Maren's 2nd Birthday Party

We had the party at Thatcher Park a pretty park on the hill overlooking Forest Grove

We had snacks and cupcakes

I thought this was pretty cute how Maren was cheering everyone on. The pinata was the sturdiest one I had ever seen. It made it through all the kids until Isaac busted it open.

We had a great turnout probably due to the bad weather in the morning and the clearing in the afternoon. I bet everyone was anxious to get out.

I captured this cute pic of the girls playing on the Danish made playground.

Sunday we opened gifts from family.

Grandma and Grandpa Haymond gave her this cute Pooh backpack. You cant tell by the look on her face but she really likes it. I filmed the rest of her opening gifts so I dont have pictures but she got many nice things such as a purse with play makeup brushes and cell phone, a cool play van with a mom and daughter to put in it. It plays cool music that Maren loves to dance to. She also got a shopping cart with food, a wooden train and a bubble gun. She got pretty spoiled! She also got a few cute outfits from both grandmas and Auntie Amber.

Marenina Ballerina

Maren loves to dance and she loves to dance in her "arina" skirts and dresses.

I found this cute shirt to add to her love.

4th of July Weekend

What would a 3 day weekend be like with out the beach? Just not as fun.

We all slept for a couple of hours and got a bit sunburned!

On the 4th we went up to the Olympic National Park and hiked around the southwest corner. The hikes were around Lake Quinalt.

This is the largest Cedar tree in the world.

It was scenic and beautiful.

Just love Maren's face.

These the few highlights of the trip.

Picking Strawberries!

Maren has to get her fill on the swing before we can do any picking.

I just had to add this one because I think I have a good-looking husband.

The beauties

Maren was surprisingly good at picking strawberries, although not many made it in the bucket.

She insisted on carrying the buckets herself

Kate's Reception

Maren with all the Kauffman kids

Not a whole lot of cooperation when it came to picture taking all day. I never knew how stressful it could be to get a two year old to behave all day in a white dress at a wedding.

Maren and uncle Kaleb swinging away

My dad happened to have his 55 high school reunion in Utah the same week of the wedding so I got to see my family too!

New friends

Maren and her second cousin Alina had fun getting to know each other

I love the lighting on these two cuties.

It was fun to see them enjoy each other as we, their parents, enjoy being together.

Our Garden!

An older gentlemen in the ward has a rather large family garden that he needed help with this summer. Last year he had students help and he needed help again this year. I say to my really excited husband, "You know who is going to be doing all the work don't you?" Well he talked me into it and that is just what is happening. So I take Maren over their almost every day and while I work she gets into mischief. These pics were caught at really early stages of planting. I will have to update so you can see what it looks like now.

It has not been an easy process hauling a two year old over there, keeping an eye on her, working hard planting and weeding, learning how to do it all for the first time, coming home with a tired and dirty little girl just to do it all again the next day. Through it all, there are many rewards and I feel blessed.

Seaside

What would summer near the Oregon coast be like without trips to the beach? We love it.

Look closely, in the background you will see Maren in the far off distance running away.

It was not as cold as she is making it look. I love this pic of her.

Chinese Gardens, Portland

Our public library offers these wonderful family adventure passes to anyone that requests them for multiple attractions in the Portland area. we often take advantage as they are always a bundle of fun. It was one of the first warm and beautiful days of the year so I requested the Chinese Garden pass. When we arrived I realized that it had been exactly five years since I was in China and saw gardens like this one all of the place. It was fun for me to think back on that wonderful time and to have this time there with my family.

We were able to capture a fun family picture among the beautiful plants and architecture.

I love the lighting on the ground in this picture as Maren is enjoying the long hallways and the freedom.

It was definitely a day to remember.