A Difference Between Our Daughters, or, The Hot Tub Gate

Magnolia creates a game in the hot tub pulling my arms up to meet Brian's, creating a gate. This gate requires a key, a "tend" key, that must be inserted into my mouth.

After several rounds, I decide to see what happens if I change the rules. No longer does the "gate" open when she inserts the "key." How does she respond?

Magnolia tries to insert it again and again. As her frustration begins to mount, her Papa suggests that the "gate" may need something different this time. Giggling, she inserts a second "key" into his mouth. Viola! The gate opens.

All the excitement draws Kaleia's attention. As Maggie explains how the game works, Kaleia cheerfully asks, "What key?" and shoves my arms down and climbs over.

Meow!

My girls love being cats. This time Kaleia asked me if she could draw whiskers on her face. I obliged and strategically gave her a washable marker. 

Orencolympics

Toward the end of the London Olympics, signs popped up all around our new apartment complex and at the neighborhood park: "Olympic Celebrations for Kids of All Ages!"

How the Rushes Stay Cool...Lately

Dinner, in this case Pizza 

at our pool!

One of the benefits of apartment living this year is the community pool, which we are taking full advantage of during this hot August. How are you staving off the heat?

Blake visits Hillsboro

Our good friend, Blake visits us wherever we live. Even Beijing. So we were all excited to him be our first guest -- before our boxes were unpacked -- at our newest home in Hillsboro.

Splashdown!

Brian and his brother Kevin had season's passes to Splashdown, a nearby water park, when they were growing up. In the 12 years we've been together, I've never been there, though I've heard frequently of its wonders. So when a deal came up for discounted tickets and Kevin's family was in town from Calgary, we had to go.

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Celebrating 10 Years with Tin!

Each year Brian and I try to incorporate the traditional wedding gift into our anniversary celebration. Tin is the gift for 10 years. We brought back old memories of how we met at Camp Firwood and cooked some tin-foil dinners on the BBQ, while we house-sat for my parents. A big thanks to Auntie Alli and Uncle Taylor for taking our girls for the night!

A Monkey on Your Back

After hearing an Olympic announcer report that a swimmer was hoping to "get the monkey off his back,"Maggie decided that might be a condition she'd like to duplicate.  This has been a common sight for several weeks now.