I know, I know.... we haven't posted anything in way too long. And trust me, there's much to share. But that's for another time. It's mother's day, the sun is shining, and I want to be soaking up as much of it as I can get, but I need to pass along this.... If you haven't read
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner, I HIGHLY recommend it. It's overdue and I have to return it to the library tomorrow, but I couldn't bear to not tell anyone about it before turning it in. If you like travel writing, humor and analyses of life, people, places, etc, you must read this. I don't often feel this passionate about books, but apparently this one struck a cord in me. I hope it does in you too.
Here's a quote from the book's Epilogue:
"Of all the places I visited, of all the people I met, one keeps coming back to me again and again: Karma Ura, the Bhutanese scholar and cancer survivor. "There is no such thing as personal happiness," he told me. "Happiness is one hundred percent relational." At the time, I didn't take him literally. I thought he was exaggerating to make his point: that our relationships with other people are more important than we think. But now I realize Karma meant exactly what he said. Our happiness is completely and utterly intertwined with other people: family and friends and neighbors and the woman you hardly notice who cleans your office. Happiness is not a noun or a verb. It's a conjunctive. Connective tissue."
Thanks to those of you out there whose lives and happiness intertwine with mine. And to you moms...happy mother's day. :)
Melissa
Mt Hood Railroad 
Sophie got to run the bases after the Mariners game!
I couldn't resist posting this one.... since when did she turn into a girl that wants to pose for the camera??!! Love it!
Fully drenched after an exciting jet boat tour of the Willamette. I swear she liked it. Really.
Sophie and Halle
Andy and Janel brought along their game of dingleberry, and Tim and I decided to play. We tied, then Tim beat me in sudden death... of course. :) That's pretty much how it always happens! 
Have you met "Momma Gorilla" yet? She and Sophie are pretty much inseparable. The first Disney movie she watched was Tarzan, and from then on the love affair with gorillas has not subsided. Throw in a stuffed animal that's as big as her and you have one VERY happy girl. (And yes, we know this is actually a chimpanzee, but please oh please do not break the girl's heart with this information.)
Took Sophie to her first circus. She loved it! When asked what she liked about it, she'd say "big" (for the big elephant), clap (yes, she was thrilled that when she was clapping, so were hundreds of other people...all in unison), and "balloon-balloon" (Don't ask me why she repeats this word. Must be so fun to say she can't stop herself.) She talked about the circus for days afterward. I just love experiencing the world through her eyes. Such a joy.
You're going to think I'm crazy when I say this, but the "Your Baby Can Read" stuff really does work. Have you seen the infomercials on tv? Well, my mom purchased it for her and I was skeptical to say the least at first. But Sophie took to it right away and LOVES the word cards and books. She'll often choose to read one of these books instead of a story book at bedtime. She can read so many words that it shocks us. 
Oh yeah...and once in a while, Tim and I get out and do something grown-up like (sans child). Like wine tasting with our good friends Stacey and Greg. We're so lucky to live next to an incredible amount of great wineries.
