Vial Villa

Robust and loving it!

2011-07-07T23:20:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in a while, alas, summer has hit with a smashing success. The Vial family reunion has happened, lovely time. I took a million pictures, so if you want to see some, look on Paula's blog. I will have to add more memory to my computer before I can add anymore pix.
I was looking at facebook on my sister in law Cara's, page and a friend of hers sent her a link to a KSL news story regarding mothers of twins being more robust and living longer. Hah! That's just so flattering. Here it is if you want to read the details. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1009&sid=15414161
My favorite line is this one

"Most people's first thought would be, 'No that would take years away from your life(being a mother of twins),'" she said. "(But) if we can get through the first years of twins, we can get through anything."

Love it. BTW, Cara is due with her twins anyday. So excited. Wanted to make them these onesies, but alas (love that word), hers are boy/girl and it just wouldn't work. Though, don't be surprised if for Halloween or a Tuesday, you see mine sporting the shirts.

peace out. h

amy and michelle

2011-05-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

Are beautiful friends Amy and Michelle Lichtenstein came to play today and I had to take some snaps of them for their awesome mom, Carmen. Such awesome friends, thanks for playing with us.

excited for summer

2011-05-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

My goal this summer is to 1- get a tan, harder than it sounds, and 2- have fun with my kids.

Last summer was a nightmare of moving and remodeling and selling our home and Nic's company going *!@#*!

This summer I'm going to build me one of these and hang out in the yard. Come join me.

2011-05-17T22:55:00.000-07:00

I believe in pink

I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.

I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.

I believe that happy girls are the pretties girls.

I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles

-Audrey Hepburn

Spinach Orzo Salad

2011-05-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

I've found a salad that is awesome and several people have asked me for the recipe, so here goes. It's sort of made up, so I'm sure you can change it up however you like. I'm tempted to add grilled chicken and call it a one dish dinner.

SPINACH ORZO SALAD

Makes enough to have as a side or bring to a potluck for 10ish. Double/add more of what you like if you need more

2 cups Orzo pasta uncooked
1 pkg New Seasons Dressing (make up according to directions, I use EVOO and white wine vinegar)
1 pkg sun dried tomatoes (I prefer the dry/ it's cheaper and there's already oil in the dressing)
1/2 -1 cup crumbled feta (to taste.. I like lots)
1 pkg baby spinach (about 4 cups)

Make orzo to al dente, about 9 minutes boiling. Rinse cold. Make up dressing and combine with orzo. Add chopped tomatoes and feta. This can be made up ahead. Toss in spinach before serving.
Enjoy~
Hailey

a-MAY-zing

2011-05-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Kennedy's our champion athlete. She got an award for swimming this last year with the Hillsboro Heat Swimteam.

Sierra had her dance rehearsal, and will have her recital on Tuesday, so more photos to come (or not, since this is me.)

Mickey entertaining Bree and Ava and Grandma Vial.

The Jungle Safari theme song and dance. I love this dance group. Each performance has a theme, this one being Disneyland, and then the theme is recycled every five years, so they can reuse the costumes and songs. Love it!

This is Pirates of the Caribbean. Argghh!

This is Mulan and an actual Dragon dance. Awesome!

The "Introducing Princess..." Dance. Each girl was presented as a princess and then asked their dad/mom/grandma to dance. One dad was crying, it wasn't Nic.

The twins did the exact same numbers, just with a different class. Just as adorable the second time.

Here's the Aladdin dance.

And more pretty princesses...

Is this Gorilla enough for you?

2011-05-03T20:16:00.001-07:00

This is my kids favorite so far. These are killing me!

my kids are loving these

2011-05-03T19:47:00.001-07:00

Mystery Bird for Rich

2011-05-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

***Thanks Caitlin for showing me these!**** See her blog for another---->

"easter spoils" or "paying the mommy tax"

2011-05-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

This is me and the girls breaking open the Easter spoils at the Vial grandparents Easter Insanity Eggstravaganza.

This is also me claiming my rights to my mommy taxes of laffy taffy's and twixes. Yumm...

monday pix

2011-05-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

random pix

2011-04-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

So, I'm going to start randomly throwing out here pix from my trip to england.

Much less intimidating that way ;)

Sheri, here lovely daughters and me at the Roman Baths in Bath, England.

new nephew

2011-04-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have a new nephew. Beautiful Jayden was born on April 6th. Isn't he and his momma, Hai, gorgeous.

Welcome to the family, handsome!

For my lego loving nephews & nieces

2011-04-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

While googling "illustrated scriptures," this awesomeness appeared.
www.brickofmormon.com

new picture site

2011-03-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

Hi,
I'm finding that I'm more involved in the picture bragging part of blogging, versus the monologuing.
So, I've started a different site

www.vialvilla.shutterfly.com

So, I'll be updating that with pix of my kids and such, more than blabbing here.

Thank you and have a lovely day.

H

p.s. I'm outta here in like 4 days. I'm kind of freaking out?!! So excited. Did you ever see that commercial for Disneyland where the kids can't sleep cause they are so excited? Yeah, that's me.

England Favs

2011-02-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

I leave for England in less than a month.

I"m kind of freaking out, because I've been getting ready for months and now all of a sudden I'm procrastinating making the final details. weird, but oh so excited.

If you have been to England, what were some of your favorite things to see or do?

I'm very excited to see Bath and London, but mostly to be immersed in my friends Sheri and Erin and their families. It feels very dear to see them because of how far away they are.

On a side note:

Kennedy got an awesome camera with all the birthday money she received. Here she is at her swim meet with her all weather camera. She's awesome.

christmas, I know, it's a little late

2011-01-20T14:15:00.000-08:00

Portlandia

2011-01-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't quite figured out the picasa photo storage question, so the pictures of Christmas, the girls dance recital, and Kennedy's birthday this last week will have to wait until I want to put some brain power into researching it. Until then, I'm spending my spare moments researching everything ENGLAND! I'm going to England in March to visit to friends, a bridesmaid, Erin (in London), and my maid of honor, Sheri (in Cambridge), and their children and all the lovely sites I've been reading about/drooling over in Jane Austen books and movies.
So I really need to figure out the photo storage question by then, cause I just got a new memory card for my camera that holds 4300 pictures! Who-rah!
So, we don't have tv or cable, but I heard on the radio that Fred Armesen of SNL is pitching a show called "Portlandia." So I looked it up on HULU, and yes, it's about quirky Portland. It's funny in that I live here and we have these types of "characters" all over town. And, yes, the bit about the pedigree of the chicken they were going to eat was humorous. But what I liked about it the most (not that I loved the show, more like humored it and probably will never watch it again) was the lighting. It was filmed here, so they got the locations exactly right, but the lighting in the stores, and outside was perfect. We may be overcast and rainy a lot, but there's a lovely glow from the sun in the evenings. Not like the blaring sun of LA. I always thought that was fake until I went to CA.
Anywho, here's a clip is you want to see Portland exaggerated.

zurbert

2011-01-04T15:33:00.000-08:00

Fun pix of Chris and Kenne, and my niece Zuri, being awesome.

merry christmas

2010-12-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Ava twirling

2010-12-01T12:37:00.001-08:00

The best part about this is what you can't see. Ava and Bree keep watching this over and over again screaming, "I'm surfing!!" and "Ava, you're awesome!!!"

thanksgiving

2010-12-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

I hosted my siblings and their families and my mom and step dad for thanksgiving.

