Lila-field biologist

First, the official field biology gear. Then , off to do research!
This is going into my research guide. How very interesting-all of the rainforest animals.
What is that I see? A macaw? A kingfisher? It wasn't a polar bear-they don't live in the rainforest, silly.
A long days work in the field, you know. But well worth it!

Lila & George at the zoo

The zoo started off with a picnic, then off to the merry-go-round. George was very curious why a pig was chasing him the entire ride?

The Puffins were happy to have their pool of water-it was 91 degrees! Lila was happy her Daddy bought her an ice cold lemonade.

Ran into a couple girls that just so happen to be Lila's cousins. (Chloe & Kayla). Hooray, that was so exciting. Looks like 2 of the 3 forgot sunscreen. Whoops!

Lots of fun in the hot, hot sun

We decided instead of breaking out the big pool for just 2 days we would fill the kiddie pool...no, complaints! Lila with her good friend Kyle.
Playing was constantly interrupted with Lila having to remove every blade of grass that entered the pool. That's why we love her! Patience...
Henry the volcano sprinkler was a blast. The pressure builds up and when his eyes open all the way he sends out a huge blast of water. Catching this on film was not successful.
Lila's pride and joy of the yard. We have 3 Lilacs and the big one in the middle is very special to Lila and I. I received it for my first Mother's Day after she was born. Lilac in French is Lilas, so this is HER Lilac.

Put on your sunscreen and enjoy the day. The zoo is next!

Clone Wars

How awesome is this picture?




Tim, Evan, Jack, Brett, Rob, Tyler, Justin, Harold, Kyle, Mark & boys save the date!





http://www.starwars.com/video/view/000639.html

Happy Birthday Bono !!!!

The U2 frontman is 48 years young today !!!

I love being a mom

Today was Lila's Mother's Day Tea.
Something that has been in the works for over a month and it showed. The kids sang lots of songs and the last song they did was Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful World, they sang and did sign language, no dry eyes here. It was the sweetest ever!

Hooray Auntie Holly came, and Lila was thrilled she wore "fancy clothes". Auntie Holly had on a beautiful, colorful skirt.
"Mom, this is the best tea I have ever had." (Tea-AKA pink lemonade punch) Cute!
All of the hard work turned out beautifully. I was overwhelmed by all my gifts. Pictures, paintings, a coupon book, poems and a beautiful petunia in a pot decorated with pretty foam stickers.
Smelling the petunia-beautiful flower with no scent. Lila didn't understand why, but wasn't too terribly upset. Sometimes a flower's so pretty that is all it needs.

This video is beautiful, we do live in a wonderfully, blessed world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtPF9M3nIHs

Shade garden

Every year, for the last 4
probably I tell Tim I HAVE to take pictures of the shade garden, because it is at it's peak in the spring and it's easy to get caught up in all the pretty colors of a summer sun garden. Well, every year I forget. So, much to my surprise I got home from work today around 2pm and my sweet husband had taken all of these pictures and set up a slide show for me on the computer...what a great guy.

Now that I have learned so much about gardening, I have to come to appreciate a lot more than flowers. I love all types of foliage and structure and my shade garden is my favorite! These first 2 pictures are Hostas. There are over 1000 different varieties. If only, if only...






The apple tree has these beautiful pale pink blossoms that contrast so nicely to to the dark pink flowers on the dogwood tree that is just peeking on the right side of this picture. What's really neat about the apple tree, (besides it's totally awesome tree house), is we have let it grow to reach across to the back porch.

If you've stuck through this post up to here you must be really bored or really like gardening :o)

Out of every spot, in every garden I have- this one has been my nemesis...until this year. 2 years ago I put in the flag stones which little kids LOVE to hop on and it doesn't hurt the Vinca Minor to be trampled either. Well, the Vinca would not grow to fill in all the areas around each stone. So, last year I gave it lots of love and attention and surprise, surprise-it's loving me back. (Happy dance).

This last picture amazed me when I saw it alone on full screen. I don't know what it is about it...maybe because I would have never thought to take a picture of 3 little tulips under a pear tree. They don't seem that big of a deal when you're looking at the whole yard, but alone, perfect. Go ahead and click on it. Maybe it's just me?




Happy gardening!

Bye Grandpa

Memorial Obituaries James, Red

Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo! The game of tunes, twists and topsy turvy fun-by Cranium.

If you have kiddos ages 4 and up we recommend this game. It's fun for the whole family and a great game when the little ones friends come over. It really is for little ones-the game tells you what color, shape, food or musical instrument to step on or put your elbow or knee on. It will tell you to slither, zoom, hop or spin. It's hysterical when the "big kids" play this with the little ones.
In the end the winner either does a funny dance or a number of other things. Fun times. Our other family fun games are Disney or Nickelodeon DVD Bingo.








Winner do a funky chicken dance!

HOORAY Daddy!!!







