Our Summer So Far

It's been a busy summer so far and unfortunately it hasn't left much Sunday evening time for blogging. I'll try to do a bit of a catch up this week.  Some of the pictures were on my phone and due to technical difficulties, I'm having trouble getting them downloaded.  If they ever make it, I'll add them to a later blog.

A couple of weeks ago, Mason and Luis went Junior's family to the Timbers game!  Mason and cousins were all dressed in proper Timbers swag, complete with Mason's new Timbers jersey.

Goooaaalllll!  And the crowd goes wild!!

The Timbers got the shut out win.  They've been having a good season this year and even I've gotten into it.

While the boys were out watching soccer, Siena and I had a girls afternoon.  We rented the Katy Perry movie, bought some candy and settled in.  I think we all had fun.

After several years of declining health, my wonderful Grandpa Art passed away on July 3.  While not unexpected, it was still sad for us all.  His passing brought back wonderful memories of time spent with him. He was a man of incredible character and work ethic.  He loved his family very much.  He will be missed.

 

The Torland family 4th of July picnic was the day after Grandpa passed.  We went, along with my parents, and saw a lot of the extended Torland family relatives.  I had considered not going given Grandpa's passing, but realized that it would have made him happy if we went.  After the picnic, we went up to my parents and lit off some fireworks with the kids.  It was nice to spend time together as a family and do something fun.

The next day we had originally planned to go down to the coast for the long weekend but it was the day of the memorial service.  My dad and his sisters planned a wonderful service.  They did all of the speaking (no pastor or officiant) which I thought was nice.  My dad made a great video, which didn't go easily.

After the service, the family went over to Joanne's so the kids could swim and we could all visit and relax.  Cousin Travis was wonderful playing with all the kids in the pool.  And the kids absolutely LOVED it!

The 4 of us went straight from Joanne's to the beach that night, arriving somewhat late.  And I forgot the camera in a haste to get to the service and pack for the beach.  Hence the reliance on the phone which was a fail.  Anyway, we just did our usual at the beach - breakfast at Spouting Horn, trip down to Newport, etc. The weather was great and the kids and I spent time playing on the beach and wading in the water.

Last night Ellia came for a sleepover with Mason and Siena.  I took the three kids down to our little neighborhood island park to explore in the afternoon.

Siena on a rock.

The three kids crossing the land bridge.  In the winter, this bridge is underwater.

Did I mention this weekend was beautiful too?  Especially in late afternoon on the river.

The kids did some river wading and jumping boat waves.

Trapped in quicksand!!  Or, more accurately, mud.

Ready...go!

Mason after a rock climb.

I finally nabbed a picture of our neighborhood bald eagle nest.  It's near the park.  One of the eagles babies is standing in the nest.  The adult eagle is huge.  It's definitely cool having a bald eagle in the 'hood.

I'm not sure what the rest of the summer will hold but it's certainly been fast paced so far.

Big June Blog

It's certainly been a busy couple of weekends.  The onset of summer seems to have that effect.  At least it gets us out of the house and doing fun stuff!

Last Sunday we went to Joanne and Doug's house for an engagement party for my cousin Shelley.  Somehow I managed to not capture a decent picture of Shelley and Adam at this party.  I won't make the same mistake at their actual wedding in December.

The weather was nice and the pool was open.  The kids were in the water within the first 30 seconds of arrival and, with the exception of a 10 minute break to eat dinner, were in the water for a good 5 hours.

My auntie Mary Lou, mom, and Bessie.

Bruce and Mary Lou.

Heidi and Dan.  This is Heidi's glass of wine she gave me to hold while they had their picture taken so of course I had to include it in the picture.

Mom and her favorite doggie Rookie.

A brief break from the pool.

American beauty!

Mason having another cake ball.

My aunts, uncles, and parents!

Joanne and Doug!

Remy takes a break from shaking water on me to get a belly scratch.

Luis felt that Tommy hasn't been properly represented on the blog so we took a few pictures.  I call this one "Pensive Tommy."

This is "Princess Tommy" in his favorite princess chair.

This is "Playful Tommy" on Mason's bed.  This is his favorite nighttime hangout.

Yesterday the kids had gymnastics and got their medals.  Here's Mason getting some instructions from his coach.

