starts (she has been asking to be on a team for 2 years now) so this year she officially gets to. Also in 3 weeks we will be going on an "Official" McBee Family vacation. We will fly off to San Diego to vacation for a week with Mimmie/</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Grandad (Pax's parents) and the Park/Dodgin crew (pax's sister and her family)! It has been about 7 years since we all met up in San Diego so we are looking forward to seeing them and relaxing on a warm sandy beach!<br /><br />Katherine will be going to several local summer camps this summer as well as her usual swimming lessons-this is her summer to enjoy what she likes-Yeah Katherine!<br /><br />Ruthie "Officially" started crawling 2 weeks ago-she has not stopped since an</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">d our lives are "Officially" over! The days of setting her down in the living room with some toys and going to check on the laundry are now obsolete. She is so curious and into everything-she LOVES cords or string of any kind.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br />My dad "Officially" is now an Oregonian. He arrived here 3 weeks ago at the beginning of May and his furnishings all arrived about a week ago. </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_gZrracVta4eEJvuIBX7D0otysfu8LMlc3-Rn7TObPrvTzS3je9-MiN21VeIg7RvEQOClj7rMem3-AOWPEkNAxlyR9J2a9yy59YebsQpeQjgrtMfAkZ1uKwzVahHpRYNamqlcBS2380S/s1600-h/DSCN0842.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_gZrracVta4eEJvuIBX7D0otysfu8LMlc3-Rn7TObPrvTzS3je9-MiN21VeIg7RvEQOClj7rMem3-AOWPEkNAxlyR9J2a9yy59YebsQpeQjgrtMfAkZ1uKwzVahHpRYNamqlcBS2380S/s320/DSCN0842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341492582195047026" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">He is settling in and enjoying his new place. He is busy with all kinds of classes his community has to offer as well as accompaning us on all of our activities. I have included some pictures of our (Katheri</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ne, Ruth, and myself) train trip back to Illinois to help my dad pack and move out to Portland. Katherine was so excited to be on the train as well as go to Chicago and see the Sears Tower</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">. For weeks she talked about how she went 99 floors up in a elevator</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> and could barely see people on the ground. She also thought Lake Michigan was the Pacific Ocean! I guess it makes </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">sense since the Pacific is </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviGQdkmvOsj0nsBStLcrzK-5hVJ0Mek_wmUtAzGFML8OdVHkNE1VRgOWJ9el9eRyp2o3w6ePXr8hW5aLU-RNNvwQsCAA5pU5qtzUHXxV4eme5zKbm58jn0YuvHeOlqXbFVc2-Qs5mGSAp/s1600-h/DSCN0831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviGQdkmvOsj0nsBStLcrzK-5hVJ0Mek_wmUtAzGFML8OdVHkNE1VRgOWJ9el9eRyp2o3w6ePXr8hW5aLU-RNNvwQsCAA5pU5qtzUHXxV4eme5zKbm58jn0YuvHeOlqXbFVc2-Qs5mGSAp/s320/DSCN0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341491649606802674" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">really the only large body of water she has ever seen. T</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">he Train trip was a great time, something to really cherish. I think Katherine will remember that time with her Pappy forever. Those to are hilarious together. They have one special bond-I gu</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ess it goes back to their love for vanilla ice cream!<br /><br />We will spend our usual week in Sunriver (in August this year) with our friends...Peters, Sleepers and Dana (still just worthy of one name). I so look forward to this relaxing week. These guys are truly our family. We are hoping to get in a</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">t least one camping trip to the beach this summer, we'll see what happens.<br /><br />Enjoy the warm weather-hopefully not to warm for those of you in the Southwest.<br />We love you all and maybe our</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> summer plans will collide with some of yours!<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqSPK_Xtp8JhfRHF_gyTiRVE58YQVXZ4LhewCfwCGjk4MmNLsJDggzAdiL2cfNrncYuaiwQj4tgN-Wd9hlOMLGhqJDg0Lr2i7uKkasoDItx92qqTX79WExsg5SbJRRP_O2uusj-WpB8xp/s1600-h/DSCN0870.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqSPK_Xtp8JhfRHF_gyTiRVE58YQVXZ4LhewCfwCGjk4MmNLsJDggzAdiL2cfNrncYuaiwQj4tgN-Wd9hlOMLGhqJDg0Lr2i7uKkasoDItx92qqTX79WExsg5SbJRRP_O2uusj-WpB8xp/s320/DSCN0870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341497189563942482" border="0" /></a>Love and Blessings,<br />McBee5<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-29664799516708707192009-04-20T09:23:00.000-07:002009-04-20T11:26:46.804-07:00Easter, Baseball and Moving to PortlandHello Everyone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqBE6taFpEa4NNz6tEp_Lza0xXZ7K13zGnfUv7qWf-1SY5ONZxzcFiSOD8jIX4GuXxXu-tvEkMo9yZOqZBJVe3HScCWU0iy-s8GzsK41ep-4cApt8kxXEma0nGCzkJvg0q9baDqWDfU2S/s1600-h/DSCN0751.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqBE6taFpEa4NNz6tEp_Lza0xXZ7K13zGnfUv7qWf-1SY5ONZxzcFiSOD8jIX4GuXxXu-tvEkMo9yZOqZBJVe3HScCWU0iy-s8GzsK41ep-4cApt8kxXEma0nGCzkJvg0q9baDqWDfU2S/s200/DSCN0751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326815980298358834" border="0" /></a><br />You are probably thinking," What is going on? It has not been a month since the last blog update." And you are right, by some pretty fast moving events I find myself with some free time. You remember free time. That time after lunch when the teacher let the kids do whatever, while she popped an aspirin and wondered when the parents were coming. So how did this free time find its way to me? Mo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQQyBe6ciyu6o7txVW6_Az2Ab5Btzi2kfdoWbwUm5fSdA850efYqwh_66m7LnjAKe6q7ysV40TAvxhJwwxbgOJmaezpdIarYoPCqHuJASiyB5CtoyJn_ClGg90usRUglKIihg7Qb_tPk/s1600-h/DSCN0771.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQQyBe6ciyu6o7txVW6_Az2Ab5Btzi2kfdoWbwUm5fSdA850efYqwh_66m7LnjAKe6q7ysV40TAvxhJwwxbgOJmaezpdIarYoPCqHuJASiyB5CtoyJn_ClGg90usRUglKIihg7Qb_tPk/s200/DSCN0771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326821905542469906" border="0" /></a>re about that in a minute....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuxQO3hcmXI_FB6cKqBVmFHAFG3wBP1IdGakH7kwgRXhif9mFjQIR3UKo3Qqu9DbIWQLC044_zg7SRNHoAJEB17Q5ZVMsAddVW4zW1ZXGQgWxqCCMDh2EcXpTWBH6L-iDHpQQ1k1BhGje/s1600-h/DSCN0760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuxQO3hcmXI_FB6cKqBVmFHAFG3wBP1IdGakH7kwgRXhif9mFjQIR3UKo3Qqu9DbIWQLC044_zg7SRNHoAJEB17Q5ZVMsAddVW4zW1ZXGQgWxqCCMDh2EcXpTWBH6L-iDHpQQ1k1BhGje/s200/DSCN0760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326816545718292898" border="0" /></a><br />Easter was a great day, even though was rainy and cold and not the spring renewal you would hope for. After the kids tore through their Easter baskets in record time, we went to church and then headed out in the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhiFyen6v0htHTSBeNL5EZLDW0R0BKI6OBKpDLdj6tI7F66tHwfcHqqWZ74THRh-gsdF1bi5lmaKcqplW_g4mAB07f5lg_itrPjZLuv0ddn2T3tEbn8OtyQRahCOz3ypaLhrk0_Sae9mD/s1600-h/DSCN0768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhiFyen6v0htHTSBeNL5EZLDW0R0BKI6OBKpDLdj6tI7F66tHwfcHqqWZ74THRh-gsdF1bi5lmaKcqplW_g4mAB07f5lg_itrPjZLuv0ddn2T3tEbn8OtyQRahCOz3ypaLhrk0_Sae9mD/s200/DSCN0768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326821272345996962" border="0" /></a>afternoon to our friends the<br />Sleeper's house. I can not, in all seriousness, think of a better way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, then with wine, craft beers, great food and even better friends. The kids had an egg hunt and carte blanche on candy. I think we made it home around 10pm. A little late for a school night (sorry Ethel).<br /><br /><br />It is baseball season, I mean softball season. Ethel has to remind me everytime I ask her," how was baseball?"<br /><br />"It's softball Dad."<br /><br />Well softball is going well. We had decided that softball was going to be too much of a commitment this year and were planning on not playing. A parent from Ethel class asked if Ethel wanted to play on their team, they needed two more players. We said yes, with the understanding that we would probably miss some practices and some games. With all that said, Ethel is enjoying softball much better than baseball last year. I think the fact that it is a team of all girls and the dugout is a calm, civilized safe area is the differnce. Last Saturday at Ethel's game she had two hits. At a softball game consisting of 7 year old girls if you hit the ball in fair territory you are going to get to first base. She had two dribblers towards thrid. A pull hitter just like her old man. What is better than two hits? How about a 6-5 bang bang play to end the inning and kill a rally. Ethel smothered a shot to short and gunned the runner out a third. Her coach told me that was the best play she had seen all season. It was pretty cool.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz0dOPiAsbaRNj7V1qHpcJUpZdqgO76OgZO7zPfnmJphm-9PxG_ZScq5A1nvDUgbqnMnMNg1GKhGSdzn0CKmIVaZJGdmHjLcaIW31BvDlR1pF3mSkam6BF8991h4fJKFIFpU0C8xnoEWq/s1600-h/DSCN0781.