Three Garner KIDS will live in here...

I "worked" from home Monday.  The kids went to daycare and I had a DAY to paint, decorate, and accessorize the kids' room.  It was a busy, and very productive day.  I sure needed that...as nesting has certainly kicked into high gear, and I have been wanting to feel like THE room is ready for THE Holden.  It is!

His clothes are moved into the dresser, and his name hangs above his bed.  Hazel and Henley are all settled into their own beds.  The pictures are hung and the walls are FUN and WELCOMING! 

 After a day of painting, my brushes needed a good wash.  As did my arms, legs, face and hands.

 Hazel DELIGHTED with her new bed and mommy's handiwork on the walls.

 Brother enjoys the vantage point from UP on sissy's bed too.

 Hazel points to Holden's name and bed awaiting him.

 Henley wouldn't pose in his bed, but this works.  He LOVES Hazel's bed.  However, with how much the little guy moves ALL night long, a LOW bed is a must for him.

 Both kids LOVE the star lights their daddy picked out special for them.  They love that they can turn them on/off/on/off all by themselves.

 Hazel is especially fond of her mirror, hung just the right height for her to check her own reflection.  The past two mornings, she hurries out of bed to check and see just how messy her hair is.  She laughs at herself and then rushes off to get her day going. 

 We are all excited for our new addition.  Hazel talks of Holden coming all the time.  It is fun to see the anticipation of a new baby through her nearly 4 year old eyes.  A big difference from the 2 year old Hazel when Henley was on the way.

Eugene Celebration - our FIRST!

After living in Eugene ten years, we figured it was about time we see what the Eugene Celebration is all about!  Grandma and Grandpa joined us this afternoon as we all took part in the Celebration.  I didn't mind that it was the last day, and not too crowded.  Easier to keep track of children!  The sun was OUT, whew, but that didn't stop us from strolling around.  The kids enjoyed a magic show, a few live bands, and of course some yummy treats.  Beau even treated me to a pair of earrings that were calling my name!

 Grandma encourages the kids to boogie down.  Later, in front of Voodoo Donuts, they got DOWN!

 Grandpa's treat wasn't so sweet, but it was nice and SALTY.  Yumm, fresh kettle chips!

We were so lucky to stumble upon the Celebration's "Slug Queen."  She was so kind to pose for a picture.  The kids didn't even get slimed! 

***

Likely, it won't take us ten years to get back to the Celebration.  The frozen chocolate covered bananas rolled in crushed Oreos will certainly entice Beau back again next year!

Our BIG boy, Henley!

Just in the past week, our Henley has made some big changes.  All on his own!  Wednesday at daycare he insisted on using the potty.  A first.  He was patient and sat for a good 10 minutes.  Claims he went pee pee!  Later, at bedtime, he insisted on sleeping in his new big boy bed and not the crib he has slept in for the past 23 months!  We thought it would be a disaster, but he did fantastic.  Not a peep from him all night.  I tried to sneak in and get a picture when it was time to get the kids up, but felt resistance at the door.  He was lying across the front of the door!  Hmm.  He woke happy and so proud that he had slept like a big boy (most of the night - at 5:30 am when I checked on him he was still in the bed). 

Since that night, he has gladly slept in his big boy bed.  So proud of himself!  He loves our routine of reading a story (or two), singing a song, and then tucking he and his stuffed raccoon in for sleep.  I am AMAZED that he initiated all this on his own, and that it is going smoothly.  Keep in mind that Hazel has always been our great sleeper, Henley not so much!  So, for him to go to sleep without a peep (or a wail) is phenomenal.  We are so happy - all of us!  Now, we just hope that he doesn't regress when baby brother arrives in a few weeks....hmm.

Oh, and he has begun showing interest in the home potty too.  Hazel was so proud of Henley when he pee pee'd on the potty the other night.  Henley beamed.  The little guy certainly is growing up before our eyes.  Love ya buddy!

 His first morning waking after sleeping in his big boy bed, Henley was all SMILES.  (After moving from the front of the door.)

 Henley sleeps under his big sister.  A better bunkmate would be hard to find.  Hazel is delighted to know that she is the "protector" of her brother.

Second morning after sleeping in the big boy bed.  The big boy is still in the bed!

 Sweet boy.

Soon Holden will join the fold, his train already lets us know he is coming. 

Chugga chugga, CHOO CHOO!  Holden we are (almost) ready for you!

Dorena, OREGON!

A few weeks ago, we welcomed Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Caspian & Uncle Seth to OREGON.  They bought a house in Dorena.  This past Saturday we headed down to play and spend the afternoon and evening.  The Row River borders the property and is BEAUTIFUL and quite refreshing.  It was a perfect day, mid 80's, and we enjoyed the cool water.  All of us!  We haven't had family so close since we moved to Eugene ten years ago.  It will certainly come in handy (already has) to have quality and affordable babysitters!  Not to mention all the house projects I am looking forward to Beau completing now that he has his dad nearby.  I would blog my list, but there may not be enough space.  Ha!

