Making an Entrance

 So tired of this boring front door. We're trying out a new color before we commit to a new door.

 Apparently, the carpet liked the blue as well. Half a quart's worth. Exterior paint. Sigh.

 Fortunately, we were able to get a LOT of it up.

 We're still a work in progress, but I finally have a house number.

Kitchen Adventures

I love this time of year! The garden is coming in and the canner is coming out. Pickles. Sweet cherries. Strawberry rhubarb jam. (Beans were a bust). Soon we'll have tomatoes, and I'm hoping for a LOT of golden tomatoes this year.

But these noodles - I really think I'm starting to get the hang of this homemade pasta business. (Although I confess the pesto did come from a jar - not a lot of basil this year.)

Garlic butter pesto shrimp on homemade spinach noodles. Oh my!

Independence Day

We enjoyed a quiet day celebrating America's birthday. Dayna had a friend and her mom over for dinner. Cherry pie and strawberry shortcake were made. Fireworks were lit. The 4th was also the beginning of a special friendship with a new family on our block who moved here last winter from Germany. It was pretty cool to watch three kids born on three continents celebrating America.

18 Reasons

18 years since we said "I do." And 18 is too small of a list of the reasons I love this man, but it's a good start.

1. The way He loves the Lord.
2. The way he wrestles with his girls.
3. The way he takes care of me when I'm sick or injured.
4. The way he encourages me to be a better person.
5. The way he dreams with me.
6. That he will drop everything to take a long walk with me.
7. How hard he works to provide for our family.
8. The way he humors my whims.
9. That he loves to travel and take road trips.
10.  He puts up with my mood swings.
11. He's a really good cook.
12. How hard he has worked to take care of himself.
13. How hard he works around the house.
14. His quiet strength of character.
15. The thoughtful things he does everyday.
16. The way he falls asleep every night while tucking in Annie.
17. His smile.
18. Enjoying the same kind of movies (as long as they don't have "Star" in the title.)

Garey and Janiece - 50 years

My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary earlier this year. We were able to help them celebrate at a reception last weekend. It was a Little Bit Country, a Little Bit Rock 'n Roll. What an incredible legacy they have left as they have gone from the two of them to twenty-nine!

Grant Park, Portland, Oregon

Annie is in love with all things Beverly Cleary right now. We took a detour to spend some time at Grant Park, where there are statues of beloved characters from her books. Dayna enjoyed some butterfly hunting as well.

Ribsy

Henry Huggins

Ramona

International Rose Test Gardens

Portland is known as the City of Roses, and we planned a day of sightseeing to see new things. The girls were overwhelmed by the Rose Garden overlooking downtown Portland. If you look really closely, you'll see Mount Hood in the background as well.