Summer Birthday Bash 2014

Our annual backyard summer birthday bash was another fantastic experience! Kyle did a taco bar, and I did the cakes (this year: Madeline - artist palette, Max -  green car, Marcus - blue car, plus an extra cake for good measure to make sure nobody ran out of CAKE). My amazing parents came a few days early, and were SO helpful in taking the kids on outings & helping us at every turn to get things ready. I was so happy to see so many of my favorite people in my home. This year it was a huge mix of people - church friends, family, elementary friends, preschool friends, neighbors... People often ask us how long we will continue this "all-in-one" style party for our three summer kids. I feel like the answer is AS LONG AS THEY LOVE IT! They really do love it. They look forward to it all year long. It is a ton of work, but SO rewarding and just gives me so many moments to cherish in my heart. HAPPY SUMMER BIRTHDAYS TO ALL, and to all a good night :)

Sunriver 2014

We finally made it back to our favorite place on earth, Sunriver Oregon :) It was the location of our Corrigan family reunion this year, since Brian's new wife Alyssa had never been there with us. We used to go every year, but alas it is much to far for all the families, to do it every year. So much fun to share all the fun with our kids (many of them do not even remember the last time we went four years ago). We rode bikes, floated the river, swam at the water park, celebrated Max's fifth birthday, took a hike, swam in the hot tub, played games, ate yummy food, did puzzles, spied on the deer, had a pirate treasure hunt, took a family picture in red/white/blue, had a family prayer time, rode horses, did tube races down the big hill, had an ice cream date with the Texas family, went fishing, caught a huge bull frog, and basically SOAKED UP cousin/auntie/uncle/grandparent time to the maximum. Such a special time, and memories I will remember forever :)

Bestie reunion

My dear friend Erin moved away from Portland many years ago. But the AWESOME and incredible thing is that I get to see her at least once a year when she comes back to Oregon, and we have had a few Bestie Reunions in between. One really memorable one was when Erin traveled to Arizona for the big championship football game for the Ducks, and Sommer and I secretly planned a surprise visit to her. SO AWESOME. This time we just met up at the beach, laughed a lot and took selfies (our favorite activity). Why are we like hysterical teenagers when we are together? WHY WHY WHY? I love Erin so much, and I cross my fingers and toes that someday they will move back to Oregon.

Date in Astoria

Kyle and I were able to have an entire "date-day", courtesy of his wonderful parents watching our kids. We booked a zip lining tour in Astoria, and hit a few yummy eateries out that way as well. I like pretty food, so the food gets a picture too :) I also like talking Kyle into taking ridic selfies the entire time. SO MUCH FUN!!! It's good to have fun, y'all.

PS. Explanation of the picture with us and Big Foot. On one of the zips, they have a guy there hiding in the bushes dressed up who jumps out and scares you. Of course, this is hilarious and a terrible thing to do. Anyway, ALSO each zipper wears a helmet with a random character on it (i think mine was "Honey Bear" or something). Well Kyle's was "Sasquatch" so of course we have to pose with Bigfoot. Kyle looks like he is smiling while ready to end things, but really he is pointing to the title on his helmet. Good times had by all :) Ha ha ha ha!