Books & Bulldozers

So I'm a few weeks late in posting this, oops! Two Saturdays ago both Haley and Savannah got invited to the Young Author's Conference. It is held at a local elementary school and it involves all the school districts around, at least 4 that I know of. It really is quite neat. They have to be selected by their teacher so I was excited when both of my girls got selected (that always makes life easier, thanks teachers!) They have an author come speak with the kids and help their creative juices flow. The kids take a story that they have written and share it with a group of kids. Haley went last year and had a blast. This year the author was David Greenberg, who happens to live in Portland. They had a great time and came home with some autographed books - oh yay!! I could have gotten pics of the girls with the author but Judd had the camera, bummer. So while I ran the girls to and from that Judd, Matthew and my Dad went to Dozer Days. It's in Camas and the kids can go and look at and sit in all the big construction-type vehicles. Matthew was so excited to go! My boys came home with matching Dozer Days t-shirts and pink mustaches from a snowcone (well, just Matthew). Here's a few pics....

That's a huge tire!

Matthew sitting in the fire truck, trying on head gear

He looks a little unsure to be standing in the bucket

Matthew & Judd

Matthew helping this man, who looks so entertained, to drive this tractor

Grandpa & Matthew

DISNEYLAND!!!!!

Yes Judd and I went to Disneyland and left our 4 children at home. First off our kids have been 2 times in the last 3 years and will be back again most likely this fall. Don't shed a tear for them! And In our defense let me (in a short version) tell you how this all came about. We were supposed to be going to Hawaii and Paris on Allstate's dime (good work honey!) but they decided a few months back that they were not going to do the trips. That was a sad day for us. We both agreed that we would still like to have a trip just the two of us. This is how the conversation went.......

Me "I'd still like to go to Hawaii, let's do that"

Judd "What about Disneyland"

Me "Mexico was fun, let's do that again"

Judd "What about Disneyland"

Me "Ohhh, a cruise would be fun"

Judd "What about Disneyland"

Somehow we came to the decision to do Disneyland, hmmmm. We had 4 wonderful days playing!! I don't want to bore you with too many pics but here's a few of us playing hard and havin' fun! I do have to say a big THANK YOU to my mother-in-law who watched our kids!

Indiana Jones, Judd's favorite ride

Judd with hair? Or are those petunias? Either way it's nice

Who gave the psycho the gun!?

Who doesn't want a pic with a famous Disney character?!

Judd with both of our 3-D glasses plus his sunglasses, nice cheesy smile again!

The new Toy Story ride was one of our favorites. Not that this is important or anything but I beat him every time, sad but true!

Seussical the Musical

One of the local high schools is putting on a play called "Seussical the Musical". Haley's piano teacher helps out with the music and her son happens to be The Cat in the Hat in the play. A few of us moms thought it would be fun to take our girls to see it. For all of you out there with girls in Actvity Days it can count as one of their requirements - wahooo!! I think it's safe to say we all had a great time!!

The girls with The Cat in the Hat.
Good job Zach!!

Name Change

Yes, I have changed our blog name. I wanted something unique, original and personal. Over the years I have heard us Lavenders described (by ourselves) as the Purple Pollocks. Judd's Grandfather was from Poland. I remember the first time I heard it, how funny it was. And yet how true!

Luke turns 1

Luke has been the perfect addition to the Lavender family. He is such an adorable, fun and happy baby. I just can't believe that he's 1! I think back on his year of life and it has gone by too quick! It actually makes me quite sad when I think about it. I don't know what else to say other than I adore this little man and I'm so glad we got to celebrate him with our family today. Thanks for coming everyone! So we decided to party it up big for Luke's 1st Birthday! I started out making a collage but then decided that I didn't want to do it. Sorry for the long strip of pictures.

Grandpa and Luke playing a tongue game

Haley offered to help him open presents

He was more interested in what he could put in his mouth

Gosh thanks for the wrapping paper - it's yummy!

The racetrack cake, a labor of love (like the guitar!)

This is his cake, it's supposed to look like a tire but the silver wasn't very silver like

He kinda poked at his cake then finally decided to go face first & attack!

I love this pic, he seems so proud of himself!

Yum, yum

This pic is a special request from Chelsea who I don't think has ever seen Aidan (my cousins baby) - Told ya he's cute Chels!

Because Luke was born on his Grandma's 29th Birthday (wink, wink) we also had to celebrate her special day!!

The kids wanted to decorate Grandma's cake

She's going to kill me for putting this picture on but here is Grandma, looking good for a 30 year old!!