More summer fun

D-licious!

More strawberries! As I vowed we would do again, Strawberry picking has become a family favorite... It's kind of addictive- row after row of mouth watering-ly ripe strawberries... Honestly, it's hard to stop. You have a bag or a bucket or bowl and I just want it filled, and then I think, maybe the next row will have an even bigger and more delicious berry! The only problem with this pastime is the outcome. We've purchased over 20lbs of berries since our addiction started. Ummm, not good. That's a lot of strawberries. That's a lot of jam, a lot of tarts, a lot of breads- it's a lot of anything. It's just A LOT! And yet, I'm sure we're going to go back, just one more time... see? Classic textbook case of addiction!

You'll be picked next time, buddy!

Tessa loves 'em!

Mistaking the button on Eddy's hat for a strawberry- honest mistake.

The Soboll's have arrived! It's been wonderful having the in-laws back in the US and we've caught up and are getting into a routine again. Eddy and I have gone out a few times at night- out favorite, Walmart or Target, sans kids... what a treat!!

At a park 2 min from our house

And the park near our house has finally turned on the water!! Although, we've finally figured out that it has to be over 70F for them to turn it one. Hmm.  We've only seen it on 3 times this month. Sad, sad, sad. Come on summer!

He ran back to daddy every time he got sprayed

Eddy's classes start up again tomorrow... he'll be taking anatomy and technical theater. He continues to coach a U14 team and enjoys it immensely. This team has been together for years and has gone through some major changes recently, so it's been challenging at times, but he loves it and they seem to be coming together again.

As for me, I'm still working at a Pediatric clinic and am starting to train for a half marathon... and just joined a Dragon Boat Racing Team. Paddling- cool!! I've only experienced 2 practices, but greatly enjoy being out on the water and working hard...well, within reason!  Our first race is next week- it's only about 3.5 minutes long, but as they say, the longest 3.5 minutes of your life! And it is. It, seriously is. Slow, painful burning. I'll post pics soon!

More interested in tasting the water pooling in the grout area...

Hello Summer!?

The question mark is simply because, well, June has been anything but summery! But this week, specifically today, was gorgeous. Granted, it wasn't hot, but it was sunny and warm. So, like every good Oregonian, off we went to pick some strawberries!

It's sad to say, but I forget how good things taste when picked fresh. Eddy and I have been watching documentaries and reading some controversial books about where are food comes from, what's in it and why we eat what we eat... and if we should be eating what it is we're eating! (Documentaries: Forks Over Knives, Food, Inc., Killer At Large; Books: The Omnivore's Dilemma, The China Study--- all offer fabulous insights into this) So, buying local and putting the extra effort into finding organic products has been something we have been working on... We're starting down the road to becoming more "plant strong"; which is impressive, if not crazy, for a usually very carnivorous Brazilian! (We'll keep you posted on our progress... )

Contemplating... Which one next?

Double-fisting it... both have bites out of them...

Walking down the path between the rows of strawberry bushes, nibbling, nay gobbling, up fresh, juicy, seriously sweet strawberries was heaven! Ben and Tessa were also relishing the experience. It took Tessa some encouragement (she held the first strawberry we gave her, without eating it for like 15 minutes), she's more of a salty person, but one small taste and she was hooked. Ben was double-fisting it most of the time; and forget biting into them, he just shoved them in, green leafy tops and all!

Tessa... resting between feedings

Needless to say, we're going back tomorrow; As we were walking back to the car, some other pickers stopped and asked us which types of strawberries we had picked. Um, what do you mean "types"? There are different types?? We felt so foolish, so green, so un-Oregonian! Duh. Of course there are more than one type of strawberry! Hence, we will be going back- we apparently picked a good one, but not the best. Could've fooled me! : )

Post strawberry feast glow

Eddy is finished with classes! Finals are over and he did amazingly well this trimester. I'm so proud of him for jumping into this wholeheartedly and with great persistence. Well done, honey!

I'm enjoying training in as an RN at Childhood Health Assoc. of Salem-- the work environment is great, my coworkers are friendly and the hours are working for us right now- phew!

Eddy's parents are coming back to Salem! They arrive this Sunday and are staying for, well, an unspecified length of time. We're excited to have them here and I know the kids are eager to have their grandparents at beck and call!

Tessa is One!

We can't believe that she is already one- 1 year. It seems to have gone so fast, and yet at times, so slowly. Tessa is an absolute joy- a little fire ball, full of squeals and screams, and a strong will. We are truly blessed to have the kids we have!

Her birthday was actually a few days ago, but we threw her a party when more people could attend- Memorial day festivities are tough to contend with!  It was such a nice night with a seemingly multitude of kids running around. We love having people over and get so much joy out of hosting friends and family in our home.

In other news- Eddy will be done with his first term of school in less than 2 weeks. And Eddy's folks are coming back to the States- arriving in just 2 weeks! We're not sure for how long they will be staying with us, but we're excited to have them back... time to brush up on the Portuguese!