The Fitzgeralds

The Morgys

Last time we visited the Morgenthalers was last November for their house warming/Kelly's birthday party. Kellen was only 9 months old, not quite walking yet, and Brennan was 16 months. We had a weekend free (finally!) in September so we decided to venture on up and make a visit. The road trip was as smooth as can be with a 19 month old. Thank heavens for The Wiggles and our DVD player in our Tahoe!!! :-) It was a much needed visit for Colin......to be able to enjoy a weekend with one of his best friend's from college. It's been hard not having them live down the block from us now. Especially now that we both have little boys that are less than a year apart. Brennan and Kellen play so well together. Kellen is surrounded by little girls back at home and it was nice for him to finally have a dude to play with! HA HA! The Werders also came over one night for dinner. They too have a sweet little boy named Pace who got along wonderfully with Kellen and Brennan as well. We're hoping one day the Morgenthalers decide to move back down to Oregon (we can wish, right?) and reunite with us. Thanks for the wonderful hospitality, Morgys!!!

Meet the Merrills

My grandma and grandpa Merrill live up in Issaquah, Washington. I have so many fond memories of them and their house growing up. I remember bragging to all my friends when I was in grade school that my grandparents had the BEST house ever and that it was a "mansion" surrounded by wilderness. Some of the fondest memories there are riding around with my grandpa on the riding lawn mower, chasing the squirrels that lived in the backyard, going on wilderness walks through the forest and discovering ball parks and all kinds of incredible hiding places, loading up in grandma and grandpa's motor home for another fun-filled road trip, sleeping in the TV room with my sister and going through a binder full of hundreds of movie titles of the movies my grandparents had, sneaking many peaks at the movies only adults were allowed to watch, Christmas' that a child could only dream of, endless snack bowls filled with candy/chips/etc., a closet full of delicious food in the basement, sliding down the stairs at full-speed on blankets....the list can go on forever. Their house and the memories made there are held and cherished deep in my heart. For the past 19 months I've been wanting to make a trip up to Issaquah to see my grandparents and for them to meet Kellen. Colin and I had the perfect opportunity when we decided to visit the Morgy's up in Anacortes, WA. We'd stop by on the way up to break up the long road trip. It was such a wonderful visit. Even though we were there for only a couple of hours, it was so nice for Kellen to finally meet his great grandparents and it felt like home when I hugged my grandma and grandpa. I did not want to leave and found myself wishing that I lived closer to them. I miss them so very much. We will definitely have to start making this trip up to their house an annual thing. I love you grandma and grandpa and can't wait to see you again!!! XOXO!!!!

Trailblazer Mania!

Colin won some suite tickets to watch the Trailblazer Fan Fest. We were excited to take Kellen to it, especially because we'd be in a suite where he'd be able to run around and not stay put for so long. Even though Kellen only lasted the first half, we still had a great time and Kellen was wowed by the cheers, lights, and "shahpball" (his way of saying "basketball) being played. I think his favorite player was Rudy Fernandez.....oh wait, that's mommy's favorite player....Whoops! ;-)

Hillsboro Airshow 2009

We've started a tradition at our house every summer to host a small BBQ with close friends and any family at our house and watch the Airshow above us in the sky. This year the Thunderbirds made their appearance. I cannot describe how loud these jets are. They fly right over our house and literally shake our house. It's an interesting week once they start practicing, especially during Kellen's nap time. Ugh! Luckily and amazingly he slept through the first run through and was awake before the next two. Everyone loved watching the speed and bravery in the sky!

Kellen with his earmuffs ready for the jets!

Diggin' for ice

Eva and Bella.....Kellens' friends

Lawn mower racing

Chalk in hand and ready to write!

Chef Larry Legend

Three Amigos!

Bye Bye Curls!

The ringlets on the back of Kellen's head were starting to develop into the makings of a mullet. Needless to say, Colin and decided it was time to say good bye to Kellen's precious curls and head on over to Curtailed and Pigtails to get his first haircut. It was a bitter sweet experience for us. Kellen was on cloud nine sitting in his taxi cab chair, watching Elmo, eating animal crackers as his hairstylist went to town on his hair. As I was watched his curls hit the floor, I kept thinking to myself, he is not going to look the same as he did with these curls and panicked silently inside. Sure enough I was right. When all was said and done, Kellen looked months older than he did with his curls. He was no longer baby-looking, he was a little boy! It took a few days to get used to his new style, but I love the new look now! Such a grown up, handsome little man we've got! Check it out....

Before the haircut