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz0dOPiAsbaRNj7V1qHpcJUpZdqgO76OgZO7zPfnmJphm-9PxG_ZScq5A1nvDUgbqnMnMNg1GKhGSdzn0CKmIVaZJGdmHjLcaIW31BvDlR1pF3mSkam6BF8991h4fJKFIFpU0C8xnoEWq/s200/DSCN0781.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326832060524502962" border="0" /></a><br />Not to be out done by big sis Katherine has turned into quite the hitter. We were playing some wiffleball last week and on the first pitch she smacked the ball and it split in two. I was stunned. It was like in the Natural when Roy Hobbs knocks the cover off the ball. She wasn't sure it be proud of her hit or said because the ball was broken. Luckily we have got plenty of wiffleballs.<br /><br /><br />Ruthie continues to be a little ham. She has got the cutest little laugh and smile. She is starting to talk more. Actully she is talking the same amount, all the time, but we are starting to understand her more. She loves cats and dogs. She goes crazy when we see a dog and does everything she can to get closer to it.<br /><br />So in other news, Julie's Dad (Pappy) is making the move to Portland. He found a place to live during his visit last week and should be arriving sometime in May. Julie, Katherine and Ruthie left yesterday to travel back with Jim to help him get started packing his house. I think Julie will be doing more of a junk intervention/ councelling type job. Ethel and I are holding down the fort in PDX. Thus the free time. Ethel is at school for like 6 and 1/2 hours. Having one kid is pretty easy when you are use to three. When you only have one you do not relize that it is easy untill you have another. It is one of life's little jokes.<br /><br />I hope all of you are well.<br /><br />PaxtonPaxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-77093731460262302712009-04-07T17:26:00.000-07:002009-04-07T20:34:54.576-07:00Really, once a month?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeFpVjc5fXiTT1mGuJDPp9hLG96ihzE19bZDBoLUQRHy0Y0iiJ0dUH6cbvpPZKhogE68xo2Vj9gAXNE-0tTA-hQsLFc1LCgGty6kJkHc-wpCP2IYVOYN88ZAgmKTKzwa2i-GAmJr9RPk6/s1600-h/DSCN0605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeFpVjc5fXiTT1mGuJDPp9hLG96ihzE19bZDBoLUQRHy0Y0iiJ0dUH6cbvpPZKhogE68xo2Vj9gAXNE-0tTA-hQsLFc1LCgGty6kJkHc-wpCP2IYVOYN88ZAgmKTKzwa2i-GAmJr9RPk6/s200/DSCN0605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322155583046644162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">guess it is that time. We really are on a once a month blogging schedule. Is that really blo</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">gging then? Anyw</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ay here are the latest adven</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">tures...<br /><br />Pax and I went away at the beginning of March for our 10th anniversary to the Oregon Coast for 2 nights. We actually left all 3 girls for the first time. Poor Ruthie got left at the age of 1</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">, while Ethel had to wait until she was 7! enough said abou</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">t the third child and baby of the family.<br />I would love to say we had a great time but I think Pax and I are both loo</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">king forward to our 11th anniversary getaway. It wasn't that we had a bad time, it was just not the weekend we</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFhyphenhyphenmWXliSF8FHQMEoy9pPnt1rGzKo-SCYUfzKaL6UZ_1D3I8TlJ9V-5f3F6apFvZKfznSj2YiIIJJ5XU6N_C1kgSAZvkrjVvPVm3zStLiV-ouUlQ36YVhRcXb_QCSH_tqWiB2TvdR-lW/s1600-h/DSCN0608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFhyphenhyphenmWXliSF8FHQMEoy9pPnt1rGzKo-SCYUfzKaL6UZ_1D3I8TlJ9V-5f3F6apFvZKfznSj2YiIIJJ5XU6N_C1kgSAZvkrjVvPVm3zStLiV-ouUlQ36YVhRcXb_QCSH_tqWiB2TvdR-lW/s320/DSCN0608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322147378891499746" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> th</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ought it would be. For starters it was freezing cold and snowing on the beach-it was </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">so windy the s</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">now was going sideways. Pax nor I really gave any thought to that sin</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ce we were both sick the wh</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ole weeken</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">d. I laid in bed</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and crooke</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">d my neck to the side to look at what I could see of the Pacific Ocean through all the snow. We</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> left our room only once to go to McMenimins Sand Trap and have a beer. I recieved the wrong lunch which I didn't even care because I couldn</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">'t taste it anyway. (For those of you who know me, know that I would never accept and eat a me</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">al I never ordered, it shows you just how sick I really</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> was). </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I had a Rasberry Ale there that was on special. I would like to tell you </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">more about it but I really couldn't taste or enj</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">oy that either-so that was a total bummer. Although I will tell you </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">tha</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">t the Sand Trap McMenamins in Gearhart, Oregon is one of the cutest, quaintest McMenamin</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">s locations I have ever</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> gone to. The</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> bartender also had great recommendations on doing a beer crawl in Portland and where the best places to go are. So that will be Pax's blog I guess-if you want to join him on a beer crawl of the best brewpubs in Portland send him </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">an email or 2.<br />The </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">girls all did fine and survived 2 days without their parents.</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDw0Xx1sBSORUTh3F5Sj_9-AXzyAB5L7dJ-bVgC-Zu0k7M2XR6ZsVjiR2m9yFXDTUPCkE_DhimDP8-vMvaU17VrrXDXeCdj8A8OI7xKmThHB8As3F3r9UMh7jFvU5cFCKAbjI7nbNeuNm/s1600-h/DSCN0654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDw0Xx1sBSORUTh3F5Sj_9-AXzyAB5L7dJ-bVgC-Zu0k7M2XR6ZsVjiR2m9yFXDTUPCkE_DhimDP8-vMvaU17VrrXDXeCdj8A8OI7xKmThHB8As3F3r9UMh7jFvU5cFCKAbjI7nbNeuNm/s320/DSCN0654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322147051471294130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Pax and I made it to a Blazers game. Well, at the cost of one of our friends being very s</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ick (Thanks again Holcombs). It was a great time. We got to go with our friends Amy and Jono (Maggies Mom and Dad). The Blazers lost to the 76ers who in my opinion stole the game but it was still a fun evening. By the way, one Large Popcorn can feed 4 adults for several days!</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />We spent a week watching our fa</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">vorite dog Maggie (AGGA, as Ruthie calls her). At first Katherine wasn't so sure she was going to enjoy it but after day 1 the two of them where b</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">est buddies. Well, Maggie and Ruthi</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PaaTkYTI_QOaZe8I7-FZFaF55jri8qXWf0Bg-nRVikGieqAtugIR0IH-LUVjYkBht26xxu9fGs6G4L4rSVS1qh_qpPG3ERxEhWYA-YOZyOi9KSLYNlyEJ5TDlLJbynRXUz9FG8s-6vnM/s1600-h/DSCN0662.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PaaTkYTI_QOaZe8I7-FZFaF55jri8qXWf0Bg-nRVikGieqAtugIR0IH-LUVjYkBht26xxu9fGs6G4L4rSVS1qh_qpPG3ERxEhWYA-YOZyOi9KSLYNlyEJ5TDlLJbynRXUz9FG8s-6vnM/s200/DSCN0662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322148299201407794" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">e are really best buddies but Maggie and Katherine are now sisters. Maggie would spend a good hour each day playing fetch with Katherine. I don't know any child that could just through a ball over and over but it was a favorite for those two! E</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">very night around 8:30 Katherine would show Maggie to </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">her bed and tell her it was bed time, pu</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">t her blankie on her and Mag</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">gie would fall a</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">sleep. By the end </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">of the week Katherine was the only one who could put Maggie to bed. It truly was the cutest thing I have ever seen. It reminded me of the bond Ethel had w</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ith our dog PJ. Those two where insperable.