Our Big Helper!

We have a saying in our household; "I'm just being a big helper".  Usually this statement presents itself in life's challenging moments when the person you are with really doesn't need your help, but in reality you thought it best to step in and give advice or "help" (take over).  We have found that some things are coming naturally to Kyla...like being "a big helper".  These pictures were taken while I was trying to cook dinner as switch the laundry.  She is getting pretty quick to try and beat me to the open door.  

Growing Girl

I have added a page element to the right to keep Kyla's growing updates.  It seems like every week something changes in the world of Kyla.  Her little world is like a sponge soaking in everything.  You take this mixed with her determination, and it becomes a race of strong will and a lot of laughs.  

Dance Kyla Dance (9 months)

Kyla had her bath, put on her clean jammies, and headed to the living room for one last playtime before bed.  She went for the new radio toy that plays a selection of music.  The dance moves came out!  After thirty minutes of music, she finally got tired and was ready for bed.

Oregon Coast

Prior to Jason starting his residency we took a little trip to the Oregon coast.  Only a hour and a half away, this made for a perfect weekend getaway.  We both grew up traveling to the coast for summer family vacations.   On the trip over Kyla slept the whole way as we reminisced about the salt water taffy in the seaside candy stores and the soft sand under our toes as we looked out at the saltwater crashing against the large rocks and mark the coast line.  We couldn't wait to introduce Kyla to the sandy beach, the saltwater, and as she gets older the taffy. 

We stayed in Astoria, which is the city known for one of the greatest movies ever filmed, Goonies.  We found the one bed and breakfast that would allow a nine month old to stay.  We had a quiet little waterfront dinner and enjoyed the fresh clamchowder.  

The following day we headed down to Cannon Beach and went to the candy store and beach.  Kyla loved every minute of it.  We couldn't tell if she was more excited about the sand or the kids playing in the water (the water was cold and there was a chill in the air, those kids were really brave).

The race was on when taking pictures of Kyla.  She soon realized the the beach was one big highchair tray of finger food.  She was determined that she would have a bite of sand to eat before the day was over.  With her hands full of sand we would take the picture, and then run and try to catch her hand just before it hit her mouth.  Needless to say our "photo-shoot" didn't last long.

   

Little Miss Independence

This last 4th of July we spent with family in Woodland, WA.  It was a great time with a large BBQ and swimming.  Jason even got to spend over half of the day with us, which is unusually being that he averages one day off a week and he had to work the 4th.  He discharged all his patients and joined the family.

Kyla is growing more and more!  With her growth physically she is also growing in her little personality.  She is becoming more and more independet and is persistant in doing things her way.  At her nine month appointment the doctor called her "determined".  I told Jason that is just another name for strong willed.  It is so exciting to see her personality come out. 

So, with this said, here are some pictures of Klya and her cousin Karlen at our 4th of July picnic.

Karlen and Kyla

Kyla got the pomp pomp attached to her pants...it didn't seem to stop this determined one.

House Update #1

As you can tell by the title of this post, this is the first entry of many to come which we show the changes we have made in our home.  When searching for a home that fit into our income bracket, we knew that we would need to put in some sweat equity and transform our house with some much needed cosmetic changes.  Our first trip down to Portland after we closed was a quick three day trip.  We needed to sign papers, get the keys, and paint.  These three days included hunting for a refrigerator that would fit our space, painting ALL the walls in our house, and stripping up the carpets to prepare for the hardwoods to be refinished while we headed back up to Seattle to pack. 

Here is a picture of our dining room and a portion of our living room when we first got the keys on closing day.

Here is our dining room after the paint, refinished hardwoods, and trim removed.  Now the trim has been placed up on the wall, however you will get to see the final product on Update #2  (coming soon).

We purchased our first Homeowner's toy...the Lawnmower.  With having a yard that is all grass, we needed to cut it so that we didn't had more growth we would have to cut when we returned.  You can tell by the picture bellow that we had more than six inches of grass in some areas of the yard. 

After about 17 lawnmower bags of grass filling up our yard waste container plus five Home Depot yard bags, we were ready to water our new backyard.  Jason was so glad to have the first cut out of the way and Kyla seemed to love looking at our new watering tools.

Growing up on acreage, many of my fondest memories where of my family spending time together in the yard. I always dreamed of owning a home with a backyard.  I stood on the edge of the patio and thought, I have arrived.  With the evening sun setting, the warmth of family surrounded me and memories of my childhood flooded my mind.  Many adventures are just on the horizon.