It was fun to be with them and have them all to myself for three days. It felt like that movie "Dan in Real Life," but without the aerobics on the lawn and bowling. We did have a pretty awesome talent show and hit my Portland favs, Voodoo Donut, the Saturday Market, and Corbett Fish House.

I love this. They are wearing capes..and look at the commercial on the tv. awesome.

Hope you all had fun too, xoxo Hailey

Tucker took some awesome pix of my and my kin.

I have way more...but my picasa just said I have to buy more memory to host all these pix, so this to to be continued....

BLUE

2010-11-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

all hallows eve

2010-10-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

Here's our spooky crew:

Ava the darling lady bug. This was the costume from Kennedy's 1st Halloween, she was 10 months old and what Bree wore last year. It's definitely a favorite.

Bree is a pumpkin. I bought two of these when I was expecting the twins.

They are never in storage. They are worn daily. Awesome!

Kennedy Ann as Raggedy Ann. No one knew what she was. No one knew what she was last year when she dressed up really punk/cute either...she was Demi Lovato. See here.

I got to do CC's 1st grade class party. I had the kids make a Halloween finger puppet and dress each other as mummies with toliet paper. 1st graders are fun. She's a spider witch, and I'm Flo the Progressive Insurance girl. It was fun to make. I got to buy a bump-it type hair clip and put on way too much makeup.

CC and her friend.

Everyone tells me that CC is petite, which I don't see because she's always with the twins, unless I see her at school, and then it's obvious.

Thought this was awesome. Dewdrops on spiderwebs on a rosebud in October.

Very Tinkerbell.

Nic, aka Moses or the Geico Caveman, and me at the trunk-r-treat.

My friend Solana and her adorable little Jedi army.

Happy Halloween friends.

Things that make me smile...

2010-10-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

boring title

2010-10-28T22:54:00.000-07:00

Here's some pix of things we've been up to.

-got new boots

-vineyard's turning gold

- -learning to walk Dutch the cow

-got a new close up lens, and yes, that is a zit on my nose. Great lens huh~

regretsy

2010-10-21T21:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Regretsy,

You made me laugh so hard I peed my pants....literally.
Thanks... I needed a good laugh.
Sincerely,
Hailey

http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/21/terror-cotta/
“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward had a wooden doll head. Second, there was a part of him – and I think it might have just been his arms – that was made from pipe cleaners. And third, he was unconditionally and irrevocably a flower pot.”

playsley vs. spongebob

2010-10-11T19:34:00.000-07:00

Every night, while I'm making dinner, I am entertained by the soothing sunsets out my window and Paisley, who my twins call Playsley. I decided that dinner could be a little late tonight, and I wandered outside with my camera to hang with Playsley and take some shots of what I think looks a lot like scenes from the Keira Knightly "Pride and Prejudice."

the farm life

2010-10-07T10:35:00.001-07:00

I'm in love with this kid

2010-09-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

We got to hold and kiss and coo over our new nephew and cousin, Tucker Weston, or Baby Ton.

So cute.

We are just a part of his huge fan club. Congrats Tucker and Alicia!

for Hai

2010-08-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have a whole bunch more I'll email to you, but I think these are my favorites!

more lovely weddingness

2010-08-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

My favorite pix of all night. Shelby tossed the bouquet and it landed on the awning behind her. They got a ladder and a broom and had to knock it off and redo the toss. Awesome!!!

Kennedy and Kate and MJ putting on some moves

Sis in law Cara, her Amery and my Bree

Niece MJ and her saucy backward glance

Jake, my big brother

Cara and Lindy(she's the baby)

Raine-drop

My Dad and stepmom Linda and the bride and groom, obviously ;)

Sweet Lily

End of party pix

My Mom and Steve and the grandkids

CC and her cousin Milo were dancing together all night and she cried on the way home already missing him.

Shelby's wedding

2010-08-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

My beautiful baby sister married Nick Livingston earlier this month in Maui, 8/9/10. Very romantic and peaceful from the pictures.

I will just put a couple pix on here, I stayed up until 4am last night reading Mockingjay. good read.

anywhoo, she is a lovely bride and a good sport and I wish her and her Nick all the happiness and good fortune I can (yes, that's going to get confusing for my kids, but they already have two Grandma Paula's, so they'll live).

I love you Goober. You are beautiful.

quick update

2010-08-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Howdy,
quick what we're up to...

design delima..dillima..del-ima

2010-07-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

Dear World at Large,

(Aka, you dear reader)

I'm tired, have a headache, and have not had anything with sugar in it for close to 3 weeks now, and my foot is still fat and hurting. Needlesstosay (is that one word?) I'm stumped on researching things for remodeling this house and the next.

Could you help me out with some websites?

I'm looking for

-great wallpaper...nothing you'd find in the catalogs at the paint store,

- mud room/laundry room designs,

- and galley kitchens.

Thanks,

Kankle Jones

aka. me

Our new normal

2010-07-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

I'm borrowing this title from my friend Carrie's past post. With my house dotted with boxes and flip flops and random things, I feel like I have to explain the madness to people who stop by. We are still boxing up the Lady M house, thanks to a craigslisters and Trevee for their free boxes! I'm slowly emptying out rooms and reducing what we own. I've taken over this house, and Nic gets the Lodge. He's building a shower/bath in the basement and we just picked up an awesome vanity/sink combo from costco. Michelle, I would love to get pix on here, soon! Nic's working daily at our company, Grow Construction, running the Hilcrest Apts and other rental properties, managing the Wall Street warehouse space, and in the evening he's remodeling the Lodge. I feel very tired just thinking of all he does. So most nights he just comes in and lays on the floor and the girls sort of just jump on him and scream in his ear.
I'm on a no sugar, dairy or vinegar diet because my candida is making my right foot toxic and swollen. I went to urgent care after CC's birthday party last week and they said I had a cellulial infection (it took the doc all of 3 minutes to look at my foot and pronounce that). So I took the antibiotics and kept off my feet like she said (cause I have nothing better to do, right?) and nothing good happened. I got a raging yeast infection and a huge cankle. boo. So I went to my witchdoctor, Dr. Demaris (he's actually a chiropractor, but does emotional release and naturpathic medicine, he's a genius and LDS), and he says it's toxins and candida overdose. Right now, Nic is massaging my fat foot. He's amazing. It's painful, but it helps show my bones again.
The girls are hanging in there. Kennedy's at a girl scout day camp all week (thank heavens!). She's the one that needs constant attention, or she goes straight to the tv. She comes home everyday telling me about all the other girls' injuries, fascinating. CC's sixth birthday was on the 14th, and with it so close to the 4th of July we usually combine parties. So this year's birthday party was small and lowkey, and at the end she looked up at me and asked where her fireworks were?
My stepbro Jack and his wife Jo and their kids came and stayed with us last week. Sooo fun to hang out with them and get to go to the zoo and share CC's birthday with them.

