Moosefest!

We headed to Roslyn WA to celebrate MOOSEFEST with Joel's dad, John, and Janet. We did some sightseeing and had lunch at the Roslyn Cafe. The food was great! I am a HUGE fan of the TV show Northern Exposure. This was my second time there and I can't wait to watch all the episodes with Joel and the kids this week! Antlers up!

Our first babies

We have two pugs that keep us almost as busy as the kids do. Bexley is 7 years old (49 in dog years). Bexley is a Puppy School graduate, show quality, shy guy who still sleeps with a teddy bear in his mouth. He hates Vet visits and police sirens, he loves Cookies and and running after thrown toys. He's stubborn but a gentleman.
Miss Beverly Hills is 6 (42). She is a snuggle bug who likes to rip things up. She hates the rain and snow but loves everything else. She used to be very outgoing and excited but this year she lost her hearing and eyesight. She wanders through the house thudding into walls and chairs. Joel carries her into the yard or in front of her food. She has recently lost some weight; we had her on a diet for being obese. She no longer has trouble breathing and less trouble moving. She is a textbook "Leo"

Beverly (left) and Bexley today. Bex usually looks happier. He did NOT want to be outside and told to "sit", he puts up with us well.

Bexley Danforth Hills III as a puppy in 2004 (I love middle names on pets, the III is there because it's funny.)

Beverly Antonica Hills as a puppy in 2005. She's our little dirty face girl!

Little sweeties

Sable is starting to be a helpful big sister. She likes babies, even Clif.

He has a little curl

My 2nd blog

I've just started my 2nd blog all about the Coop family Rose. I'm learning how to make root starts from cuttings, telling about the family connection and including quotes, poems and miscellany about roses. To check out what I have so far, Click Here

Summer School

Sable started summer school this week at a new place but she has the same teacher. I saw the parents dropping off their kids and calming them down with hugs and kisses, then I looked at Sable, dancing in the middle of the play area waving "Hi" to everyone. Saying that she loves school is an understatement. Being her mom is a wonderful experience.

Even a Princess

...needs to brush her own teeth.

In our house

I love Family History: Part II

My mom and I drove to Eagle Creek near Estacada, OR today to see the Coop Family Rose presentation at Philip Foster Farm. My cousin Vanessa came along and we got to meet some of our extended family. We made it a day of family History stories and site seeing with cousin Ron.

Visiting Great grandma Vella's grave.

Family! Left to Right:John Bender, Michelle and Ken Lawler, Erica Lasley in front, Keri Hills, Vanessa Grace, Carol Lawler Sleightham, Cynthia Castile, Ron Lawler in back, Wilma Guttridge in front, Anna Guttridge and Chris Lasley

Standing on the road in front of the old Coop family farm.

Stealing some Roses to use as starts... I have a new project!

Cousin Ron walked me and Vanessa through the woods to see where great Aunt Lilly Marie was buried as a child. She was burried at the base of this tree on the left. I've wanted to go visit her for years.

I love family history...

...Here is an example why:

"On Sunday, July 15th, at 1pm there is a ceremony at the Phillip Foster Farm in Eagle Creek, Oregon to commemorate the rediscovery of an historic variety of rose that was thought to be extinct. In 1905 Portland threw a World's Fair to celebrate 100 years since Lewis and Clark. On opening day, June 1, 1905, the first couple thru the gate was given a bush of this rose variety that had been developed just for the fair and never made available commercially. Over the years all trace of this rose was lost and it was believed to be extinct. Just this week the Northwest Historical Rose Association confirmed that the rose was alive and well and lining our family's old farm. Reuben and Alma Coop (My great great grandparents) were that first couple thru the gates at the World's Fair and those "wild" roses fulling the ditches at Gramma's farm weren't wild at all but descendants of that one bush."

The "Coop" Rose

different...

It's so strange noticing how different the kids are from each other. Sable hit most of her milestones until she was 4 months old but Clifton is hitting all of them in normal range and he's ready for more. We didn't realize how far behind Sable was; I didn't want to be one of those "milestone obsessed moms", it seems ridiculous to me to brag about typical behaviors, so I never paid attention to those details. Cliff seems so strangely advanced to me but he's just typical, it's strange. Sable was and will always be my little snuggle-girl though.

Mini Deloris

Yesterday the kids and I went with Grandma Dawn to visit Great-grandma Deloris Rene'. She has been sick lately and stayed in bed. Sable sat next to her playing with a stuffed bunny. When we were leaving, one of the Male Nurses spotted Sable and called her "Mini Deloris." I love that she looks like my Grandma; She and Sable are two of my favorite people.
We headed back to Grandma Dawns house for swimming and Elvis movies.

Pile on the family!

Grandma's kitten pile of grandaughters

Flower petals

Clifton finally meets Uncle Jevon!

3 Months old

Swim class

What a cute class! She loves swimming! today she worked on floating on her back. She was able to hold on to the wall/edge by herself and was comfortable with holding on to daddy instead of daddy holding her. She HATES to leave.

Brushing out her pretty, wet hair.

Home

I walked off the plane to baggage claim and found Joel sitting calmly with Sable and Clifton. They were waiting for me to come home. Joel did a great job having the kids all week with some help from Suzanna, Grandma Jackie, Grandma Dawn, Garrett, Dean and Roni. Joel looked tired but the kids looked happy and healthy! Clifton got bigger, his hair is growing in thick and dark and he's up to more baby tricks. I really missed them this week.