wading pool

Hurliman family reunion

A few weeks back (wow, actually, about a month ago...) we went to the Hurliman family reunion. Normally when we go over to the coast, we stay with Nana and Boompa, but Nana was really sick. So, we got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa DeBen instead! 

We went to Mass at 8:30. Grandma and Grandpa live so close to church that we just walked. We saw Rose and Ms Giuliani at Mass, and Fr. Bryan gave a great sermon.

On the way back, Isaac got to sit in a real fire truck! The sticker on his shirt is from one of the firemen too.

Here we are in Pacific City! Grandma helped hold Sonia so I could eat. Thanks Grandma! 

 Actually from these pictures I think I kind of see what Papa was talking about, with Grandma and Sonia looking similar!

 Sonia and Grandpa Wally

 Isaac and the monkey tree. That monkey tree has grown a LOT since I was there last. I wonder if it finally just hit an age where it decided to grow a lot, or if someone gave it a good shot of fertilizer, or if I just didn't pay attention to how much it was growing before. Maybe it grew as I grew, so I thought it was always the same size. 

 Visiting Grandma Hurliman's house. I realized that the siding was the type of siding I said I didn't like... actually it looks fine on this house. This is good though, it gets me thinking. I guess it is more the combination of this siding and some of the awful paint colors on the houses that have this kind of siding in Eugene. Maybe...

 Then some little sayings posted around her house. I remember these from when I was little, but appreciate them more now. 

Here is a portrait of Grandma Haedinger.  

It was a great trip, and I'm glad we got to spend more time with Grandma and Grandpa! 

climbers

Real climbers start their days out with a good breakfast.

Bananas and cheerios...

 or pancakes....

 Then the climbing practice begins. 

Climbers practice on stairs...

 And on trees...

Everyday they get better at climbing! 

Mr. Mustachio

"Good morning," says Mr. Mustachio, "and welcome to my new blog layout. My mother finally figured out why that one picture (posted under June from our trip to Uncle Chris's really clean house in California) didn't show up in its entirety and took a cue from my godmother's blog, rearranged the sidebars and in the process discovered that she could increase the column width... Anyway, just to make use of this, here is a picture, not in medium size as usual, but LARGE. Just because we can."

Lane County Fair

We went to the Lane County Fair this year - the first time we had gone. 

We got Isaac all signed up with the lost kids booth. Then we realized we probably would have a hard time losing him in the neon orange shirt he was wearing.

 They got to try out a tractor...

 Isaac got to go on lots of rides. Papa said, "Let's just put Sonia on his lap." I said that would probably not be something they would let us do. 

 There was a fun little kids' area that Isaac and Sonia both thoroughly enjoyed. Sonia might have eaten some of the hay, but she didn't get sick. 

 Sonia was extra grateful for that playtime in the kids' area, because almost the entire rest of the time, this is where she was. 

 It was fun, but I think next time we should definitely go either on the $2 ride day or the bracelet day. Those rides got really spendy without a bracelet option. It was a hot day too. It was funny, because they moved it to July, trying to avoid the heat. Now it looks like it will probably be cooler in August . 

trim

In case you missed it, Isaac got a trim at the end of last month. It is the shortest his hair has ever been in his entire life. I am pretty sure of that. Well, except at some point when he was in utero. Nah, the kid was probably conceived with hair.

 Papa and Isaac went to the barber together to get this done. Now Papa has seen how it is done and feels like he can recreate it at home.

 The only problem with this whole haircutting business is that they look so much older afterwards. My little guy is getting so big. Added to his lankiness, I almost don't know what to do with such an old kid. It is interesting though - I do find myself still interacting a bit differently with Isaac versus the kids I work with - even though now they are all pretty much the same age as him. 

Handsome sweet big brother! 

Happy birthday Nana!

For Nana's 50th birthday (July 15), we tried to surprise her by showing up in Newport for dinner. Unfortunately it is also Papa's birthday and quite possibly the only day of the entire year when he calls her, and he ruined the surprise. It was still kind of a surprise though, since he ruined it only half an hour before it happened. 

We love you so much, Nana!