Upcoming events I hope to have on here, but might not... Shave Ice booth at the fair next week, and Shelby's wedding reception in Utah in August.

sweet baby raine

Jo and the kiddos

The daddies taking their girls for a ride.

Ava having a pout.

MJ and her locks of sunshine

Kavy

Rainbow

Raine, Jack, and Kate

CC hanging out

Celebrating the 3rd of July with a pinata and fireworks.

Ava was elated that she was the one to break the pinata! So excited she forgot to get the candy.

I took the Newmyer family picture 2010. We usually do a pix of our clan, but didn't.

should be doing a million other things, so of course, I'm going to blog

2010-07-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

I know that's a long title, but really, it's how I'm feeling.
We having really started to move process, and what a process it is.
Nic is at the "Lodge" house remodeling the bedrooms and basement bathroom. He's doing it on weekends, nights, and in between work, and he's awesome! It's looking great.
I'm in charge of the "Lady Marion" house and am filling up the garage with all the boxes and junk we own. It's so much easier to toss stuff when you have to move it, again, and realize, "Hey, I didn't use you in the last two years since I moved you last...you are history."
I've made several runs to the DI truck down the street, without the kiddos knowing what was being left behind. We had a close call yesterday when I opened the truck and out spewed toys I had dropped off a few days earlier. Thankfully the girls weren't looking and I had time to shove them back in.
They, the monsters, have been really patient with me and the boxes. Next week I box up their rooms, so we'll see how that goes.
The goal, finish enough of the lodge to move out of lady marion and get this cleaned up and on the market Aug 1.
So here's my question for you, ever done "For Sale By Owner"?
that's one of the million things I should be doing. If you have, give me some tips, I feel like I'm lost at sea.

On a tangent, Nic and I spent an amazing week in Washington DC last month. Props to Melissa, Caitlin, and Gramma Paula V for watching the girls. It was amazing to be able to see all the smithsonians by myself while nic was in meetings. Chelle and Anders, and the Virginia Vials with their hand me down dog Kelso (he used to be mine).
So many pictures, I'm talking about 800, so I'll work on the slideshow when I want to procrastinate later, I'm starting to feel guilty about not packing or researching selling my home, so I'm going to wrap this up.
Awesome Family reunions, I even got my first black eye ( I will post that pix, just kidding, I tried and I can't get pix on here, weird).
Hope you are all having an awesome summer. Come see us at the pool!
Hailey

embarrassing baby photos of nic

2010-05-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure for about the last year of going through my mom in laws endless supply of old photos and saving them digitally. It has been so fun to see my family in all it's different shapes and sizes and colors. They have such an interesting history to hear, but to see is just that much more special. So, I am going to start putting on here my favorites.
Starting with a naked baby pic of my man. Yes, he still has a great back side! And yes, that hat is enough to make an outfit.

This is where I wish I could insert caption bubbles. This would say, "Hey baby." In an Elvis voice of course.

This is Nic's uncle Mike and Nic.

Nic/CC and Chelle/Maddie at bathtime.

From left to right, Kevin, Heatherlee, Alicia, Tia, Leslie?, Emilee?, Chelle, and Donovan

A generation of boys, middle two are Grandma Arlene & Mike, and Paula & Nic.

Paula, Heather, Gma Wright, Tina, and sleepy Nic

Endorsements

2010-05-24T00:09:00.000-07:00

I have often thought about different products/things I like, "I wish someone had told me sooner." So, I'm going to give my non-celebrity endorsement for some of my favs.

Nail Magic! This is an amazing nail growth/strengthener/repairer that is a local company started out of Sisters, Oregon. It's in this ugly little box on the very top shelf at Fred Meyers and Walgreens, and has absolutely no advertising other than word of mouth. And it's been around for 30 years. A couple months ago I was on a quest to get back my nice nails. Not vain, but I've always appreciated my nails and like them strong and healthy. I asked around and even googled. Just name brand stuff, with no real results. Until one magical day I asked a friendly Freddies sales clerk that had nice nails, and out spewed her non-celebrity endorsement for Nail Magic. So I spent my $5.99, and at first, my nails continued to peel and I had to keep them short, but I keep applying it. And, voila, a month or so later, my nails are long and strong and healthy!

And secondly, Oren Lavie. Haunting, beautiful, simple, good music. Amazing video. Wishing I had curly auburn hair and amazing sleepwalking skillz.

update shmupdate

2010-05-22T00:45:00.000-07:00

I've been a little busy, so please bear with me on what might turn out to be a really long post. I've got a lot stored up.

CC, Ava and Bree had their spring dance recital. Adorable. The teachers, Miss Sunny and Miss Heidi are amazing and have such a talent for teaching and inspiring these little girls. I know every mom gets to say this, so it doesn't really mean anything, but I'll say it anyway. My kids were the best. They were so happy and did their best and I am so glad that they love dance. I started dancing at a really early age in a basement dance studio, and have loved dance my entire life. If I could find a dance program for adult women, I'd join in a minute. Spandex and all.
Here's my little patriots in their star-speckled finery.

I got a new camera, and with it comes video. It's awesome, so here's one or two clips of the dance recital. (Just kidding. It's been awhile since I've used blogger and I can't find the video button...any advice? Kenni? How do you get video on here?)

Well, in the meantime, here's some of the kids and the gorgeous weather we've had.

Here's Nic's birthday and him making me birdhouses with the girls for mother's day.

Random updates:

Kennedy's back to elementary school. We both gave homeschooling as good a shot as we could, but it wasn't working. That seems to be a theme in our lives right now. Give it your all and know when to stop. She is really happy to be back and has been able to stand up for herself against the bully at her school. The teacher called me to let me know of the incident and that K was able to go to the teacher and tell her that she was not okay with the situation. I've very proud of her and am grateful that we had those six months together to learn and grow. I definitely appreciate teachers more and am more dedicated to following up with her class and homework. Which leads me into the next update.

We're moving.

Sometime in the summer we are going to relocate to the family farm in Hillsboro. Nic and the girls are in heaven. They will be going to the school Nic went to, and we'll be neighbors with Nic's siblings.

I'm sad to leave this beautiful house. It really is my dream home. I love my tub. It has an awesome view of the Tualatin valley, and at night the city lights twinkle. And the toy room is perfect for the kids and the storage is great for me...and the basement is awesome, and the yard is beautiful, and the neighborhood is quiet and clean and peaceful....and...and...it's home. I love curling up on my "Jane Austen" couch by the fire and feel all british 1900's. I love the huge windows in the kitchen/living room. Even on rainy days, which there always are, there's light and space.

So, if you know anyone that wants a beautiful 4+ bedroom, 3.5 bath home on a hill in Tigard, send them my way.

view out my back deck of the morning mist.

So, now I'm packing up things slowly, we are not going far so it's more of a purging before we move. I have tossed a lot of toys and I almost got away with tossing Nic's college text books, but there's sentimental value in those apparently ;)

We've been in the Fanno Creek ward for seven years. I am having mixed feelings about that. We've had three of our four kids in this ward. I'm currently primary pres and feeling like I'm abandoning my little flock of monkeys (flock? maybe herd of cats is better).