<br /><br />Pappy arrived alive and well at the end of March just in time for Ruthie's 1st birthday. We had a small family dinner on March 29th. Ruthie enjoyed a meal of Honey roasted chicken, rosemary ov</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">en baked potatoes, broccoli and milk. We quickly learned Ruthie now eats as much as Ethel and Katherine! A week later we had a friend Birthday Party. Ruthie had an am</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">azing turn out</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and fully </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">enjoyed her cake. She had a small ca</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ke all to herself and proceeded to eat all the frosting off and none of the cake. It was great seeing all the kids and parents and hanging out with them. I thank them all everyday for being such a huge part of our lives as well as our kids li</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ves.</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1VJbEM2G3fitn4voWFJbo2shLUmflzHGLfjkUQQ8OX5SD35KG8D9NWm6QpUNmfDBJyvg5PXBFNOlNc_GjaHtEdd6PnVo2dwU-dAKA5emoxlxuoNsMb8FgUSPFZq8oSJGnbMFRphm2TUU/s1600-h/DSCN0737.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1VJbEM2G3fitn4voWFJbo2shLUmflzHGLfjkUQQ8OX5SD35KG8D9NWm6QpUNmfDBJyvg5PXBFNOlNc_GjaHtEdd6PnVo2dwU-dAKA5emoxlxuoNsMb8FgUSPFZq8oSJGnbMFRphm2TUU/s200/DSCN0737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322149694378563778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Pappy has been busy looking at several places to live out here in Portland. It looks like he will be making the move in early Summer. The big question now is 55 and over or just an apartment? I think he has narrowed it down to 2 places, one of each-both places are amazing and I see why he can't decided. Katherine has gone with to see all of the places and if she had her pick she</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> would have Pappy move into "the place with the ice cream soda shop" tomorrow!<br /><br />Ethel has started playing softball this year. She is pretty excite</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">d and only knows 4 girls on her team of 13. She is always so happy to meet new people-I love that about her. I think she is most excited about the team name and colors. The </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXJBWJ7XHXkODQbsJIpbXfrHKfY0vPch5K3p2PUW41U3kuCEjiWVKOkuw5epKGtfwTW3emYPfn6Yrt7fZ7zZuZwP-aMB92GPi3T5xvyhHYKhzZ2jtZrJltawq_G6zrPw7k4wIURJ-W6J3/s1600-h/DSCN0045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXJBWJ7XHXkODQbsJIpbXfrHKfY0vPch5K3p2PUW41U3kuCEjiWVKOkuw5epKGtfwTW3emYPfn6Yrt7fZ7zZuZwP-aMB92GPi3T5xvyhHYKhzZ2jtZrJltawq_G6zrPw7k4wIURJ-W6J3/s200/DSCN0045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322150287530485922" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">colors are Hot Pink and Black, the team name is "The Pink Panthers"!<br /><br />Katherine like I said is enjoying checking out retirement property with her Pappy. She has been learning more and more math and now is starting to subtract. She is taking an afterschool gym class at Ethel's school and of course loves it. <br /><br />Both girls are looking forward to Summer Sun and taking swim lessons. Ethel will FINALLY join a swim team this summer (she has been asking to be on one since she was 5). She can hardly wait.<br /><br />Ruthie is growing like crazy. When we went to her 1 year appointment she was 23lbs and 11oz. and 31 inches long! In 1 year she gained 14 lbs and 1 foot! She eats everything and is always looking for her sisters. She is starting to repeat anything you say. The other day Pax was </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCvVCX8te_nioW6FeYA8Z6-BQuEzcYJRqlGlHa6gU58gKLISK3W7Myk2J-XekEeGQmo7IvBigN6w9SbDYi4EIeGq5O5XXRFequHH_4utph9CMiRK1NfJ0Zw3KEZExCFnWey3po8AC0htL/s1600-h/DSCN0049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCvVCX8te_nioW6FeYA8Z6-BQuEzcYJRqlGlHa6gU58gKLISK3W7Myk2J-XekEeGQmo7IvBigN6w9SbDYi4EIeGq5O5XXRFequHH_4utph9CMiRK1NfJ0Zw3KEZExCFnWey3po8AC0htL/s200/DSCN0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322150736981876914" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">changing her diaper and he said "Poopie" and of course in this cute little voice Ruthie said "Poopie" and smiled the biggest smile! Don't tell Ethel but the first thing Ruthie says in the morning is "KK". Although when you get her up from her nap all you have to say is that you are going to pick up Ethel and she starts kicking, smiling and bobbing her head for "Yes"! Oh these girls are so darn cute, Pax and I are just so blessed to be able to have this chance in our lives to just slow down a bit and enjoy them.<br /><br />We hope you all are enjoying some warm weather and sunshine. We miss you all and hope to see you soon.<br />The McBees<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-2956845059385904522009-03-04T13:13:00.000-08:002009-03-04T14:56:34.283-08:00Is it Spring Yet?<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiJi8HRqyna3jJEwtzPLRgztx8swqdu1JbCJFIQf_pBk8SVCCdBi6VCZiOK5l03JvicyGDDIEW2r995Xw_ZS_1oWNMwDUjzRcsLaaUssbgyNuOA_LvoKo9PhCnpLFwBRW0E3w_A12bWzm/s1600-h/DSCN0413.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiJi8HRqyna3jJEwtzPLRgztx8swqdu1JbCJFIQf_pBk8SVCCdBi6VCZiOK5l03JvicyGDDIEW2r995Xw_ZS_1oWNMwDUjzRcsLaaUssbgyNuOA_LvoKo9PhCnpLFwBRW0E3w_A12bWzm/s320/DSCN0413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309462373540860050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Wow, looks like we are on a once a month blogging schedule. That is so sad!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here is the updates for March.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We are still waiting for Global </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">warming to take affect. The sun wants to shine and it wants to be above 50 degrees so hopefully we will start to see a turn around in th</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">e next few weeks.<br />Our Lists for the year are coming </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">very slowly. I think Ruthie might finish hers before all of us!<br />Ruthie's update......<br />GRGRGRGRLlPPPBBBBPPBBBBLAH! (translatio</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">n)<br />I just got my 3rd little tooth on the bottom-yeah I can eat more food.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3p4b0oV-VpSTFxE1Y57UnzO9WhmvvUp9TdZzCi0C7PZbznvSmQjOwsZOHXnsiaAAujBl0HrCmZo4GewFxSfqf07TiA9j6G4UOwgxnTd8mbxw_hEd8pWAvotRn_CFu5XLjdwxtPMzA4eT/s1600-h/DSCN0536.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3p4b0oV-VpSTFxE1Y57UnzO9WhmvvUp9TdZzCi0C7PZbznvSmQjOwsZOHXnsiaAAujBl0HrCmZo4GewFxSfqf07TiA9j6G4UOwgxnTd8mbxw_hEd8pWAvotRn_CFu5XLjdwxtPMzA4eT/s320/DSCN0536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309465917517657490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I still don't see the need for all of this crawling business when all I have to do is make a noise and the big one with all of the accessories comes with whatever I need. When she is not around (which is mostly during the daytime) the other one who is always singing starts to bring me her things and then yells for my Mommy who always knows what I want. So yah, why bother?<br />I am trying to socialize with my friends but it has been difficult because someone is always sick in this NW cold season. I hung with my friend Caden (not my bear) and my friend Jovi the other day. There is also that boy Ben who comes over (I like him, he is very funny but he always s</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">ays GAH GAH when he talks to the singing girl. I try to tell him her name is KayKay but he just isn't getting it). I also had a playdate with my friend Maggie Dog AKA- AGGA. I get to have a sleepover at her house this </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEZkWzWkJii72xzjxCgOjMQ2UDOQ_TS-bjMeNIWrAPvqdPOG7EXmjuHbxxKOoh0rmLJbBnW8b6Dx71FISgJMqPU9OvbLSOSYf9GVnXXHNc3aXsKMqIwhJVHLeCiPnRdkNVg120zCggmQs/s1600-h/DSCN0441.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEZkWzWkJii72xzjxCgOjMQ2UDOQ_TS-bjMeNIWrAPvqdPOG7EXmjuHbxxKOoh0rmLJbBnW8b6Dx71FISgJMqPU9OvbLSOSYf9GVnXXHNc3aXsKMqIwhJVHLeCiPnRdkNVg120zCggmQs/s320/DSCN0441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309463283387131314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">we</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">ekend (I guess those other two sisters of mine are coming too, something about Mommy and Daddies 10th anniversay-whatever that is. Who cares</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I get AGGA KISSES)!<br />Check out the picture of me in that big bath tub, I am sooo cute! Mommy said now that I </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">am almost 1 I get to take big girl baths like my sisters. The one with all the accessories she always wants me to take baths with her.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Daddy said he is getting my bike trailer ready-I don't really know what that means except that when he say</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">s that the singin</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">g one is always trying to get in there? That kid is always on something with wheels.