Lovely spring day

After a yummy potato soup dinner and an attempt to beat Jake and Dad at cribbage (1 outta 3 isn't bad, right?) it was time to take advantage of a lovely spring day. We bundled up Ashley and headed outdoors for a walk. To us the 1/4 mile was just a stretch of the legs, but when you're only 32'' tall, a 1/4 mile might as well be a marathon! But Ashley didn't mind. She stumbled a few times but was always right back up, brushing herself off. If I didn't know any better I'd say she really enjoyed getting dirt on her hands! That's our girl; not afraid of a little dirt!

Aaaaand we're off!

The sunshine even came out to say "Happy spring!"

Alright, I'm tired. Grandpa, can I hitch a ride home?

Wow, Nana! Look at those beautiful blooms!

So just how much cake did you steal?

Hmm? Were did that giant hole come from?

Cruel & unusual punishment?

Nope. Just good, clean fun.

Playing in the sand & surf

Friday Katie and Andy persuaded us (well technically Riane) to take a trip to the beach with them. Nothing like a bowl of clam chowder on a blustery spring day to brighten your spirits! Thanks you two for the lunch; we had a lot of fun. It's just what we needed! And Ashley says she enjoyed this car trip so much more than the last beach car trip, especially when Aunt Katie and Uncle Andy hold hands. :)

Aunt Katie & Uncle Andy cuddling in the sand

Taking a stroll down the beach

Playing in the tide pools

Translation: Don't take me to a big, wide open beach if you aren't going to let me run around and play

One of 4 single-lane bridges we drove through on our way home

Is she sleeping or sneaking a peek at Aunt Katie? Answer: sleeping.

81 big ones!

Wednesday night we gathered and helped Poppie celebrate his 81st birthday. Yummy food, friends, family and plenty of cake made for an enjoyable evening. Happy, happy birthday Poppie! We love you!

Hanging out waiting for cake

Get all of them Poppie!
Everyone showed up to help Poppie celebrate
Running around, working off some of that yummy cake
Smile for the camera!
Celebrating with the birthday boy
Happy birthday Poppie!

Biiiig squeeze from Auntie A

Getting rides on 2 Nana's walker

Pucker up!

It's a wet one, but it's a kiss! Ashley has learned how to give kisses, and even though her mouth is open, it's absolutely precious. She's so much fun and is constantly changing. We are so blessed!

Running myself ragged

Yesterday I took Ashley to Scotty's Playhouse, a giant indoor play structure located at our church. It's a great place for kiddos to run around, play, climb, crawl and slide. Another great thing about Scotty's is that it's free and open to the public. It was a tad more busy that normal thanks to spring break, but that didn't stop Ashley from having a great time.

Playing with the tree house

Climbing up the slide is just as much fun as sliding down

Tic-tac-toe-three-in-a-row. I win!
That is one good lookin' baby girl
Playing in the giant ball pit getting ready for softball this summer
This place rocks! I get to run around, play with everything and be as loud as I want

I'm running out of steam
They call this my crazy face but they don't know it's actually my 'up-to-no-good' face

She got it from her momma!

Her love for Italian food, that is! We had homemade pasta e fagioli (Italian chili) for dinner last night and Ashley was in love. She especially likes it when you mix in some parmesan cheese, which is something she gets from her dad.

This wouldn't be nearly as good if it weren't all over my face

Look closely and you'll see bits and pieces of pasta e fagioli in my ear...it's my snack for later...

Smiling across the way at Auntie A and her silly faces
Huh? What's that you say Mommy? I'm getting a bath before bedtime? I can't heeeear you, so it must not be true.

Pictures worth sharing

These pictures were taken with my iPhone, hence the quality. But regardless of the pixels and blurriness, they are worth sharing.

Too bad these carts don't come in adult sizes - it'd make The Home Depot a heckuvalot more fun!Getting in the Easter spirit! And saving the best for last. Allow me to set the scene really quick: our bedroom, laundry day, clothes are sorted into piles, I look away for 1 minute, and come back to find this....

Can anyone explain to me why?......

(yes, that is a pink bra wrapped around Ashley's ponytail)

A place to call my own

Check out the Queen of Craziness' new throne. In case it isn't obvious in the pictures, Ashley L.O.V.E.S her new chair.

A chair that doubles as a jungle-gym



Just as good for standing as it is for sitting

Thanks Daddy & Mommy!

Up and down! Up and down!

A great place to read a book

Just chillin like a villain

Kicking back with the good stuff

It's an epidemic!

In addition to my 3 friends K, C and W, my cousin's wife is expecting a tiny blue bundle in August, and the daughter of a family friend down in that green and yellow Yucky Ducky town just announced her pregnancy. Apparently the thing to do this year is reproduce! Sending out more happy, healthy and beautiful pregnancy wishes to cousin R and southern friend K. You go girls!
Gosh....with all these babies being born, there's almost enough to start our own softball team.....

Is that the sun we see?

March in Oregon usually finds us cooped up indoors, so when the sun shone and the blue skies twinkled, we packed up Ashley and headed to the local park. Although she's not quite big enough to enjoy all that the park offered, she certainly enjoyed running amok, getting pushed in the swing and sliding down the slide. We knew we needed to enjoy today's rare weather because it could be weeks (or months - eek!) before another day like today comes around. Enjoy pictures of us enjoying our day!

Hey Daddy! How about a push...

You want ME to go in THERE? (then I turn and look and see Daddy waaaaay down at the other end).....

(and I decide that it can't be all that bad.)

Lemme go, Mommy! I've got exploring to do.

Hey! Look at me!

Getting ready to take a trip down the slide.....

Show me how it's done, DaddyWeeeeee! I gotta get me one of these!!!