Mason on the podium.

Siena on the podium with her medal.

A better view of the proud girl.

Later in the afternoon we went over to Heidi's to meet Chelsey's latest edition Eddie.  Heidi made a pie for the occasion and then had to follow it up with an emergency trip to Shari's for a non-burned pie.

Heidi with Chelsey's older son Calvin.

Here's Chelsey and a sleeping Eddie.

After Heidi's, we took my parents to our new favorite Swedish restaurant Broders.  Siena and Luis had some fun playing together.

Here's Yaya with the restaurant in the background.

Well, the kids have 3 days of school left before a busy summer break!  Happy week to all!

Kickin' Off M's Last Single Digit Year!

After a month of no posts, now there's 2 in a row!  Mason celebrated his 9th birthday which was definitely the highlight of the week.  Warning, a large number of pictures to follow.

Mason wanted his party this year to be at the new Portland Aquarium just up the street from our house.  In keeping with that theme, here's his tres leche cake:

Kendra and Jose were on hand for the festivities!

Aaaahhhhhh!!!!!

This is the tank where kids can touch sharks and sting rays.  It's also the room our party was in.  Way cool!

Siena was ready to party!

Showing off her wet hands...

Mason demonstrating the perfect way to hold a dead fish head before feeding it to a shark.

Feeding the sharks.  From left, Mason, Aiden, Jack, Berren, Heidi, and Aiden's mom Keasty.  Aiden and Jack are Mason's pals from school.

The kids checking out the fresh water tank.

Feeding the tropical fish.  The tropical fish get seaweed.

From left, Kearsty, Jack, Kendra, Siena, Ellia, and our guide.  We had our own employee host who gave us a guided tour.  Normally it's self guided so it was really great to get some additional info.

Still feedin'.

The girls.

My hand feeding a hungry dude.

The boys.  Don't adjust your screens.  There was a blue light in the room.

Mason and Jack touching a starfish.

The tide pool tank inside a boat.

Mason checking out Roxy, the octopus.  Roxy is 2.5 years old but has the intelligence of a 5 year old child.  Her favorite toy is Mrs. Potato Head.  Apparently she can correctly assemble and disassemble Mrs. Potato Head's face.

Ms. Nanny.

Berren and Mason have different reactions upon learning how the fish poo is recycled into the air we were breathing.

Jose found Puerto Rico.

Mason and the tortoise.  The tortoise is currently 35 years old but can live to be 150.

The girls get their turn.

Siena in another tide pool.

We were enamored with this little fish.  Apparently she's always hiding in a rock and is rarely seen.  However, a mean orange fish took her spot (you can see him under the rock) so she was a little lost and confused.

The boys II - Jose, Luis, and Dan.

Getting ready to have some cake!!

Blow!!

Money!  Just what he wanted.  He already spent some of his b-day money on Minecraft and couldn't be happier about his purchase.

More money!

Whew, some Legos too.  That was the other item on his list.

The highlight of the aquarium experience was climbing around in the play area.

Um, aren't the shoes supposed to go in the bin?

Dan takes a break.

After dinner at Sushiland (looking at all those fish made us hungry), we played a little outside before bedtime.  Siena has her sister Halley.

Luis, Siena, and I gave Mason a skateboard for his birthday.  Yaya and Papa Ron pitched in for the pads.  They just got back from their month long trip across the U.S. and also brought the kids all sorts of cool souvenirs.  Luis helps Mason get his pads assembled.  Safety first!

Siena and Halley are so sweet together.  Halley just adores Miss Siena.  And I think the feeling is mutual.

Look at him go!

Dude looks like a pro!  He practiced every day this weekend and has definitely gotten the feel for it.  We've officially got a Skater boy!

Last night we went up to my parents for dinner.  They got back from their trip Friday night so it was our first chance to get together with them.  They took a lot of great pictures and brought back wonderful treats for the kids.  It was nice to see them and hear about their adventures.

Luis and I have played hoops the last 2 days too.  Gotta love long weekends and a competitive couple!

Heidi and Dan are en route with Ellia and Berren so the kids can play.  I can guarantee they'll have a great time.

A parting picture to help ring in another week: