Camping

We took Violet "tent camping" for the first time. Usually we sleep in our VW Westfalia, but this year we purchased a large family tent, and with no rain in the forecast we headed up to Mount Hood for a weekend of fun!

Violet enjoyed herself, and I attempted to move past my DKS (Dirty Kid Syndrome - the need to constantly remove all traces of dirt from my child face)

You can catch the whole show below, just click on the first picture!

Clear Lake Camping July 2009

Canoeing on Clear Lake

Taking Diego for a walk, see the dirty face?

Wearing Derek's hat

She loved to play in the tent, and spent most of her free time sitting inside rearranging everything, every once and a while she would pop her head out.

Talking on her cell phone (she does a lot of this lately)

Violet's Friends

Violet hasn't had too many attachments to dolls or stuffed animals. And suddenly this week, things changed. Ernie & Elmo must go everywhere, in the evening they have tea with Violet, at bedtime they are lucky enough to share her bed, and in the morning we have a total melt-down because they cannot go to school with her. Thanks Ernie & Elmo for being great friends.

To Violet From Mommy

Dear Violet,

This month you turned two. I'm amazed at how quickly time flies by now. Each day you make me smile, and my happiness to have you in our life is so strong there really are no words. I am so glad we chose to become a family and add you into it. I often want to think of just the right words to let you know how much I love you, and how much you've changed our life (for the better of course).

I love you little smile, your silly laugh, and your sweet personality.

I love your little hands and feet

I love your beautiful green eyes, that came straight from your daddy

I love to see your passion for food, and your ever changing pallet

I love how you say "elmo" even though I really can't stand elmo

I love how you take your food apart and eat each piece as a separate entity

I love that you are making decisions now, even though NO seems to be the dominant word

I love the gap in your front teeth, it reminds me of my dad

I love that your are still fearless, no matter how many owies you have that week

I love to watch you dance, even if it is Beyonce (we will talk about your music choices later)

I love to watch you read your books every night, and watch the wonderment in your eyes as you listen to your daddy tell you fantastic stories

I already see that you are going to be so gentle and caring with others, it's amazing how kind you are it humbles me. I'm still amazed at how quickly you've grown, and how much I have also grown in these 2 years. I've learned to balance everything in my life, and although some weeks I feel like a crazy lady, I think I'm getting the hang of it.

I can't wait for the joys that lay ahead for us as a family. I can't wait for your words to grow into sentences, and for to share your thoughts with me. You can take your time though, I don't want time to move too fast.

XXOO

Love your Mommy

Happy 2nd Birthday Violet

What a fantastic Birthday Violet had. She is so lucky to have so many great friends and family. She really enjoyed herself (probably a little overwhelmed).

Berry Picking

Did I mention how much I love it here in the summer? Okay, well also just so you know we have to most fantastic berries in the summer. We drove out to Sauvie Island today (about 20 minutes from town) and went to a U-pick berry farm. We ended up with almost 20 pounds of blueberries and raspberries. It was also blazing hot, so we headed to the beach (well okay it's not so much a beach, but a sandy river bank) with the rest of Portland and cooled down. Get ready for lots of pies, jams, muffins, sorbet... what else can I make with all these berries?