The Zoo and a Birthday Party

I really do intend to become a better blogger than I have been the last couple of months. Hopefully once we are back in school and I am back on a routine I will fit blogging into my schedule more regularly. Until then - the lovely summer days just keep flying by. It is so good to be home.
Update on the house ... we didn't get it. Oh well. We stuck to our guns regarding the price and they just didn't want to go there with us. That's o.k. As much as I really, really wanted the house, I am finally coming around to the idea that it will be o.k. to rent for a while and get to know Eugene before we make such a huge investment. So, we are renting a townhouse for at least the first six months and then we will take it from there.
Pete, the girls, and I made our first trip to the zoo as Oregon residence. We even purchased a year-long pass! Fun! What a difference a year makes - Last year I don't think Lucy really noticed we were at the zoo when we took her there. This year, she loved every minute of it. The girl loves plants and animals.

Here's Daddy and the double stroller carrying his two favorite girls.

Cool pictures of the sea lions.

Anther cool pic with Lucy in it.

Loving the elephants!

Sof was even awake most of the time and enjoyed the ride.

On Saturday we went to Dylan's 2nd birthday party. It is so nice to be home and able to participate in our friends' lives and their celebrations again. There were lots of kids there, but Lucy seemed to prefer the dog, Molly.

She spent some time pretending to water the plants.

And hung out with the birthday boy for a while. It was a good day.

For my own records, I like to put updates of the girls on the blog. We took them both to the doctor today and here are their stats:
Lucy - 28lbs. and 36 inches tall. She is a tall, thin string bean like her Daddy.
Sofie - 15lbs, 7 oz. 25 inches tall. She, on the other hand, is our little chunk and we love it!
Hope everyone is enjoying the summer!

Good to be home on the 4th of July

OK!! I'm ready to get back in the blogging saddle again! The past few months have obviously been crazy, but we are now safely back in the U.S. and enjoying the clean air and my parents' backyard! It is so good to see our family again - I cannot even begin to tell you!
We've been busy since setting foot on U.S. soil ... in between dealing with jetlag, we managed to purchase a car, make several trips to Target, and even put an offer in on a house in Eugene! As for the last item, we'll see how it goes. We just put the offer in on Friday, so it will be awhile before we know whether or not it is ours ... One can only hope. For now, we are hoping the crazy times will calm down for a few weeks and we can just enjoy the relaxation that summer brings.
I finally pulled out the camera today and took a few pictures of the 4th of July. Normally we are in Klamath Falls for the the 4th, but it we just couldn't do it this year. It was weird being in Portland, but we had a great BBQ with all the American fixings. Yum!

Here's Pete and Lucy outside kicking the holiday off with a backyard "run around."

Grandpa a.k.a. "Papa" holding his girl Sofie.

Lucy loving her Cookie Monster bubbles. I swear we are going to get a phone call home from preschool about her kissing inanimate objects.

Watching a little Elmo in her 4th of July gear.

Auntie Syd and Sofie in the backyard with beautiful roses in the background.

Lighting off fireworks - three before bedtime. This was immediately followed by screaming - Lucy doesn't really like loud noises so much.

God bless America - It's good to be HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!