June 25th weekend

A very productive week(end) indeed!

On Wednesday, June 22nd we celebrated Miranda's 18th birthday.  Pizza dinner and cheesecake, her a friend for a sleepover, another gift for Miranda (digital camera).  Everyone seemed happy!

On Friday we all went out for a nice dinner at the Venetian Cafe for Miranda's going away dinner.  Food was good, dessert was excellent!

Early Saturday morning Miranda, Larissa and Tim got up at 4:30am and took Miranda to her 6am flight.  Just as Tim was getting ready to relax, he was called into work and spent an entire day there.

Meanwhile, I started cleaning the house and kept going, and going, and...  Until I was totally exhausted, but it felt so good to de-clutter another area of the house!

Larissa's room is (almost) back to what it was a couple of years ago

Sunday was spent on more cleaning, making sure everyone has good swim attire to take to the grandma's house, which resulted in a trip to the Old Navy store.  I think we are so close to being ready for our vacation!  I know everyone is looking forward to our trip.

Now that we have someone to watch the house and take care of our cat, we feel at ease.

June 18th weekend

Spent most of the weekend cleaning out the house.  We just made a large donation for kids' elementary school garage sale, and now Liberty Fit group is holding a sale too.  So, we had to do another major closet checking.  It feels nice to get rid of old stuff, especially when you know it's for a good cause.

June 11th weekend

On  June 9th Jonathan graduated from his kindergarten class. 

 His class put together an animal related show with songs and costumes.  Jon was a monkey.

June 10th was Eastwood Fiesta night for all the kids and their parents.

There was a dunk tank where you can see your favorite teacher getting thrown into a tank of water, many foods and sweets to choose from, and many fun games to play.  Jon tried out the giant hammer slam and won an inflatable hammer to take home.  Gabe gave it a try too.  Larissa was more interested in getting teachers wet.  I helped out at one of the tables, and Jon won a backpack filled with small toys.  Everyone really enjoyed the festivities.

Helvetia race is finally here!
Both Tim and Miranda completed the half-marathon distance on June 11th

Tim made it within his goal of two hours and Miranda made it in three.
 Great weekend, many accomplishments.

June 4th weekend - Lacrosse playoffs

Finally, the lacrosse playoffs are here!

We couldn't have asked for a better weather!  May be a little too sunny and warm too soon?  We are sure not used to it... we all got a little sun burned.

Everyone agreed that Gabe's team was ranked a little lower than it should've been.  Possibly a mix up with another HALO team?  Never the less, Gabe's team rocked!  Played three games, won three games, with quite a margin in the scores too.

Gabe was given an incentive (by Tim) at the last game.  If he were to score, his gaming privileges would be given back.  Boy, did he try hard after that!!!  He even got a chance to score, but the golly stopped his throw.  You could see the disappointment, not only form Gabe, but from the parents too.  We all wanted the "underdog" to get a chance.

He even got smacked on the knee with the lacrosse stick, hard, and didn't stop.  He just walked it out.

I could tell that he is already thinking of next season.

June 3rd - Graduation

It is now official, Miranda has graduated a high school!

Liberty High School did a wonderful job getting the kids all ready, then keeping them busy with an overnight safe party.  It saved us a big headache of planning a party ourselves.

All the graduates were first seated in alphabetical order, then we got to hear a few speeches, a band performance, a choir performance,

and finally a "diploma walk". 

We could tell that as much as the kids were happy to be done, there was some sadness in knowing that most friends will now move on.  Some will stay nearby, and some will move far away.

Miranda - Straight to the overnight party, right after the ceremony!
Back home the next day, showered with school gifts, just in time to get a family gift of Kindle (with accessories).  Reading is a good hobby to keep up with.

May 28th weekend

Still waiting for the sunny warm weather to arrive. I hear the Summer is almost here, but it sure doesn't feel that way.

Miranda had her final choir performance.  It was very nice and energetic.  At the end all seniors' names were announced one by one, followed by a red rose.  It is always a little sad to see the good things come to an end...

One of the local music radio stations was playing "an all 80's music" all weekend long and Larissa decided to do a research on what that was all about.  She looked up the key clothing and styling points and we turned it into reality.  Just for a day.  She had so much fun parading around in bright clothes and hair sprayed pony tail on a side.

It's always nice to have an extra day off (Memorial Day).  It gives you an opportunity to catch up on the projects (and sleep).

