The first wedding

As a family we went to Julie's cousins wedding which was Sabrina's first wedding.   She loved it!   The flowers, the Princess aka:  the Bride and the dancing were fabulous!   Rachel, the bride, had a wonderful reception with a photo booth with props and a nice reception full of dancing.   Sabrina didn't wait for others but twirled on the dance floor and then grabbed Papa as her dance partner for the evening.

Pumpkins, friends, grand parents, Kermit and Miss Piggy

This Fall Sabrina experienced for the first time a trip to the pumpkin patch with her school where she selected pumpkins for the family.   Not only were there pumpkins, but there were cows, turkeys, rabbits and chickens to entertain the children on this very wet outing.   We prepared Sabrina for the traditional carving of her "pumpkin patch" (which she calls all pumpkins now) by watching IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN!   I am sure when she and Papa carved the pumpkin, she had a better understanding of what was happening.   She drew the face herself and we did the carving.

On Halloween, Sabrina dressed up as princess in a Rapunzel dress with a heart wand.   The night was finished at Papa and Grandma's house where we were greeted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.  (note:  these costumes are about thirty years old and were hand made by Julie's mom)

First day of school

Our house was all excitement for the first day of school.   Sabrina loves seeing all her friends and teachers.    Truly, she has grown so much socially and academically by attending this school.   We have  enjoyed the artwork and the stories of her accomplishments when we daily pick her up.    As parents, we have benefitted from the expertise of the pre-school teachers who assure us that whatever stage our daughter is in that all the rest of the students are also at that same stage.   Whew!

Best Friends

Sabrina met her best friend at the library three years ago.   They go to pre-school together and have celebrated birthdays and played princesses, animals, tag and other games together.   This year Sabrina's friend had a cowgirl theme to her birthday party where all the guests were given western hats and bandanas.   Cupcakes were made with ponies on top!   Amazing!  We have truly been blessed with the friendship of the entire family!

Quilt for parents

We have been working hard all summer planning, cleaning and organizing Julie's parents' 50th Anniversary which was in August.    As part of the festivities, Julie finished a quilted table cloth that was originally given as a Christmas gift.   After hours of piecing and quilting, the finishing touches were being put on the quilt.   Like most people, we had too much going on at the same time.   In this case we were preparing our yard for a new lawn.   When Julie got up to change over the sprinklers a sprinkler came loose and sprayed water all over.   The repair took longer than anticipated which gave Sabrina time to find some scissors and put her love signature on the quilt in the form of four cuts.   Three did not go through the entire quilt, but one did.    Needless to say, Julie quickly learned how to applique' and mend a new quilt so the damage would be minimal.

The entire table cloth from the top. 

The mended top.

The mended patch from the back with our initials inside the heart.

Fishy Birthday

The birthday cupcakes.

At a butterfly farm, trying to catch a friend on finger.

One landed!   Don't move!

For Sabrina's third birthday we made fish cupcakes and had a small gathering with friends and family.   She had her friends from preschool and they played some fun games inside and outside of the house.  As a wonderful birthday gift, a friend took us to Wings of Wonder which housed many tropical butterflies.   Sabrina could have stayed there for a long time.

Team work pillow cases

A friend of Julie's is a gifted sewer and made the fancy part of these pillow cases that were in the latest to go to cancer patients.

Corvallis Half Marathon 2012

Stretching at the start line with my personal coach.


Counting the hold of the stretch.

At the start line with Hope and Sabrina with the OSU Band in the background.

Last September when Julie started running while Sabrina was in school, there was no thought of running races or long distances. However, by Thankgiving a 10K Turkey Trot was run and then most recently, the Corvallis Half Marathon. (13.1 miles)This year was the second half marathon in Corvallis and it was a well supported event.Not only did community members come cheer on the runners, but the OSU Marching Band was at the starting line and along the route encouraging the runners. This year about2000 entries either ran or walked the course and it was like running in a package ofsardines for the first five miles.

Sabrina and Randy placed themselves in a location where they could walk and cheer twice. (The traffic and streets were closed in many places along Corvallis so strategizing the day was important for all. Julie's dad also cheered in another location which was fun to have the encouragement. Other cheerers held cowbells, played music (think Rocky Theme Song) It was a great sense of accomplishment. However, we need a little break before accurately answering the question if we would ever do this again.

Eagle Crest Spring Break

Feeding the ducks bread.

Swinging and learning how to pump legs.

Watching a putt game of golf.

Finding another rock for a great vantage point.

Racing Daddy on the bike path
Being carried by Mom on the Deschutes River path.
Cycling with Daddy.

Being a little late in posting, our Spring Break posting is following our Easter posting. This year we went to Eagle Crest and spent the week enjoying some warm, some winding, and some raining weather. We had a great time as a family and also met up with some college friends who also were staying at Eagle Crest for the week. Sabrina loved riding her trike, racing Daddy, and feeding ducks in the pond. The Deschutes River provided a lovely route for a nice family walk. Julie took the opportunities to train for the Corvallis Half Marathon and went on a couple of 10 mile runs without rain, sleet or snow! It was really a treat!

Easter Egg Hunt

Searching for hidden egss.

There should be one close to here.

Here is one!

Am I finding more than my cousin?

Showing off our eggs with Papa!

Easter Sunday we had a break in the rainfall and the kids were able to hunt for Easter eggs. With baskets in hand they searched the backyard and Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was great fun and even the adults found the three unfound eggs after the search. As if the basket candy wasn't enough, Sabrina's cousin gave her some starbursts and really got the sugar level high. With all the energy and sunshine and the Easter celebration with family, we had a great day full of fun memories.

Dr. Suess's Birthday

Our guest reader engaged in a book!

Trying on the cool hat!

Friday was PJ day at school in honor of Dr. Suess's birthday. All the kids were super excited to be at school in their warm pjs. In the afternoon, Sabrina had a guest reader show up with a crazy hat on his head. They shared many books and a cup of tea! Then she had to try the hat!

Snow bunnies

Sabrina with momma and baby bunny.

In our matching red hats!

Quick! Photo before the sun melts our whiskered friends!

Posing after the first rabbit was sculpted!

March 1st we woke up to several inches of snow which is late for snow. Needless to say, before it melted we had to go outside and play in it. Instead of making a snowman which requires more snow and colder temperatures, we made snow bunnies. Eyes were donated from Sabrina's acorn collection, whiskers were dead flower stocks from the yard and the carrot was from the fridge (note: someone enjoyed eating the carrot while we were sleeping...suspect is a local deer.)

I like your hat!

One of our favorite stories is GO! DOG! GO! We especially like the dialog between two dogs...one is always asking if the other like her hat and finally, at the end, the other dog likes her outrageous hat! Well, Sabrina put the pumkin on everyone's head and finally discovered that Grandma looked pretty good in it.

"Yes, we like your hat!"