B-day Dinner w/ Mom & Sash

I had a fantastic time with great company and an amazing view! Missed two members of the family... Perhaps next year,

 

Half a twin

Had a fun day with a surprise visit from my nephew. Can't wait to see him again come Thanksgiving!

Half a twin with the twins! 

The twins attack!

    Grandma was watching Sasha's twin doggies for a few days. Emma got a good licking. 

These big boys are contagiously lovable! Emma wanted to nab them to keep at our house while Sash was away. Our critters would have said..."Oh, hell no"!

Fun last day with Sasha... Mom leaves for Cabo soon!

 

Dad's funeral speech, I never said (draft)

Everyone knows my dad at a glance, within the kaleidoscope of memories. I hope to hear more about who my dad was today.

For me, I don't remember much before I was 10—just bits and pieces before he and my mom's divorce. I think I blocked it all out because of the hurt at the time. The next 10 years I spent with my mom and stepfather. Summers, I would come to visit. We always made the trip to Disneyland and my beloved In-N-Out Burger. He'd always complain I ate him out of "house & home"... duh, I was a teenager. Sash would always take me under her wing to hang out and chill.

When my oldest was born, I was extremely proud to introduce his first grandson. I shot a video of him and Christian in our living room, practicing how to crawl. I remember that feeling like it was yesterday!

(Find this video/pics)

Again, 2 years later, he was here to watch Maddy crawl for the first time.

(Ditto)

The most common memory is the greeting at the airport... and the saying goodbye, which honestly makes me the most sad. I know you're supposed to be upbeat about someone's life. But what about telling everyone you care about TODAY..."I love you and you matter to me!"

Feelings at Dads funeral. (draft still working on it)

 I haven't posted since my dads death. I often do this on my blog... retreat, post then retreat again. It's my decision I don't have to write, no one expects me to. Yet.. it pulls me back. I feel a pull to write This pull doesn't connect me to others as I don't allow comments. It's more of a pull to write in a space that others and experience and feel what they feel. I often look back at old family videos and feel an intense love! But those same videos won't feel a inch of love from those who don't have connection to us. BECAUSE we're all becoming disconnected,,  more so now then ever. 

Celebration of life

 

This was hard day to get through as it was biter sweet. Hard to say goodbye but so thankful for all the memories that family and friends shared of my dad. I have learned so much more about him from others points of views. And as I sit here watching the littles play in the hotel pool, I see that he is in them! Like silly nature of Sam who like my dad liked to live in the future looking for the next adventure or the next BIG fish to catch. 

Miss them already!

     We had such a good visit! Logan & Aiden stayed 18 days w/ Grandma & Grandpa Harkey. We spoiled them as much as possible while they were here...it was a blast!. Their parents came to pick them up this week,  ending our fun with the twins. 

    It was nice seeing my big sis and crazy brother-in-law! Sash was very taken w/ Emmalyn! She was all smiles for her auntie! Christian loved hearing Troy's Russian accent when he told stories of Russian pilots trying to bribe him with vodka :)

    I already miss my nephews! Aiden has the most beautiful eyes, blue with a tiny bit of copper. And the heart to match. Logan, AKA captain, is a very confident and intelligent kid. Just get him talking...you'll see what I mean!

    Every time they visit, the boys love coming out to Wenzel Mountain. This time refrained from eating too many Grandma Ga Ga's sweets. Guess they're not used to consuming that much sugar in one day and recalled getting sick last time! My kids are used to their offerings and rarely get sugar highs. We had so much fun...trampoline, nerf guns, water balloons, slip-n-slide, and Logan's favorite (mini Escalade driving)!

Can't wait till next year.. however, they may be taller than me by then!

Emmalyn 3 months old! **UPDATED**

She's just so darn cute, her smiles are contagious!

-Loves to stand on our laps and see the funny faces we make for her.

-Starting to grab for toys.

-Eyes still big and blue.
-She hasn't found her voice. However, opens her mouth like she has something big to say.
-Adores her big brothers and sister.
-Still wakes at night. A LOT!
-Taking over Aunt Sasha's nickname, "Pooter Magrooter." This girl toots up a storm!!!
-Loves taking long baths with Mom and Sam.

Now, she just needs to GROW!!! Two weeks ago 9lb 6oz. Her next, weigh-in is on Monday.

**UPDATE**
She hit 10lbs!! 10lbs 3oz to be exact! She's back on the growth chart. Her doctors have been encouraged since we started supplementing with hypo-allergenic formula. I love breastfeeding her, so I've been working harder at keeping dairy out of my diet. We're seeing a pediatric gastro doctor next week. But I think she's just allergic to certain proteins (definitely cow's milk protein) and will do fine if we keep it out of her diet... actually, my diet.

See you all again soon!

We're leaving for the airport in just a few short hours. This vacation has been much so fun! Swimming, Circus Circus, Vegas strip at night (for Sasha and I), her yummy cooking, games of Hand & Foot (We beat Sasha & Troy :), not to mention the relaxing time we had just hanging out in their new home! The Gillian's made us feel so welcome. 

 

Enjoying their brand new pool!

Las Vegas!

We arrived Thursday afternoon for a visit with sister and her family, meeting us there was Grandma & Grandpa L*, Dad & Robin. We're having a blast! It's so nice to be in the sun! When we left Portland it was in the low 60's! It finally feels like we're starting our summer vacation!

Sash and Troy's house is amazing! Big with plenty of room for the kids the reek havoc (which they are), amazing decorating, and have I mentioned their beautiful pool! Unfortunately the pool JUST got finished a couple of days ago, and the plaster has not quite hardened. It's a no go till Monday :( But that's ok, we've been using the pool just down the road at the hotel/casino dad and the grandparents are staying. When it comes to swimming these kids are all over it. Even Samuel! He doesn't know that he can't swim, and keeps protesting when I glide him through the water. He is fearless! Sam's favorite thing to do at the pool is stand on the edge & 1,2,3 JUMP! Down under the water he goes, I pull him up for air with a big smile on his face.

Here are some pics, I'll post more when we return home on Monday. An all too short vacation, but I'll take it!