Mishayla - rattle

Melania - At the ocean.

Melania had trouble keeping her pants up after the bottom got wet in the waves. Another one of those videos she will love as a teenager.

Memorial Day Weekend - Rialto Beach

Pictures from Memorial Day weekend spent on the Olympic Peninsula. Rialto Beach is one of my favorite places. The pictures are in no particular order, thanks to my inability to upload them is the order I would otherwise put them in! Chloe loves Mishayla. Melania plays with her new friend Chloe's toys.

June and Melania contemplate the waves. Melania's not so sure about climbing over the big logs by herself. Melania hikes the beach with her walking stick. Woody Woodpecker - not afraid of us at all. Swinging girls at the park in Forks.

Mishayla loves to swing. Higher is better! At Rialto Beach The rocks were a big hit. Old trees at Rialto Beach.

Due to a recent a complaint from the quality assurance division of blogging , I will refrain from from more than one post per day. I understand there is a way to "bank" posts for later dates, but I have not yet learned how to exercise this option. So, here's today's update. There will be more to follow this week from our weekend in Forks, WA. We just had to visit the Pacific Ocean one more time before moving back to MT, land of no oceans within a days drive...

Melania pretends that she is actually "Baby Mishayla." Quilted tablerunners are not typically skirts... but, this one seems to do the trick AND makes quite a statement. Melania helps transfer the eggs from the carton to the fridge container.

Maybe her true calling will be as a plumber.

"Mommy, please tell me you didn't just take a picture!"

Last visit with Caroline...at least for now.

Melania shows Caroline her new bike. Sylvester has been under the weather, but is now nearly recovered. He will be 10 in July, and has started to eat a high fiber diet.

The girls snuggle and giggle before Melania's nap. June and Caroline finish up work on her memory scrapbook. Caroline is a sweet girl with a special place in my heart.

Caroline's social worker has agreed to allow ongoing contact through letters and pictures sent to her address in Everett. She will then deliver them to Caroline. Hopefully, once Caroline has adjusted more fully to living with her new family, we will be able to resume email, telephone conversations, and possible visits in the future. Caroline will graduate from the 5th grade on June 12, 2008. Congratulations, Caroline!

Here's the address if anyone would like to write to Caroline.

Carol Louquet - social worker for Caroline B.

840 N. Broadway Building A. Ste 340

Everett, WA 98201

1st Mother's Day with Mishayla!

Both girls had colds on Mother's Day, so I spent the day at home - being a mom! Little did I know that I would also have the cold by the next day.

Melania was already napping when these pictures were taken. Getting big for the swing as well. What will I do next with this "little" girl for entertainment?

Melania trades her "paficer" for a "Big Girl Bike."

Melania is growing up fast. She has only used her pacifier at night and nap time since she turned 1 year old. However, she was still very attached. On her first night without the pacifier there were plenty of tears and anxiety was running high. Once asleep, though, she slept the entire night. So, the next morning, she was promised a big girl bike in trade. She was completely excited about the bike and her new helmet, which actually cost more than the bike. Cheap mom, I found it on Craigslist. For a couple of days, the helmet was always on. Melania has not actually mastered the pedals yet, but I think she will catch on quick.