The boys are playing with my parents this weekend while Brian and I are away at the beach. We are staying at Tyee Lodge in Newport - a cute little bed and breakfast we have visited once before. This is the view from our room. Brian is asleep at the moment - soon we will head down to the beach and explore. In the meantime I am watching the clouds roll in and enjoying the sound of the waves. Doesn't get much better than that.
Ben found an old Walkman today and loved listening to music with his "earpumps"... I tried to tell him they are earphones, but he wasn't buying it.
The kids and I drove over to the beach yesterday to see friends and play. It was great weather!
We stopped at Bridal Veil and hiked down to the falls... they did awesome! Neither one complained or asked for help!
We only saw a few other people and the sun even came out.
The both loved the falls and Ben made sure to jump in every puddle we passed.
We are going on week 3 of remodeling our master bathroom. It is slowly coming together! It was nice to see the 80s light fixtures, gold accents, and beige toilet go. The tiling is almost done and we are hoping the cabinets we ordered arrive this week. Here are a few pix of the process...
New tub and shower pan in... sheet rock going up.
Old mirrors, lights and cabinets gone.
Tile starting to go down.
Getting closer!
this one wants a sister...
this one wants a brother... all I know is I am looking BIG with 5 months to go!
Tonight was the Oak Hills Science Fair and Sam was very excited to show off his project. I was a little nervous when the evaluator started grilling him with all kinds of questions... but he spoke right up and did great. Good job buddy!
I made these carrot cake cupcakes this weekend from one of my favorite sites, and let me tell you... THEY DO NOT DISAPPOINT!
The boys started a new round of swimming lessons today at a new pool. It was Ben's first time ever taking classes. He was hesitant at first but loved it and has NO fear. He went under water, jumped in off the side and splashed everyone in site. 
Sam's school had a special Chinese New Year celebration yesterday. They made Lanterns (see photo), masks and had a parade around the school. In the afternoon they had Chinese food donated by Safeway. He loved it and keeps asking when we can have "Chinese New Year Food" again.
Last night we had family over for Valentine's Dinner. Aunt Susie and Uncle Dennis were here from Bend and the cousins had so much fun playing with them this weekend. Dad made awesome pulled pork... we all ate too much of everything - including chocolate. 
This morning the kids requested pancakes. :-) They spent a few hours with Ian and Lizzie while Brian and I worked out, grabbed coffee and ran to Costco. Tonight Ellen and Colin are going out and the cousins will play here. Fun babysitting swap!
I took the boys over to see Ellen's new school Friday afternoon and they fell in love with these simple wooden blocks. She let us borrow them this weekend and they have been making castles, towers, statues etc. 
Ben will stop coming out of the bathroom like this.... He has no problem being independent in every other way! I guess his lunch was just way more exciting than pulling up his pants.
Sam is super excited for Valentine's Day. Yesterday he made Valentine's for all of his friends at school and for a few other little friends. We are having a special dinner this weekend with the cousins to celebrate. 