<br />I LOVE to give kisses and wave BYE-BYE to anyone and anything. I heard something about a party for me coming up when I turn one. There is always something going on around her. Last week there where about 10 extra little girls here for the singing sisters birthday party-I heard it was pretty fun, I slept through the whole thing.<br /><br />The sister with all of the accessories seems to be happy-she keeps getting more accessories, scarfs, necklaces, hats, shoes, whatever (she tries to put them on me but I just try to eat them and the</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">y don't taste very good). That girl is always playing her violin. It sounds so pretty. I clap </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">when she is done. That's right, I can clap. I can do lots of stuff I just don't see the point in crawling.<br />So accessory sis keeps reading these books to me that are all about this Judy Moody girl. There is also this other girl named Mia, I think she might be an american girl or something. Anyway I wish she would just read me those books I like you know, snuggle puppy, barnyard dance, the one with the Grandma and the baby. I don't know why she wants to read those chapter thingies she likes.<br />She got some role in a play at her school. She is a mermaid and a villager. I don't really un</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">derstand but mommy said I will when I see her on stage. I like her school-I can make all those Mommies act silly when they see me!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWCaxn-pkW4lUwFdeDgvQkduIajbdVBAi9FrAr9LpczF-K-w78P_G6TLyJYDvPxnMiffggweou9R22KmszjuKttTxqqcQhEjMGiKl7sONYT0tgzYKUzWJMzbfo-haDK2W4wdNfq4RxFNf/s1600-h/DSCN0508.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWCaxn-pkW4lUwFdeDgvQkduIajbdVBAi9FrAr9LpczF-K-w78P_G6TLyJYDvPxnMiffggweou9R22KmszjuKttTxqqcQhEjMGiKl7sONYT0tgzYKUzWJMzbfo-haDK2W4wdNfq4RxFNf/s320/DSCN0508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309464867246835938" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />On to the singing roller derby sister.....Well, her school is still in what I refer to as my space (the kitchen table). Mommy says she is learning too fast and might have to skip kindergarten. Now not only is she singing all the time but she COUNTS loudly to 100 over and over! I do love that she eats all day long and all of the same foods I like so maybe we really are sisters? I spend a lot of time </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">with her. She is pretty funny (Mommy and Daddy say that is just who she is-I love it)!<br /><br />Mommy and Daddy are good. I think at night they spend time together, watching movies, reading, and talking. I can hear them when I pretend to be asleep. One night I went to bed and when I woke up the place where all of the food comes from was all BLUE like the sky! It is so pretty I love to eat in t</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">here.<br />I guess that is it. Oh Mommy and Daddy went on a date and we saw our friends Shae and Leah (Wendy and that silly guy..mmm oh yeah Doug). My rents checked out McMenemmins St. Johns pub. They said you should check it out. There Happy Hour is great (I think that is like my playgroup I go to, one hour where you are happy)? So Mommy has one off her list. We have a whole year to work on the rest. Once it warms up around here I think we get to do more stuff outside.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSCcTpEVCnFe2WdZdcku70mfVf4CPMZ2Zhn5GAWGynfdsDYGq3pQ_PC8vD2hBewgvfjmuBwoRp-dZwu0cN1INWQiaHyufaBdgIV_sW6u3SQRcDJBeGGS8My8gh4d2orZiDIa3r8bbhyc2/s1600-h/DSCN0478.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSCcTpEVCnFe2WdZdcku70mfVf4CPMZ2Zhn5GAWGynfdsDYGq3pQ_PC8vD2hBewgvfjmuBwoRp-dZwu0cN1INWQiaHyufaBdgIV_sW6u3SQRcDJBeGGS8My8gh4d2orZiDIa3r8bbhyc2/s200/DSCN0478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309464466039800466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">On KayKays birthday we went to the park. Well she really had a Birthday weekend (You know how my parents LOVE birthdays). She had a friend party on the 28th-remember 10 little princesses r</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">unning around my house. On the 1st we had a little party at her friend Robins house-</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">aka-Red Robin. My buddy AGGA (maggie's parents) Amy and Jono got to come too. All I remember is eating grilled cheese I stole from accessory sis when she wasn't looking (it was tasty). I have you ever been to Robin's house? It is crazy, your sitting there enjoying your grilled cheese than next thing you know there are these people singing and clapping and bringing you something sticky and cold you are suppose to eat? No wonder the singing sis likes it there so much!<br />That night we opened all these gifts-I liked to eat all the papers and ribbons and put things i</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqMwgGTs1pKC7Kx07Y4SIAAFknjOBBNTH1sDUMEAcdVboIgsroynrVmMg59VjUkIheLw5IoqoylNlF8dbUSl7akpRse5skKi9HQCkYGEiBBO9nykObaIT6yxXd7nwG913H__hKaFfWMw2/s1600-h/DSCN0517.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqMwgGTs1pKC7Kx07Y4SIAAFknjOBBNTH1sDUMEAcdVboIgsroynrVmMg59VjUkIheLw5IoqoylNlF8dbUSl7akpRse5skKi9HQCkYGEiBBO9nykObaIT6yxXd7nwG913H__hKaFfWMw2/s320/DSCN0517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309465334961164322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">n and out of all the gift bags. Man, my grandparents are awesome! I miss them. I got a little something from each of them and from my sissys. Singing girl got a KIT KITRIDGE DOLL that immediately she had to tell me was not for babies-what does she thing I am? Well she gave me a baby of my own so I don't really have to play with hers-I najmed it dig doug. Accessory sis got more accessories-go </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">figure! There is this big purple ball thing that those two sisters of mine keep jumping on all over the house-It came the day all those girly princess came over. It looks like a lot of fun and I want to try it sometime.<br />Rumor has it my Pappy is coming in a few weeks for my Birthday! I am hoping my Mimmie and Grandad come too. I havn't seen them in a long time. Mommy said something about Pappy m</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhRsH_kr2fzohvi7ddmbUUStVOF0iQ59GUSWMTPDIjYeTtx9o6m6cKZY15qvWzB6W65B-5ALiJ1ZIeBZJopteBooa7l4kg1ILybwmlkdDJqu5MpsV6pff36xFu3bTXPZQzDPPT9YziqIM/s1600-h/DSCN0595.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhRsH_kr2fzohvi7ddmbUUStVOF0iQ59GUSWMTPDIjYeTtx9o6m6cKZY15qvWzB6W65B-5ALiJ1ZIeBZJopteBooa7l4kg1ILybwmlkdDJqu5MpsV6pff36xFu3bTXPZQzDPPT9YziqIM/s200/DSCN0595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309466571808783042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">oving here. I hope he does. Have you ever met my Pappy? He is one silly fella. He likes to eat soup like me! My Mommy said I get to have ice cream on my birthday and if Pappy is here he can give it to me. I guess he gave my sissy's there first ice cream too!<br />OK I am so tired of all this writting stuff. It is time for lunch and then to go see my friend Caden Bear (He is my Bear who sleeps in my bed with me).<br />I hope you all are having a good last few weeks of Winter. Maybe we will see a few of you in the spring.<br />Enjoy life!<br />Love-The McBees<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-64270212855483861892009-02-12T09:30:00.000-08:002009-02-12T10:04:08.836-08:00Off the Cuff!!Wow it's been over a month since we have posted<span style="font-weight: bold;">...</span>that is pretty weak.<br /><br /> I can not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">believe</span> that it snowed the other day. This is not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Minnesota</span>. I am done with the cold weather. When we moved to Portland from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Las</span> Vegas, I swore that I never wanted to be hot again. Well I guess 10 years equals never because I am dreaming of some warm (even blazing hot) sun on my face. My cargo shorts are wondering what they have done wrong. Everyone complains about the weather but nobody does anything about it. Global warming? Really? I'd like to see some warming.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ok</span>. Just had to get that off my chest.<br /><br />In other news. The girls are doing great. Ruthie is huge now. She is eleven months old. I think her area of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">excellence</span> so far is eating. She really only wants real food. No baby food, no formula. Which is great for use, we can make one meal for everyone. Usually a less <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">spicier</span> version for the kids. Toast, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">broccoli</span>, peaches and cheese are her faves. She is like a wood chipper with the toast. I can't imagine what will happen when we put some butter on it. The other thing she is into is being independent. If you give her food or a bottle you have to set it down so she can pick it up herself. The same with toys or her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">nuk</span>. Early signs of a control freak? Go getter? We will see.