Happy Birthday, Dad!

On Friday night we had a surprise party for my Dad, who turned 70. He thought it would just be a family pizza night... given that, the look on his face was priceless when he saw the friends who also came to celebrate.

Of course the court was well utilized :) 

Happy Birthday to a wonderful Dad & Grandpa! We love you so much! Cheers to many more years of fun together. xx

Around the Table...

Some of my favorite moments here in our house have been when friends & family are gathered around the table. As we talk inside, I love hearing the squeals and laughter that come from the kids table outside.

BBQ with cousins, Andreas & Athan

Lunch with little Ayla 

Donuts for breakfast with Macy & Brayden

We are loving our new house and the memories being made in it!

Stepping Back & Slowing Down

Sort of.

We don't do a lot of slow around here. It seems like we are on the go a lot, and for the most part, we love it that way. With two little kids, how can you not be on the go a lot? That said, I am committed to doing my best to enjoy this life, one day at a time. For the past 13 years that Adam and I have been together, we have seen a ton of change. From moves, to kids, to jobs, to countries...we have changed it up a lot. When we were in Singapore, we craved every-day-normal in the states. It's always easier to want what you don't have, but I am determined not to live that way.

This quote is one I heard about 5 years ago and have never forgotten.

"Do not spoil what you have
By desiring what you have not.
Remember that what you have now,
Was once among the things you only hoped for."

In each stage of life, you tend to want to rush through it to get to the next. Then after you're done rushing, you look back and wonder where the time went. You think back to what you missed out on because you were busy wishing time away.

I want to enjoy the moments of settling in, both with our house and back into our lives here. I want to enjoy watching our boys roll around the backyard and squeal with happiness. I want to enjoy my coffee in the mornings as I'm snuggled up with Drew. I want to look at that sweet mouth of Luke's every time he talks, because in time, all those little baby teeth will be a distant memory.

The life we wanted is here. It's ours to wish away or embrace. As I sat on the couch with Adam tonight, a glass of wine in hand, listening to our boys play Ninja Turtles on the deck, I found myself feeling extremely grateful. Grateful for the life we've been given and the life we've created.

Enjoying a final latte with Tanya before she left.  

Trying to notice the beauty around me on my runs...easy to take it for granted!

So much love. 

Mom & Luke time at an art class

Then to check out books :) 

A beautiful, peaceful evening run 

My heart. Best of friends. 

Seattle & Wine Tasting with Tanya

My friend Tanya from Singapore/Australia has been visiting us for the past two weeks. We have LOVED having her here. She's as easy going as they come, she loves our little family and she has been a HUGE help around the house. Thanks to her, we have a great wall collage in our family room, our office/golf room is complete and many purchases have been made. :)

Our time together started in Seattle, where I met her after she arrived from Canada. We spent two days drinking coffee, wine, exploring the city and running around the water front.

Of course we had to find the very first Starbucks location! The wait was only about 15 minutes, not too bad.  

Beautiful lunch views!

A visit to the Space Needle - gorgeous day!

Morning run, followed by breakfast and coffee in the sun...perfection!

I love Seattle and the weather could not have been more perfect! After that little trip, we headed back to Portland. What better way to start that leg of the journey than with wine tasting. Lisa, Lindsey, Tanya and I spent the afternoon wine tasting, followed by dinner downtown and 80's night dancing. It was one of the best days of summer for me, as I was with some of my most favorite people. Not to mention the fact that Adam was a trooper and drove all of us crazies around. :) 

Since this night, we have shopped like crazy, had Starbucks daily, ran a lot, worked on the house and spent a week in Roseburg. Tanya LOVED her time down there and after I snag some pictures from her, I'll get them posted here. It's always fun living your city through the eyes of someone else! 

Summer!

It feels like summer vacation! Our house is pretty well moved in and is really starting to feel like home. Adam and I mention often that it still hasn't totally hit us yet that this place is ours. Not only that, but it's ours for years to come. That feels strange, but GREAT.

I love, love, love summer. Here's a few pics from the past few weeks....

The ranch has an AMAZING new bball court! We all enjoyed it :) 

Luke and Adam played 9 holes together

Helping Grandpa bring up wood for the fire pit

Roasting marshmallows  

Making cookies with normal, easy to find ingredients! :)

Fourth of July parade with friends 

Watching Frozen for the 6th time in the last few days :)

As you can see, Ella goes where the boys go - they hardly let her out of their sight. It is simply wonderful having her back. Lucky for us, summer is just getting started and there's a lot more fun to be had! 

xx