A new year

2014, it is always odd to write the new year each January.  But here it is twenty fourteen.  I have a six and two four year olds.  Three little humans that are getting bigger every day.

We went for a hike today, a pretty decent hike even. No strollers, no bikes, no piggy backs (well except for about 20 feet after Jett slipped on some ice)  =-)  But seriously, this is the beginning of a new chapter, everyone is powered by their own two feet!  It feels weird that I barely remember what it is like to have a little one in an ergo, needing to nurse or with a poopy diaper.  I can't say I am missing that, but just noticing that it is not part of my immediate world anymore.  Those soft, tiny babies have turned into little people.




Funny, charming, ungrateful, whinny...yet wise, loving and interesting monkeys of mine.  I am thankful to spend my days with these knuckleheads.  They are supposed to be our teachers and right now it seems like my lessons are revolving on patience.

Granted this is the tail end of a 2 week long winter break, but yes I am constantly needing to be taught patience and am not always earning "straight A's".

Overall this hike was  a success, we got out, soaked up some sun, saw lots of birds, climbed trees and rocks, Mango got his crazies out...in the moment though, it is hard not to notice the complaining, crying, fighting, and constant snack requesting.

I am not being negative, this is just my reality right now.  The reminder of time passing does soften me.  I can imagine there will be a day where THESE moments will be hard to recall and I'll be wishing I could once again walk through the woods holding hands with my three kids and our dog.

David has been in constant iteration of The Lot since it opened.  I am sure there are more projects to come, but the biggest one was winterization of the seating area.  We have made it a warm little oasis with the addition of 5 overhead heaters and plastic corrugated walls that have given it a green house effect during the day and cozy wind projection as well.  It is such a unique experience to enjoy being outside for a meal  yet stay so warm and toasty.  The biggest WOW effect has been the heated benches, people cant get enough of the toasty buns!

It doesn't get old to hear all the compliments people have to tell Dave about how much they love The Lot and what an amazing addition to Bend it is.  He deserves the praise and we feel grateful for the success!

David in action as bartender!

ktvz.com/news/The Lot is heating up (click link to see the news story)

I am sure you remember the cold snap that hit in early December, well that had us all worried for awhile there, the negative digits coupled with shoulder season made for some REALLY slow times.  On the brighter side when the weather finally did get back to normal (upper 30's to 40's even some 50's during the day) peoples expectation of cold got reset, so now it feels balmy out, even at 40 degrees.

So the weather got better AND we got a string of press, front page of the business section in the local paper, KTVZ did a live broadcast, and "top 5" restaurant upgrade rating by another popular newspaper.
BOOM, we have been busy, even had the best week of the year since we opened during Christmas week.

We are on a roll with having live music every Thursday which has been a hit too.  It is so fun to see it packed with people having a good time.  There is no question, I love hanging at The Lot, but it is also fun to see so many friends enjoying it too.  This is such a great place to gather and enjoy good food, beer and friends...and live music on Thursdays!

 Thanksgiving in Seattle

We got some hard news in October that my dad had been diagnosed with Lung Cancer.  It has been an emotional last few months.  He had not been feeling well, had a terrible cough, a pain in his neck, then it all came to a head and this bomb got dropped. Such a scary thing, I don't think anyone is ever ready for the "C" news.  My dad has had the best attitude, determined to beat it, he has continued to live his normal life with the addition of a bit more rest than he was used to after the Chemo treatments.   He even got to do a much anticipated trip to Arizona after the first round of treatment.  That sun and fun was a huge shot in the arm.  I had the chance to fly up on my own to spend time with my parents before Dave, his mom and the kids drove up for Thanksgiving.  This was a great time to connect with him and my mom with out the distractions of my kids.  We talked, ate, and really just hung out.  It was special time to me.  I was even the one who got to shave his head.  I think he looks great and actually he seemed healthier and stronger than the last time I saw him this summer.  

My dad's positive attitude is not a new thing, he has always had a good attitude.  This hope and expectation is what got him through his career owning his own business.  He worked hard his whole life and he has so much to live for still.  There are car shows to go to and warm vacations to be enjoyed.  And hopefully next is a trip to Bend to cheers us in opening The Lot and following his footsteps of running our own business.  I am proud of the name "The Lot" and how it is a token of respect to my dad as this is what my family always referred to his business growing up.  I love you dad.  I am proud of you and the life you have lived.  I like to imagine those bad cancer cells seeping out of you and staying at bay.  Let this be a reminder to us all to LIVE each day and be grateful for our family and all our love and support.  You are brave and you are strong.  Thank you for being a great dad! 

 

Wow look at this resemblance.  Now who are the twins?

Christmas at home.

Christmas came and went in a blur.  We started early with the generous time intensive, love filled 24 presents before Christmas from Grandma Alice.  Each day, usually after school, the kids got to take turns opening one present for all three of them that Alice had organized with notes and names of what was for who.  There was an assortment of Christmas treasures for them to be entertained with for the month long wait for Christmas day.  They got to do lots of crafts and read Christmas books, and mostly just have fun with the building anticipation of Santa's arrival.  This was a highlight of their day, so thank you Grandma Alice for your thoughtful ideas!

David did another impressive display of Christmas lights this year, since we live on a highly visible street, we like to represent and show some Holiday spirit.  And of course the chance for the kids to get up on the ladder is unbelievably exciting...I wonder if they will have this much fun when the lights come down?  =-)

I wish I could say that the reason I have ONE picture from Christmas day is because I was so in the moment I couldn't be bothered with pictures.  Partly that IS true, but the other truth is I barely made it until all the presents were opened then I got hit hard with a terrible bug that laid me on the couch for 4 days.  I was able to enjoy the morning and delight in the magic with Calvin, Piper and Jett, but when it was over, there was wrapping paper and boxes covering the room and I collapsed...thank you Dave for taking over and playing hard with all the new treasures the rest of the day.