<br /><br />Katherine is still talking up a storm. When she is not talking she singing, and when she is not singing she is humming. When she falls asleep at night, I think she stops making noise but I can't be sure.<br /><br />I know I missed the Ethel update, but I got to run. Fifteen minutes to feed two kids and get them and me dressed.<br /><br />Who says 10 minutes is to short to blog in?<br /><br />-PaxtonPaxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-49662374464747052092009-01-07T09:26:00.000-08:002009-01-07T10:22:18.553-08:00A Whole New Year!<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">Welcome to a brand New Year. We hope you all had a wonderful 2008. for us 2008 was a whirlwind of a year-new house, new baby, new schools, new business-whew! <br />This year we have decided to try something new instead of new years resolutions we have all made a list of things we all would like to do this year. I got this idea from my friends blog. Every year she posts things she wants to accompolish that year. I thought this would be a fun thing for our family. Then as we go out and do some of the things off our lists we can post about what we thought and if it lived up to the expectation. So keep coming back and checking out our blog to see what we have been doing in Oregon. Here are our lists..........<br /><br />Pax: 10 things I want to do in 2009<br />1.) Go camping<br />2.) lose 20 pounds<br />3.) Dunk a basketball<br />4.) take guitar lessons<br />5.) go to a Blazers game<br />6.) go to every brewery in Portland<br />7.) surprise the entire family with something awesome<br />8.) go on 4 vacations<br />9.) home brew some beer<br />10.) do 50 pushups in a row<br /><br />Julie: 10 things I want to do in 2009<br />1.) See Mt. St. Helens<br />2.) Have a beer with Pax at 3 new McMenimins in Oregon or Washington<br />3.) take a sewing class<br />4.) Go camping on Oregon's southern coast<br />5.) Go rowing, kayaking, or canoeing<br />6.) Finish a scrapbook of each of the girls-just there first year<br />7.) take a wine tour of Oregon wineries<br />8.) Stay downtown at a hotel and act like a tourist for the day<br />9.) Go to a Suns/Blazers game with Pax (note Suns first)<br />10.) Bike the eastside esplanade with the family<br /><br />Ethel: 10 things I want to do in 2009<br />1.) ride a horse on a trail-a big horse not a shetland pony<br />2.) learn 4th finger on the violin<br />3.) join a swim team<br />4.) go to a pottery place and paint pottery<br />5.) practice on my 2 wheeler bike and get really good<br />6.) go to Seaside, Or. on my birthday<br />7.) expand my snowglobe collection<br />8.) make a huge snowman next winter<br />9.) take Daddy and KayKay to SushiLand<br />10.) go to a Blazers game with Daddy and KayKay<br /><br />Katherine: 10 things I want to do in 2009<br />1.) take a ballet class<br />2.) learn to play the piano<br />3.) spend lots of time with my little sister<br />4.) get really good at riding my skateboard<br />5.) learn to read<br />6.) swim all the way across the pool and back by myself<br />7.) goto Kids Club<br />8.) spend the night with mimmie and granddaddie at their hotel<br />9.) have a tea party with my grandma<br />10.) go camping on the beach<br /><br />Ruthie: A ga..baba...bo...ga (10 things I want to do in 2009)<br />1.) crawl<br />2.) get some more teeth-1 have 2 already<br />3.) walk<br />4.) talk in sentences-I say 5 words already<br />5.) see the pacific ocean and play in the sand<br />6.) go camping with my family<br />7.) ride in my burly bike trailer<br />8.) turn 1 and have a party<br />9.) have some playdates with my friends<br />10.) ride facing forward in my carseat<br /><br />We hope you have a wonderful 2009 check back for pictures and updates of how we are doing<br />love,<br />McBee5<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-20519917591803066232008-12-17T15:32:00.000-08:002008-12-17T16:22:28.748-08:00Christmas TraditionsOK so after reading the Blog on favorite gifts I thought I would pose another question. Which by the way you can comment on our blog. We would love to hear from you. Or you can email us-you know our emails.<br />Here is my question.....<br />What is your favorite Christmas or Holiday tradition?<br /><br />I have several:<br />1.) a 3 way tie- Our annual Christmas Eve party. I love seeing all of our friends, plus well, I get to cook and talk, what more could you ask for on Christmas? One of my other favorites, getting out all of our nativity scenes. We have 6 of them. Each one means something totally different and special. Someday I hope to inherit the one from my childhood but for now we have made room in our living room for the entire city of Bethlehem that I married into, The thing is HUGE! This is the one nativity the girls are absolutely not allowed to touch, mainly because it is going on it's 3rd generation and I don't think the camel could handle another surgery. The fact that the girls cannot play with this one of course intrigues Katherine to no end. I know when I am not looking she plays with it because every now and again I find all of the animals surrounding baby Jesus-This is quintessential Katherine "that is what really happened Mama, it was just the angel, animals, and baby Jesus, oh yeah and I guess Jofiss (Kay's version of Joseph) and Mary where around too." At last, Cutting down our Christmas tree. Every year since we moved to Oregon (with the exception of last year in the Condo) we have made the drive to Sandy, Or. and cut down our tree. This year was special because for the first time in 6 years we got to do this on a Sunday! Which means we went to a big Farm instead of this guys backyard like we always did on Mondays-ahhh, the life of having Sundays together again! This years tree is my favorite thus far. Mostly because I let the girls decorate it and I have chilled out and didn't move any ornaments around-nothing like a 3rd child to make you step back and say "yep it looks perfect just the way it is"!<br /><br />2.) Christmas morning Frittata and Leftover Mexican food for dinner all while staying in our new Christmas Jammie's! OK this one is a tie too because I love that it is always just our little family (the 5 of us now) and it always will be, sorry extendo family you can come on the 26Th or stay still the 23rd but Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are all ours!<br /><br />3.)Zoo Lights!<br /><br />4.)This won has become a bit of a joke with us and our friends the Irwins but it is still a favorite....A walk around downtown to see the big Christmas tree in Pioneer Square-or what inevitably happens-Santa Land at Macy's!<br /><br />5.)This will come as a shocker to those who know me because I don't make desserts but making Christmas cookies with my girls is definitely a favorite. This really is the only time I bake all year! I think I love this because I have such fond memories of my Grandma Ethel and me at our kitchen table making christmas cookies. Our favorite, well her special recipe for snowballs of course-and guess what, That is Ethel's favorite too! There is really nothing better for me as a Mom than cooking with my kids!<br /><br />Alright now it is your turn, let us know of your favorite holiday traditions.Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-71119052720370955612008-12-11T11:31:00.001-08:002008-12-11T12:15:19.304-08:00Back to Back Posts!!!Hey everyone,<br /><br /> I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season thus far. We had a great Thanksgiving again this year at the Peters. It is so nice and stress free. So far getting ready for Christmas has been pretty smooth. We got our tree up and decorated. I hung the lights on the house. Julie took care of the rest of the indoor decorating. The house is looking festive. Ethel and Katherine even have our little fake tree from last year up in their room. It has become there new night light. <br /><br />Ethel received her report card this week. I think it is her first report card ever. We started home schooling her midway through kindergarten and I don't think we received a report card before then. Maybe we did and didn't even look at it, we were pretty sour on that school. She is doing well in school. The report cards consist of +, and -, and other "grades" like meets, exceeds, needs improvement, ect. It's all very confusing. Reminds me of a salary review at work. In the comment section of her report card it did say, Ethel always tries hard and is willing to participate, and is respectful and helpful towards others. That's a good review, right? She really is enjoying school. I think she knows about 100 kids there. She obviously gets that from Julie. Julie told me a story of two seventh graders arguing over who's known Ethel longer.