Sweetness

BEAUTY

Home Improvement

 I haven't been able to help much this summer with home improvement projects, but luckily Chris gained a little helper! Leila was all game to help him paint the two bathrooms and one wall of her bedroom. I'm not sure how helpful it was for Chris though. She came close to painting baseboards, trim pieces and the edge of the shower! Whoa!

Leila asked if she could have a purple wall in her bedroom. She chose the wall where her name letters were since before she was born. I had painted those letters lavender while still pregnant with her so when she chose that wall to be purple, we knew we needed to redo her name too.

 We repainted the letters white and then glued flower-shaped buttons to them. We LOVE how they turned out!!

Summer Afternoons

A typical summer afternoon in our family consists of a nap, followed by a snack, and sprinkler and/or slip-n-slide time. Each of these afternoons usually ends with an otter pop...ok maybe two...and sometimes three. We just can't stop eating them!

12 Years of Marriage

 July 22, 2000 

At the end of July, Chris and I celebrated 12 years of marriage! July 22nd is our special day and it seriously just keeps getting better each year. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I am the luckiest, happiest, most blessed girl being married to Chris. He is the most patient, faithful, loving and generous man. I truly don't know how I managed to find my soul mate and best friend all those years ago, but I am so thankful. I wouldn't change a thing about our love, marriage and family that we have built together. I would marry him again in a heartbeat. I love you, Christopher!

Camping at Millersylvania

 The Tavern side of the family has been camping at Millersylvania State Park since Mike was a young kid. Papa Don would set up the campsite, travel back and forth to work at McChord during the days and then enjoy all the goodness of camping with his family after work hours. Well, needless to say, this camp area has a special place in the hearts of the Tavern clan, so we try to spend a couple days there each summer. Mike and Shawn bought a new trailer this summer and we were invited to share in its first outing at Millersylvania. Leila doesn't remember the last time she went, so it was a new experience for her! We did the usual camping things: swimming in the lake, songs around the campfire, s'mores for dessert, bike riding, playing in the dirt, reading and sitting around the fire talking. Next year we are hoping to be able to stay for another night or two!

Headed to the lake.

The castle and moat that Leila made...with the help of Daddy, Papa, Aunt Lynn and Uncle Sean. 

 We took a walk one night before dinner to the meadow and spotted a dear and a rabbit. They let us get pretty darn close to them!

 Leila brought her cars and we helped her make Radiator Springs to drive them around on.

 Oops. The most important piece of the bike trailer was left behind, so Chris had to pull L around by hand. What a good Dad! Luckily, he doesn't pay a bit of mind to the looks from neighbors.

 Leila laid next to the fire one night listening to the adults talk while playing Angry Birds on Aunt Lynn's phone.

 S'mores...Leila style. She would rather eat the pieces separately.

 Our campsite had a stump that was a little hollowed out in the center. I told Leila she could use it as a cauldron to make spells. Oh, that kept her busy for a while! She was running all over the site looking for ingredients.

Newest Home Owners

 My brother and Amanda bought a house!! After a long search, several offers, some goodbyes to other houses and a lot of perseverance, Jon and Amanda finally got a house! Their new house is just perfect for them! It is in Northeast Portland, has the greatest yard and a huge garage that my brother just loves! Leila and I traveled south in July to help the two of them move. Leila was a trooper! Moving isn't that cool for a kiddo. Luckily, we happened to be blessed with two hot days of sunshine. Uncle Jonny hooked up the sprinkler in the new front yard. Leila spent hours both days christening the yard with its first sprinkler adventures...while the rest of worked up a sweat lugging furniture and boxes. Ah, to be a kid!

 Leila paused long enough for a picture in front of the house.

 Mom worked on putting all the kitchen stuff away. This kitchen will look completely different by the end of the summer. Jon and Amanda have already gutted it and are rebuilding every part. I can't wait to see it!

Daniel and Jojo also came to help move, so that night Jonny BBQed for everyone. The girls, of course, spent most of the time before and after dinner in the sprinkler. 

The neighbor's cat LOVED Leila. 

Charlie Patrick Holmstrom

 My cousin, Eric, and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their first child on Monday, July 16th. Charlie Patrick Holmstrom joined this big, crazy family of ours. Leila shares her birthday with my brother, Chris shares his birthday with his aunt and Charlie shares his birthday with his aunt, my cousin Elisabeth. Too funny!

Welcome, baby Charlie! We love you so much! Congratulations Sarah and Eric!!