The girls at the house of hope get to take gymnastics now every Tuesday so of course when I am there on Tuesdays I don't miss it! This is my neweset accomplishment. It only took about 30 tries but I was finally able to land the back handspring! Today my quads are so sore I barely make it up the stairs but shoot - I proved to the girls if you want something bad enough you can do it.

My trip to Portland

I was able to use my summer vacation from the House of Hope to go see Chris, Jon and the kids in Portland for 10 days. It was a ton of fun and we were able to do a lot including the zoo, OMSI, a kickball birthday party, fireworks, a couple of movies, and lots of pool time.

For Emily's birthday I took her to Build-A-Bear where she created this cat named "Kitty." As you can see it has been a hit so far. It includes a sequence dress and underwear because according to Emily, Kitty can poop in the toilet and knows how to walk. She will teach Ellen.

Ellen discovered she could scroll up and down on my ipod It was very exciting.

This is her "why are you taking away the ipod and taking my picture?" face.

I got to see Cruz while I was there and we took the girls to see Madagascar 2 in the theatre across the street. Emily was much too tired to walk back - tired that is until we got back to the apartment and she got her second wind.

Jon did the hair!

I am somewhat concerned about what Emily chose to spell with the blocks.

Morning hair after syrup.

Mac and Cheese

Notice the diaper

She loves the chocolate milk!

Bubbles!

The Beach

Dinner after the beach -Not sure what Ellen is doing.

Ellen is admiring a seagull

Jon did their hair

David Budd's Kickball Bday Party

Emily's tiny piece of cake

The tiny cake

Emily playing in the dirt - in between games

Ellen - doing something new - eating

The hardest part of the day - getting Emily out of the Budd's' RV

Training for soccer like every child should.

Model pose.

ZOO

Ellen made a friend

Emily collected rocks and played in the dirt.

The baby elephant

The leopard was getting inches from the glass - unfortunately there was a glare but it was very cool to watch.

Very interesting as you can see.