A Spring Break Trip to OMSI April 16, 2009

    

I took the day off and we all headed to OMSI.  It was probably the worst time to go, in the middle of Spring Break, there were people everywhere, hundreds of unsupervised kids running wild, but somehow we all ended up having a good time.  There is so much to explore and do there.   

The number one favorite for Amara- the kitchen and grocery store.  Even though she has the full set up at home that she never looks at, she could have spent hours in the kitchen area at OMSI packing and unpacking her shopping basket.  It was so cute to watch.

    

Another favorite was the earthquake house.  The house was built to simulate different strength earthquakes.  It was pretty crazy to feel.  I stayed for a couple earthquakes but had to get out, Amara on the other hand thought it was a ride and had a blast. 

Peak a Boo!!!  On the suspension bridge overlooking all the exhibits.

A wonderful day finished with some rainbow sherbert from Baskin Robbins. 

Happy Birthday to Me!!! April 16, 2009

         

We started the day off at Big Al’s.  Lots of games, pizza and fun.  Our church was having a function that just so happened coincided with my birthday.  I pretended it was a party for me   Amara and Papa having fun playing air hockey.

I could not resist how cute this was.  Daddies and Amara’s bowling shoes, she just has a little more to grow until she catches up!!!

    

We then were off to Mom’s house where Stacie, Abbie and Mom threw me a party.  I had a couple little helpers opening my gifts.  Thanks for all the wonderful goodies!!!  By the way Josh, you did a wonderful job wrapping everything in my gift bag

A table of my favorites.  Growing up I loved Winnie the Pooh so the theme was very fitting.  And of course a Jamoca Almond Fudge Ice Cream Cake which I rarely ever get because only Stacie, Mom and Me like it.  But leave it up to my Big Sis to look out for me and sneak it past my husband   Those who complained got cupcakes

Happy Birthday Dan!!! April 16, 2009

    

I decided I was going to pick up a new hobby- Cake making.  I had these grand visions of beautiful yummy homemade cakes.  Well it may have been yummy, but beauty will come with practice.  I went to Michael’s and bought some cake making tools (I’m sure I really needed them ) Then I searched the web for cake and frosting recipes.  I found some great ones.  Then off to the store to buy all my necessary supplies.  Luckily Dan was having a birthday so I had a test subject to try my new creations out on.  I made the cake, the filling and the frosting from scratch.  I don’t know if it tasted any different than the good old Betty Crocker mixes, but everyone was kind and pretended that it did!!!  At least I had fun doing it

Happy Birthday Dan!!!

Family Celebration April 16, 2009

    

(1st Picture) Papa, Great Grandpa Clarence, Great Grandma Thelma, Aunt Tanisha, Amara and Daddy.  (2nd Picture)  Amara, Daddy, Great Grandma Thelma and Great Grandpa Clarence.

On February 21, Thelma and Clarence (Derek’s grandparents) were honored as one of the First Families of Vancouver’s African American Community.  The presentation was put on by the NAACP.  Thelma and Clarence will be featured in a book that is being published to capture the story of “the deeply rooted African American community that has flourished here since the first families arrived in the  1940s  to work in the shipyards, then stayed to make Vancouver and Clark County their home.”

Amara getting spoiled by her Grandma and Papa.  Looks like some little girl needs a nap

Happy Birthday Papa!! April 16, 2009

    

Way back in February we celebrated Pap’s birthday.  We all headed out to dinner at Papa’s favorite Chinese restaurant, then headed back to the house for present time and dessert.  We went shopping for a present for Papa and Amara picked her gift out all on her own.  Her and Papa love to have tea parties whenever she comes over to visit, so she thought the perfect gift was a birthday cake set so they could eat it during their tea parties.  Something I am sure Papa wanted for his birthday   Amara and Natalie helping Papa opening his special gift from Amara!!!

    

After present we had dessert, we all have dessert fondue while Papa helped the girls decorate their own cupcakes.  I think the frosting was the best part of the cupcakes

Valentine’s Day March 14, 2009

    

This year Valentine’s day was very exciting and fun for Amara.  She loved shopping and looking at everything related to Valentine’s day.  I had to go out of town for the week and while I was gone, her and Daddy went to the craft store and bought paper, glitter, ribbons and everything else they needed to make me Valentine’s cards.  I was greeted with 3 cards and lots of presents when I got home.  She could not wait until Valentine’s day to give them to me so I got my goodies early!!!

     

Another one of the cards that they made and hung up for me.  A brief look at all the goodies Amara picked out for me and Daddy!!  She even helped me make chocolate dipped strawberries.  I think she ended up eating most of the chocolate though.  We had a wonderful Valentines and I was just now (1 month later) allowed to take down the window decorations and the heart lights around the fireplace!!!  We have Easter to look forward to now

Time with Family March 14, 2009

We went down to Nana and Granddads house for a visit and to stay the night.  At bedtime, Amara was having a hard time getting to sleep and she spotted Granddad rocking in his chair so she told me she was going to go have Granddad rock her to sleep.  She climbed up on his lap and out she went.  Good thing he didn’t head off to bed any earlier

    

The following day we went to celebrate my Great Grandma Tabler’s birthday (Amara’s Great Great Grandma).  We were lucky to get a couple photos with her as everyone was waiting to have pictures with this wonderful lady.  I only hope I can be as active and full of energy at her age

    

The first photo is a 5 generation picture with the entire family.  Great Grandma, my Grandpa and Grandma, my Dad (and his brother and sister with their families), Me & Stacie and our families.  It was pretty neat to be able to take such a picture.  The second picture is of Me & Stacie and the kids.  

It turned out to be a great party!!!!

Our New Couch February 19, 2009

    

Building castle hideouts with our old couch one last time.  Amara and Daddy turned the couches over and build hide outs while we waited for Papa to come over and help move in the new furniture.   

    

Our new couch was a little bigger and heavier than we originally thought so we had to first take off the front door to try and get it through, then we had to go and ask our neighbor to come help get it through the door.  It was definitely a 3 man job!! 

    

It took some time to get used to it, but we love it.  It is big enough for all 3 of us to lay around and be lazy on   It sure makes our living room look differently!!!

Another Round of Winter Snow February 19, 2009

    

 We woke up to big snow flakes coming down, which was a little unexpected at the end of January.  Derek and Amara got their snow gear on and headed outside to build Frosty.

    

 She was so excited to finally get to build Frosty.  During our last round of snow we never actually got her to stay outside long enough to get a snowman built.

    

We found a scarf, some arms and a carrot nose.  She did not want him to have eyes though   What a wonderful snowman they built, I just stood by and gave directions!!!  That was until they turned on me and started throwing snowballs at me which is unfair because I don’t have any winter clothes that fit me right now

A Gift from Abbie February 19, 2009

    

Amara is so lucky to have such a nice big cousin.  Abbie grew out of her Littlest Pet Shops so she packed them all up and gave them to Amara.  Amara just loves them and keeps telling me “that was so nice of Abbie to share her toys with me”.  She thinks her Abbie is the smartest!!!!  Thanks Abbie!!!!