Hula girl.

The first birthday party was a success!  Camryn had so much fun playing with her buddies and munching on snacks.  She really enjoyed  her birthday cupcake, eating the entire thing with ease.  I was surprised that she kept the grass skirt and leis on all night.  She loves a costume party!  Jenn took some professional photos that are much better than mine so I will post those when she finishes them.  Thank you  Jenn!

Pic 1: Mommy and the Birthday Girl.

Pic 2: Daddy and the Birthday Girl.

Pic 3: Nana and the Birthday Girl.

Pic 4: Playing with toys.  Trista and Nora on the left, Angela and Rynnie on the right.

Pic 5: Singing Happy Birthday.  Baby #2 very evident in Mommy's belly.

Pic 6: Mmmm I love my birthday cupcakes.

Pic 7: More please! (Pic by Jenn)

Pic 8. Sunbathing teddies cupcakes.  Made by Mom!

Pic 9: Matt and August.  I think Angela had already left when I was running around taking pictures of Rynnie's guests.  Sorry Angela!

Pic 10: The Pfaus family: Chris, Jenn and Oskar.  Also, Jenn's mom Liz.  Or twin?

Pic 11: Nicole and Reid (and growing baby #2)...all the way from Salem!

Pic 12: Trista and Nora.

Pic 13: Amy and Lana.

Pic 14: Crystal (and growing baby #2) and Kayleigh.

Pic 15: Hula girl escaping after a fun evening. (Pic by Jenn).

A very special Birthday message!

What a fantastic Birthday creation from the crew in Palm Springs: Auntie Liz, Grandpa Jewell, Uncle Andy, Auntie Justina, Cousins Kai and Zaiah, friends Elma Rae and Vern, and the contractors working on the back patio renovation.  Rynnie just loves this!  Thank you guys so much.

Happy Birthday Camryn Ilene!!!

Can you believe it's been a year?  Today we can officially call her a "toddler", though I think it's safe to say she's been "toddling" for nearly three months now.  Prior to last December 29th I could never imagine the love, patience and silliness that a child can bring.  We have learned so much about parenting, and she has taught us so much about ourselves in the process.  We love you Camryn Ilene, more than I could ever type on this page.

Moving along on the house!

Finally, after putting failing offers on three other houses, we are nearing the day we will finally own our own home.  Fourth try is the charm!  The closing date has been set for January 25th and the house passed the inspection yesterday with nearly flying colors (just a few minor fixes needed).  Prior to moving in we need to replace the flooring in the entire house, paint every single wall and surface, and sand/paint the kitchen cupboards.  So is the joy of buying a foreclosure.  Please please share with us your design ideas!  The house is over 2000 square feet, has four bedrooms (a huge spare room for all of you coming to visit!) and plenty of playing space for the Schjei children.  After four moves in two years and spending the last year practically sitting on each other's laps, needless to say, we are thrilled to finally have breathing space and room to expand (and by expand I DO NOT mean any more babies).  We hope to have all of the cosmetic fixes finished and to be moved in by mid February.  Anyways, here are some pics I took at the inspection yesterday.

Pic 1: The front.

Pic 2: From the front door.  Love the loft and huge vaulted ceilings. We are going to paint all of the wood trim white (extends through the entire house).  Painting should be fun...picking up on my sarcasm??? 

Pics 3 and 4: Master bedroom.  Huge vaulted ceiling in here too.

Pic 5: Two sinks in the master!!!

Pic 6: Family room on third floor.  Gas fireplace was fixed yesterday and is lovely.

Pic 7: Kitchen clearly needs work, though the appliances are not too shabby.

Keeping busy, staying dry.

We probably should have spent our time building an ark this weekend, but we were far too busy playing to pick up a hammer. 

Pic 1: One of my favorite tricks: pretending to sleep when you say "night night".

Pic 2: LOVE my new owl hat from Jenn and Oskar.

Pic 3: Yummy California Roll.  Uncle Mike would be so proud of me.

Pic 4: I have recently discovered how fun this car is.  Still haven't discovered how to go forwards, just backwards.

Pic 5: Oskar came over for date night on Saturday.  I just love pushing him around.  Especially in this walker.

Pic 6: Showing Oskar all of my fun toys.

Pic 7: Yes Oskar, girls look a little different than boys.

Pic 8: I know she thinks my rolls are sexy.

Pic 9: Mama this is embarassing! 

Pic 10 and 11:  Jenn brought her professional camera over and snapped these two pics.  Love them.

I met Santa. It cost Mommy $37.

$37!  WTF?  Since when did Santa have a monopoly?  Us parents are suckered into it.  But I suppose it's okay.  I justify it as a very hefty payment for the poor schmuck who has to sit in the chair holding stinky screaming kids all day long for an entire month with just one thirty minute break per day.  Hmm...that job description sounds a bit like a pediatric nurse?

Pic 1: Okay, this is fun.  This guy has a cool beard.  He smells like peppermint.

Pic 2: Okay, done with this (they are both thinking the same thing).

Just everyday stuff.

A few cute pics to share.

Pic 1: Playdate last week.  Lana with the piggies, August with his new haircut and Rynnie too busy playing with the mini computer to look up for even a second.

Pic 2: So excited for the Apple Cup!  It was a good game despite the Coug loss.  And P.S., for all of those wondering, Kevin is convinced Rynnie wearing Husky gear is bad luck so that is how I managed to dress her in beloved crimson.

Pic 3: Strolling with my Daddy after a yummy breakfast with friends.

Pic 4: Loving my new Oregon book that Aunt Lizzy bought me.  Hair is especially goofy after using my bananas as hair gel at breakfast.