I've got some wonderful friends in the ward and feel very lucky to already know many people in the ward we are moving to.

I've had this constant thought building in my wee brain. With the economy changing, people are changing. It's spreading people out to different locations, out of our comfort zone, to new situations. It's been interesting just to see the exodus happening in my ward of people moving away for jobs. These are interesting times and I am constantly in awe of how resilient and resourceful people are. There's more to this thought, but it's almost 1a.m. and my brain is slowly shutting down.

With money being tight I've found a new hobby in Couponing. It's like a competitive sport for housewives. I log on to hip2save.com almost daily to see what deals I can get at the stores nearby and what coupons I want to print out. I've only been doing it for a couple months, but you should see my shelves. They are full, and I've spent the same as I always do. Now the trick is to spend less than I usually do.

Today I went to Walgreens, got 2 packs of gum and a shower gel. After a couple coupons and a rebate thingy, FREE. It's crazy.

My friend calls the short term hobbies that women take up, "Mommy Hobbies". It's difficult to keep up a mommy hobby for several reasons. Take scrapbooking: you get it all out, start to work, kids need to be fed, come back, someone's used all your tape or stickers, distraction, distraction, distraction. Until finally you box it all up again to get out "when the kids are in school or I have a room to myself with a lock." I'll give you a picture of my Mommy Hobbies; crochetting and knitting, scrapbooking, photography, college courses, interior design, cake decorating, canning, card making, dieting, etc. Nothing can be sustained because that's not my focus right now. "A time and a season".

When the twins were first born, and for the next two years, I kept repeating that. I had no room left in my brain for anything other than the basics of living. Slowly I was able to add in personal time and develop some talents.

I think I'll burn out at some point, but I am loving the challenge of getting a great savings and I am really obnoxious about saving my receipts to show Nic. Like the cat that drags in her dead mouse to show off, I shove the receipt in his face and make sure he reads aloud my savings at the bottom. For the most part cashiers are very helpful and friendly. There's a couple ladies at Walgreens that are my cheerleaders. They ask me how much I saved at the end of my transaction, and have helped me through the process. I did have a rough trip to Target the other night. The gal was flat out rude and just wanted to get off shift (and not to subtle about it). But I was assertive and asked for a manager and got my coupons used.

wow, I should have separated these monologues. That's what I get for not posting for a month. I love reading and seeing your lives on your blogs.

Please keep us in your prayers, you are in mine, Hailey

2010-05-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

so hard to update...have too many pictures...not enough time.

we are alive and kicking, and to chelle, maybe this was the same night you were up at 2am....me too.

my fav craigslist post of the day

2010-04-15T22:07:00.001-07:00

portland craigslist > north coast > for sale / wanted > furniture - by owner

Thanks for flagging.

Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any deal involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, cashier check, money order, shipping, escrow, or any promise of transaction protection/certification/guarantee. More info

really nice coffin

Date: 2010-04-14, 5:14PM PDT
Reply to: sale-twnuf-1691255896@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

hi i thought my grandma was going to die of old age, (98) so i thought it would be nice to go ahead and buy her a really nice solid oak coffin with beautiful light pink velvet inside.
that happens to be 3000 dollars and 4 years ago, i am tired of waitng i lost my job and really need the money, and she for some reason wants to be cremated, so i made her a yern out oy a mailbox, and some barb wire. its actually pretty sweet, i would have to post pics to explain it. anyways im looking for 1000 bucks, the coffin is 4 feet wide by 5 and a half feet long, she weighs 409 pounds. so the yern is about the size of a 5 gallon bucket, thats what i was told 15 pounds of ashes would fit in.
so if you think some short fat person is going to die in your family soon, this is the coffin for you. will trade for quad, or mudder
thank you,
brad generlky

2010-04-15T16:31:00.001-07:00

2010-04-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Aprilpalooza

2010-04-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

Hi.
We have been to Utah and back and have the pictures to prove it. There's too many to post, so I've been uploading them to picassa, but now have no idea what to do with them there. Any ideas?

I sold the camera in my least favorite craigslist deal, but am still excited about the new camera that's on it's way here.

I'll leave you with my favorite Utah pix, and try and get some kind of slideshow going of the rest of them.
peace out, h

My Camera

2010-04-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted for a month, and believe me, there is plenty to show for our lovely last month, but I'll get to that later.
Right now, I'm selling my best friend, D40. It's the camera I've used to take all these awesome pictures from the last yearish. In a fit of madness, I won a D90 on ebay last night (and yes, I didn't buy one, I WON it. That just sounds as exciting as the ebay process really is.)
So, I need to sell the D40 to pay for a portion of my scary new friend D90 (I've very intimidated).

I've posted a craigslist ad, but if you know of anyone who wants to join the SLR nation, have them take a look at my ad.

It's been a great camera, no problems, ever. I got it off ebay, and have loved it! This was (is) my first SLR, and has just enough scary buttons to make me learn more, but not enough to make me afraid to use it. And if all else fails, the AUTO button works excellently!

Hope you are having a lovely April day!
XOXO Hailey

my favs this last week or so

2010-03-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

This weeks favs:

*twin 4 year old birthdays

*big sister jealousy

*and bad haircuts

(I haven't decided if I'll take pictures of the styles that are now being sported by Ava and CC. One was attacked by her twin,

and the other was inspired by that butchering and went to town on her bangs.)

We had a rockin' 4 year old party for A & B on the 1st.

(I've noticed I plan less for their birthdays because it's the first day of the month, and I don't have it on the calendar to stare at all month.)

Here's pix of the posse at the local Burger King

(they have a killer playplace, and I don't have to clean!)

What happens when a big sister gets scissors and a little jealous.

We made Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

They were more brownish-pink velvet, but tasted great.

OTHER FAVS: itunes genius

I just have to say that I love the itunes function Genius. It rocks. I can be listening to a great song and desire to listen to similarly awesome songs and with a touch of a button, *poof*, more great songs. Love it. You apple people are great. Your bleeding me dry, but I am drinking your Kool-Aid, and asking for seconds.

the twins birthday surprise

2010-03-01T08:32:00.000-08:00

They are both still upstairs in their room dancing naked with balloons.
Jealous?
Me too.

butterflies, boating, and the girliest little boy cake ever...

2010-02-26T21:13:00.000-08:00

We got Kennedy a butterfly pavilion for Christmas and she sent away for the caterpillars. She has been taking care of them and they just hatched from their crysalis. Here's the finished product.

We took the kids on a canoe ride in gramma and grandpa Vial's backyard, and I'll I can say is that CC had fun. You can't see it so well in the pictures, but there was a lot of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth goin' on in that little boat.

This is my nephew Victor, who's 6.

This is everyone celebrating Victor's birthday.

And this is his very girlie cake. Tasted good.

i heart sesame street

2010-02-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

The girls and I wake up to Sesame Street and are rewarding with witty ditties like these.

I wish you could see the full version of the Jimmy Fallon episode.

Awesome.

I've previously posted my fav with Feist on it, but Mr. Ricky's "Celebrity Lullabye" is a close second.

