Honoring Family

This year I asked Jason if we could go up to the Willamette Cemetary in Portland over Memorial day weekend. I was unaware how many graves we would end up visiting, I just thought 2. . . I think in total we stopped by 8 or 9. 

*Sorry about the photo quality, these were all taken by cell phone.*

David Spencer,  Jason's uncle. 

Robert Brackett, My grandpa

Just the view, the rows and rows of flags on the lawn. 

Fletcher Martin- Jason's Great Grandpa

Armeda Spencer, Great Grandma (Grandpa Wayne's mom)

Earl Spencer, Jason's great grandpa

Conrad Spencer, Jason's Great uncle (Grandpa Wayne's brother)

Ethel Martin, Jason's Great Grandma, or Grandma. 

Fletcher Martin- Jason's Grandpa, one of his hunting buddies from when he was a teenager/early 20's.

As we searched for each of these grave markers, we told Hannah about the family member. It was nice to share stories with her and share with her about the experiences that we as family members have had. She was very patient and asked very sweet questions. 

While at Great Grandpa Bob's headstone, she was running around and looking at the flags. As we were walking back to the van, we ran into another woman, probably in her 70's or 80's, and Hannah very innocently asked her "Why are you here?" The woman simply said to her "To visit my husband." Hannah again very innocently states "Your husband died, he's in heaven too." Oh that lady just about lost it, thankfully Jason and I swooped in and stopped Ms Innocent from saying anything further that could be painful for this lady, smiled at the Woman and wished her a good weekend.  I know Hannah doesn't know better, and she really is innocent in her statements/questions, but I could see the pain in that woman's eyes and I didn't want to make her cry. 

Hannah has been starting to talk about life and death more lately. And we want her to talk about things, we want her to feel safe and comfortable to do so. We also don't want her to have some strange ideas, so we tell her things in a kid appropriate version. So we do talk about how some of our family has died and are no longer here with us, but that they are in heaven. We explained that the cemetery is where after people die they are buried. She's been pointing out all the cemetery's that we pass lately. 

This was an emotional day, I realized just recently that this year marks 10 years since my Grandpa passed away. As well it marks 10 years since Jason's Uncle Dave passed. It was hard not to get weepy as Addison was pulling out Grandpa's flag, and Hannah is running around. As I had a moment of "Grandpa's missing this." But I believe that he's not missing anything.

Anyways, it was emotional, but glad that we went. I enjoyed hearing Jason tell us about his various family that I did not know about yet. 

Love, J. 

Mother's Day!

Mother's day found us having lunch buffet at Hudson's Bar and Grill at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver. We had no idea what a spread it would be, it was amazing. It was a lot of fun as well. 

Afterwards we decided to head out to Hazel Dell for some mini golf. Hannah had never been before, so it was a great adventure as a family!

Here's a few highlights of our mini golf adventure. 

Jason, Hannah and Addison

Mommy, Hannah and Addison

Putt Putt!

Hannah had a great time learning this new game. Thankfully there were a lot of families there so people were very understanding about us being a little bit slower since it would take Hannah several more shots to make it into the hole. 

Seriously though, if you want to go putt putt with us, Hannah would love to go with you! 

Love, J. 

NAMI walk ( first 5k )

We participated in our first 5k ever! I was so excited. We participated in Lifeline Connections (my employer) team for the NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Health) team. Because I work on the mental health team we had a high turn out of Mental Health team staff there, though there were other employees from my work there too. Because this was a walk it was appropriate for me to take the girls and use the stroller. 

Addison and Hannah in the stroller to get started. 

Jonathan and Hannah enjoying a treat before the walk. 

Hannah modeling her Lifeline Connections, Walk for Life(line) teams shirt!

Waiting for the train to pass before we got to the walk. The gal in the yellow sweatshirt on the right, from my office. 

See the people??? There were thousands there, it was crazy!

We were on the East side of the Willamette River in Portland. 

Waiting for the race to start. Jonathan and Hannah play with the bubbles. 

Another shot of the people there. 

We had a great time. My coworker Melissa was there with her 2 kiddos and her husband, and we walked most of the way together. Allowing our kids to chat and play around together. It took us about 1 hour and 15 minutes, this included multiple stops to allow the children in and out of strollers, a porta potty stop, and a waiting for a bridge lift! 

Regardless it was a great time for me and the girls and we plan to do a more. I know we have one planned in September, and I'm considering a couple others that are coming up in the next few months. 

Love, J. 

Dinner with Addison

Look at this nearly 1 1/2 year old Addison! 

She wanted daddy's fishy, so he gave it to her one night at dinner with her sippy in it. 

Tonight. She has been fighting the high chair, and wants to sit at the table with us. However when she sits in the chair she is going up, down, up down. So we tried this out, having the high chair lowered a bit, and scooted up to the table, it works great! She will eat meals with us perfectly! She's growing up too! 

My mom asked me on the phone the other night what new words she is saying, and I had a hard time answering, because she is mimicking alot. She has a few that she says on her own regularly, but she mimicks a lot. Tonight I heard her say "book, night, cup, thank you, bye, hi, momma, dada, papa, shoe, sock, up, belly" There are many others that she says, but this is what I can remember from tonight. 

She's walking, running, playing on the playground, she's trying to jump, she is starting to show some interest in creating art with stickers, crayons, she shows an interest in books and being around her sister. She loves to climb into Hannah's bed and lay down. She's showing an interest in the bathroom and once we move (in about 5-6 weeks we hope) we are going to start potty training and allowing her to use the froggy potty when she wants. 

I love this girl, she's amazing and loves her sissy, which I love watching!

Love, J.

Lunch prep

Once a month Hannah has "Take a lunch" day at her school. That day is tomorrow, for Teddy Bear picnic, where they also get to bring any stuffed animal they want. 

I asked Hannah what she wanted me to make for her lunch. 

"Chips mom, the onion ones" Referring to daddy's funyuns we have for his lunch. 

Ok, what else "a sandwhich, but I want to make it." 

And here's an in progress shot. 

Hannah made the whole sandwich her self! Bagel, mustard, mayo, cheese and bologna (pickles in a bag on the side). She's getting so independent and able to do so many things for herself now- it's amazing. 

Last night, she did her own shower last night, soaped up, rinsed, washed her hair, conditioned her hair, rinsed, dried herself and got herself dressed. I would flit in and out of the bathroom just to check on her, make sure she knew what to do next. I couldn't believe how she did it all on her own! Wow! She's getting so big, 5 years old and such a strong girl. She's growing up so much and it's amazing to me. I love this girl!

J. 

Nothing a little Park time can't fix!

Grammy and Papa came by tonight. 

We met them at the park that is not far from our home, and brought dinner. 

I decided to take the girls there a little bit before dinner, in hopes that it would help them to be able to sleep well tonight. Despite me not feeling well, I knew that them getting out doors for a bit would be well worth it. 

Addison, about 15 minutes after being laid down:

Hannah, about 30 minutes after being tucked in: 

Both girls fast asleep and not stirring at all. AHHHH, nothing that a little (90 minutes or so) of park time can't fix!

Thanks Grammy and Papa for joining us- my kiddos love any and all the time that they can get with any of their grandparents. Hannah and Addison were excited to show them their skills- Hannah wanted so badly to show off how she can go down the fireman's pole at the park by herself. Addison wanted to show off her cool chalk skills!

These are the "regular" old days that we love. 

After park it was bath time for the girls, and then jammies, book, song and tuck in time. 

Now, they are both resting peacefully and I have some quiet time before turning in for the night as well. 

Love, J.