Adios.

Well my bloglovin' friends, it's time to bid adieu to this here blog. I recently learned that Word Press is oh-so-much-easier in the uploading photos department, and let's be honest, that's about all I do anymore here anyway.   Plus the template is cleaner, the interface more user friendly (what is an interface anyway? See, I need easy).

I have to admit I'm a little sad to say goodbye to "the Euro Blocks"....but in reality, we said goodbye to them a while ago.  We are now - and have been for a while - the Walla Blocks, and until our children chill out and can be trusted to travel more calmly, this is where we shall remain!

So please join me on over at www.lafamiliablock.wordpress.com where I will now be blogging.

As always, thanks for following.

The Blocks

Birthday Rumpus

Since the birthday girl was a bit under the weather last weekend we rescheduled her party and celebrated Saturday instead. So glad we did, because Hadley had a B-L-A-S-T and I think it's safe to say so did everyone else (what's that you say? FUN at a kid party? oh yes.)  And I can prove it! 

Get ready for a lot of pictures.

First of all, Hadley's friend Macy showed up to the party dressed like Cinderella.  It was awesome. All the kids thought that I'd actually hired Cinderella to get their picture taken with, score one for mom & dad! Thanks Mace!

It turns out that three year olds really like presents....A lot of our friends have been having these "no gifts please" parties lately and to be honest, I just don't get it. I swear this child probably would've hit mock five melt down devastation if these gifts hadn't shown up...so thank you, everyone.  Really. 

(Don't you love Frampa Guy in this picture? All the adults actually. Great action shot.)

It turned out that our friends the Garratts had gotten Hadley her very own 'Princess in a Bag' as her gift...so naturally she stripped down for a costume change the moment she saw the new digs. 

She definitely has a flair for the dramatic.  I think she gets it from Andy.

So here are the two princesses, showing that princessing can be a very serious party duty.

In the mean time this little bugger was mowing over some cupcakes like he meant it! 

No he didn't have a sugar high at all that evening...

Quite pleased with himself, yes.

Guess what I just bought Junie for her 3rd birthday party this Saturday....shhhh, she doesn't know yet.

These three little cuties are all about 6 months apart from eachother...

Can't wait to see which one Jame chooses to bring home to mama when he's 25. 

May the best little gal win!

Some more princess action....really? The shoes? The pink toes? It's just too much cuteness! Stop!

The decor that I was oh-so proud of crafting....and evidently spent so much time making that I was completely out of energy to cook, thus the Dominos front and center.

I did manage to whip up the cupcakes at least.  That is pride on a plate right there ya'll!

To sum it up, I've never had so much fun at a kid party in my life.  I so enjoyed putting it together, but it was even better watching our little princess going ballistic over her gifts, playing with her friends and eating her weight in frosting (because come on, that's the best part). 

This whole kid thing just gets better and better, I've gotta say!

Happy birthday Miss Hadley!!!

Interview with the Birthday Girl

1. What is your favorite color? Pink!

 2. What is your favorite toy? My pink baby.

3. What is your favorite fruit? Vegetables.  (Yes, she seriously said this)

4. What is your favorite tv show?  Sail Boats! (Wonderpets....we've seen every episode imaginable. God help us.)

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cheeseburgers!
6. What is your favorite outfit? My princess dress!

7. What is your favorite game?  When me and Bowie play cooking.

8. What is your favorite snack?  Cheese & Cwackers.

9. What is your favorite animal?  A Giwaffe.

10. What is your favorite song?  (Singing at the top of her lungs) "I won't let you, close enough to turning tables..." (Yes, that is Turning Tables by Adele)
11. What is your favorite book? Olivia!

12. Who is your best friend? Junie!

13. What is your favorite cereal? Pink Cereal! (Sensing a trend with the exclamations?) (Pink Cereal = Frosted Shredded Wheat)

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Walk to the guckies. (The ducks at Whitman)

15. What is your favorite drink? Hot chocolate.

16. What is your favorite holiday? What's a holiday?  (Clarified the meaning of Holiday) Hadley's Birthday! (Then started singing Happy Birthday to YOU!)

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Almonds. (No lie, kid takes a cup of raw almonds to bed with her every night....she doesn't eat them, just likes to have them sitting on the floor next to her bed.  And if those almonds aren't a fresh batch, she makes us get her "NEW ALMONDS" before she will go to sleep.)

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cinnamon Toast.

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Steak! (Totally her father's daughter)

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Bal-ner-ina! (Ballerina :)

So as you can see, our little three year old has quite the personality.  She's a ball of energy, quite particular about getting dirty (has to change her clothes from a mere speck of dirt), talks up a storm, loves to play with Jamie (provided he isn't stealing her favorite toys), is totally potty trained (hallelujah!), loves her Daddy like none other and is becoming such a fun little person.  Can't wait for what this year will bring - love you Hadley Rose Block!

Frama Great: In Loving Memory

Dick & Joyce on their wedding day: February 12, 1949

Andy's Grandma (Frama Great as Hadley called her) passed away last week from a broken heart.  As you may remember, we lost Andy's Grandpa just a few short months ago.  In a way, this makes my heart smile to know their love was so strong, she didn't want to be on this earth without him.  They started a beautiful legacy of love and family, and I am so blessed to call this family mine as well.  You will both be remembered so fondly and will live in the stories the family will pass down through the years.  I'll always look at Hadley, who was born on their 60th wedding anniversary, with a special reminder of the love of two people.

Here is the beautiful obituary written by Andy's mom, Vicki.

Rest in peace, together again...

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In Loving Memory

Joyce Marie Boldman

March 27, 1932 ~ January 24, 2012

Joyce Marie Boldman, 79, passed away at her home surrounded by her children on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, due to complications of MSA compounded by a broken heart. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard “Dick” Boldman, on September 30, 2011. A memorial service to honor them both will be held at 12 Noon, Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Washington. The Rev. Ron Alexander will be officiating.

One of nine children, Joyce and twin sister Janet were born on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932, in Kahlotus, Washington to William Cecil and Florence Alma Young Watson. Her father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and they lived several places before settling in Walla Walla where she grew up attending local schools. As teenagers both twins worked at the Liberty Theater as usherettes and the Triple XXX Drive-In as carhops which at times created some confusing, comical situations. Janet preceded her in death February 27, 2000.

Joyce met Dick Boldman, the love of her life, while working at the Liberty Theater. They were married at the Catherine Street home of his parents, Ray and Nellie Hill Boldman in Walla Walla on February 12, 1949. Their 62 year marriage was a source of great pride and admiration for their family and celebrated every year with a special anniversary dinner and family gathering. Both were very proud of their large family and Dad would often look at Mom with great pride and say, “Just look at what we started!"

Joyce was meticulous with numbers and an excellent bookkeeper who had beautiful handwriting. She began working for Sears Roebuck & Co. as a sales clerk in 1959, but quickly worked her way up to the office. After 31 years with the company, she retired from her position as Audit Manager in May of 1990. Joyce was a member of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority where she served two terms as president and many more as the treasurer.

Mom & Dad enjoyed camping, mushrooming and traveling with many of their life-long friends. