Camping and Birthday again

It has been a summer of fun with seven or so weekend away but things may be winding down soon but not quite yet. We went camping yet again this weekend but this time headed south and met up with Scott, Carolina, Lucia and Oscar. Met them again in Gifford Pinchot National Forest but this year we had little Oscar as an addition. Elizabeth constantly wanted to hug our cute new friend.
There was mountain biking, hiking and a bit o' road biking. Elizabeth was not willing to cooperate here and wanted out to get in the waterfall.
The highlight was the girls and their dolls. There was much nursing, patting and hugging their babies. So fun to watch them giggling together. I love that our girls will grow up together on many a Westie trip.
We managed to yet again celebrate Elizabeth's birthday with more cake and a Princess Two hat made by Carolina.

The HA HAs

We were in Vancouver this past weekend and the highlight for Elizabeth were these statues that she called the "HA HAs". She asked about them constantly wanting to visit them again, walk around them, talk about if they were sleeping now, etc. She was really fascinated and loved them more than the park or even the train ride.
While putting her to bed tonight she looked up at me with this huge silly grin with her eyes squished shut. I asked her with a giggle 'What are you doing'. She answered "I'm the HA HAs momma".

Elizabeth Eats Cake

Elizabeth is two. She is a funniest little kid ever and loves to make a joke. She saw me react to a spider recently and it must have left an impression cause this weekend on our way back from Vancouver she hollered from the back "Momma a bug in me car seat". I look back saying 'what bug' and she starts laughing "No bug momma, bug at home" and then she belly laughs

This smile is after opening her first presents and playing with her doll furniture and new daddy built architecture model style dollhouse.She spent quite a bit of time dancing in her new 'Toot Toot'.
She woke up this morning asking to ride 'me new red bike'.

And finally Elizabeth eats cake. They had a little party for her at school with all the kids wearing hats and singing Happy Birthday in Chinese then English. So odd to hear her say things in Chinese! As far as cake goes... she is not a sweets person. She likes fruit but at most parties she says no to cake. This was actually one of the first times she participated in the cake eating. Of course the frosting had to be scraped off.

Ring around the Rosies

Pool Time with Lila from kathleen mcgregor on Vimeo.

Pool Time is fun in any weather

The cheap-o' pool is fun on cool and warm days. This weekend we are reaching temperatures into the 90's and a dip in the pool is needed for all involved. Plus a good swim equals a lovely nights rest... its 730am and Elizabeth is still sleeping!!!

July 2010

Long video that not everyone will enjoy sitting through... vacation photos can be torture for those not present. 2nd song is for my brother.

Family Trip 2010 from kathleen mcgregor on Vimeo.

Hot Days of Summer - 81 degrees is hot for us

Elizabeth is a cautious child. She is not one to jump into the group. She takes her time, evaluates what is happening and eventually she gets in there. It was this way with the pool this weekend and especially the other weekend when we went to the neighborhood wading pool. She clings to me, refusing to participate which is fine. I sit with her in my arms, we talk about what is happening, she makes a few comments, takes my hand but she always finds her way to letting go and getting in the fun.
It takes patients as a parent especially when you (umm I) are the sort that tends to jump in feet first and look back thinking... uh oh what have I done. Then again I am also the sort that LOVES to snuggle and that she does while considering her next move. Oh I love a snuggle.

Alison and Quinn's Wedding

There is something about attending a wedding of a friend in your 'real' adult years. It is often a friendship that is cast in stone and will last a lifetime. This was such a wedding. We were roommates for years, co-workers, pregnant together and our daughters born four days apart. I am blessed for knowing this couple and it was the BEST wedding ever (well besides my own).
Jeff played with the girls on a blanket during the ceremony however Lila finally needed to see her mom. Of course this was during the vows but what are you going to do but pick her up and enjoy the moment just the same... or perhaps even more.
As one guest commented... 'it proves we love this couple that we all left the sun and traveled to the pit of clouds on the Washington coast'.

I don't wear lipstick but guess who does...

That is Grandma getting her own make over Elizabeth style..
And here is the instigator of this new love of lipstick... trouble trouble.

Camping with friends

This is 55 miles from our house. Love the PNW. We spent the weekend camping with friends and quickly realized the amount of STUFF kids 'need'. I mean when you are in the middle of potty training the pot can not be a five minute walk away so along came the kiddos pot.
The river was a hit and once we ferried them across to the beach/wading area they were in heaven.

Caming is Exhausting

Family Fun

Laura calls it 'forced family fun'. The McGregor clan was out here for 7-11 days. The first two photos really summarize the trip. There was much joy and there was much exhaustion.


We spent most the week out on the Olympic Peninsula and everyone was hiking... well almost everyone.

Day with the Saxson Kids

Trying to keep up with a very energetic three year old boy makes Elizabeth exhausted which pleases us as she slept GREAT last night. Elliot and Charlotte can come over anytime!!
Jeff was the hit of the day with his own style of dancing. Amused all the kiddos!

Mrs. Hollywood plays sleep with Grandma

Elizabeth's two favorite games are sleep and cooking. Sleep involves having a blanket, a baby doll and a person lay down and 'sleep'. Please know there is no actual sleep but instead much up and down, up and down. Luckily enough the big person is allowed to stay laying. It is a nice break.

July 4th with friends

It was a very rainy fourth so our covered deck was much used. On our street there are 19 kids and for the fourth the street is closed for traffic and kids are basically free to roam, ride bikes and just be kids. There were tons of fireworks, a bonfire late in the night on the street and of course in the true American tradition smores.

Sunday with Lila

Lila came over and spent the day. Having Lila for the day is really easy. The girls have soooo much fun together. We played tea party with Pooh while waiting for the rain to clear. Eventually realized that was futile and dawned our raincoats for a cold adventure walk. Yep summer solstice this weekend and we are still wearing our Wellies.

And Four Years Ago....

It is our four year anniversary today. The sun is out. Elizabeth had a wild morning playing with her friends Alice and Anneka. I am married to my bestest friend and lovin' every minute. Life is good. Now if I was just able to actually see my hubbie today.

The Zoo and a Birthday

Elizabeth loves the Zoo. All we have to do is head in the general direction and she starts screaming "Zoo, Zoo, Elephant, Zoo, Yessss" and then if we are really going there all sorts of joy explodes.
We also celebrated Jeff's birthday. It was really a pitiful celebration as the Birthday Boy was sick. Elizabeth was not phased and was quite excited to open his presents and blow out the cupcake candle. The funny thing is she actually does not enjoy cake. I thought I would try again but still it was a lick of the frosting and then she was done. I don't think we will ever have those photos of her with cake smeared all over.

Prior to Jeff's incapacitation, of which he is now cured, he did his first Tri of the season along with our friend Yvonne. The water temp... 57 degrees... not right!

Chillin' Sunday Morning

Saturday Night Dance Party

Dance parties still happen!!