Good Morning to You!

p.s. "Mr. Ricky's done enough."

2010-02-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

A few months ago we did a photo shoot with my brother in law, Tucker, and I never got around to posting the shots. The pictures should speak for themselves on how awesome a photographer he is, but let me just plug a little for him here. He is so good with kids. My girls are a bunch of crazy monsters, especially when all together, but Tucker handled them magically. They were entertained, and felt so special when it was their turn to sit by themselves. He has started his own biz, so if you are in the market for an amazing photograph of you and the kids, leave me a comment and I'll connect you.

for rich and paula

2010-02-11T11:39:00.001-08:00

The Vial family farm house is being remodeled. It seems that anywhere I go, someone either knows my inlaws, or has been to the farm house. (Yesterday at the girls' dance class someone asked if I was related to Bishop Vial, her parents are Reynolds, I think.)

Here's some shots of the work and destruction. The first is my favorite, the outside is now inside.

Used my sb 400 flash for this.

2010-02-09T23:27:00.000-08:00

Me : Did one of you fart, it smells funny?

K : NOOOOO!!!!!

CC : No, but I did at school....but nobody smelled it.

astoria weekend

2010-01-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

I have a crush on Astoria. It's small and interesting and beautiful and wet and I just like it. I think it fits my idea of what an authentic NW beach town should be. Plus Goonies and Kindergarten Cop were filmed there, need I say more?
Nic and I took K and CC to stay in a yurt for the weekend a couple years back. We were attacked by raccoons that trip and found the best fish-n-chips in the world, Bowfingers.
So, we took off for the weekend and stayed again at Fort Stevens, this time in our sweet pea green Prowler trailer *minus heat* and it turned out to be a cold one, but my resourceful man bought us some space heaters for the next night! We hit the Astoria Column, and Nic made ALL of us walk all the way up. You don't see Kennedy in the family pix, because she was clinging to the side. I'm very proud of her, I didn't go last time.
We hit Bowfingers, and it still claims the title of "Best fish-n-chips in the world". Found a consignment shop and cleaned them out of all their size 9 and 10 little girl shoes. The trolley that runs along the coast wasn't operating, it's seasonal, but we walked the piers and went to a beautiful drive to Long Beach, Wa. Found some shells, spun some cookies, and collected drift wood for our tin foil dinners.
Lovely trip. Lovely family. Nice to be just a six pack of crazies (notice the All-American Freeze Out pic.)

grrr...

2010-01-24T21:14:00.000-08:00

I used to be really computer savvy, in my former pre-Mrs. Vial phase, I was actually a computer programmer.. .I know go figure. So, I can't seem to figure out how come I can see those stupid hair pix and you can't. Sorry.

Sidenote, I was reading in the front room (The Lovely Bones, can't put it down) when all of a sudden there was a strange noise in the pantry tonight. I asked, "Who's out there?"
No reply
"Who's in the pantry?"
"No one" a little voice answers.

My Sarah Palin Do...or Don't

2010-01-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking of changing up my hair, and instyle.com has a fun makeover program that came up with these.

And my Sarah Palin makeover

{Sunday, Monday, Happy Days}

2010-01-14T21:22:00.000-08:00

Here's some shots of the last month, Christmas, wedding prep, cousins, cousins, and Eddie (technically a cousin, but so darn cute he gets his own mention).

Kennedy and I went on a field trip for homeschool to the Portland Art Museum. There's a sweet/weird exhibit about China's new art revolution and we got to see a special exhibit of just one painting, Raphael's "The Woman with the Veil." Very beautiful.

Cousin Spencer and his gorgeous baby, Lily.

Grandma Vial, K-diddy and I after I botched K and I's piano recital duet. I'm blaming it on stage fright, and not enough practice on my part.

MACY!!! You're so cute!

Kennedy practicing out of water diving.

Caitlin's inner tigress! Rarrr....

Anders seeing just how much water he can get on him. He did a good job.

Anders and CC, hugging goodbye

Jacob, Cassandra, Teresa, Brig, Eddie, Bree, and a partridge in a pear tree on bikes.

Triplets

Obligatory Christmas Stairs Shot

Brig and Eddie

Bree and Maddie

Eddie and Brig

Jacob's Gloves from grandpa

The beautiful Stewart women, Hazel, Ashley, and Aunt Heather

"If you like it then you shoulda putta ring on it..."

"Do you believe in love at first sight....."

"Or should I walk by again!"

natelin's wedding

2010-01-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

Nate and Caitlin had the funnest wedding, on Jan 2, 2010. Here's some shots, I was in the line, so I didn't get to take as many as I would have liked to, and I'm think I'm thoroughly through with how slow my shutter speed is, but I digress.

I'm not going to caption these, but I'll say it was a beautiful, packed, party, and the colors were awesome. Bright, fun, lovely.
My twins were the flower girls, and for some much better shots of everyone, check out caitlin's blog for her slideshow.

Insanely Adorable Christmas Photos

2009-12-17T21:12:00.000-08:00

I wasn't exaggerating, these are the three most adorable little Christmas dancers....ever. They just did their first recital at Miss Heidi's dance, and it was so sweet and they really did learn a lot in just a few months. Here's my endorsement, having four girls, this is our fourth dance group we've tried out and it has been the best for many reasons. If you are looking for a great dance school for your girl, look her up.

This one's for Paula, "Where's my Dot?"

Swirling Snowflakes

Santa Baby

"So be good for goodness sake!"

Snowball fight!

I love this shot, I got Ava right before it hit her face.

This is why my 5 year old is having a hard time believing in Santa this year. She told me he wasn't real because "he looks like the guy that was sitting by Ella at lunch."

I took the triplets to the childrens museum for the Clifford exhibit. They had so much fun Clifford for them to play with they didn't want to see the rest of the museum. CC loved playing "mailman" and CC hung out with Emily Elizabeth. And, of course, we made it to the makeup station, always. We never leave that place without some war paint.

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap

2009-12-04T19:49:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with my Mom and stepdad Steve and little brother Kirby.
For homeschool, Kennedy came up with some awesome decorations. We printed out little squirrel cut outs and logs from Martha Stewart online and she cut them out and filled them with nuts. Then she made a sweet "Mayflower" veggie platter out of squash and veggies. She is very artistic.
My mom brought her dogs, and they were prepared for Oregon with their very own raincoats.

For Kenni and Amy D, my prego sis in laws

2009-12-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Here's some sweet tees for those beautiful bellies of yours!

Condensed Soup

2009-11-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

Here's another "condensed" version of what we've been up to. I'm hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year. My mom and stepdad are coming up from Utah, and my little brother from Seattle. I'm super excited to cook "Hawaiian Turkey", it's wrapped in banana leaves and covered in Hawaiian salt (it you want the recipe, let me know!)

I'm 29 again, and celebrated with friends who like to dress up and pretend they're monsters as much as I do.

