The Keene Family

We got a new camera as an early Mother's Day/Father's Day present, since it was on sale at Costco. Jim is busy reading all about digital SLR photography to take the perfect picture, and I am just happy that there aren't any huge shadows when I take pictures inside anymore. :) So over the weekend, we took something like 400 pictures. A few are worth sharing... First, you may have noticed something on JT's head in the last two posts. Yes, he and his Harley bike had a little incident with the stairs. We'd like to think he's Evil Knievil, but really, no one saw it happen. All I know is that the Harley ended up at the bottom and JT ended up in the middle, crying with a cut on his forehead. If you ask him, he will tell you all about it, with hand motions and pointing. Minutes later... enjoying some comforting milk After dinner... feeling much better Surveying the crash scene Back to playing (Notice, no shadows - new camera!) Jim's schedule changed and now I get to...

After the big birthday party (read post below if you missed it!), my real birthday was pretty low-key. We had planned to go to the zoo and see a movie, but neither one worked out! Instead, we started the day by going to a local bakery for breakfast. I got a whole wheat apple cinnamon roll (healthy) with cream cheese frosting (not so) to go, and I ate it this morning. Correction: I ate a quarter of it this morning. I have never before in my life, not once, been so overwhelmed by frosting that I had to quit eating. I guess I'm getting too old for that. :) Anyway, Jim took some pictures at breakfast. Here I am, thirty years old! JT graciously shared his milk with me. He thought that was pretty funny! We went to storytime at the library and came home. By then, we were ready for the donuts that we got to-go from the bakery. Jim decided to make it my "birthday cake" and got out the candles and everything. JT helped me blow them out. We headed to Jim's parents' house for...

Wow. That sums it up. Jim threw me the best birthday party I've ever had (sorry, Mom and Dad!). He told me that we were getting dressed up and needed to be in Seattle at 6:30. Beyond that, I had no idea... that he was hosting a private dinner party at a luxury hotel for twenty of our friends. We arrived at Hotel 1000 and the valet attendants asked if we were there for the party. I said yes, that I was the birthday girl. And he said, "Then this is for you!" and handed me a long-stemmed red rose. A great start to a beautiful evening! Up to the fourth floor (passing an employee, who said, "Hello, Mr. Keene"), and we walked into the library, where everyone was waiting. They did not yell "surprise," which I appreciated, but partly because they were busy enjoying appetizers and drinks. And some people were watching basketball. :) Right away, a server swooped in to take my jacket and deliver me a drink. I was in awe! The library Greeting the guests Brian and...

Jim threw an amazing birthday party for me Friday night. But I don't have the pictures yet from the photographer, so I'm waiting to post about it until then. You'll just have to wait! Saturday, we went to pick up JT from my parents' house. My grandma was there too, and we had a wonderful birthday brunch. (My mom outdid herself... cheese blintzes with strawberries and homemade whipped cream, scones and jam, sausages, bacon, cheesy eggs, deviled eggs... we ate until we could barely move!) JT enjoying a story with Great-Grandma Christensen Playing on the couch with Dad We needed to walk off some of our brunch, so we went to the playground by the lake that's just a couple of blocks from my parents' house. JT and Mom Tickle momster! 20 months old Playing in the tunnels Practicing pull-ups with Dad Then it was back to the house to open presents and say goodbye. Here JT is watching Grandpa take Great-Grandma to the car so she can go home. Ever since my dad drove the tr...

I found it. Seriously. It's got to be the best stroller ever. It's the new City Select from Baby Jogger , and I think it fits ALL of my stroller wish list. Okay, you can't jog with it. You can "walk briskly on paved pathways." But who wants to jog pushing 85 pounds of stroller and kids? So really, it's perfect. What is so great about this stroller, you may ask? Oh, let me count the ways... The easiest fold on the market - the patented Baby Jogger fold Hand operated brake Locking or swiveling front wheels Giant basket Telescoping handlebar Enormous sun shade One piece one hand four position reclining seat Adjustable height foot rest and sun shade Never flat tires Removable child snack trays Each seat holds 45 pounds... but the stroller is only 26 The list goes on. But wait, there's more. There are about 20 different configurations you can do with this stroller, because (click, click), it becomes a tandem double. Just like that. Two car seats, two toddler se...

Monday was our last gymnastics class for the season, because we are starting swim lessons again next week to get ready for summer. We said goodbye to Miss Amy and told her we'd be back in the fall (with another child in a carrier or something...). On Tuesday, we invited Jen, Asher, and Abby to come play at the gymnastics center for indoor playground. It was so much fun exploring all of the equipment, plus the giant inflatable slide, without a time limit. I would highly recommend spending the $4 to let your kids get their energy out on a rainy day! I took some pictures of the boys, of course. Swinging on the rings Getting ready to climb up the big slide... JT needed help at first but was inspired by Asher, who is four months older, and ended up doing a lot of the climbing himself! The big climb Ready to slide down... There they go! At the bottom... ready to do it again? The boys had trampoline races too: Ready, set, go! JT seems to be thinking, "Yes, Asher tripped, I'm g...