Our POOR tree *sob*

It is still May 6th (after all the artwork), Bryan came home in the evening, and a BIG branch of our beautiful flowering tree in our front yard had broken off! So we had to do an impromptu trimming of our tree. (Which meant a fast dinner, so we could get to Bible study on time.)
We are quite sad about this, as the tree looks a bit dorky now. Oh well, Obviously it had needed a trim, or it wouldn't have broken. It broke because we have been having a bit of wind and rain. While the rain isn't all that much of a surprise, the wind has been unusual!
Mircea helped her Dad with all the work, while Casper and I watched, and of course gave "helpful" commentary!


The tree with the big branch taken off and some others. (I really wish I had gotten a picture of the tree BEFORE this all happened, as it was looking so beautiful! Of course, I was waiting for a nice day to take the picture--next time, I will just take a picture!)

The view from the road

Smelling the pink flowers.

The spot of the big broken branch

Mircea stomping in the drain

The view from the house

Bry and Cea picking up the first round of branches

A huge load

The helpful load

More trimming *SOB*

Directing with a big stick

Trimming off the top (after our trimmers broke and we had to borrow the neighbors).

The final result (until we have more time, to cut off some stray branches).

If there is an easy way to go to the tree, and a harder way, guess which one Cea will pick!?!

The last piece picked up

The artist

Wednesday, May 6th

We had a great time in music class. The songs were fun, the snack was yummy, and we got to play with playdoh. When we got home Mircea said, "Mom, I need to paint today." So, we had lunch and I got out the water color paints. We tried the little ones you see in the picture, then we switched to other water color paints, and then we switched to some press down and paint items--which worked the best.
We painted together--so items like the laundry did not get done--but painting is WAY more fun than laundry!
Uh, I would recommend that NO ONE visit us the next couple days, as we might not have any clothes! snicker!

Starting out . . .

We have done several feet of painting at this point!

Grandpa's Birthday

Grandpa's Birthday is May 1st. However, we celebrated it April 30th. This is the 3rd annual year of going to the "Brown Bag" restaurant in Redmond/Kirkland to celebrate his birthday. It is a rather crowded event--as we use all their high chairs, and there is lots of chaos! So far they have sat us in the same far back corner each year--hmmmmmm!

The "birthday boy" and the kids.

Grandpa and Grandma and the grandkids!

My 2 sisters, Ginny, Beth, Dad, and myself (Porsche)

Mom and Dad

Isn't this just hilarious?!?!?!
Cea is in to having puppy dog ears for her hairdo!
Then, she puts her hands in them! Snicker!

A farther away view!
(By the way, she is wearing the tie-dye shirt she made at the treehouse wedding!)

Grandpa and Casper

After the dinner, Cea, Casper and myself, hung out a bit at Beth, Joe and Danny's house, so we could let out some of our energy! It was cute to watch them getting along so well!

Wheeeeeeeeeee!

If you are wondering what they are doing
--it is quite simple
--they are watering the tree with Joe's water bottle!
--makes perfect sense!
--doesn't it!?!

Yup, it is growing now!

Cea picked some "beautiful"flowers for Aunt Beth.
So they are putting it in Aunt Beth's fancy vase for flowers such as these!
We call these flowers, "dandelions!"

Hanging with Aunt Candy and Uncle Steve

I had to post this post before Candy and Steve moved out here! (I am behind in my posting!!!)

This post is about Candy and Steve's visit during their spring break (Candy is Bryan's sister). Be aware!--Plagiarism abounds within this post, as I have appropriated/"borrowed" many of the pics from Candy's blog. (Just take it as a compliment that you have an awesome camera--hmm, and I have cute kids, and when you combine the 2--well, I needed the pics!)


Candy and Steve came out from Montana to house hunt during their spring break, as they will be moving to WA in July. Steve will be graduating from college in May--Good luck with finishing your senior year! (He is really smart--on the Deans list and everything!)
Anyway, they came out and stayed with Brad and Polly; where we met up with them the first night. It was their first time meeting Casper.

Then they came and stayed with us. It was great to see them.
Casper really enjoyed it when Candy carried him around Ikea.

Speaking of Ikea--Mircea got to go in the kids area for the first time, since she is potty training herself! And doesn't wear a diaper! (YEAH!!!!) Anyway, she has been talking about the balls you jump in and play in since the last time we were there, and we had told her she couldn't go in until she was potty trained. Anyway, she got to spend time there this visit--unfortunately, I didn't have my camera, so I couldn't take any pics of her (and of course I forgot to borrow Steve and Candy's camera which they had)--maybe next time!
Also at Ikea, Candy shared her frozen yoghurt with Casper! He likes it!

We miss you guys!

Hi Aunt Candy!

Nice to meet you Uncle Steve!

Obviously, if you have a bunch of Appleman's around, you definitely need some ice cream!
Cea is eating while Polly is serving!

Playing with playdoh!

Ummm, I don't think anyone is going to want to use that glass after Casper!--the drool king!

Casper giving Aunt Polly a smooch!

Aunt Polly smooching Casper right back! That is one BIG smooch!

This picture is all about the scarves that Candy made Cea and Casper!
It just goes to prove that crocheting is actually a genetic anomaly!

Cea doesn't want to go home!

Candy and Steve sleep in, the day we head to Ikea.
Casper is hanging with them while they laze about.

Shopping--Casper is such a great boy--very patient with the shopping.

If you look really close you can see his "ice cream mustache"

Sleeping at Ikea

While it is extremely cute watching Casper bite off Candy's nose, please take a good look at Candy's hair--as it then explains the next picture. Candy. . . I mean Cea; and her hairdo!

Tummy time with Daddy!

Casper is adorable! This is the monster outfit Candy and Steve got him!

Still adorable!

Such a cutiepie!

Casper is upside down--he will probably walk on his hands before he walks with his feet!

Steve and Candy are enjoying the whole Uncle and Aunt experience!

upside down as usual!

The love of Candy's life! Isn't he just one cool dude!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Can you guess who did Cea's hair?

Believe it or not, but these 2 are only related through marriage!

Family Picture before we all leave for different places and Candy and Steve go home!
Thanks for hanging out with us!
And thank you to Polly for the delicious dinner she served at her place!

Best Friends

Just a couple blocks away, Ellia lives with her parents Megan and Brandon. We all go to Sunday meeting together; so we figure that Casper and Ellia are best friends. :) She was born exactly 4 weeks before Casper. Their stats so far seem to indicate that she is taller, but he might be a bit heavier. She also has a long tongue, while he is tongue-tied. She tends to eat with dainty sips, while Casper gulps his food down! They balance each other out rather well!
Here they are:

Casper checking out Ellia

Mircea sneaks into the picture to give them both a hug!