I started homeschooling Kennedy last week. It's going well, I'm learning a lot, and we are both enjoying spending more time together. My motivation for doing this was Kennedy weight and self esteem were both in crisis, and I feel that this is the right thing for her for now. I am not planning on homeschooling after this year. Our goal is to have a positive experience together, to learn nutrition, and to exercise so that when 4th grade starts next fall, Kennedy will be ready and happy to start school again.
I am not homeschooling Sierra, although today she said she wants to. I don't think she understands that Kennedy still has to do schoolwork. It's a little tricky on timing, with the twins and CC half day schedules, but it's working for now. And if anything, I'm just loving that Kennedy wants to be with me. There will come a time, all too soon, where she will not. So, for now we are learning together, this week it's Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, the illustrated Doctrine and Covenants, and fractions. Good times!

Last week, I got to take her to the Pittock Mansion for a field trip. I was loving all the wallpaper and beautiful views, and this is what she told her Dad that she got out of it, "Those people were SHORT!" (Their beds were itty bitty, and low to the ground.)

2009-11-01T20:37:00.000-08:00

We had a festive October, and here's how it ended. We had a great visit from our college friends, Robyn and Andy Young. Their first daughter, Hannah, was born just 3 months before Kennedy, and they lived in our same apartment complex at Oregon State. They've since moved back to Utah, and had three more girls. We thought that was funny.

Hannah and Kennedy, we celebrated Hannah's 9th birthday together.

This is their sweet Becca.

We did our primary program in sacrament meeting. It went so well. The kids memorized their parts and kept their wiggly bodies under control and sang loud and I only cried a little. Since being called as primary president in the summer, I've been dreading the program. But once it was over I was completely amazed at how well it turned out. Simple and sweet and sincere.
So, I took class pictures and here's my favorite group shot of the whole primary (minus about 10 kids).

I got to be a chaperone for CC's pumpkin patch field trip. I love hanging out with this kid. I got to meet some of her friends' moms and discovered that CC is as talked about in their homes as her "guy" friends are in ours.

Nic and I took Bob the Tomato's (see below) parents out for Melissa's birthday. We went to Brassier Montemarte in Portland for it's "soft opening." Nic's cousin Emily is a manager their and we got to see his Aunt Tamie and Cousin Heatherlee. Its was delicious, the best French onion soup I've ever had.

Trunk or treating at the church. We had Kennedy going as "Devi Lovato" and if you don't know who that is, congratulations, you're not a tween.
CC got the most original award at our house with requesting to be "Skippy Jon Jones," the siamese cat that thinks he's a chihuahua. Awesome.
Ava was a beautiful princess, with curls and makeup, and Bree was a ladybug, a recycled costume from when Kennedy was one.

This is Bob the Tomato from Veggietales, a.k.a., Sophie

We celebrated with Nic's cousins for their baby's 1st birthday party. I love parties that have 30 adults and 10 kids.
Oakley was and is a doll. She was a kitty, and what killed me, was that all four of her grandparents were mice.

Here are her insanely pretty parents, Cam and his discounted mail order bride Yakiko, aka Jenny.

Christine and her awesome lashes.

And to finish off the post, Mooseman as a Moose!

The Answer

2009-10-20T23:07:00.000-07:00

I've been asked lately "what have you guys been up to?" and here's the answer....

Took some pix of the lovely Natelin

Kennedy and Sierra sporting their school colors

Hayride with the girls at the apple barn.

Decorating for halloween turns into super hero training.

Cheering on Nic during his bike race. Kennedy even made those sweet signs!

We got to take Kennedy to Conference in SLC, this is us with the SLC Temple in the background.

Lindy, my niece, giving me the stink eye.

My mom, sister and sister-in-laws. My mom, sister and I all look a like. So whenever I wonder what I would look like as a blond, I can just look at them.

Amery, stink eye's big sister.

Grandpa Lyle and Grandma Linda with the monsters. The twins have figured out that they have 3 grandpas and 3 grandmas, and love them all!

Aunt Stephanie gave the girls haircuts. The exact same haircut. So from behind, we can't tell who is who.

Julie and Parker cheering on their biking man, Grant, who rode the century ride with Nic, Alica, and Tucker. No pix of Alicia and Tucker due to the extreme wreakage that occurred on mile 42.

The girls all pick their own outfits now, so it's just very "Bree" of Bree to have a cheetah dress with matching cheetah pants, orange socks and lime green flip flops. Ava and CC's outfits were just as creative.

Rain and thunder drew all the little girls to the window on Saturday morning. It was so loud, car alarms went off in the neighborhood.

CC was really into playing dice with us.

Nic's Century Ride

2009-10-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

My man rocks. Here he is sporting his new shirt he got finishing a 103 mile bike ride.
Nic took up biking this spring and he goal was to finish this race.

Nic -You're not as fun to blog about, so I usually don't. Not that you're boring or anything, but you have four daughters to compete with for blog attention. But I had to put this on here, I'm just so darned proud of you!
Congrats babe!

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far....

2009-09-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

I remember every boy I ever had a crush on.

I remember my first, Eric Meek, who lived behind my house and whose older brother married us in the backyard after preschool one day. My kindergarten crush, J.D. Thurman, once kicked me because he didn't speak my language of flirt, i.e. taunting him at recess with his full name, John David. Sadly, I didn't mind the kick, but I did lose the crush. No worries, someone else held my attention moments later.
I held onto my 8th grade crush with such vehemence that even after we "broke-up", I still daydreamed about being his Sister or Mrs. ______. We'd play basketball together, he'd go on a mission, and I'd be that sweet spirit waiting for him to come home and marry me. (Insert here the Garth Brooks song about "Unanswered Prayers" being a blessing we didn't know we wanted.)

One "crush" was to a best friend in high school, whom I thought dearly of, and confused that with another sort of love. I caught him hugging, heavens forbid, my best girlfriend. That was it, instantly I deserted that crush and what remained was all friend. Sadly, moments later, and I'm not joking, within minutes I was in crush with another one of my best friends. If only my girlfriend had hugged her way through my college years, I'd have been better off. Maybe not, but it's worth a thought.

I thrived off the bi-polarness of being in like, I wasn't in any position to listen to anyone explain to me the different forms of like and love. It just was one, the one, the crush.

I spit all this out because of two things.

First, I have this unformulated theory about my kids. I like to look at them and say "_______, what are you going to have to deal with in this life that is
1: my fault but at least I understand it and can help you,
2: all your own but your dad can fix it, or
3:(the worst) something that I totally can't help you with and will feel helpless to help you overcome it."

There is this awesome Coldplay song (and you're right, every Coldplay song is awesome, but I digress) that says:
"The hardest part was letting go, not taking part. I tried to sing, but I couldn't think of anything."

Which, as a momma bear who is protective of her young, that is the hardest part of parenting. Let them do it their way. Knowing when to back off. Knowing when to say something, or having something to say.
I have great parents, who taught me a lot. But sadly when it came to boys, I didn't grasp enough or maybe I am just a slow learner and had to learn through life.
A college friend's mom, an angel, once told me that she liked me better when I didn't come around with my then boyfriend. I love it when people are blunt. I totally got it. I had tried breaking up with him, he tried dumping me, but we just kept finding our way back to each other. Like two magnets, but not in a good way. But having this momma tell me straight up, well, it helped, it sunk in.

