Welcome back, Hippo!

My sister came to visit last week from Utah.  She was here only a month or so ago and we were already missing them something fierce when they called last minute to say they were coming again.  My brother-in-law's dad has a timeshare at the coast that opened up, and they just couldn't resist coming for another weeklong visit.  Amazingly fun is the best way I can think of describing our week!  Especially since they are moving clear across the country in a few months, so our visits will become very sporadic.  So sad!

Sambo and cousin Hippo are 3 months apart and have polar opposite personalities.  Very rarely did they get along, but they were adorable together nevertheless -- especially when embracing in an "I'm sorry" hug.

Of course no trip to the beach is complete without a stop at our favorite hangout, the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Buddy enjoying a cone at the cheese factory.

Now, these are the two that get along the best.  Buddy and Hippo are definitely cut from the same cloth.  Noah held Hippo in Sambo's stroller for awhile while shopping.  It was quite a sight and quite a workout pushing 75 pounds of kid in a stroller built for one.  But they were both in heaven, so we couldn't resist.

Like all visits with family, we spent about 90% of the time eating.  This was at a buffet at the casino.  I know it's hard to believe a casino could be a low-point of the trip, but it most certainly was.  Think too many cranky geriatric folks and all sorts of unsolicited parenting "advice."

One of the rare moments these two got along.  All hell broke loose a few moments after this photo was taken, though.

While they were here, we also visited the beautiful Tulip Festival.  I love this place!

Could these kids be any cuter?  

Not pictured:  Our baby cousin (my brother's baby) who spent quite a bit of time with us too.  Maybe we'll get more pictures of him next time.

Just a Few of My Favorite Things

The other day I got the floor all mopped and thought to myself how amazing it is to have clean floors.  There are few things I love more.  Too bad I hate mopping, though.  I've got a real moral dilemma:  to get something I love I have to do something I hate.  Life is so frustrating that way.

That got me thinking about some of my other favorite things.  In no particular order:

• Clean floors.
• Sour Patch Kids.
• Holding newborn babies.
• Getting emails from friends.
• Kissing my boys' cheeks.
• Sleeping in.
• Wearing my pajamas all day.  
• Going on vacation.
• French fries with fry sauce.
• Oregon strawberries.
• Flower and Vegetable gardens.
• Going out to eat.
• Girl's Nights.
• Listening to Buddy read.
• Listening to Sambo say new words.
• Health insurance.
• The Internet.

What about you?

I Wish My Birthday was Coming Up

I was walking through the mall today and I saw this shirt and sweater styled together at the Limited (far left picture with t-shirt detailing on the right).

My eyes just about popped out of my head.  I don't spend that type of money on an outfit (especially when the fanciest place I go is library storytime), but I was tempted.  Oh how I was tempted.  I love the color gray.  And I love flowers.  And I love soft t-shirts.  And I love cardigans.  And I love ruffles.  This is my dream outfit!

Heavy User

In the past few days...

Our desktop's motherboard died.

One of our Tivo's died.

My laptop battery died.

And trust me when I say me and G are really mad about all these problems.

No desktop = no music.

No Tivo upstairs = no 11 o'clock news not to mention a whole bunch of other shows.

No laptop battery = no sitting on the couch with my laptop.

When G called the Mac folks to find out if the batter is covered by warranty the guy said no.  Apparently I've used 429 cycles of battery life since I've had this thing and that would be considered a "heavy user."

I think the demise of the desktop, Tivo, and battery are all the result of heavy usage. 

Don't the say the first step in overcoming an addiction is to admit you have a problem? 

I Couldn't Make This Stuff Up If I Tried -- Part 2

A couple weeks ago I was shopping at Costco and walked by a lady giving out samples.  She stopped me to say something to Sambo.  Then she said something about the product she was handing out, then struck up conversation with me about Dr. Oz, asking me if I knew who he was.  I told her, "Of course I do..." all the while wondering why she was bringing him up.  Random, I thought.

She was the typical sample-distributor at Costco.  In her 70's.  

Things got a little sketchy from there.  She then told me about how she wanted to stalk Dr. Oz and had been looking for his address on the Internet.

With a twinkle in her eye she pointed to her white hair and said, "Just because you've got snow on the roof, doesn't mean you don't have fire in the furnace."  And then she pointed to her, well, you get the idea.

I walked away quickly because I could not contain my laughter.  And now several weeks later, I still think that must be one the strangest and yet funniest things that's ever happened to me.