You wouldn't know by this picture that they are suppose to be skipping...

I was playing this too, but I kept winning so I decided to step out and give the others a chance...so thoughtful!

Community Based Services part 1

Community Based Services is an organization that basically adopts an area of your neighborhood and is run by the citizens. Tim and Evan volunteered to help. (It didn't hurt that Tim needed 4 hours community service time for his Environmental Science Class). Today was the big once a year clean out your garages and houses and bring it down to the Elementary school where the city has multiple dumpsters and recycling containers set up. Here Tim is finding out what his "job" will be.


Alright! Official position...checking in neighbors,
making sure they live within the limits, telling them which direction to go and giving them re-usable grocery shopping bags. AKA-Clipboard Man!

"I'm going to need to see your ID Ma'am. Looks good. Here's your bags. I'll let you off with a warning this time." :o)

Whew...time for a much deserved Krispy Kreme break.



Yummmm-O.

Laughin' it up with all the lovely ladies of our neighborhood.

This is such a great thing to be involved in. We have garbage cans on the corners of our streets, signs letting people know to slow down, a great rapport with city officials and the police department. We can even volunteer to sit at a corner with a radar gun and report speeders. FUN! Tacoma gets a bad rap...not from us-we love our city!

CBS part 2

This little old lady, probably in her 70's, walked with her cane-pushing a lawnmower with tires stacked on top of it to drop off for the dump (bless her heart!). Evan saw her coming and ran to help her.
Because it wouldn't be cool to have a real smile for a picture when you're a teenager would it?

We're proud of you Evan! Way to take pride in your community!!!

Uncle Dan is home!

After over 2 weeks in ICU and therapy @ Good Sam's Hospital he is finally home. He said he's glad to be home and he is eager to start doing his routine daily activities on his own. I'm so happy. Pleased as punch, one might say. I love you Uncle Dan!!!

Now, let's keep everyone out of the hospital for a while :o)

Favorite part of the Spring garden

6 or so years ago Tim's dad gave me 3 bare root flowering currant trees and one lived. Thank goodness it did!












Now the hummingbirds have an early treat and we get to watch these little winged wonders do their thing.


So after driving down our ugly alley we get to pull into our parking spot and see this beautiful tree.

Say a little prayer

I went to the doctor yesterday...long story short, I am going back to St. Joe's for another surgery today. Insert sad face here. I have a tear that needs to be repaired. A muscle cramped during the 1st surgery and as I am healing it is trying to relax and can't on it's own so it tore.

Just an update. I can't wait to not hurt anymore. That will be a happy day!

My little brother

Baby Kyler, Michelle & Kristopher

I don't think I could be any prouder of the life my brother, Kris, has made for himself. A beautiful wife, a healthy baby, their own home and a totally awesome big sister. Way to go, bro!

Pretty pink princess & a parade

Grandpa, Daddy and

Lila Grace at their yearly
tradition-

The Daffodil Parade 2008










What a beautiful day !


Hi to everyone that passes by.

Post-op news

I went to the doctor Friday. He basically told me I was crazy for thinking I could go back to work in 2 weeks. I found out that my operation was much more complex than anticipated and that basically my insides were "unrecognizable" (his words). Apparently my last surgery left me with adhesions and scar tissue on top of scar tissue. So, the doctor did his thing and an hour and 1/2 long surgery turned into 3 hours and I wondered why I'm so sore? I get a new medicine tomorrow to help me with pain and sleep. I'm looking forward to sleep. Who knew certain pain pills can cause hyperactivity of your brain? I do now! So, 2 more weeks of "resting". I'm not a fan. Are you watching any cool shows on TV? Tell me what they are. Or maybe a great book that you can't put down...help me!

Slow and steady wins the race

I've been home for 4 days now from my surgery. I wish I could say it has been peaceful and pain free. The one great thing we're not lacking is help. Help with meals, watching Lila, http://miller-trek.blogspot.com/ , check the link when you're done here. Tim has been my knight in shining armor. No matter what I've needed there he is. I've only rang my little bell 3 times for assistance. Today is the 1st that I can move and I don't feel like my belly is ripping open. HOORAY!

The first full day I was home I got a phone call from the fire dept. telling me they found my phone # in Dan's wallet. Dan is my uncle he is 52 years old. He had suffered a stroke while driving from his home and they couldn't get a hold of any one but me. So after many phone calls and prayers I was able to get my Aunt Annmarie & Uncle Pat from Puyallup to Tacoma General to take care of everything. This was very difficult for me not being able to hop in the car and head straight there. As of today, my Uncle is in ICU with a blocked carotid artery in his neck that we are all praying does not bleed into his brain. I did talk to him yesterday and he was not the same guy I know. I'm scared for him...he has always been my father figure. I wish I was with him. I know my and your prayers are! The picture is Uncle Pat & Uncle Dan with me when I was 2 yrs. old (1976)