<br /><br />On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Katherine fell in the bath tub and cut her chin. We went to the ER and she got four stitches. This makes seven stitches all together for Katherine to go along with breaking her elbow last year right before Christmas. She had her stitches out on the following Friday and seems unfazed by any of this. I asked if we could not go back to the hospital for a year, and she said "but I am going to learn to ride a two wheeler this year." referring to her bike without training wheels. I guess she plans on crashing? Her school is going fine. I think she would just as well stay home instead of going to preschool, so different than Ethel.<br /><br />Ruthie is becoming a little ham. She makes noises and laughs all the time. She is always grabbing at phones and remotes, anything with buttons. She wants to eat all the time. Last night she rolled herself under the Christmas tree, knocked over the Nativity scene, and started grabbing branches and shaking the tree. I swear it all happened in about 3 seconds.<br /><br />That's it for now.<br />Paxton.Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-61938683488086378362008-12-02T00:04:00.000-08:002008-12-02T01:54:22.634-08:00What was your best Christmas gift?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7UvRjUOAd7b8c3BiA9L2brINIL80l6rzeQD0pw__1cdx5nyRUcnPfiikXftMZFYrApBd9S-xOzbRevYb8WORy-8IthX_E1ltyfZqaZWn9HUiEdx6zL5h8m0VD4MSUw6M_3UPf8zJxrO8/s1600-h/DSCN0138.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7UvRjUOAd7b8c3BiA9L2brINIL80l6rzeQD0pw__1cdx5nyRUcnPfiikXftMZFYrApBd9S-xOzbRevYb8WORy-8IthX_E1ltyfZqaZWn9HUiEdx6zL5h8m0VD4MSUw6M_3UPf8zJxrO8/s320/DSCN0138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275127277778523666" border="0" /></a><br />I though it was about time I actually post on our blog. I was intending to be on top of posting maybe a couple of times a week, but once the blog was set up Julie was off and running. And doing a fine job! So now the pressure is on to meet the standard she set and come up with a good post. Here I go. It looks like Christmas is approaching fast. This reminds me of the best Christmas gift I ever got. I was 7 years old and living in Dallas, Tx. My family was in the mists of moving to Phoenix, Az. I was more than apprehensive about the move. My parents still talk about how I drove them nut with all the questions I asked about Phoenix. And I thought there were no bad questions. Anyway, My first grade Teacher Mrs Parker and I had built a strong relationship that year. Initially I was scared of Mrs Parker. She had a reputation of being all business. I was one of the older kids in the class due to my September birthday, and it was like she expected more from me. She pushed me from the get go. I did not like her. After a month Mrs Parker and I started to click. I was doing more work, had more responsibilities, and more privileges than the rest of the class. On the last day before the Christmas break, my last day at school before we moved, Mrs Parker pulled me aside and told me that she was going to miss me and that I was her best student in the class and gave me a gift. It was a pocket knife. When you are a 7 year old boy or really a male of any age there is a central question you ask yourself, " Am I man enough?" It's a question of status really. Am I man enough to climb this fence? Am I man enough to run fas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CkRgzFWozksRj6btWu3GmqfHKIkIgpumdOz2FaXjV_qaN4KdgNQIqam9kstfl89XrkXPkPvw9wROM7xmIlfPnYFOuu_ON_D8eztDKocfBA95pHHEBFemQuQs2XGs_l4EKnVjw7_7LuJU/s1600-h/DSCN0129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CkRgzFWozksRj6btWu3GmqfHKIkIgpumdOz2FaXjV_qaN4KdgNQIqam9kstfl89XrkXPkPvw9wROM7xmIlfPnYFOuu_ON_D8eztDKocfBA95pHHEBFemQuQs2XGs_l4EKnVjw7_7LuJU/s320/DSCN0129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275128294400575522" border="0" /></a>ter than this kid? Am I man enough to catch this ball? Do I have what it takes to hang upside down on the monkey bars? To skip bars or go backwards on the monkey bars? Can I jump off the top of this slide? How long can I pop a wheelie? These are the questions of little boys. Am I man enough to have my own pocketknife? Mrs Parker said yes. It was a great gift.<br /><br />So what was the best Christmas gift you ever got? Was it a special dolly? Maybe a truck or a G I Joe? Was it jewelry? Tell us.Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-26800400544775063872008-11-16T23:47:00.000-08:002008-11-17T01:35:52.411-08:00A Fall update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehbEsAFWh2Mmln-rc47ahc6SBjDWKcX8gwMso5z3rqJDlAnueK11JTpxSncGeWx0oiI4pteF5bXnl_I0KXAUsa3LzFEF3p8WUxbKBYgLMuh3j_DO6eUL_ki2gAG1-gYXqn1Sx7_WnFuAo/s1600-h/DSCI0059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehbEsAFWh2Mmln-rc47ahc6SBjDWKcX8gwMso5z3rqJDlAnueK11JTpxSncGeWx0oiI4pteF5bXnl_I0KXAUsa3LzFEF3p8WUxbKBYgLMuh3j_DO6eUL_ki2gAG1-gYXqn1Sx7_WnFuAo/s200/DSCI0059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269554249865178850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Finally</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"> another entry. This blogging thing is way above me!<br /><br />It is well into Fall now in Portland. We have yet to slow down and enjoy our favorite season. We went all summer without one trip to the beach-this is the first time in 10 years! Now I am craving the winter storms and must see the ocean. We did make it to the Pumpkin Patch and made it successfully through the corn maze without loosing anyone.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">We have had such a busy time adjusting to the school schedule,</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"> family in town visiting and the start of my (Julie) business, we have yet to s</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">top and smell the rain, sleep in, or just play in the puddles. Soon all the leaves will have fallen and it will be a long COLD (our furnace is going, going, gone soon) winter.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">So here is the recap of Sept, Oct. and a little bit of Nov.<br />In Sept. I decided to officially license myself and start my Personal Chef/Catering Business. For those of you who don't know it is called "EthelKay's" with the hopes of one day morphing into "EthelKay's Bistro- A taste of Home". A life long dream of mine and Pax's to own our own </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">restaurant. So I decided just to go for it because it's not like I have a ton on my plate now or anything......Well, our wonderful church has used EthelKay's for several events! It has been so wonderful. I really have found my niche I guess you could say. I do so enjoy doing this. The girls have enjoyed helping me get organized for the events, packing boxes and coolers, Ethel enjoys shopping for the events with me and Katherine enjoys the whole process of testing out the menu prior to the event. I have no doubt that child will be a chef someday-if nothing else she is going to make her Husban</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">d very happy with her cooking!<br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ethel is doing great at school. We LOVE her teacher and couldn't have cre</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">ated a better community if we tried. She has several friends at school (like we had any doubt she would make friends)</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">. Our good friend Jackson goes to the school but isn't in her class. She does see him several times during the day, as well as his mom Megan who seems to always be there. Ethel thinks this is so cool that she see Megan there! We also know kids from our church that go there so to say Ethel is well connected is much of an understatement.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Katherine is</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"> at the same preschool and has the same teacher as last year. We love her too. A lot of the same kids are in her class again. All that really matters to Katherine is that her friend Leah is in her class and that she can do 5 flips in a row on the playground! KayKay does more crafts at school than any kid I have ever seen and she never seems to be tir</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">ed of making pictures for Ethel (she really does admire her big sis)! Speaking of big sisters KayKay has turned out to be a wonderful big sister and I new from the time that child was born she needed to be a middle child. She is enjoying her days with just Mommy, Daddy and Ruthie where she gets to run the show!<br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">On to Ruthie.