Settling In

Steve and I have been very excited about running our first races. I completed my first 5(k) Luckyathon Race with my friend Amber. Steve took care of the four kids while we ran in the rain along a lovely golf course.

 Steve is currently training for his first Sprint Triathlon. He is taking Master Swim classes every M/W/F/S morning at 5:00 a.m.!

Elijah experienced the Star Wars trilogy for the first time. Elijah and I used our mommy/ son date time to watch the movies and visit Toys R Us to pick up a few action figures. Elijah has shown an interest in Star Wars, but nothing like other boys his age. He still prefers Marvel Action figures.

Steve and Alora have gone to Chuck E Cheese on their dates. We always let the kids choose (within reason). Alora and I also enjoyed a date at the mall reading books at the Bookstore and drinking hot chocolate and coffee in the cafe.

After four months away from Hood River, we visited for the day and the kids had a playdate with their friends Leah and Ren. We visited our old home to make sure the renter's hadn't destroyed it and visited one of our favorite spots - the Columbia Gorge Hotel. We enjoyed driving through town and talking about all the memories we shared. Every park, restaurant, and street seemed to carry some happy memory for our family.

Alora playing at the "Spiderman" park in Happy Valley. The kids have named it that because of all the climbing equipment.

The kids played their first season of t-ball.We were really lucky to get an amazing coach and a wonderful group of families. The kids made new friends and blossomed as players. The only hard thing we had to get used to was all of the practices and games. We are now realizing how much commitment and time it takes to play a sport. All of the sports they have played up to this time were only one day a week.

  
 
The name of their team is the Mighty Yodas. On Star Wars day, the team all dressed up.

He is so cute with his missing teeth and ears sticking out of his cap.

We love spending time with our friends the O'Connells. They have the greatest yard situated in the "woods." The kids love riding jeeps, playing basketball, playing on the swings, and now hanging out on the enormous back patio. We will remember one of our favorite dinners over there - avocado and crab salad, steak, and home made pina coladas.

The kids had fun gardening in the rain.

Alora's zoo trip with her class. Steve was able to volunteer and spend the morning with Alora's class.

 Alora's new "best friend" Bella.

We have family meetings every Sunday. We made a crown and we award it to someone in the family who has demonstrated a special quality during the week. The meetings are helping us communicate better with the kids and set goals and priorities for our week and our family life.

Alora is so proud to be wearing her crown (she has a carrot juice mustache courtesy of our new juicer)

We have enjoyed many Sunday brunches alternating between our house and the O'Connells. Mimosas and homemade waffles...

Alora continued her horse back riding lessons for two months. She enjoyed riding her horse Sterling. Then one day, she told me that horses are boring!! Her passion of the last three years evaporated over night! I am sorry to say, Steve and I were not sad. We won't miss stinky barns, outrageous prices for lessons, and sitting on hay for an hour and a half waiting for her lessons to be over. We are excited to see what new passions will appear in the next few years.

The spa is the highlight of living in an apartment. The kids had never been in one before we lived here.