Three Years

We have almost lived in our house for 6 years. Labor Day weekend will mark the anniversary of our move-in date. There are some shrubs in the backyard that were already planted when we moved in. One of these never bloomed. We actually never even knew it was supposed to bloom. We just thought it was a lovely shade of green that added some height to the flower beds. Then in August of 2007, delicate, pink flowers popped out all over it. They were so lovely. This was about two weeks before Leila born. Now it blooms each August, just in time for her birthday parties, which are always in our backyard. We call it "Leila's Flowers". Each year, when I spot the first bloom, I remember that summer of 2007 when we were blessed with our baby girl.

She really can't be called a baby girl anymore....the BIG 3-year-old!

Leila at 2.

Boo turns 1.

On her BIRTH day. August 20, 2007...just in time to see those flowers in our backyard.

Happy Birthday, Weed!

Leila is officially three! Her favorite restaurant is Red Robin. Every year this is where we have eaten, just the three of us, for her birthday.

Leila can't even take a break from the ice cream for a smile!
Opening a present from Mommy and Daddy.


Happy birthday sweet girl!

Concert in the Park

Last Thursday we were able to catch The Coats in concert at Pioneer Park. It was a lovely evening for a blanket, Taco Time and some acapella music. We ran into lots of Chris's former students, Leila's daycare provider, a practicum student that worked in my class several years ago and even a friend from high school that I haven't seen in a while.

Claiming our spot.

Does this look like a kid who just had dental surgery that morning? It didn't slow her down one bit!

Pierce County Fair

We spent an evening at the Pierce County Fair last weekend. While it is small, it makes for a fairly nice summer evening outing. There are just enough rides for Leila to enjoy and they sell scones, so what else could one ask for?

Biker chick. Can you see her ink?
Making faces.
Blowing kisses.
Funny faces in the Funhouse.
The funniest part of the whole setup is when you enter. We bought tickets, drove 5 feet and then handed our tickets back. What is that about???

Summer Evening

A family walk through the neighborhood last weekend....after it cooled down a bit. Notice L's crazy outfit...

Another Trip to PDZA

We headed back to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium last week with some other friends. Little did we know, it was free for Tacoma residents. I walked right in without paying a cent! Luckily, we went early...when we left, the line snaked around almost to the top of the hill. It was crazy!

I could NOT get Weed to touch these sea stars. Her finger kept pointing and reaching and then, at the last second, she would back away. Maybe next year.

L and Michael feeding the budgies.

Goofing Around

Leila went with me and some of my girlfriends on Tuesday to the nail salon. She asked if she could have her nails painted purple. I was SHOCKED when she sat long enough to have the gal do it. She HATES having her toenails clipped (this is an understatement!!), so I thought once the gal touched her feet it would be the end of it. I was wrong.

She giggles now every time she catches sight of her toes. It was fun!

Our landing at the bottom of the back porch is the perfect sized canvas for sidewalk chalk.


"Scrunch Face!" Her and Dad have done this since she was about 6 months old.

Girls' Day

My Mom and cousin, Elisabeth, drove up from Portland yesterday to spend the day with us. We hit the mall and had much success at Macy's. After our outing at the mall, we came home and hung out with Chris, talking and eating way too much guacamole, but boy does Chris rock at the guac. Such a fun day!!

Leila and her best friend. This is what she calls my cousin. They have quite the special bond!

New Love

Lovin' the summer weather and the sprinkler.

Headshots

Have you seen the Broadway musical RENT ? I think Leila should audition...

"No room at the Holiday Inn and it's beginning to snow..."

Weekend in Coquille

We spent the weekend with my Mom's side of the family in Coquille, OR. This is the small town near the coast where my Papa Holmstrom was born and raised. A few second and third cousins still live there and we were invited to see the community theater show that my third cousin (I guess that is right???) plays the piano for. June is in her 70s and still going strong playing the piano for most of the shows throughout the summer nights.

My favorite part of the trip was spending time before the show on Saturday visiting with my relatives and seeing the "ol' stompin' grounds" of my Papa.

This was my Great Grandmother's house. The renters were kind enough to let us come in and see the inside too. June and her husband live right next door and they rent Great Grandma's house out. This is the house where my Papa and Grammy got married.

Showing Leila around was pretty neat for my Mom, who remembers playing here at her Grandma's place.

Woody, Chris, June and Jim enjoying some music before the show.
Leila on the hillside of the property. There have now been 4 generations of Holmstrom kids to play amongst these trees!



Leila and Grammy
Aunt Faffy (Kathy) and L. L is enjoying some back rubbing.
June at the piano for the Sawdust Theater show.
June rigged it so Chris would be called on stage during the show to dance the ballet. Leila cried the entire time because he was too close to the "mean guy" (the villain of the show, out of the shot). She was worried for her Dad.

The drive was long, but we really enjoyed getting to see the area. We are hoping to go back soon and spend a little more time in Coquille.