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">....Ruthie is well, a baby. She is c</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">ompletely mixed physically and every other way too. She is both Ethel and Katherine. She has the overall happiness and laughability that Katherine has (basically goofiness) and the patience and will that Ethel has. Is that the perfect Baby or what! She has just started rolling over, she says DaDa, KK and lots of goo's. She is eating babyfood but only likes oatmeal, bananas (not mixed) and greenbeans </span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFbTgHrXOrnojx9dV_Mo0nqnC64UZfMpW-87dStDHpY4Pxo-yJ4KPRXyvT5DiO9sDSsCc4rm5iVbCmlNUrAsEhgIhYXOLTb5pB4CpH8xVhkju9kMJ2tavW83z6mUwVOIurBXd_UoK11EA/s1600-h/DSCI0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFbTgHrXOrnojx9dV_Mo0nqnC64UZfMpW-87dStDHpY4Pxo-yJ4KPRXyvT5DiO9sDSsCc4rm5iVbCmlNUrAsEhgIhYXOLTb5pB4CpH8xVhkju9kMJ2tavW83z6mUwVOIurBXd_UoK11EA/s200/DSCI0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269550960918923026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">with rice? NO FRUIT, NO other VEGGIES. Go figure? She has found her special time-5 min</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">utes after the girls go to bed until about 11:00pm. This is when she gets Mommy and Daddy all to herself! OK so you m</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">ay be asking why is Ruthie's name not in the Business? Well, I really started this business about 4 years ago but</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"> never fully launched it. The name was EthelKay's then for obvious reasons and it just stuck. So we have decided when</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"> we open the Restaurant we will have a blueplate special everyday and instead of people asking "what is your special"? It will be "what is the Ruthie today"?<br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is my recap of October......I can't remember much except Pax's Parents came for a visit. I have to say that it was the best visit thus far on record. W</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">e had a great time with them just hanging out with the kids, swimming, going to the pumpkin patch, shopping, oh and the best part was they blessed Pax and I with a night out and they took all 3 kids-Yep, all 3 for the night! It was so exciting, Pax and I got to see a real movie-by this I mean not a rental or a cheapy, a full price movie and go to dinner all in the same night! It was one o</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">f those-what do we do with this time, m</span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRYbAdxm2bzvIxwus8Qov1XxtBEOLgwDv71Ybiq-6rNqybk7pQrRT39nwm7WrRaxHxkTjyyB4YXdzloziJCy-nROdW1ByYPZ-OMOrQGCGp49ykx-l2eaNJkzUpLYdTro_39oWSAXrri77/s1600-h/DSCI0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRYbAdxm2bzvIxwus8Qov1XxtBEOLgwDv71Ybiq-6rNqybk7pQrRT39nwm7WrRaxHxkTjyyB4YXdzloziJCy-nROdW1ByYPZ-OMOrQGCGp49ykx-l2eaNJkzUpLYdTro_39oWSAXrri77/s200/DSCI0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269551405941007074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">oments? We hope they come back soon-not just for the nights out but we really did miss them, and the kids had fun too.<br />I had my first official "back at Mosaic volunteer opportunity" at our church in October. I helped out with the Halloween party they had. I had the face mask room. It was a lot of fun, very messy but still fun to see all the kids and families at our</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"> church. I admit I missed being involved with the kids. Miller don't take that the wrong way-I'm in no way ready to come back! Ethel was Hannah Montana for Halloween, Katherine was a witch (not a scary witch but a nice witch-her words), Ruthie was a pumpkin but looked more like a butternut squash! We spent Halloween in our usual traditional way......with the Peters of cour</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">se! I think this will continue well into the teen years, probably longer. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jackson made a very fine Indiana Jones-all abo</span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37ePwg1reCmB6_CnnSsAT_NeM0gfkj95av1tdI5kdolTm8XPeY1WlqnQFURvjKVZ6x9fDXzKTp6N8YCcgRDQZmX8R9JmoYPsGxe153we403KlO8wgJ0iaC4XbtIRY7mXILOoQ013diFjv/s1600-h/DSCI0065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37ePwg1reCmB6_CnnSsAT_NeM0gfkj95av1tdI5kdolTm8XPeY1WlqnQFURvjKVZ6x9fDXzKTp6N8YCcgRDQZmX8R9JmoYPsGxe153we403KlO8wgJ0iaC4XbtIRY7mXILOoQ013diFjv/s200/DSCI0065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269554674466750562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">ut the accessories with that boy.<br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nov. has flown by and I cannot believe it is half over and we will be eating turkey and putting up Christmas decorations in just a few weeks! What an amazing year it has been. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving with another round of the Peters! Again another tradition I hope will continue into our golden years-or at least till Megan kicks us all out of her house. Our friend Dana (the one worthy of just one name) will be there as well. As I have said before, </span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-shFpjK-_mzCG1wPTfucfxtJrY0Pag4Arf4fX-3vBCHpxN1rCAtyWR3elfBZTSX3YZSJeejuff8XSpWMzdoYgnfyukuYAXXngKJuOOfI2kKa0bukRXmSW9EtXhLnMmbN7lMO3NRMNnnai/s1600-h/DSCI0121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-shFpjK-_mzCG1wPTfucfxtJrY0Pag4Arf4fX-3vBCHpxN1rCAtyWR3elfBZTSX3YZSJeejuff8XSpWMzdoYgnfyukuYAXXngKJuOOfI2kKa0bukRXmSW9EtXhLnMmbN7lMO3NRMNnnai/s200/DSCI0121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269552958518992706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">I love catching up with her. She is one of those people you can live vicariously through.<br /><br />My dad is here for a visit as I type (well he is probably at his hotel asleep right now).<br />We have been having a good time with him, sharing stories, listening to how he is converting from PC to MAC (he has been taking classes almost everyday at the apple store-funny). KayKay has taken a special liking to Pappy and wants to be with him all the time. It actually reminds me a lot of how I was at that age. Ruthie as well always has big smiles and laughs for her Pappy. Ethel, well, just a bunch of dry humor and bad jokes, that's Ethel for ya!<br /><br />So to sum things up....Fall in Portland has been very busy but life is good for us all and we have been extremely blessed by the Lord. Farewell for now-enjoy some update pics-PS the dog (Maggie) is a friends we sit for at times when we are missing ours. We (the girls) are still working on the 5th member of the family to come around to our doggie situation.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-6551679544490169342008-08-23T16:56:00.000-07:002008-08-23T21:47:14.119-07:00Summer News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xseyX_ctIwqEbK98cO2gs9tRyoHPkWmkoMKBJbasl1a5SH_q3TNUnmkhkmqaOlYPmHT_cghbG_3XsD0Z_XAifUQyJhNuSdbyxhNLAJDna5cKuY7CYnZzSgh_POL0dpYu-2kJVQgdYGvc/s1600-h/DSCI0736.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xseyX_ctIwqEbK98cO2gs9tRyoHPkWmkoMKBJbasl1a5SH_q3TNUnmkhkmqaOlYPmHT_cghbG_3XsD0Z_XAifUQyJhNuSdbyxhNLAJDna5cKuY7CYnZzSgh_POL0dpYu-2kJVQgdYGvc/s200/DSCI0736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237887689089492066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8UvCq3zRos31BXCvZ1n1TSdPyzSFcqNZb0mq7dpFKFmz2KYpkYcyWn7IizjLnB9O7mVCOka08_K-7r5oo7L3zEZ7M3rt1lYN6sK-GYG_RKZ0xRIzn3Hx2EKcgf_nPZigNsJ6Ey3oDdCx/s1600-h/DSCI0759.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8UvCq3zRos31BXCvZ1n1TSdPyzSFcqNZb0mq7dpFKFmz2KYpkYcyWn7IizjLnB9O7mVCOka08_K-7r5oo7L3zEZ7M3rt1lYN6sK-GYG_RKZ0xRIzn3Hx2EKcgf_nPZigNsJ6Ey3oDdCx/s200/DSCI0759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237886059278637122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZYmWIn7Okgb7P_EJtS0FIw1S9L3LS8hKe-vuujVilCku8tbkDBKX2PqQ64hJllMYak_alKolf5EXYqn-mMISg4av4tpXndETiyOhGSrD3ZQQ7e0TtUnVkPzjBUkIfcvNLDmh8Z1xsaC9/s1600-h/DSCI0780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZYmWIn7Okgb7P_EJtS0FIw1S9L3LS8hKe-vuujVilCku8tbkDBKX2PqQ64hJllMYak_alKolf5EXYqn-mMISg4av4tpXndETiyOhGSrD3ZQQ7e0TtUnVkPzjBUkIfcvNLDmh8Z1xsaC9/s200/DSCI0780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237886065106017970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHJbMO5Z42gFgQeB_vM4WO5MlcTacCuPjjikv7nHXgeCR4DQR4vxUhAfvJoiqAs192WY1Ckv1KkdHKUge-58MkWcMfoEjTYGyXoqr8KagtLCNEJF-SqkuZfbKpdl8xH5sZ3S4JHNfgwkS/s1600-h/DSCI0682.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHJbMO5Z42gFgQeB_vM4WO5MlcTacCuPjjikv7nHXgeCR4DQR4vxUhAfvJoiqAs192WY1Ckv1KkdHKUge-58MkWcMfoEjTYGyXoqr8KagtLCNEJF-SqkuZfbKpdl8xH5sZ3S4JHNfgwkS/s200/DSCI0682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237886067654566402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjl1ncpLB43TqttLo3PAFQ5xnZrHTr9JUQtYCwvJjIRRJJUDco8mCUXGfbRTSnU2dUrDUaqgngSa4jgFcO2YOqzRPJlZZBbvs7CrnYAS-lyTrKnFCSR2ElQbvcx7qJPopksXV_hnY7MmA/s1600-h/DSCI0728.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjl1ncpLB43TqttLo3PAFQ5xnZrHTr9JUQtYCwvJjIRRJJUDco8mCUXGfbRTSnU2dUrDUaqgngSa4jgFcO2YOqzRPJlZZBbvs7CrnYAS-lyTrKnFCSR2ElQbvcx7qJPopksXV_hnY7MmA/s200/DSCI0728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237886076221844930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7FTwHWCy7U3dgvfbypFznwrXJCqKCMfRcG3hoy3hJLueH7Aq714xcl033sZmRZvMIz5HKEufWJZj8cPVfAzOUU-bwIwQcS2PEX2PqiQA2dD890DjPdjTd_5NnE5h6khAHT8pUxtkRR8p/s1600-h/DSCI0734.