I'M BAAAACK

So, I haven't been under a rock, although after being away from blogging for 4 months, it may seem that way. This will be a complete hodge podge of randomness since there's a lot of ground to cover in 4 months. There's a lot to say and yet who can cram it all in? So, I won't try. Except to say that we are alive and well and just back to life with school, work, daycare, etc.

Soph enjoying some spaghetti. Needless to say, I don't give it to her very often.

My Grandpa was able to make a visit back in June. I love seeing him with my kids.

Ah...yes, Our trip to Oregon in June. It was an adventure. It seems like a blur since it was a while ago, but I'll try to summarize. We visited Kara and Chris for 5 days. We just love them. They are amazing friends. Chris even took some awesome family pics for us. Here we are driving the 14 hour drive. This must have been towards the end of the trip (going there) because I finally had to sit in the back the last two hours. Chance was great, but Sophie was M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. Especially the last two hours of it. Nothing would cut it...no binky, bottle, game, toy, book - NOTHING. She finally cried herself to sleep literally 5 minutes before we got to their house. Oh well. They did better on the way home. But we were smart enough to split the trip into two days on the way home!

We went to the Oregon Coast (Newport) one of the days and went to the Aquarium. Chance loved it of course.

We went for a bike ride because that's what people in Oregon do.

At the Aquarium again - Chance and Sofia.

Sophie zonked out in the car. I just thought she looked cute, gaped mouth and all with her favorite blanket. She adores that thing! Carries it around all day.

Jeff dubbed this the "Joseph Smith" cabin. We stayed in it one night at a campground on the coast. It sure was "cozy". That would be a euphemism for small. Very small. But, the kids had a great time and it all worked out in the end!

Our Beloved Friends, Chris and Kara -- holding Sophie. Uh...should've gotten a picture with their kids.

Our little family.

Chance at the beach. Isn't exactly like the warm beaches of California, but beautiful all the same.

We picked some strawberries because again...that's what Oregon people do!
Really, the trip was fantastic! I loved visiting with Kara. She is a one of my closest friends and I don't think it would even be possible for us to run out of things to talk about...no matter how much time we spent together...

Chance was in time-out one day and his behind his rocking chair. I guess this spot was a little too comfy.

We managed to go to the pool quite a bit this summer. Sophie loved it after the initial few times of getting used to the water. She's so cute in pigtails. Too bad I don't do it more often.

I think this was the only time I was able to get Jeff to the pool, so we had to document it for future reference.

Mom and Chance

I seriously can't remember if this was the carride home from Oregon or some other random time they both fell asleep. Doesn't happen often.

Chancey had his annual check up at the dentist. Perfect teeth again. No cavities thank goodness. He was so great for them!

Getting cleaned!

A random picture of my attempts to decorate Sophie's part of the room. Since the kids share, I have to try to really separate his side with boy stuff and her side with girl stuff.

Chillin in the kitchen.

This is Jeff's dad, Grandpa Roger and let me tell you...Sophie adores him. If he is around, forget it, she only wants him to hold her.

My friend, and neighbor who is much more of a fun mom than I am decided to have the kids play in a "hot tub" the other day. She put warm water in the kiddie pool and let them hang for a while. They really had fun.

Not much else is going on. I've been back at school for 2 months now and I still love the part time. Jeff is back to school and work. I'm still busy with YW's and working out. Yes, yes, I've been able to keep the weight off so far, but I'm a little nervous with the holidays coming up. I love baking during the fall and I just hope I can still resist! I know this was all so random, hopefully this with kick-start me into blogging more regularly.