And the second reason, and the point of all this madness, is that I think I've passed on this wretchedness to my daughter Sierra.
I was in her kindergarten class today helping out and noticed something. I recognized six of the boys names in the class because my little 5 year old has only mentioned them about a dozen times each. Little Daniel R., the paragon, was an adorable little kid with a prized medal pinned on his shirt. The twin brothers (remember the earlier post about the two boys who happen to have the same dad AND backback - what a coincidence, right?) they are these stout little guys with bashful smiles.
And the "cool" kid, Johnny, with his cool shoes and beautiful blue eyes. She doesn't even know the names of the girls in her class. I asked CC to go get a certain girl for me, and she didn't know who she was, but would send her other friend Reese in. Reese is a pretty cute little boy too.

So, what to do? Do I expound upon her the virtues of having lots of friends, girl or boy. Do I explain to her that she will like some more than others, but to keep it simple? Am I overkilling it? Yes, probably. But, it looks like history repeats itself in our children, and hopefully, from my mistakes and madness, I can help her through the highs and lows and tell her it's okay. You can be obsessed with boys, and still find one that can make all the rest seem like practice.

CC's thoughts on Kindergarten

2009-09-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Me: "How was school CC?"

CC: "There were these two boys and they had the same dad .... and the same backpack....and we didn't get to play and we didn't get to go potty...and no one got sent to the Principal's office... and one kid cried...and mom, the kid with the yellow hair has a Christmas tree that can fold up and he has a little door that can get to the t.v."

Gingerbread Haka vs. Timberlake's "Peg"

2009-09-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

Let me just preface these clips, first is the Gingerbread Haka. Nic and I are on a crazy vegan/detox diet for the next month. Veggies and fruit only. I'm not kidding. It's crazy hard and as a result, I'm craving carbs, and this clip just makes me laugh too.

The second is the SNL that was on last night. That justin Timberlake is amazing. Usually the Target lady skits are owned by Kristen Wiig and her great voice, but Timberlake's "Peg" wins hands down. He even had Kristen losing it mid-skit.

So here for you on a lovely monday, enjoy! And someone please eat a cookie for me ;)

Weekly update

2009-09-09T19:11:00.000-07:00

Busy week, where to start...

p.s. Today is Nic and I's 10 year anniversary, yep, 9-9-99, now 9-9-09. Cool anniversary date huh.

Portland To Coast Year 2

2009-09-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

Year 2 (I'm going to make this extremely brief but long, sort of like a run on sentence if it were a relay.)

Awesome, we had 12 great walkers, decorated my car to look like a pig, people were taking pictures of themselves with my car, which made me wildly giddy, I walked a 12.9 minute pace for 4+ miles, Tucker and Patrick beat me with their 11 minute paces, and their amazing "crouch walk", walked in the rain, and water dripping down my face, my husband was a stud, he and I are both down 30 lbs from last year, Melissa was a maniac and walked 15+ miles! Uphill, in the rain, with a vendetta to beat the girl in green. Couldn't walk for 2 days, all good now, can't wait for next year! phew!

Sunriver, chickmunks, and Natelin (oh my!)

2009-08-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely 4 day weekend at Sunriver with the fam and Natelin. Nic had an AGC convention to attend, so to entertain ourselves in Nic's absence, the girls and I went to Walmart in Bend to watch the carni's. I overheard a teenage boy and his mother talking in the menswear section, "But Mom, it don't match." and mom says, "Oh, son, camoflauge matches everything". Priceless!
Then to the Old Mill shopping center to get CC some new school clothes. The rest of the time was spent at playgrounds or trying to get them into the car. Seriously, when did it get so hard to corral them into the vehicle? It was easier when the twins couldn't walk and before CC learned to explain (I need to spend an entire post on CC and her propensity for explaining - I think it's the lawyer blood in her, she just needs to get her point across).

A big thanks for Auntie C and Uncle N for putting up with ALL of us. I'm sure they get just as sick of Nic and I as they do of the screeching howler monkeys they have for nieces.

On a lighter note, we were entertained by the chipmunks at our house, and I've got some cute pix of the monsters yelling at the chipmunks to come and eat the Nilla cookies from their hands. It sounded something like this, "Hey chipmunk, I's gots some cuuky for you! Come back, you, I give it to you! I nice (insert cheesy grin).....Chipmunk!!! Come baaaacckkkk!" Then a cute sulk when the chipmunk didn't understand that they came in peace and bearing gifts of delicious vanilla wafery goodness. Lost in translation, I guess.

On the way home we stopped at a park in Wilsonville that my husband built. I'm a little proud of him. It's been a year and the place is still standing (ha ha). It's actually quite beautiful, and the girls had fun at the playground/water fountain.

So, now my house is a wreck, I got Portland to Coast next weekend (AHHHHH!!! So out of shape, going to fail....ahhh...), and so much back burner Primary stuff left undone...and.....and....yeah. I just need to go to sleep. Peace out!

Here chipmunk, chipmunk....come to CC!

ha ha ha

2009-08-16T23:32:00.000-07:00

I was looking at a friends blog, and he had these funny shirts from bustedtees.com in a post.
So, here's my favorites, after his fantasy football one.
(Do you love how vague I'm being, sorry, I was just being lazy and didn't want to make a link to his site, but now that I've committed to explaining I feel I have to point you to his blog, it's bonnevillemariner, there, conscience averted.)

Children's museum or Mom needs a nap

2009-08-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

We love the Portland Children Museum. It has everything. I took the triplets (people still ask if they are, so I'll just refer to them as that for sillyness sake). Here's some of the fun. After 3+ hours of clay, toys, dancing, playing, and just down right being overstimulated, I was the one who took a nap when we came home.

(Side note: Bree told me to go upstairs and change my shirt, she doesn't like it.)

Slip-n-Die

2009-08-11T10:57:00.001-07:00

Our friends James (Nic's best man at our wedding) and Jen have a redneck paradise out in Banks Oregon. It's half way between Portland and the coast, aka The middle of nowhere. So where better to set up a 150 foot Slip-n-Die. It's a dug out trench filled with layers of carpet, black plastic, and then a mixture of water, dish soap (for lub) and bleach to keep it clean.
They also have goats, dogs, cats, a gorgeous garden, a sweet firepit with carved log seats, and 5 more acres of forest filled with motorcycle trails. Very sweet if you are into everything backwoodzy. I am one of those. I have an appreciation for the American Redneck art movement. Here's some pix of the slip-n-die, and my favorite redneck pix.

SCHWIMMIN'

2009-07-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

It is scorching hot in Portland today, and yesterday my car temp said it reached 108, so thus we've been hitting the pool.
Here's some cute pix of the bunch. Some are at Grandma's farm pool, and some at a friends party.

favorites Friday on a monday

2009-07-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here's some songs I've been lovin' this summer...

