Girls Date

My niece Olivia also stayed in Portland, so we had to have a super girls date with nails. Holla! Maggie was loving all the girlie action!

Lovely, Wonderful and Awesome Gena

A nanny for my kids is a big deal. I mean they get to be with my kids all day while I am at work. The bar was set VERY HIGH at the beginning with Janis, who had the honor of co-mothering our kids for nine years. That said, we have been blessed to have wonderful angels come into our lives to help with our kids. Our summer nanny Gena was one of them. A college student with plans to be a teacher, Gena was a Gem. I feel SO THANKFUL that we had her for the summer.

Krugers Farm 2015

Top ten thing to do in Portland in the Summer.....Krugers Farm Summer Night Concert.

Timbers Camp 2015

My nephew Christian stayed in Portland to go to Timbers Camp with Henry and his BFF Jack. These three...... so adorable, kind,...... and addicted to soccer.

Hankie Pankie

My grandfather, Henry -- who I called Hankie Pankie and who Henry is named after - was one of my favorite people on earth. I was difficult child....or so my mom told me... a LOT....and my Grandpa always had my back and always believed in me. I knew he thought the world of me and that was a strength that I carried through difficult moves, tough friends, and everything else. He was my touchstone. At the beach my mom brought boxes my grandmother had kept. She kept EVERY SINGLE LETTER I ever sent them. Every one. I found this gem....and proceeded to cry for 30 minutes. How wonderful to have this support and love from my grandfather....the gift of having someone who loved you for exactly who you are.

Cousins + Manzanita 2015

For some reason I didn't take many pics in Manzanita, but these ones I love. I feel like the capture the fun craziness of all nine kids together.

Aunt Katie = Best Sport

Aunt Katie let Maggie, Frances and Katie do her make up. No words. She is the best sport.

Best Training Partners Ever!

I am training for a half marathon, so needed to do a 12 miler in Hood River. My sister Jenny immediately agreed....hello - we share the same gene pool -- and my sister Katie has an hamstring injury, so she biked next to us. Seriously, I would run SO MUCH LONGER and more if my sisters just lived here already.

Maryhill Museum

We decided to go out to Maryhill Museum. It was awesome - great views, great museum...and winery on the way home.

Cousins in Da Hood

Annual Cousin Adventure = Fun, Fun, Fun. Our computer died so I am a bit behind on posting, so these will be short and sweet. Sorry, in advance, to Henry and Frances -- who LOVE to read the blog and remember all the fun. We hiked Eagle Creek and was as stunning, wonderful, peaceful and incredible as one would expect in the Gorge. I LOVE that place. We also learned a trick to getting Maggie to hike a long way.....GET A DOG!