Hannah Turns 3!

We had a wonderful week long celebration of Hannah turning 3!  We started with a celebration of Grandma Cindy arriving on Hannah's birthday.  We had lots of hugs and some cake and ice  cream that night.

Than at Hannah's request we had a Mickey Mouse Cake and only a couple of friends to celebrate the actual  birthday. It was a wonderful sunny afternoon with great friends.  

After a busy week I treated my mom and the girls to a night in Hood River (Scott was still camping in the field).  We had a great hike and some time on the Hood River water front.  Hannah was all smiles and very much into the rocks!  I can't do anything but smile when I see that face!

Camping in the Redwoods

It is not even June 1st and we have one camping trip under out belt for the year!  Scott and I packed up the kids and Aspen and headed to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park  for the weekend.  We have friends that live there that we have not seen since before Hannah was born and they were able to join us for two nights of camping and exploring the beautiful redwoods and Smith River.  Calla and their son Henry were quick friends and by the end of the weekend Hannah and Theo were at least on talking terms.  It was great to catch-up and enjoy some new scenery.
 

It was a little cooler than we were hoping when we made the plans several months before.  We all kept warm in winter coats and some hot chocolate.

The pack of four adults and four kids off for a hike.

Calla and Henry (with Theo not far behind) were quick to explore every log they could.

A moment to capture in history, they are all standing still and looking in the same direction at the same time.

Friends!

Family!

We all enjoyed exploring the beautiful Smith River.  It was a little cool, but as soon as the sun came out (even it the temperatures did not rise) the kids were in the water!

These last few pictures are not of the kids, but are some beautiful pictures of the scenery.  What a great adventure!

Celebrating Earth Day at The Oregon Garden

The girls and I headed to the Oregon Garden today to celebrate Earth Day and enjoy the beautiful flowers.  I have always wanted to go to the Earth Day event there and it was well worth it.   There is a wonderful children's garden, with a model train, chickens, and we got to pick out free trees to bring home and plant. It was a great day to celebrate the beauty of Oregon and my girls!

At the end there were some children playing music.  Both girls enjoyed listening and dancing!  

Happy Earth Day Every Day!

5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweetest Calla "Lilly".  Your energy, joy and passion for life, and kind nature amazes me!  I love you and treasure you. -  Your mom.

I sit here tonight and look through the pictures and read the blogs from when Calla was born at Scared Heart Medical Center NICU in Eugene at 3.2oz to her 5 year birthday celebration yesterday, what an adventure.  I am amazed at how she has grown and over-joyed and in awe of my perfect and healthy little girl.  Though it all happened 5 years and so many adventures ago, I can still remember the feelings of being overwhelmed and the touch of my fragile little girl.  

Scott and I will never forget the people that touched our lives during our time in Eugene and seemed to jump at our every need.  From those that took care of Aspen (then our only baby), brought us food, went out to dinner with us, and just came to visit our little baby.  Thank you, we still remember all of your kindness.

Below are some pictures of Calla that show how she has changed.  From a 3.2oz fragile human being to a beautiful, kind and caring 5 year old.  

Scott and I holding out little girl.

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and a PINKALICIOUS 5!

AZ Vacation

We got away from the rainy Oregon spring a couple of weeks ago to visit Nana and Papa Shaff, Uncle Steve, Uncle John, Aunt Charlotte, and cousins Jake and Eric.  Our first visit was the Arizona-Senora Desert Museum.    It was an amazing place to visit and the girls loved it!  We saw birds, wolves, bears, prairie dogs, and so much more.  The girls also loved looking at all the cacti.  

                                                   
                                                                                   Trying on bat ears.

                                                                       

                                                                 Calla enjoying the scenery 
                                                                 

                                                                           

                                                                    Uncle Steve, Calla, and Nana!  

Calla and Nana, what beauties!  

                                                                        Cousin Time!

                                                              Thanks for visiting, see you soon!