Choice #4

Tree Placement

Below you will see three options for tree placement. Could you all please reply and let me know which is the best placement. We really want to plant this tree tommorow night. The winning vote will most likely get picked. Cast your vote NOW.

Choice #1

Choice #2

Choice #3

Freestyle

So yesterday we bought a new car. I had been wanting a bigger car so my girlfriends and our kids could all ride in the same car. Matt agreed to the purchase, because our neice is going to come stay with us for a while and we have no way to transport her. I think the only bonus feature the car has is AWD and Driver Power CD other than that it is Standard. But we are so pumped. This car holds 6 passengers (up to 4 carseats), has AWD, is roomie, has great gas-mileage for a Van/SUV, the seats are a breeze to fold down and it is so solid. We had tried an Acura which we all loved. It had a DVD system, heated seats, power seats, Disc changer, moon roof, etc. But the car salesman misrepresented the gas-mileage so when we got home we were all disappointed. Sure glad we decided to go home and do our homework. In addition to learning more about the Acura we found out the the salesman at the dealership we bought the Ford from misrepresented the price. On the internet the dealership had this car for a drastically different price then the KBB price they quoted us (nearly $10,000), so we feel like we got a great deal. Plus this is the car the car I have wanted since before we even bought the Escape.

House Sales Firsts

I was so excited. Last night our first Buyer went through the house. I suppose he didn't want to buy it, since it is 3 am and we haven't heard anything yet. I should really stop waiting by the phone. His loss!!

Preschooler Love

Nika announced the other night that Benton loves her then that She loves Benton. Maybe they are spending to much time together. Nah, you know Preschooler Love is so fickle.

True Love

Does is mean more when it is written with a pressure washer? I think it does. I thought this was so cool. We borrowed the Bowmans' (thanks bowmans) pressure washer recently and pressure washed our driveway. Matt was so grateful for the information on the use of a special attachment that he felt the need to show me in dirt removal. My husband the cleaner.

Trials of Listing Your House

So yesterday we listed my house with my aunt a realtor. As you can all imagine it is difficult to keep a house clean when someone could drop by any moment. We are only two days into this and it looks like the kids are against us. Yesterday Nika decided to pour a whole pitcher of Apple Juice into a sippy cup that still had it's lid on. And today Nika took off a runny icky diaper, left it on the floor, and walked through it. Ahh. I hope this isn't anything that continues.

Our House For Sale?

Yes, check out the Site. But careful what you post as comments.

http://salemhomeforsale.blogspot.com/

Schools at the Zoo.

Much to our surprise we saw one of your Favorite Teachers at the Zoo. Mara a friend I have had since High School was at the Zoo with her Tualatin School Second Graders. It was crazy how many kids were at the Zoo. Every sort and age. Preschoolers, Elementary, Upper Grades (High School or Middle School), and Special Ed Students. With two double Strollers I don't know how we managed.

The Favorites

As always the bears and the sand are a favorite. It was so cool to see this Grizzly Bear taking a nap. And this was Christian's first time in a sandbox. He was unsure at first, but warmed up to being able to play with out Mom yelling at him to not get dirty.

Zoo with Friends

Today we went to the Zoo (yes again) with our friends Benton, Nathanial and their parents (Paul with the leashs and Andrea). It was so much fun. Nika loved having another little pre-schooler to run around with.

Accent Wall

While the kids and I were out yesterday (Chruch, Birthday party, grocery shopping, etc.) Matt painted the house. Here you see the new accent wall. In the lower picture you also see the new light Matt installed several weeks ago. The house is get ready quick, with any luck we can put it on the market (first for sale by owner then by realtor) by the first weekend in June. On Saturday we bought plants for the front yard. Once the plants are planted it is a whole lot of bark hauling.

Before and After

The last couple of days Matt and I have been working on putting SOD in our backyard. Here are some before and after pictures. As you can see it makes a big difference. I would like to thank all those who helped the process. Josh for helping move dirt, Katie for watching the kids, Stacy for watching the kids, and Nikki for watching the kids. With out you the job most likely would not have been done today. We spent much of this afternoon shopping for plants. We might be able to put them in this evening if the weather co-operates.

Climbing Buddy

Mother's Day

May I please just for a moment brag about my Hubbie. He came up with the idea of going to the beach. It was the best idea ever. I had been wanting to go for the longest time. We did ever so little shopping, had an early dinner (Inn @ the Spanish Head), Play in the Sand like kids, etc. And what just put it over the top was the kids were terrific (like they knew it was my day), everyone got dressed up and kept their clothes clean. I even managed to get enough sleep, get up early and clean the kitchen before we left for Church. Sadly, we were not able to spend Mother's Day with any of the Grandma's.

Make Up

Yesterday Nika got into my Mascara. I was amazed. She looked at it and knew exactly what to do with it. Which is a miracle considering the last time I remember wearing Mascara was my Step-Sister's Wedding nearly two years ago.

Up Close and Personal With Bears

Black Bear

Black Bear

Polar Bear

We Love the Zoo

So Sleepy

Christian's First

It was such a fun day. It took a little time for him to warm up to the idea, but Wow he enjoyed it. There were a ton of kids of every age. So much food, I am sure we will be eatting on it for days. All sorts of Big Kids toys and clothes. We got him a little remote car. I think the toys have been enjoyed more by Big Sis.

He Walks

Yesterday night Christian took his first Step (singular). Then this afternoon he took his second step (singular). I was bragging to his Grandma that she just missed his second step, when I set him down and he took six steps one right after another. I was taken aback. Camara readied we caught his second set of multiple steps (the jury is still out on the actual number) on tape. Proud parents and grandparents will willingly supply the evidence if requested.

Signing off,

Proud parents of Christian Matthew West (nine days shy of his first birthday)