Before the Rodeo....Best Buddies!! Austin and Cole dressed themselves from head to toe.

We love our Cousins!!

Austin & Ashtyn....this is by far the best toy we have even bought!

It was worth every penny! However, Austin is the only one whole can actually drive it! Both Ashtyn & Hadleigh tend to run over plants, each other, and hit parked cars! While Cole, has no interest in being the Driver.....he just wants to ride!

Lunch on the farm....after running through the sprinkler...normally, they all wear clothing!

4th of July on the Farm

Early on the 4th of July...running through the sprinkler!

Austin & Cole....went shopping at a firework stand in Independence...

Cole always seems to go for "big" items while, Austin goes for the pictures on the package!

So, I am embarrassed to just now be trying to catch up on my postings but this summer has been so crazy! Cole and Austin have been busy with T-ball and Swimming lessons, having weekly fun with their nanny/babysitter who we all love to death-Lacey...... and Love to talk about Kindergarten....when, when, where, who their teacher will be, when it starts....can they sit next to each other, can they get new clothes, and Austin is thrilled about going shopping for school supplies while, Cole just wants to play on the big-boy playground!

I have been swamped at work but I LOVE LOVE my job, Lance is busy at his job as well, but our business with the hazelnuts continues to grow...nuts or at least the "blanks" are already beginning to fall. Promising for a big year... we have signed many new customers! Hopefully, we will hit 3 million pounds this year.

Lance and I just got back from a biking trip in Montana!! I have not been there since I was born-to sum it up in one word-AMAZING! A week was simply not long enough! While there...

I fell in love.......with Yoga!! I went to a Yoga class one evening before going to a quaint little Wine bar and well, I have been going to Yoga about 3 days a week since. It is a great work-out, very calming, and quieting to the spirit and I just love it!

We love having company out here!! With the river within walking distance, our fabulous deck, a Rogue Brewery Tasting Room opening down the road in two weeks (1/4 of a mile from our door)and near picture-perfect view out any window........ our house has been a hub for the Kirk's and Grott's this year!! We have so much fun with them!!

My sister and her girls visit in almost ten days where I am sure we will play hide and go seek in the hop yards and pick fresh green beans in the acres that surround our house! Literally, 10 steps from our front and back door! And, of course Jen and my's laugh/cry/laugh sessions after all the kids are in bed and the house is quiet! We can't wait...

As for trying to catch up with photos.....I suppose I will start with 4th of July. I could go back further but that would mean more digging through folders on my computer! Enjoy!

We blew off fireworks from 4pm to midnight...and it was me who wanted to go to bed!

Today was a big day!! The last day of pre-school for the twins.

This was there last circle time.....both Cole and Austin have their arms crossed.

Cole is in the brown shirt next to teacher Cindy and Austin is wearing blue smiling at the camera~! He kept telling teacher Kathy he loved her very much!! Out of all 12 kids she has, Austin was the only boy who continued the I love You's all morning but secretly she said she loved hearing them!!

Cole getting his Diploma from teacher Kathy.....he kept bouncing around and would not hold still!

I don't think he knows the magnitude of what was actually happening. No more pre-school and Kindergarten is coming!!

Austin just loves Kathy....some days I think he would rather be with her than me :) ....but he had to say goodbye today!! It was so sad!!

Well, it is nap time and then we are off to Tee-Ball-our last practice!!
More pics to come...

Spring is here...

Cole & Austin being silly with "ant glasses" they got in the mail from Great Grandma!

It has been a busy few months....the boys have become known for their "one-liners" among our family and friends...
the things our boys come up with are hilarious most of the time and sometimes have the
shock and ahh' effect! Where I am left speechless....trying to put a quick response together in my head. Their intelligence far surpasses anything I ever imagined it could be at this age.
I love this age!!

We approach their first season of T-ball after spring break...which requires every child to have their own baseball mit....and I can't wait to see how that plays out. During that same week, we will meet Cole and Austin's kindergarten teacher for next year....I don't know where the time has gone....5 years old, going on what feels like much much older.

I already miss the babies they once were.
So, friends and family......enjoy your children every minute!

Austin - doing the "Travolta" move....with Aunt Dena's boots on!!

Both Cole and Austin love to play the Wii.....We had our friends over for dinner and what turned into- a Wii night!! Cole loves Guitar Hero....both the music and his dance moves he makes up....I have now idea where he got his rythym.....that kid can dance!!

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Dad and Me......

(dressed up like pioneers on the Oregon Trail)

At the Literacy Event.....Dad did an amazing job with the music!
Thank you....for being a part of my work, I loved spending this time with you!

Getting Packages in the mail

Thank you Uncle Jason for the package...
the personalized piggy banks!

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Mommy tried a lesson for work on preserving fruit....the way pioneers did on the Oregon Trail.
Cole with mommy's "apple face" - Day 6
Austin with mommy's "apple face" -Day 6

Apple Face - Day 10.....
the boys would not even touch the apple when it looked like this :)

5 years old....party time!!!

The Family...

I don't know where the time has gone!! Yesterday we celebrated with our closest friends and family. I made the Kirk's traditional red cake which ended up being quite a chore but no one complained.

Thank you to all of you who came and sent gifts! These little boys are spoiled beyond their means! We are going to be working on our thank you's next week. Austin is excited to use his new pens and the fancy paper I bought for him to write thank you notes! I don't really think Cole was listening during that conversation.......he is still on the floor playing the toy truck from Uncle Eric and Jaimy! Thanks to everyone!!

Austin showing off his balloon!

Cole trying out his new T-ball set....he continued to hit line-drives!!
What a little athlete!

Hadleigh (3), Austin (5), and Ashtyn (4),Cole...missing
Their is something magical about these cousins......they love each other one minute and the next, they are fighting over a toy...but one things for sure.....they LOVE to spend time together!!

Oh, there he is.....checking out his new truck & trailer. Cole does'nt stop moving for much but when he does...he is often amazed by something!

Grandma Martin and Grandma Debbie

Grandpa Martin, Uncle Christian, and Auntie Jenny

Grandma Joe, Uncle Eric & Jaimy.....and Austin..
those darn packages!!!

Can I still say, "Mommy & Me?"