 Calvin asked Santa for a surprise...and was thrilled with the punching bag and gloves he received!

Piper is SIX (bday treasure hunt video)

Oh Piper, I can't believe you are SIX!!!

I feel so lucky to be spending my days with you.  Watching you grow and become this joyful, caring, mischievous, thoughtful, and confident being has been such a blessing.  You definitely can give us a run for our money and keep our household spicy, but the overwhelming sweetness that you shower the world in, is all part of your package. You are our candy monster, treat lover and "special date" queen.  A constant reminder to stop and smell the roses in life is never a bad thing.  Thank you for all your ideas, projects and snuggles.  Watching you discover this world never gets old.  I am so happy we are just getting started and feel thankful for the big and the small moments of everyday life.  I am so proud of you and love your intuitive, sensitive, yet rock solid spirit inside.  Thank you for choosing me to be your mama.  I love you inside and out, top to bottom, back to front, forever and always, infinity plus one!

Now We Are Six

When I was one I had just begun
When I was two I was nearly new

When I was three I was hardly me
When I was four I was not much more

When I was five I was just alive
But now I am six, I'm as clever as clever;

So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

-AA Milne

Click the link for the youtube video:  Piper's 6th Birthday Treasure Hunt

Hop the rocks and go under the bridge...

Feeling good!

Mid treasure hunt Photo Op.

A rowdy bunch of pirates.

Way to go TEAM.  What a fun group of friends.  Piper is lucky!

Fall Leaf tree hideout...found on their treasure map as one of the landmarks.

Our triumphant treasure hunters! Gold coins, jewels, tattoos and candy...loot worthy of their expedition.

This cake made by my friend Katie the Cake Lady tasted amazing, as well as looked amazing.  Piper was so intrigued with how she grew the little trees out of the cake!  =-)  Eating this cake was a perfect end to our day in the woods!

WE LOVE YOU PIPER!!!

A smattering of the end of summer...and rolling right into Fall (Halloween)

I am sure I mentioned this before, but the boys basically haven't taken their swimming suits off since Gma Linda bought them this past spring.  In fact, just this past weekend, Jett wore his batman suit all day (a remarkably warm 60 degree day in November).  Anyway, here are some catch up pictures that I haven't had the chance to post since school started.

I have really been feeling the passage of time recently.  I feel lucky for this life I live.  I love my family and Im doing my best to be present and just live in all these moments that are happening right now.  This day at Shevlin was so fun.  I love these pictures capturing Calvin and Jett loving life as they were that day.        

 Doesn't get much better than throwing rocks in the river.

Boys being goofy while sister is at school!  Shhhh, don't tell Piper that they loved running around in her swimming suits.

Man, this Fall was nice, we got in so many fun outings out in the woods.  This trail by Sawyer Park has become a favorite for exploring and climbing rocks by the river.

The woman behind the camera!

Jett was so proud of these overalls...and he should be, so cute!

I have gotten so many outings with just me and the boys since Piper is now in school 5 days a week.  But to make up for it, she does get out early on Wednesdays, so that has been OUR special Piper time that we usually go grab a treat of some sort before picking up the boys.  This day I picked up Piper and Sanjay for another afternoon of exploring at Sawyer park.  These two had so much fun climbing rocks, eating snacks and catching lizards!  Piper spotted them and SJ snatched them up. They were speedy blue belly lizards.

We took full advantage of after school leaf romping. In and around Drake park had the best piles of leaves, we probably went back 5 or 6 times to get our fill of Fall leaves before the cold-wet weather set in. This year I spent more time playing in the leaves and only captured a few pictures.

Oh, this series of pictures at Sparks lake is out of order, but such a great memory from the end of summer.  Dave had been working just about every day since The Lot opened, so this was a cherished outing for the whole family.  The water was warm, there were frogs to catch and best of all...we were there together.  We got muddy, we got wet, we had a picnic and we were happy.

Here are some experiments with Instagram...super cute!

Ahhhh, the pumpkin patch!  A favorite Fall tradition that I LOVE!  The colors, smells and the wide open space for kids to run and play...it is just FUN!  This year we met our friends the Grahams and spent the whole day soaking up the pumpkin patch.  Fun friends, Food Cart lunches and squishy pumpkins...a day well spent.

HALLOWEEN!!!  A busy day of parties, trick or treating and more trick or treating.  First off I started the morning at RiverSong for the boys class party.  Great costumes and fun games.  Calvin was proud of his brown monster costume, especially the spiral clay horns that David made.  Jett was in normal everyday attire for himself, but enjoyed being spiderman none the less.

Then later in the afternoon I got to volunteer in Piper's class.  Also, tons of games and fun costumes.  Piper's unicorn costume was too hot for class, but she did end up rocking it the rest of the evening outdoors.  Thanks goodness because Dave put many hours in, to get the pink hair stitched just so and the clay spiral horn and headpiece was a work of art in itself...

 The Lot was all decked out in spooky Halloween decorations, so we started our evening after school there and the kids and their friends trick or treated at all the carts about 5 times each while the parents enjoyed frothy beverages to kick the night off in style.

Bartender Jason serving up a Double Mountain Vaporizer.  

The Brown Owl loaded up the trick or treaters bags

And even more trick or treating in NWX!  These kids were wiped and full to the brim with sugar!!!!

Even Napoleon made an appearance.  Only this is Napoleon when he is 37 years old, still rocking the moon boots and fro, but now manly enough to grow a beard.

We are all happy to see that he even landed the girl of his dreams.