A case of the Thursdays...

I work every other Thursday.  Each Thursday that I have off is devoted to Tula.  We hit up Storytime at the library.  We run our errands.  And sometimes, if I'm feeling like dealing with the wrath of an envious Gwen generous, we grab a coffee and a vanilla steamer and chill.  I love Thursdays.  I think I know somebody else who loves them, too.

Train of Thought

This story is Matt's.  I'm stealing it.  I told him I was, so it's ok.  A few days ago he and Tula were walking home from taking Gwen to school.  They noticed a recently damaged tree leaking sap down the bark.  Matt, ever the teacher, stopped to explain sap.  He then continued on this train of thought offering up... "And if that sap from that tree got buried in the ground and stayed there for a very very very long time, it would turn into a rock.  A very pretty orange rock called amber."  Which elicited several "oohs" and "aahhs" along the way from Super T.  Then, Tula had an epiphany, which Matt expected and waited patiently for... Wheels slowly turning..."Oh! And DAD... We have a COUSIN... named... (wait for it...) named JARRET!!"  And Matt, between bouts of laughter... "Yes Tula, like our cousins Jarret and..."  Tula, interrupting quietly with a proud smirk:  "And Amber." 

Tula the Giant

This is my new favorite picture of Tula.  Anyone who has met my girl knows she's a shrimp, but with this forced perspective she looks a bit bigger.  I like that.  

7 Years Later

Seven years is a long time.  I can't help thinking about all the things you would be doing, all the things you would have done by now.  I can't help wondering what you would think of my little family; a family which has emerged in your absence.  I know the things these silly girls do that would make you laugh.  I can recall all the times in these last seven years, that I would have called on you for help, or for fun, or for nothing.  And somehow, even now, seven years later, I still can't believe you are gone.  

Happy October!

Ok, now I'm starting to get in the holiday spirit.  Bring on the pumpkins.  This weekend we headed south to Vancouver for a visit with family.  It was fantastic.  Saturday we went to BI-ZI farms for a pumpkin patch experience like no other.  We've been to a few patches in our day, but this one was pretty exceptional.  We had a blast.  I snapped lots of pictures, and I had some helpers snap a few for me.  Here are my favorites.  On Sunday, we headed to Portland for a visit to OMSI.  We were a bit overwhelmed with all that is OMSI, and we left feeling like we had only seen and done a fraction of what was possible.  I guess that's a good thing; we know we'll have lots to do there next time.  

Blech

Welcome fall!  In general, I love Autumn.  I love the leaves, the colors, comfort food and books by the fire... Ahhh.  But it sure does feel like someone, somewhere flipped a switch and turned off summer and turned on grey nasty spring.   The leaves aren't really bright, the air isn't crisp and cold, it's just damp and dark.  Blech.  So, I'm feeling like I need a refreshing reminder of summer.  Here goes.  Good bye sun, see you in 7 months, you will be missed.

Birthday-palooza

A much belated birthday post for my big girl.  I'm just going to let the photos speak for themselves...