May 21st week(end)

Week started off with a TAG (Talented And Gifted) field trip on Monday to the Aviation Museum for the Eastwood Elementary school.  I helped to chaperon the kid (as Larissa's parent).  There were six Hillsboro schools total, three school buses full.  It was a one fun day!  I think we all learned quite a bit, and it was also nice to spend the day away from work/school.

Tuesday was a make up game night for Gabe (woo-hoo, he played a whole two minutes... thanks coach!) and a Senior Night for Miranda's school.  All the seniors put their final projects on display for everyone to see.

Skip forward to Saturday. 
Another lacrosse game for Gabe.

then Tim and Miranda run a 12 miler!!  this is their final "test" before running the Helvetia half-marathon in June.  They both passed  ;-)

 Tim run the fast pace,

and Miranda walked some.

May 14th weekend

Busy week with Thursday and Friday off for the Elementary schools.
On Thursday we had a Parent/Teacher conferences and I volunteered for the school's Book Sale.  Larissa scored a few new books as a result (hard to say no to a kid begging for books...)

On Friday I volunteered for a work' sponsored event at the movie theater.  In exchange for handing out movie vouchers I got to see a movie and to bring the kids along.

Saturday was an extra busy day for us.  Gabe's lacrosse game, shopping trip to the garden store, Miranda's senior performance, followed by the Senior Prom.

We did find the right dress for Miranda.  Thanks to the Craigs List!  It was a perfect fit too. 

She wore it to the solo performance first.  Jon thought it looked very cool too!

Sunday was a little gloomy.  The sun dissapeared and the light rain arrived.
After Tim replaced our laundry room light (I never knew how hard it would be to chose a new light!  Price vs. looks...) we stopped by the Eastwood Elementary school to help out with setting up their run/walk track.  School won a grand to help improve it's physical education related activities.  To strech the money PTA opted for the bark-chip filled track.

Everyone helped out and it took no time to get it all done.

Inspired by all the yard work, I went home and planted some veggies in our veggie/flower beds.

Fun weekend!

May 7th weekend

This Saturday Larissa and I had a half-day Mommy and Me time.  We started with attending a Crafty Wonderland expo at the Convention Center, where we both got inspired with a number of ideas.  Larissa bought a paid of feather earrings, I took a closer look at them and decided that I could easily make some myself.  Got supplies at the craft store down the street and went to town with it.

Larissa had some feather extensions added to her hair.

On the way back, we managed to make a stop by the Portland Saturday market where we had had lunch, then by the store to get a present for Larissa's friend, quick stop by the Gabe's lacrosse game, and off to take Larissa to her friend's party.  Tough schedule to keep up with!

On Sunday Miranda went to help out with the Hippie Chick race (part of the Liberty Fit commitment).  As Tim and Larissa went over to get her at noon, I went to my beading class.  Just a small present for myself for Mother's Day.  At the class I learned a rather complicated pattern to bead weave a Gunmetal Necklace.  It came out wonderful and matched my shift perfectly.

After I got home, we went right back out, to the Mall, looking for a dress for Miranda.  No luck!  Everything is pretty much gone or damaged.  I will continue looking online!

April 30th weeknd

Our Saturday was pretty much taken over by the Open House at my work.  I volunteered at one of the booths, and had to come in before the start time, then stay afterward for the cleanup.

Since I had my little assistants with me, it was only fitting to reward them with the frozen yogurt treat at the end.  We tried a new (to us) place called Yogurt Munch.  I really like the idea of choosing your flavors and all the toppings you want.  Don't like the final price...  Not economical for a large family, but a nice treat once in a while.

Gabe had another game (away) and his team won again, by a very large margin.  He still likes to play and still wishes to be in the game more...

On Sunday we got up early (well, earlier than we usually would) and went to the final day of the Wooden Shoe Farm' Tulip Festival.  We have been meaning for a few years now to go, but every year something more important would come up and then it would be over...  I am glad we finally made it!

As soon as we got there, Jon managed to slip on some mud and land on his seat...

We told him to walk around till it dries off...  Even if it looks like he had a bathroom accident...

All the kids liked pooling up tulip names.  We found one called Miranda and one called Perestroyka, but none called Kseniya...

Gabe fell for some white and some pale pink tulips.  We both them both and took them home.

Larissa was really disappointed that food stand didn't accept debit cards and we didn't have any cash.  She really wanted that elephant ear...

What a perfect day!

Some playing outside afterward to finish a perfect weekend.

Easter 2011 weekend

This was a first sunny weekend in a while and we so enjoyed it!  But by Sunday, it was mostly cloudy, with the predictions of rain/clouds for the rest of the week...

