Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Right as Amy left, we gained a new member of the family for a week....a great friend Rachael from Ireland. She was in the youth when I led it in Northern Ireland and now is an incredible university student I am proud to call a friend. We did loads this week from fountains, zoos, museums, berry picking, renting movies, walks, cooking, Imago Dei church, a downtown outreach event, etc. So blessed by the week and the kids are totally bummed she is gone. Some pictures attached.

A Sweet Friend Visits

Anna's friend, Amy from Seminary came for a weekend, who she hasn't gotten to really be with for about 4 years. It was wonderful (We went to the beach, downtown on the train to the Portland Market and fountain, out for drinks)

These boots are made for walking

Funny how girls have a thing for shoes - Adelaine lines up her shoes and others' shoes and tries them on, so proud to show them off. Here are some of her 18m photos that our friends took. We just love them.

Sibling Rivalry

Sweet (or even half-sweet) moments between our two dear ones are few and far between right now as they now are full-fledged intentionally trying to tick each other off. Adelaine has timed the exact moment that Lukas has perfected a tower of blocks or art project to come and ruin it OR how to open the DVD just at the climax of the movie. Lukas has been finding out that his pleasure Lainie's crying still outweighs the punishment of an afternoon in his room from either randomly shoving her or my favorite recently - *** running off with her favorite doll with her screaming after him only to have him run directly into the bathroom, open the toilet seat and about to drop it in only to hear his mother yell "Don't you dare" - surprisingly - he didn't, but he loved the power.

Other noteworthy kid moments:

Adelaine loves her shoes - spending much time arranging them and trying them on, pretty serious about wearing boots with shorts these days.

Lukas has been playing some pranks on us including knockng on our bedroom door (during bedtime) to have us find....1st time: We opened the door him dressed up with a clown wig and silly glasses and a hat. 2nd time (when he knew we were serious that he was to be in bed): We opened the door to find just the clown wig on the floor, only to hear a giggling boy from the other room.

Quick Trips

This last week Adam went to visit his good friend Luke in Monterrey California and I went to Colorado to meet Carrie's newest little girl, Nora, and actually spend time with my family (as opposed to all the running around visiting the whole world that I usually do). It was a nice change, but weird to be home and not see more people. Visiting Nora let Adelaine and Lukas see my roommates' (ie - college roommates) kids and me love on them briefly. Donnis (one of my life's two mentor's)also has a horse and graciously let Lukas ride it - so fun. Also loved spending lots of time with my neice, Karey, (who is almost exactly in between the kids age-wise).

While on the plane with two kids and debating whether I should suffocate myself with the floatation device or poke my eyes out with a stir stick, I wonder if the travel is worth it, but when I am home or with my roommates I know it definitely is. So just a few pictures to share! I'll add a picture of the 8 roommate kids later.