I aint' gonna lie

but life has just gotten in the way of posting. It isn't that I don't want to share all the joys and chaos life in the De Blasi house brings, but, in reality - I just forget.

So, an update (of 5 months.....). We are settled into our house. We really like it, the kids like it, the dogs like it, it's all good. School for me ended (yea!), I had sinus surgery (boo....this is what happens when you live in an area with the highest pollen counts in the country), we signed Miles up for kindergarten (what the what?), we had both sets of families visit (although, my parents came to help out during my recovery - not so fun for them). The kids continue to take swimming lessons and LOVE it, it honestly is the only activity they don't say they don't want to do (hello soccer and gymnastics I am talking to you). They are so close to getting it - but Miles tends to let his legs sink when he kicks and Ella just kicks so slow she never goes anywhere.

We haven't traveled much lately. We did go up to the Alderbrook Resort for a weekend to celebrate father's day. It was something out of the movies. I highly, highly recommend it. I took my first trip (by myself) to support some family friends during a tough time. But, I got to go to Santa Cruz (love it there) and got to fly by myself (did I mention that I did this by myself?), oh the good old days of walking into the airport, up to the gate with just a carry on, and then getting to listen to MY music or watch MY movie. It was a little bit of heaven, not gonna lie.

We have a few more little trips planned for the remainder of the summer (hey Medford we are coming your way next!). Soon it will be September and back to the routine of work and dinner (for some reason making dinner is one of those adult things I hate the most). Miles will be in school and that will be an amazing experience for him (he is so excited, he is convinced that he is really big stuff and likes to remind Ella of this). I am really happy for him and excited, I don't have any anxiety now, but ask me in a month and it will be a whole different answer.

I'd like to say I will stay up to date on our adventures (because honestly, every day with an almost 4 year old and a 5 year old is an adventure), but you have seen my track record........until next time!!

looking for crabs in the Hood Canal

Kayaking in the Sound

Ms. Molly

Working on our garden

selling ice cream in the back yard

Sunset at Alderbrook

Santa Cruz

exploring the Redwoods

he said this was his happy face

drinks at the fire pit

Goodbye Portland

collecting flowers at Grammy's

boating at Detroit Lake for father's day

Zoo Train

Collecting shells

My mom helped me design our back yard gardens

making progress on his swimming

I have nothing to say to this.

"let's go down to the water, just to look" they said

soccer practice (see everyone playing in the background?)

Our first bounty. 

Grandma and Grandpapa came to visit from New Jersey

December and Christmas

Christmas tree shopping

December was filled with figuring out loan paperwork, birthdays, Christmas, visits to Santa and vacation. For Mike's birthday, we went to Portland to have good pizza, great dessert (Pix Patessire) and take in a hockey game. It was all fun and games until the cranky kids came into play and we had to leave early.

some amazing dessert with sparklers!

The beginning of the end for our hockey experience

Ella's favorite gift, "Teddy Bear"

Heading to the Keizer Christmas parade

a visit from some of our favorite cousins.

First time bowling, Miles was a close 2nd place!

Willamette Heritage Museum - and endless Christmas lights

Miles's drawing of the Good Grinch

Does it get any better? Ninja Turtles and Avengers

November the round up (yes I know it is February)

How time flies. Well, the Ashland house sold and we were able to secure a new loan, so we started looking at houses right away. After months and months of discussions about pros and cons, Mike and I decided that for us, for our family, and what made the most sense is that we stay in Keizer. So, me being the anxious person I am - I got Mike to agree that we could start looking for houses in the 1 neighbourhood we both agreed on (commute times, walkability, and most importantly schools). There were not many houses and we knew what we wanted after the Ashland house. We spent a few weekends looking at houses and finally agreed on one that had been on the market for awhile, but had a ton of benefits, room to grow, etc - just a horrible paint job inside (think dark brown, terracotta, yellow/green - Go Ducks, and lavender). We made an offer and it was accepted. So the wait and the paper work was on.

Molly got pretty hurt on a walk we were doing and ended up having to have knee replacement surgery (it is actually common - who knew?)

We went to Eureka for Thanksgiving, it had been months since we last went down. It was pretty great, the kids were great in the car, which is such a plus when you are driving 7 hours. We made a trip to the zoo while we were there, the otters were really active, which was pretty amazing to watch. This little costal town has such a great zoo, it's always a fun pit stop. Oh, and they have a petting zoo, which allows Mike to get his goat fix.

Here are some photos if you are interested.

Hike at Forest Park in Portland

The river otters were really playful

Eureka Zoo and the goats. 

Ella's first hair cut, by herself

Christmas card out takes

Halloween

Halloween was quite a success this year. I think it was the first time Miles and Ella really enjoyed it. In my head, I wanted to create this elaborate costume for Miles- involving our wagon and a cardboard AT-AT, but alas, he wanted to be Iron Man. Ella, like every other little girl out there was Elsa from Frozen. Halloween is almost like every other day around here - the kids love to play dress up and spend much of their time playing pretend in some version of superhero, ninja turtle, disney princess. It is pretty great.

My parents came up for a weekend and we did our annual trek to a pumpkin patch - although it was near 70 degrees, hardly fall weather (especially for all those people wanting to wear scarves and rain boots - slowly raises hand in shame)