Airborne Toxic Event, Sometime Around Midnight, and the drummer has a sweet stache!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLM-LwTurQ

ava's change

2009-07-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

We are almost through with potty training, but for some reason, Ava loves diapers and won't give them up. She can even put one on herself. I have stopped buying them, but since she uses it like a pull up and doesn't wet it, she just recycles it for the next day. So, one morning when she woke up, I was helping her pull it down, and out fell about $2.00 in pennies and nickles. She was still dry, but had slept the entire night with a huge handful a change in her diaper. The best part was the circle imprints left all over her bottom.
I know, I know, the puns are coming .....
Q: What do diapers and politicians have in common?
A: They both need to be changed regularly... and for the same reason.

yeah that was a stinker....
ok, I'll stop.

alaska by boat

2009-07-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pix of our cruise to Alaska. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year. We had a very relaxing time, I didn't make a single meal, I slept in and ate too much, and thoroughly enjoyed a whole week with Nic. A Huge shoutout to Rich and Paula for keeping the girls all week. The only downside is the swaying feeling I'm still having after being on a boat all week. I'm trying to shake it, any ideas?

beesley wedding fashion show

2009-06-13T12:47:00.001-07:00

Here's long overdue pix from the Beesley wedding.
Let's make it sound like a fashion show.....

First up is Kennedy and cousin Vivian. Kennedy is sporting a dress I made for her, and both girls have cute curls.

Here comes Aunt Heather and CC dancing down the congo line. There is a ninja and a fairy pirate behind them, but that is a whole other story. CC is also in the African theme with a dress from the House Of Hailey. Notice the african print on Heather's shirt, it's a big trend at this wedding!

For our male audience we have Nic and Ava and Jason and Levi. I just loved the matching shirts and the biggest trend in accessories this season, kids on shoulders!

Here we have a close up of CC, this kid really knows how to move fashionably in a crowd!

Would you look at this group in easy to boogie ensembles! Nate and Caitlin are all smiles in shorts and nice tans! Bree is bringing in the african theme, in a coordinating dress! Love the dancers in the background thanks to Aric, Uncle Steve, and Grandma Wright.

Nic and Hailey begin our formal wear section.

Here Nate and Caitlin, or Natelin, look breathe taking in a cute jacket and coordinating tie.

Hear we have a "candid" moment of the ladies getting ready for their photo shoot!

The Vial ladies looking sexy in earth tones and smiles. Sorry fellas, this bunch is taken. (I feel stupid putting that about myself, but it sounded funny.)

Woozers, is this a kissing competition? Who won? And where are Brig and Chelle?

“Kissing is like drinking salted water: you drink and your thirst increases” (And Chris is REALLY thirsty)
“Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can't see anything wrong with each other.”
“Always remember this: 'A kiss will never miss, and after many kisses a miss becomes a misses'.”

... and then there's Kevin. Ladies he's recently returned home from exotic Ogden, Utah and looking to be making out in the next wedding photo, plus, he's Gramma Wright's most handsome grandson.

Last day of my freedom...I mean preschool.

2009-06-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

We have had a wonderful year with preschool. But, time for summer and from this first photo, not a moment too soon. They look tired of preschool.... senioritis at 3?

Summer pix

2009-06-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

Summer is happening and I'm loving what it does to my kids and plants. We are growing a couple veggies in the backyard and they are getting huge. CC and I are hit with allergies, but here's some shots of all of us outside and inside from the last couple weeks.

CC graduated from preschool

We got together for Caitlin's 21st birthday

Caitlin modeling the newest trend, the Snuggie.

CC's birthday at preschool with her peeps

src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bYK15a5qT9k/Si7J4h5I3RI/AAAAAAAABHc/_bONb4fPLFw/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345431780743240978" />

Our dance party to "Bananaphone"

Cannon Beach Bums

2009-05-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Took Chelle and her crew, Chris and Kenne, and Natelin and friend Angie and the kids to Cannon Beach over the weekend. Very beautiful day.

awkward family photos.com

2009-05-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm in tears right now from the recents posts on www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com
If you haven't seen this site, it's a bunch of terrible/awkward family photos. You might want to browse through by yourself before showing it to the kids. Just as a precaution, some family photos are a little off.

Wedding Prep

2009-05-20T20:25:00.001-07:00

Here's some shots of those superstars that helped with Alicia and Tucker's wedding.
*Note to self: Stop throwing gang signs when someone takes your picture.

Cousins Dance Party

2009-05-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

Last week was filled with family and fun and insanity. Chelle and her kids came in town a little early for Alicia and Tucker's wedding, and we decided it was a great excuse for a cousins dance party.

CC and her hypnotizing eyes, and her buddy/cousin/boyfriend(depending on the day the title changes) Anders.

The troupe doing the Mickey Mouse march and Animal Action.

my sweet apron

2009-05-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

CC made me a sweet apron for Mother's Day at her preschool.
I've gone a little overboard on cutting her hair, so I've told her if I try and trim her hair again, she should tell me to back off.
So, for Alicia's wedding this weekend I'm going to make her a bow or something to make her look like a girl. (Can you tell I don't have boys?)

Also, I've added a picasaweb slideshow on the top right. I'm not sure if I like it, I thought it would be bigger, but I am trying it out. click on it to see all the pictures.

{Insert witty title here}

2009-05-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely weekend, and I had ample opportunities to try out my new camera.
This is my aunt Carol and her greenhouse. She has a great knack for making things grow.
We visited with her and her friend Martin and came home with a couple trays of flowers to plant.

Ava handing me a bouquet.

Kennedy, ain't she a cutie!

Bree on her new cruiser. I looked up tricycles on craigslist.org and went and bought all 3 in the Portland/Banks area.

CC

Our friend Melissa, playing with the girls at our friends, Max and Rebecca's wedding.

The happy couple.
Groom Max took a knee to the nose at bachelor party. Poor kid had a bandage on the entire day except for pictures.

Kodachrome

2009-04-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

When I think back on all the crap I've learned in high school
It's a wonder I can think at all
Though my lack of education hasn't hurt me much
I can read the writings on the walls

Kodachrome, they give us those nice bright colours
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera, I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

I'm sooooo excited to try out my new camera. I gotta get a bag and a battery charger, and I have "Nikon D40 for Dummies" on reserve at the library. It's light and has a million gadgety settings that I need to figure out how to use. Did I say I was excited? My goal is simply to take better shots of people. I love close ups and expressions, and have ample models living with me, so I'm excited to put this bad boy into practice.

On another note: That part of "Christmas Story" where the mom asked the kid to show her how a piggy eats and he finally eats his food. Yeah, I've tried it with my twins and it works great. So I couldn't use the camera to shot them being "piggies", so here's where you can close your eyes and imagine the shot I would have put here. Disgustingly cute!

Bree-utiful

2009-04-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

My sassy little 3 year old needed a trim, so I gave a haircut to suit her attitude.
It turned out alright, factoring in how hard it was to get her to hold still. So, one movie, 3 fruit roll ups, and a lot of pleading later and we have a sassy little hairdo.

Kevin and Sven

2009-04-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

We are so happy to have Nic's brother Kevin home from his mission. He went to exotic Ogden, Utah, and we are just loving having another fun uncle around to play with and babysit( Thanks Kev!).
So, you'd think I would have taken a fun picture of us hugging him, but we were too busy hugging him and playing rockband to take one, but here's one of us at his homecoming talk.

One another note, I have been laughing my tush off about this commercial. Hope you do too!