Happy Birthday, Sissy!

Richelle, I hope you had the best birthday ever! Between working, taking care of Kam and going back to school full-time, you deserve the best birthday ever. Here's to all the good that lies ahead. Love you more!

Happy Birthday, Kam!

Is there anything better than pretending to be a kid again? A chance to forget about work deadlines or household chores, and just play and eat pizza. That's exactly what we did for Kam's birthday this weekend. We all brought out our inner 10-year-old and played game after game after game. (Shoot, I'd consider this for my 30th birthday.) After we played all we could at Gameworks, we headed to our house for pizza and the Game of Life. All in all, a quality birthday party. Happy Birthday, Kam! I love you.

Mom and Richelle...

... took on the undefeated Kam and Erika :)

Kam adores Joe. In fact, apparently when Richelle asked if he wanted to bring a friend, he said, "No, it's ok, I'll just play with Joe and Grandpa." 

This boy is amazing at basketball. 

The whole crew for a beer/rootbeer break.

 A snippet of a conversation while playing Life at home:

Mom: "Geez, this game is confusing."

Kam: "That's because life is confusing, Grandma."

So wise at such a young age.

P.S. I still have about a centimeter on him. I wouldn't be surprised if the next time, he's finally taller.

Montana

My mom, dad, sister, nephew, cousin, aunt and two uncles are all vacationing in beautiful, serene Montana. I wasn't able to join the family fun because I depleted my vacation bank for my trip to Sweden, so I am vicariously living the experience through cell phone pictures. (Keep 'em coming, Mom and Dad!) The views are breathtaking and the camping site brings back fond memories of all of our family camping trips. Crossing my fingers that I can make the trip next time. Miss you guys!

Great heights.

via

Today I'm wearing these enormously tall shoes that I got to go with my dress for all the weddings this summer. (They remind me of all the Norweigian wood shoes Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere blogged about.)

We're talking 5" heel and 1.5" platform. Currently, I'm standing at a towering 5'10" and it feels good up here. You look at things differently at this height. But, there are some weird caveats like how I can't cross my legs under my desk with one foot on the ground because it doesn't allow enough room for my other leg to fit on top. Something I would have never thought about before as an inconvenience for the tall folk.

I feel like I'm getting a small dose of what my sister experiences daily. At 6'1", she's easily the tallest woman in a room. In the past five years or so, she's really embraced her height and likes to wear heels which put her into the clouds!

So sis, cheers to you for rockin' the height with heels. I wish you could pass some down to your lil' sis.

P-Town for M Day

This weekend I went down to Portland to visit my sister for Mother's Day. My folks and Kam went down on Friday, but I had plans Saturday morning (running over 17 miles!) so I took the train down in the afternoon. (Awesome train story to come.)

On Mother's Day, my dad and I took on brunch for a dozen. On the menu? Swedish pancakes with lingonberries or homemade syrup, scrambled eggs, riblets, fruit, coffee and juice.

Dad and I took turns manning the stove. He's really the pro at Swedish pancakes though. (Well, actually, my Grandma Pete is the pro. I don't know what it is, but there must be some magical ingredient in her pancakes.)

After brunch, Kam wanted to show off his AMAZING reading skills to his Mom. Such a smart kiddo. (P.S. Doesn't Richelle look beautiful?!)

My amazing, talented and beautiful Mom. I love you, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Richelle!

It's my sister's big day today. 32!

This year she deserves the best birthday ever.

Love ya, sis!

Kam wins the prize for "Best Nephew Ever"

My adorable nephew, Kamron

Last year for my nephew's birthday, my family went to the Tukwila Family Fun Center. It's awesome. I honestly think my sister, Richelle, and I had more fun than he did. (The evidence below)

This year, we're going to the Great Wolf Lodge. I'm pumped! It's an indoor water park. I'm going to be running around, waving my hands in the air, screaming alongside my nephew, Kamron. He's lucky to have an aunt who embraces her inner child probably more than normal adults...