Foster Cat

Our neighbor, Gary, came over today. He has an awesome garden (yard in general really... he clearly has a green thumb) and came by to give us some broccoli starts for ours... how nice right? He gave us high praises on the progress of our garden too which meant a lot since we are totally surprised that things are actually growing in it.

Anyway, Doug mentioned something about his cat that always spends time over at our house and he said "what cat? I don't own a cat." What? All this time the cat that we fondly call "foster cat" truly is our foster cat! He spends much of his time over here and has become more and more comfortable with all of us. Lately, he has been bringing us his "prizes" of birds and moles (ew).

So, it appears that the latest member of our family did not emerge from my loins, but over the fence to rest on the patio furniture. Now we have to think of a name for two new family members! Any suggestions?

Pears and Bunnies and Veggies, Oh My!

We had a busy holiday weekend! Saturday morning we were up early and off to the annual Pear Blossom Run. This is Doug's second year participating in the race. It was a lot of fun and he did an amazing job! Uncle Tom and Dallas also ran; both making it look like a piece of cake! What awesome athletes we have in the family. Everett will be running it in no time I'm sure!

Surprisingly no one looks like they are going to have a heart attack

Running Fast

Running Faster

We decided to skip the parade and street fair to head home and work in the garden. We planted our corn, carrots, radishes, green onion, and Walla Walla sweets, our lettuce, peas, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli! It is so nice to have the garden in and done! We have to wait a few more weeks for the tomatoes and peppers. Ev and I also got some egg dying in that evening.

Veggies are in!

Close up
Dying eggs! What a mess!

Easter Sunday we headed to early service at church then home for a nice long nap (Ev and mom were tired and cranky!) before heading over to Grammi and Papa's house for Easter dinner and egg hunting. Ev was not really into the egg hunting, but was fascinated by the actual eggs, and the candy that they held. Candy is his new favorite food group. He had so much fun running around after his cousins outside. Outside seems to be the only place he wants to be now!

Looking dapper in his Easter best!

Excited about his Easter "wheelbarrow" from Grammi and Papa

We all looked pretty so we decided to take some family pics!

Toddlers and Tiaras

I think we can bet that Everett will not have a pageant career. Saturday morning we trekked down to the Rogue Valley Mall to participate in the annual "Pear Blossom Baby Contest". I can't even think of something clever to write about our experience... I think I have PTS Syndrome. First we had to pick a category to enter him in. Since getting him to smile on demand is like herding cats "Quickest Smile" was out. Now, Everett has beautiful eyes, they look like little pieces of amber but they are not blue or brown so those were out too and he is lean and mean so chubbiest baby was a no go. Looks like prettiest hair wins out. This particular category happens to be the last to be judged. Thank God we had Grammi and Miss Dana with us to distract.

So after 4 hours and lots of waiting its was determined that Everett would not win anything. Ha ha! If only they had a category for biggest drooler! Oh well... I guess we won't be trying out for Toddlers and Tiara's anytime soon.

Grammi and Ev, Waiting...

Being Judged...at Nap Time

Now He Smiles!

Poser

How Does Your Garden Grow, Phase II...

This weekend we finally got dirt in our boxes and gravel in the walkway. We just need to set up the watering system and we'll be ready to plant, yay! I had an event with Everett to go to (blog coming soon) on Saturday morning so I left Doug and little bro Corey to the gardening... I would have just been in the way anyway. Earlier in the week I asked Doug what I could do to help and he said "make lunch" boy, are we in 1950 or what?! Unfortunately it was probably true, considering I move slow and usually am distracted by a 1 year old. By the time Ev and I returned the boxes were full of beautiful rich soil and the truck was full of gravel ready to dump. I have never seen two people work so fast! I am so glad I found myself a handy guy :-)

Ev helping unload the gravel (AKA playing with rocks)

Ev helping me water, and discovering mud

Drinkin from the hose is fun!

A Visit from Baby Elliot (and his mom and dad)

Our friends the Roa's came down from Portland and brought the most precious piece of cargo, 4 week old Elliot Graham. Some of you may remember Calie and I became friends when she was a Rotary exchange student living with my family 11 years ago. She came back to go to college where she met her wonderful husband Anthony. They are currently living in Portland as Calie attends the dental school at OHSU and are hoping to move back when she is done (yeah!). We miss them terribly especially since Elliot has arrived. Its hard to miss out on one of the biggest events in one of your best friends lives.

We had a great weekend spending time with Elliot. I couldn't stop rubbing his fuzzy little head and changing his diapers (for some reason he liked to poop when I was holding him). We can't wait to visit with them again!

Here are some pics of Elliot's visit.

Everett always needed to be in Mommy's lap when Elliot was

Papa Anthony and Baby E

Smilin

the boys (never did get a great shot of the two of 'em)

just like riding a bike...

They meet at last