More than anything, it will be nice to know that our kids get to see Bruce, Roberta, Caspian & Seth more than a handful of times a year.  Now we just have to make sure they all become DUCK fans! 

Henley holds on tight while Grandpa gives him a float.

Hi daddy, look at me!

Henley enjoys seeing his Grandpa more often!

The water is so crystal clear and the bed of the river is rock. 

Here comes Hazel!

Weeeee!

And back again she goes.

Richie has always has a fondness for Seth, as do we all.

While we were visiting, Beau and I enjoyed watching Seth work in his glass studio.  I came home with a lovely marble he formed before our eyes.  Very cool.

I love all the Carin's they have made to mark their turf.

The family relaxing.  There is a little sandy beach on their property, perfect for the little ones to dig into and get filthy.  Good thing a river is close by for cleaning.

Richie loved the river fun too.

A happy little ship-wrecked Hazel.

Seth gives Henley an escort ashore.

Organic frozen treats made by Aunt Caspian.

Fair Time!

We took the kids to the Lane County Fair Friday night and they all had a great time.  Some fair favorites...

The animals of course.  Beau especially loves checking out the animals, though Henley is VERY fond of all the furry creatures too. 

The people watching.  A favorite of mine.  Why is it that over 1/2 of the fair-goers are teenage girls who seem to have an aversion to covering their skin!

The rides.  Another favorite of mine...though my big belly kept my feet on the ground this year.  I watched people on the SWING and longed to be among them!  I hold out hope that my kids don't take after their father (he gets sick on rides), and will go along with their momma when the time comes!

The food.  A fair elephant ear is a must.  Yumm!  For what they charge for those things, you would think they were made of real ear.  Thankfully not, and thankfully one was large enough to be shared among my family of 5.  I certainly could have EASILY put away the entire delectable treat on my own, but then I would have had some sad little eyes watching me!  :)

 A video of these pigs would have been better.  They were so cute, "kissing" snout to snout through their pens.

 This stallion was so handsome.  He was a little camera shy though.

 After seeing the animals, we headed to an interactive play area for little kids.  Hazel and Henley both loved this display.  The objective was to clean up the farm yard.  Hazel would leave the display, then come running back saying, "Time to be a farmer girl."

 Henley needed daddy's help to get his tractor to go.

 Richie was a pro.

 My little farmer girl.

 You may wonder what they are all watching...

 Moto-X racers!  I was worried the entire time...but the rest of my family was enthralled.  The biggest kid of all being Beau.  Henley, don't get any ideas. Mommy will not support this sport!

 Yikes!

 We all ate corn.  Yummy, buttery, messy fair corn. 

One final snuggle with a fair creature, and it was time to go home.

***

A fun way to spend a warm summer night!

Weekend at Nana & Papa's

Last weekend, we flew the coop and headed north a few hours to Nana & Papa's house.  It had been a long time since we had played at their house, and Henley especially LOVED getting reacquainted with all of Papa's ducks, the stuffed and carved variety.  Beau and Richie stayed back this weekend and switched the kids's rooms!  Make way for baby brother!!  It proved to be quite a time consuming and labor intensive process.  A day trip to IKEA was also necessary.  I met the guys at IKEA for the afternoon on Sunday, and three hours later, they headed back home and I headed back to Nana & Papa's.  I was without my camera most of the weekend, almost as though I had left a child behind.  Beau brought it to me Sunday when we rendezvoused at IKEA.  Whew!
 

 Henley held up his very first drumstick, asking me, "What's this?"  After a reply of "chicken" he quickly began devouring the yummy barbecued delight prepared special by Papa. 

 Pictures don't lie.  Hazel devoured her drumstick too!

 Nana's friend Jan lives on a farm and she was nice enough to share the farm experience with the kids.  Hazel and Henley both were delighted with the idea of collecting eggs.  Surprising enough, no eggs were damaged in the process!

 A busy hen works on an egg.  (We later collected that one too!)

 Jan's horse, Dan, was a good sport as he allowed Hazel a sit.

 Hazel sure did love the farm experience!

 Henley is smitten with horses, and with the help of Nana, he was able to get up close to Dan.  Nice Horsey.

 Thanks Dan!

 More eggs, a farmer girl's work is never done!

 So many colorful varieties of chickens.

 Henley was quite interested in watching the chickens cluck cluck around.

 We stayed an extra day at Nana and Papa's so that we could visit more friends on Monday.  Here is Kyle White, already three months old.  What a handsome and sweet little guy.  His big brother, Nathan, is fantastic with him.  Hazel and Nathan were a hoot to watch play and chit chat.  Bummer I didn't get a photo of these two together! 

 Michelle, Ryan and Bryce were visiting for the weekend.  It was a special treat to see these friends as they live too far away.  Bryce is quite a cute little guy, already a year old!  Here is Hazel with her buddy Bryce.

Michelle and I have been friends for over 20 years!  Thanks to the Nelson's for hosting us all for the open house to come and see such special friends.