Working girl

I have people who are less than thrilled with my lack of blogging lately (Hi Marna and Brian!). I've been a little preoccupied, which leads me to my very exciting news...
I've re-entered the work force.
The best part? I'm not sure I can just pick one, but my commute might top it all. I get out of bed and walk 4 steps to my desk :) I'm working from home peeps. I am doing bookkeeping for Special Occasions and although it's only been two weeks, I'm freaking loving it. It feels good to get back into reconciliations and invoices and all that fun accounting stuff. I'll be taking a course on Quickbooks which thrills me as I've wanted to learn that for some time...and I get to add payroll to my skill set. Ever since I started in accounting back in college (working for the local Credit Union) I have been interested in the payroll side of things so I'm really looking forward to that.
Special Occasions is located down in Corvallis and owned by my brother-in-law, Kyle. He's taking a big chance on me with trying to figure out this remote thing and I can't thank him enough. I've got my own laptop and I feel like a big girl :)
So, this does lead us to Penny. My last month with Penny was going to be July, as Lark will start her sabbatical and then Penny will start preschool/daycare in the fall. However, I spoke with Lark about this new job and she is so supportive and understanding. So April will be my last month watching Penny, then she will go to Nike 3 days a week and the other 2 Lark's mom will continue to watch her.
When Lark and I first talked about this big change we shed some tears...it's the end of an era! I've been watching Penny since she was 3 months old, and Reese doesn't even remember a time without Penny. So it's just emotional. But it's a good thing and I think Penny going to Nike will help transition her to preschool next year.
This month is going to be extremely tough. Brian is traveling every week, I'm still watching Penny, started my new job and still have 2 kids, a house to clean, laundry to do, food to cook...it's already wearing me out and we're only 7 days in.
Just keep telling myself it's one month, take it one day at a time.

Lark and I took the kids to Washington Park the day after I told her about my new job...it was some good closure for both of us and the kids had a blast. How have we never been to this park, it's amazing!

Love when they get along

You try getting a pic of 4 kids...it seems impossible at times

Reese and Penny blowing wishes

Penny Jo

Love her piggy tails

She has gotten so big!

Cooper and Bria being adorable

Girls Day Out

Bria didn't have school on Friday so we took the opportunity to have a fun girls day. I asked the girls what they wanted to do and when Bria said she wanted to get pedicures, I knew I had raised her right ;)

First though, we hung out in our PJ's for awhile. 

Had to capture Bria reading to her sister, love these moments

Pedicures!

Reese chose bright orange, Bria chose a sparkle pink color

They were so good at the salon and all the workers kept complimenting them. As a Mom, that's the highest form of flattery.
After our nails were beautified, we headed to Biscuits Cafe for some brunch.

Smile for pancakes!

After that we hit up the library, checked out some movies and books and went home to relax on the couch with the new movies. 

Once the movie was over we headed to Target so Bria could spend some of her birthday money. She chose two new Barbies, Evie and Mal from the Disney movie, Descendants. It's her current obsession. 

Whew. Eventually Brian came home, we had dinner, and then the girls crashed.

It was a good day.

Ordinary

I don't have a lot to update on, things are pretty ordinary here...which is a good thing.
Lately, Reese's favorite thing to do is go to Starbucks and Barnes and Noble. They are connected so after she gets a cake pop and I get a coffee, we shop around Barnes and Noble. First we have to play with the puppets for awhile, then we go look at books and play with the ponies on the stage.

We have gone outside a handful of times in the last 2 weeks or so, the weather has been cold and rainy. Very grateful when we get breaks from the rain and we rush outside to breath that fresh air.

Scooter gang

I took the two littles to the library last week and they had a cute photo booth for Dr. Seuss' birthday.

The rain was still holding off when we walked out of the library so we played near the fountain...

She is getting so old :(

Little model

When Bria gets home from school the girls cannot get enough of her. And Bria is incredible with them, she is kind and patient and caring. Penny adores her and insists on being right next to her while she eats her after school snack, just waiting for her to be done so they can play

 I love hearing them all play together, music to my ears.

 Oh, and I LOVE that Penny let's me do her hair, she is so patient!

Fancy pants

Scott and Randi invited us to the Annual Boys and Girls club gala. 

This gala is not only fun, but I LOVE the cause. They always have amazing kids there to share their story and talents. 

A lot of former Trail Blazers play a large role and it's always cool to hear how passionate they are about the club. 

Brian and I were looking forward to it, but a week before Brian found out he had to travel. 

Queue me being calm and graceful about this unexpected international trip.

At least, in my head I was calm and collected. I believe I pouted for a few days and whined a lot. 

But Randi and Amanda assured me I wouldn't feel like the 5th wheel so I decided to go stag.

The day came and I didn't hold back, I ratted my hair until I had as much volume as the 80's, applied a smokey eye, and squeezed into my new favorite dress. 

Girl, you better werk

Party for 1 please

My beautiful girls

We got the attitude

Scott and the ladies (Dusty rushed back to get his jacket)

 The event itself started with a cocktail hour. Scott's sister, Shannon, is on the board so she was a VIP all night :)
She is so sweet and we were able to drag her on the dance floor with us for a song.

Us and Shannon

Our waters had color cubes, fun!

Us with Brian Grant

THE Terry Porter, star struck for sure

They left wine bottles unattended, score

 And it wouldn't be a fun event without a photobooth!

Charlie's Angels

Did I miss Brian? Obviously, it's way more fun when my best friend is by my side. But did I have fun? I sure did and I'm grateful to my friends for making sure I didn't feel alone. They are the best.

De ja vu

Bathing cousins

Seriously, they are way too cute, I just cannot stand it

Did Jenny and Kayla come up again? 

Why yes, yes they did!

Both their husbands were gone, so the obvious choice is to hang with the Holcombs :) Jax also came to Bria's party which made her day.

I absolutely adore walking downstairs and seeing my sweet little niece and nephews hanging out. Makes my day

So happy Jax came up

We had a great idea to take Jax and Ames to get their hair cut together, I mean what could go wrong?

"Walk slow for Ames."

"Time for hair cuts!"

1. All is well, Ames is enjoying some animal crackers.

2. Oh wait, Jax does NOT want them near his ears...or touching his hair, period.

3. "Mom, why are you letting this happen? Even Jax doesn't like it!"

Just watch the awesomeness for yourself:

So maybe the hair cut wasn't our best idea, but look at these handsome guys!!

STUD

Happy and handsome

After we traumatized the boys, we took them shopping.

In hind sight, that probably didn't make it better, but it made their moms feel better :)

We did lots of lounging while the kids played. 

Fabulous Zoey, simply fabulous

I mean, how is possible to be this cute?

The beginning of her figuring our this crawling thing, her planking was on fleek

Smiling Zoey

Love seeing babies in his arms...DO NOT get any ideas people, we are 100% done

Waving hi

She loves her mama

After seeing these pictures I need to cuddle all these cuties!