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7FTwHWCy7U3dgvfbypFznwrXJCqKCMfRcG3hoy3hJLueH7Aq714xcl033sZmRZvMIz5HKEufWJZj8cPVfAzOUU-bwIwQcS2PEX2PqiQA2dD890DjPdjTd_5NnE5h6khAHT8pUxtkRR8p/s200/DSCI0734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237886080079909890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijxB1pjS6gLmcWM-pt5RxKzuTqR5xi8z5fV45C4CiHft2Ugb-czrsXs0bx5E9lJPVXGcy9VfRagQLXHipxa65GoRt4yQOh22WKH7eMmwy3-PHe3xYKQy151Hv5-Nc4Kdu_7pVWl5-8YNN/s1600-h/DSCI0371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijxB1pjS6gLmcWM-pt5RxKzuTqR5xi8z5fV45C4CiHft2Ugb-czrsXs0bx5E9lJPVXGcy9VfRagQLXHipxa65GoRt4yQOh22WKH7eMmwy3-PHe3xYKQy151Hv5-Nc4Kdu_7pVWl5-8YNN/s200/DSCI0371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237882533958630210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlHxDbHjuc5VhHn0t5HCxkdUT94N19W6mpDcOiV4Zt398SdqGe2Bf9nBfyYUZjIg3K6uBdYXKk52ffWonESXDzBfSk1afFP7q5agy2EMCjR2zOzBOKciGpD8c6puGx90g9DEOe7-5d9JM/s1600-h/DSCI0476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlHxDbHjuc5VhHn0t5HCxkdUT94N19W6mpDcOiV4Zt398SdqGe2Bf9nBfyYUZjIg3K6uBdYXKk52ffWonESXDzBfSk1afFP7q5agy2EMCjR2zOzBOKciGpD8c6puGx90g9DEOe7-5d9JM/s200/DSCI0476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237882537227164546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAmozro7DglbrDS7BCG9aiSttAATHIjsk_f5DPuacqlJ76ADOXxwFQ2yqzdb6NrHSbOQGSeXjJ1Xnbz0PSdNp9Qo5TsJJywkiN8f8zuF1ceInyW7ivoNyA0-qiqUHgB0550EcUfarOG8M/s1600-h/DSCI0491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAmozro7DglbrDS7BCG9aiSttAATHIjsk_f5DPuacqlJ76ADOXxwFQ2yqzdb6NrHSbOQGSeXjJ1Xnbz0PSdNp9Qo5TsJJywkiN8f8zuF1ceInyW7ivoNyA0-qiqUHgB0550EcUfarOG8M/s200/DSCI0491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237882543006294914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMf1FZ4DmDvjpxln71o3B2iNkwPMF-OV93mU7dtch0qcj_BuIN1oMzR1QD4YKZ6Kpuuyd5EKdCZzOXIaqjyxYxfz_t_89raklZeY6aRx0-tHWyZDb2N5m0FRJ4J8oeBQ1dMgdMEiPtjby/s1600-h/DSCI0742.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMf1FZ4DmDvjpxln71o3B2iNkwPMF-OV93mU7dtch0qcj_BuIN1oMzR1QD4YKZ6Kpuuyd5EKdCZzOXIaqjyxYxfz_t_89raklZeY6aRx0-tHWyZDb2N5m0FRJ4J8oeBQ1dMgdMEiPtjby/s200/DSCI0742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237882552398405202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Hello All.<br />Here are a few Pictures of our new house as well as a recap of our Summer.<br />The beginning of summer was spent with a visit from our Grandma from Phoenix (Julie's Mom).<br />Grandma came and stayed with us for 3 weeks. The time was spent going to Ethel's baseball games, shopping, listening to violin concerts, playing in the sprinkler, and good old fashioned board games and of course the occasional karaoke night. We had a great time and are looking forward to her return.<br />After Grandma left the girls took their usual summer swim lessons where Julie hung out by the pool with Ruthie and many of the girls friends parents-This is a favorite of ours, to go take lessons at our favorite pool over the summer. We always get to play catch up with those friends we only see at the pool in the summer.<br />Forth of July was a little different this year. For starters Pappy (Julie's Dad) was not here to celebrate with us. I think this was the first time in 5 years we didn't celebrate 4th of July with Pappy-However he did call us that evening to see how the fireworks were! Early in the evening we went to our friends the Peters to celebrate at their block party. We had a great time hanging with our friends (the sleepers where there too). We had every intention of staying to see the fireworks but Ethel was not having the whole messing with Tradition and all. So around 7:00 we headed out t0 Blue Lake Park for our usual 4th of July picnic and firework show! When we returned home around midnight we realized our new neighborhood enjoys 4th of July as much as we do....3 houses on our block and the house behind us all put on an illegal firework show that went on until 2am, Wow-what a difference from our old neighborhood!<br />The next week we went on our summer vacation to SunRiver with our friends the Peters, Sleepers, and Dana (she is worthy of just a first name)! We love this vacation, it is so relaxing and all the kids get along so well. It is one week full of Swimming, Biking, Eating great food, Megan and Bill's fantastic mixers (beer tasting for Pax and Bill), Great stories, music and just plain laughs. It is always sad when the week is up, but all good things must come to an end, and there is always next year-Or New Year's!<br />At the end of July we had an Open House and baby dedication for Ruthie Party. It was great to see all of our friends and a few family members (Pax's Aunt Pam, Uncle Bob, Grandma Keen, cousin Julie Fretwell and her 6 kids and cousin Michelle Richards all came). We are so thankful for all of our wonderful friends here in the Northwest, it truly is home to us and our friends have really become family to us and our kids.<br />In August Ethel celebrated her 7th birthday with just the 5 of us at Red Robin for lunch, a trip to Target to check out ipod shuffles (she thinks she wants one with all of her b-day lute), the catch a Movie (WallE-go check it out it is great) and then a dinner of popcorn shrimp and a dip in our favorite pool for family swim to round out the evening. The next day she had her Birthday party....A Luau Theme and 10 girls ranging in age from 4-10-Wow what a day! This was her first ALL GIRL party, we of course where bummed since up until now we always had the family BBQ thing and was always a great way to finish up the summer with our friends. I guess this means she is growing up.<br />Enjoy the summer pics. There is one more week of summer and then school starts So I will update you all soon on how that is going, have a great rest of summer!<br /></span></span></span></span>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-21922436962090502852008-08-21T11:01:00.000-07:002008-08-21T11:47:54.792-07:00News from the NorthWest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjhTyfEYwZ_Ch0LQDV-VagTbTT-55qf_E7FfDYfdIzWnKl0J1Ems_8rE14sxDIV1r35_6HXMK552jnUHMwXlZBZ0JakWhaQJOmLv-XT90HH35jRxCKgvgTQlMDwKJrnbG_XgDDwr3A__Z/s1600-h/DSCI0378.JPG"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjhTyfEYwZ_Ch0LQDV-VagTbTT-55qf_E7FfDYfdIzWnKl0J1Ems_8rE14sxDIV1r35_6HXMK552jnUHMwXlZBZ0JakWhaQJOmLv-XT90HH35jRxCKgvgTQlMDwKJrnbG_XgDDwr3A__Z/s320/DSCI0378.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237034865278769202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqEIQp_zEW-MI-H2Va9XFHMbkOtJFlfcnEMdMn-j1p6H5JhLshgKBDuUHymCVMrWMH4nLBa83l-wspgnhCRqLnETUv_XSNAbsHbkYT5PBqbVQrSi7QapKMTNhGWfabI-d2NfGDiLvX3E1/s1600-h/DSCI0400.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqEIQp_zEW-MI-H2Va9XFHMbkOtJFlfcnEMdMn-j1p6H5JhLshgKBDuUHymCVMrWMH4nLBa83l-wspgnhCRqLnETUv_XSNAbsHbkYT5PBqbVQrSi7QapKMTNhGWfabI-d2NfGDiLvX3E1/s320/DSCI0400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237034869271373906" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Welcome to our Blog. As many of you know (or should know by now) we had another baby girl in March of 2008. Ruth is now 5 months old and growing rapidly. She eats and sleeps a ton- we are very thankful for that. Ethel and Katherine are So happy to be big sisters and at times think they are the Mom!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ethel and KayKay are doing great. Ethel will start 2nd grade in just a few weeks at a local elementary school (no more homeschooling for her). KayKay will start her 2nd year in preschool and we will supplement a few days and homeschool her. She is most excited about lunch! That's our KayKay!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Things are going great here in the Northwest. We are settled in to our new house now and loving it as well as the neighborhood and our neighbors. There are a ton of kids so our girls have enjoyed the summer riding bikes (no more training wheels for Ethel-whooHoo), playing in the sprinkle, taking swimming lessons and hanging out at our great local parks for fresh produce and free concerts!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ethel is going into her 3rd year of playing the violin-She still continues to enjoy it and will be learning her 4th finger soon. It amazes me she can read music and has such an amazing ear and plays things from memory! Of course we are working on our piano fund for Katherine-She reminds me everyday when she turns 5 she gets to take piano lessons. We joke that Ruthie will take up the Drums or guitar and then we will have a girl version of the Jonas Brothers on our hands!</div><div style="text-align: left;">We hope you all enjoy our updates and hopefully this will not replace our yearly Christmas letter!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8RnNHM0itM9BYsrURCrdQSUAheDsiQWYUTWwFWzYvLinSGusceVIpj-vWph8An4owBNBHJJzfH8MPRJ6ynNL5rRMQ9pKvD1wwaLRWnJvCR44ryjgRN9XetAiRETEKyBqIuQIn0W0lgJk/s1600-h/DSCI0425.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8RnNHM0itM9BYsrURCrdQSUAheDsiQWYUTWwFWzYvLinSGusceVIpj-vWph8An4owBNBHJJzfH8MPRJ6ynNL5rRMQ9pKvD1wwaLRWnJvCR44ryjgRN9XetAiRETEKyBqIuQIn0W0lgJk/s320/DSCI0425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237034883974122466" /></a>Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698545913934064420.post-66486133461795605142008-08-21T10:11:00.000-07:002008-08-21T10:20:40.620-07:00Welcome to McBee5Welcome to our blog. We hope to use this blog to keep friends and family updated on the day to day of our lives.Paxton, Julie, Ethel, Katherine, Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08124562695171297591noreply@blogger.com0