On Thursday Larissa participated in the schools' Talent Show.  We got there at 6pm for the 6:30pm show and got the best seats in the house.  Just as we settled in, I realized that my new camera was missing a memory card!  Good thing we are only 5 minutes from home.  I had to forfeit my great parking spot for the sake of taking pictures.

Larissa performed in a group dance first.  Then, she sang with the school's choir.  She requested that we would videotape the whole concert, so that she could see it too.  Wouldn't you know it, just as her choir group came on stage, my video camera run out of memory!  If it's not one thing, it's another.
Meanwhile, I was trying to get familiar with my new camera's functionality (in the dark).  Probably something I should have done ahead, huh?..

On Friday we were going to go to another Liberty lacrosse game, but it was such a long week, that neither Tim or I had the energy to sit through another game.  Plus, weather was actually so nice that we just wanted to "chill out" at home. 
We decided to try a new restaurant take out for dinner.  There is a small Vietnamese house we often drive past.  Sadly, we got there right at 7pm, which happens to be their closing time (Ok, what eating place closes at 7 on a Friday?..), so after much consideration, we got Ceaser's Pizza instead.  So much for trying something new!

Saturday turned out just perfect!  Sunny, warm.  Gabe played his first game where he wore shorts and was comfortable.  He is not the greatest player, but it seems a little unfair that his coach gives him so little chance to try.  Seems like he got the "good" players on the field for most of the game, and when he knows that our score is far ahead where we won't lose, he lets the "second class" players get on the field too.

After the game kids enjoyed spending time with their friends, playing games.  Meanwhile, Tim, Larissa and I went to the Adidas Employee store to use our 50% Intel discount.  I got myself some new running shoes and a backpack at an unbeatable discount.  Larissa got shoes and a hoodie too.

Found a used child size Wave Stick on Craigslist (more of Jon's size), bought it, and kids enjoyed learning a new skill:

It took Gabe no time getting a hang of it.  Jon will take a little longer.

Sunday started off sunny, but then it drizzled on and off all afternoon.  I managed to do some yard work, and made Larissa help me.  She wasn't too happy about it, but got over it pretty fast.

Funny thing. 
We did an Easter Egg Hunt at the house.  I placed eggs (filled with prizes and candies) all over the first floor.  What I didn't realize it that I had some cookie ingredients set out too.  Without thinking, Jon grabbed a raw egg off the counter, believing he found a hidden one.  Two seconds later he figure out his mistake and put it back on the counter, but didn't make sure it was secured.  Of course, it rolled off the counter and broke!  I am just glad he didn't place it in his bag with the rest of the plastic eggs!

Fun weekend!

April 16th

Even though it's already mid-April, the temperatures are staying low.  This whole week was mostly rainy.
On Thursday Intel provided us with four free tickets to the very first Timbers home game.  Tim was very excited to go and agreed to take three kids with him, but then it didn't look so appealing the night of the game.  It poured down pretty much all day and only got worse when they got to the game.  Their section was not under any covers either.  All the seats were wet, so no one would sit down. Everyone stood up the entire game.
Tim made a wise decision and left shortly before the end of the game.  With 19,000 fans there, many drinking, and most heading to the MAX station after the game, he would've regretted staying any longer.
BTW, Timbers won!

On Friday Larissa had a science fair at school.  Her project didn't win any major recognition, but that doesn't matter.  The only issue I had was that some kids clearly had their parents make the presentation for them!  Larissa was given the project to work on and the materials to use, whereas some kids had projects off the list and some elabarate supplies.  Oh, well, I wonder who will actually learn from the experiments... Kids or their parents (who did it for them)?

On Saturday, another run, lacrosse game, kids playing outside...
Gabe had a birthday to go to, Tim committed to trying another recipe for making Russian Borscht, the rest just enjoyed the evening and caught up on some TV shows.
Oh, yeah, soup was great.  Even Gabe who eats practically nothing, complimented the chef.

On Sunday we all headed to the Hillsboro Mail library to get some books and to feed the ducks. 

Larissa got all dressed up, planning on joining her friend at a church later in the day.  A pretty dress, hair is curled, white stockings...  Well, that didn't last long.  Twenty minutes into hanging out by the pond, she wiped out.  Knees skinned, wrist and chin scratched, stockings ripped... That's Riss for you.

To finish the weekend, Larissa and I volunteered at the Pass-it-On sale to benefit Eastwood PTA. Four hours of sorting old clothes is about all I can take in one sitting!