Spontaneous Family Portrait

Makaela has a moment of laughter

Daddy does an amazing stunt with Makaela. I swear she's going to grow up and want to run away and join the circus with all the tumbling and tossing we do with her...and to her, as in this picture.

Daddy and Makaela stand at the edge of a small bridge over the river. This is during our trip to Mt. Hood.

The Iron elk observes Makaela

Makaela observes an iron elk

On our way to Mt. Hood we take a walk in a parking lot. The wind is very strong here.

The Russian bell doll and Makaela have a moment of clarity.

Makaela goes out to see what daddy is doing. He's fixing our neighbor's outside bench.

Daddy performs a splendid balancing act. Makaela stands poised with laughter.

At home playing "Taboo" with some friends.

Mommy, can I have a beer? Pleeeease!

At the rose festival, hanging out in a wagon.

Daddy reads a bedtime story.

At the Rose Festival Parade. I bought this weird blue unicorn that sqeaks.

In front of the saloon!

Perhaps this is closer to Makaela's world view

Mommy can I play in here?

Sitting on an iron dog in motion

Ha ha ha ha

Makaela and Lara at the MT. Tabor Park

cutie pie

Heath's sun glasses!

You should have seen her when she was done in the mud! Messy! Good thing we had a change of clothes!

playing in the dirt

Hey you caught me playing with the computer cords

She fits in here snug like a bonsai baby

Mommy and Makaela play in the sand at the museum

Daddy and Makaela play with the robots at the museum.

At the OMSI 'robot museum' Makaela sizes this one up. She was frightened by some of the robots that moved.

Makaela and I went to a great, all wood play structure called the "Imagination Station".

Makaela checks on the sun tea. We had a BBQ with a couple of friends and the whole neighborhood of kids came over and hung out on our lawn. Makaela was pretty entertained. Then we played a three games of dodge ball - kids versus adults - Despite all the beer, we still won two out of three games. Yay for adults, but I still wish I was a kid again.

Cutie Pie. Will she ever get those two bottom teeth?

Wow! Makaela is actually old enough to go on a kiddie ride?!!! She didn't know what to think at first, but after a few circles she realized how fun it was.

At Oaks Park on the carousel ride. She rode a chicken!

Sean and Makaela near the Sellwood Bridge in south east Portland.

Here's the kids area at a neighborhood coffee shop on Woodstock near our house. Alot of restaurants in Portland provide a box of kids toys and a designated kids area! It's great.

I have my apple and my car and I'm ready to go!

yummy apple

oooo, what's that up there? It was a big statue.

Exploring downtown Portland

We've become members of the Portland Children's Museum! It is so fun...and it provides a nice break for mommy. We'll probably go at least once a week.

At the puppet show...Makaela was just wandering around the whole time, talking up to the puppets and having fun. Here she is standing in front of everybody staring up at the puppets.

a fun place to play with leggos

Playing the xylophone

crazy hair

Excuse me while I brush my teeth and go plug in the phone cord...

Here we are on the slide at the Earth Day festival

In our great big back yard at our home in Portland. This garden is our neighbor's, but Makaela love looking at and picking the flowers! oops

Makaela hides the clay from Greg.