Kelly & Sylvie visit, plus we hit the zoo!

Aunt Kelly and Cousin Sylvie came down for a weekend visit, and we had a great time. Didn't get many photos, darnit. (uh, yeah, like ONE....)


Kelly helped put up a ton of hay (first of the season - ugh!). Here she is, hay-surfing on the way back from the barn.

Later, we met up with Uncle Mike and Cousin Hank at the zoo.


Group shot.


There was a great interactive display of mongoose, where kids could crawl underneath and join in on the fun. Hank decided he fit right in.



Miri had a blast. She is officially walking and didn't really like being held, pushed in the Bob, or even in the backpack, when she can be on her Own Two Feet, thankyouverymuch.

Aleaha was all smiles to ride on the zoo train.

Cute shot of Sylvie playing on a jungle-gym gizmo near the primates. How appropriate for the all those kiddos!

We stopped off at ClaimJumper on the way home for an early dinner. Miri gobbled her food and entertained us with her napkin skills.

New Car Seats and Playing in the Pool

Miri graduated to a forward-facing seat. It's not new to her, as she inherited Aleaha's (yeah, that's gonna be her fate for a while!). And Aleaha is now in a big-girl booster seat.


She's loving the new view, and she says that cupholder is "da bomb"!




Aleaha loves hers too. She can now unbuckle herself, which is not the coolest thing. Mom & Dad would rather that she could buckle herself in and not be able to get it undone on her own.


Here are a few shots of Aleaha enjoying her class field trip to the Aquatics Center. Kids + Pool = Lots of Fun!

Mommy got to make a quick visit, just to take a few pictures. I uploaded more, but Blogspot had some hiccup and I lost some photos.

UPDATE: Here are the missing photos....

Aleaha loved going down the slide with her teachers.


She was convinced that in this moment, she has learned how to swim. So, you know, check that off the Bucket List.

Benton Co. Fair

We got some great family time one evening, soaking in the magic of the fair! Aleaha is ALL ABOUT going to the fair, and why not? Food, critters, pony rides, and the carnival!

Aleaha had a bit of an incident leaving the chickens' and bunnies' building, where her forehead unexpectedly contacted a doorframe, resulting in a big goose egg. Mom's fix -- get thee to the pony rides, stat!!

Love this shot and the name of her chosen plane.

After some quick flight lessons, she figured out how to go up-up-up. I know this is just a pee-wee ride, but as the mom I still get butterflies when I see my child up in the air like this.

She looooooves riding the rollercoasters. And a pink one? Well, all the more!

These "dragons" were supposed to spin around individually as well as on the larger circuit. But it was kid-powered, and Aleaha and her riding mates didn't know how to make it spin. Oh well. All the easier to keep your dinner down!

She's fine to ride alone, and here she figured out the self-spinning technique required.

Daddy's at the wheel for some great fun in the bumper cars. (I remember loving the idea of bumpercars, but hating the actual experience. I would always get stuck in the center, boxed in by more agressive drivers and never able to move. Daddy was able to get that car moving all over the place. He is a professional racecar driver, of course!)

Another one of those scary shots of my flesh-and-blood hanging precariously in the air, entrusted to operators of questionable, uh, capacities.

Oh, but shoot, they were having so much fun. Is Mom supposed to squelch all that?

The carousel ride is still a favorite, fortunately.

Miri had a great time too, even if she is too short for any of the rides. There's still lots to look at!

The B's come to visit!

Miss Miri helps reorganize the cupboards. She so helpful like that.


Jodi and I went for a super trail ride during their visit. The boys were fantastic, and the scenery was great. Wish we could do that every weekend!


Three little monkey-girls, swinging.



Ella was a great entertainer for Miri. Here they are playing in the tent in the backyard.


Ella and Aleaha were inseparable, and Aleaha cried and cried when her cousins left.



We visited The Great Oregon Steam Up with the whole family. The train ride was surely one of the most popular attractions.


Daddy needed a hat for shade, so we bought one from a vendor. He fit right in!


My single shot of Tyler. Hey, that really was a little grin under there! :)


Those two held hands a lot. Cute!


It was kind of a long activity for Miri to endure. Mommy forgot the sunscreen, so we sought shade everywhere. Fortunately it wasn't too hot, and Miri used her blankie a lot too.



Working model of a washing machine and pump. Something my family can truly relate to! While the menfolk were all over using the engine for transportation and cutting and destroying things, someone (a woman, maybe?) was inspired to make housework a tad easier.


Cool display of cross-cut saws and handles. Notice how there are no scenes painted onto these? These are the real thing!

Frolicking in Philomath

We took in the local rodeo, which happens in the evening. There's a small carnival, petting zoo, greasy food, etc. . Miri can't last through it, so Mommy took her home early each evening. But Aleaha and Daddy got in some fun time!


You know she's going to get on the ponies!


Ha.


Going down the giant slide.


Riding the lady bug.


Hanging on for dear life on the rollercoaster. (It was wilder than it appeared! Good thing Dad was there too.)


This mini donkey is just like Earnest, a character in a book series that Aleaha has.


Miri was pretty good, although tired.


Lovin' the grape shave ice!

Miri's First Birthday!

Miri is one year old!! It's cliche, but the time really does fly past so quickly. Mommy has had special challenges with Miri, but we made it to the one year mark, and we are all very happy and proud.

Because her birthday was during the week (and a hectic week at that), we didn't try to have a party and the usual falderal (sp?). Let's be realistic -- it's her first birthday, and besides this record, she won't remember it. So, we celebrated our own Miller way, with Chinese food for dinner (Aleaha's suggestion), and a store-bought cake for dessert. It will take me a while to get over the guilt for not making her first birthday cake. I'm sure we'll do something to make up for it this weekend!


Miri shows off her cup skills. She can finally officially drink cow's milk now, although she's not especially fond of it.


Aleaha was happy to comply with Mommy's request for a smile, but not Miri. She was pretty much a crankster on this evening. Poor thing is tired after putting in a full day at school!


Aleaha offered to help blow out the candle.


Miri tentatively takes a tad of frosting.


Then tries another little tidbit.


And finally understands how the scene is supposed to go.


But, she gets mad again...


And THIS is why we did not invite anyone over for a party!! It was one, long meltdown tonight. She was unhappy with the cake, unhappy with the clean-up, unhappy with the balloon and present. Finally got somewhat happy in the bathtub, and much happier when she went to bed. That's just what the girl wanted -- some peace and quiet. :)