Sunset and View

My mother-in-law's house is right along the Columbia river. It has amazing views and Jason was able to capture a few as well as a beautiful sunset the other day.

Oregon June 2010

We have had a fantastic vacation so far. I haven't taken nearly enough pictures, but here are a few that I did manage to get.

Jason's dad, John, holding Calder

Jason's niece Sierra who just graduated from high school.

Jason's aunt Molli and Grandma Joyce.

Awesome pictures of Calder playing with the sprinkler taken by Dinesh.

Calder playing with his cousin Miranda.

Calder's cousin Ella and Jason sister Karen.

Goodbye Deebo

The day before we left to come to Oregon we gave Deebo to a new and loving family. There were a lot of factors that played into this decision and ultimately we decided it was really what was best for him.

We all love Deebo very much and hope he loves his new family. They are so kind and gentle I know he'll be happy with them.

Our last family picture with Deebo.

Deebo's new family.

Cleaning House

Along with moving comes deep cleaning the house one last time. Calder is always a great helper and he certainly didn't let me down. He was my spray guy. Anything that needed sprayed, he did it. He was also my wipe guy. He liked to use baby wipes to clean random things.

20 Months

Calder is 20 months old today. It has been a life altering month. He has adjusted so well to moving and vacationing thus far. Hopefully he continues to be this flexible as we continue our vacation and move.

This month Calder has been copying just about anything we say. He often pauses for a long time if he is about to say a hard word. If you ask what he wants for his birthday he will say "bike". He is very social once he knows other people but starts out a bit shy. He likes me to hold him, a lot. Only he says "hold you" instead of "hold me". He likes to sleep and will ask to go night night when he's tired. He is so gentle. He likes to stroke my hair and play with my earrings.

My favorite words that he says are:
park (pakkk)
backhoe (aphoe)
basketball hoop (babeball hooooop?)
Calder (Dalder)

Our Columbus Friends

Even though we knew we wouldn't be in Columbus very long we made some really close friendships. I love how easy it was to make friends and feel comfortable with these kids and their moms. We miss you all tons! Calder asks about his friends a lot and we frequently look at pictures of them.

These cute little girls are Grace and Alexis. I love their moms. They were the best visiting teachers and we sure had a lot of fun together. Anna (Grace's mom) helped me line out a running schedule so I can do a 5k at the end of June. She was also great at giving advice and just listening if I were having a problem or concern. She is so smart and genuinely kind. Daiane (Alexis' mom) made us homemade black beans from Argentina and is such a fun girl to talk to. She also throws AMAZING parties. I'm going to miss you ladies.

This is Amy and her son Will. They were our first Columbus friends and we have many great memories. Amy is such a relaxed mom (in a good way). She taught me that it is okay to chill and let your kid be independent sometimes. She was always willing to meet us at COSI or wherever we felt like going. Calder LOVES Amy and would often ask to hang out with her. I miss our weekly outings and I miss Amy.

This is Archer. His mom (Cassie) was my sewing buddy. We made the cutest stuff. She was also my shopping buddy. We bought the cutest stuff. Our boys were just starting to play well together when we moved. I'm really going to miss them.

Packing (again)

Yep, we're packing again. We are moving in less than two weeks and I feel pretty good about the packing progress. Our living room is overrun with boxes but it feels good, you know?

I've been pretty ruthless about purging this time. If I don't like it or haven't used it in the last year, it doesn't get to come. And as I pack more I get more selective. I guess you should always pack your favorite things first.

Every time I move I stress about having too much stuff. I'm always worried that it won't all fit in the truck and I will be standing there opening boxes trying to get rid of stuff. I'm also worried the generous people who help us move will think ill of me for having so much stuff. So I purge and I purge a lot. I love it when people walk in and say "oh, that's all". I get great joy in knowing I don't have anything I don't use or doesn't serve a purpose.

Our boxes are pretty much shot. There are a few that are held up by tape alone. This will be the last move for these boxes. They've served us well. We've had some of them for the 6 years we've been married. We won't have space next year to store them and they really aren't worth storing anyway. Lets just hope they make it through one last move.

It's a little sad and a little fun you can watch Calder grow from year to year as he sits on mounds of boxes. He has definitely changed while we've been here in Columbus. I promise I do put pants on the kid every once in a while, just not on days when he sits on boxes apparently. It will be fun to see how he changes in DC.

Calder & Deebo Go For A Walk

Calder Plays the Drum (box)

Dear Chicago

Dear Chicago,

I miss you. I love you. You'll always have a special place in my heart.

I miss your free zoo
your great museums
your Thai food
your beautiful skyline
your beach
your summer weather
your good public transit
your Greek food
your diversity

I miss your beauty
your concrete
your old buildings
your story
your parks

Someday, I'll come back to visit. I want to show Calder what a cool city you are. His birth city even. I want him to understand what a special time Jason and I had while we lived there. Don't worry dear Chicago, we'll be back to visit someday.

Love,
Cami

Calder Style

Calder is far more stylish than his parents. Actually he's probably more stylish than both of us combined. This is what he wore to church today.

He insisted on the jacket and the tie. He has insisted on wearing ties to church for the last six months or so. I think it's mostly because Jason always does. The shoes were my choice since his other (more appropriate) ones are a little tight and very worn. Believe it or not he got a lot of comments about his awesome outfit. I think this second picture looks like a band album cover. You know, something like Weezer or OK GO.

Not only does Calder have awesome fashion sense, he takes good care of his stuff. We had been outside and his shoes got a bit of mud on them. I told him he couldn't wear his shoes because they were dirty and would get dirt all over the house. He immediately grabbed the diaper bag, found a wipe, and proceeded to clean his shoes so he could wear them.

He also makes sure Jason hangs up his jacket instead of draping it over a chair. He just says "UH-OH Daddy!" over and over again until Jason takes care of it.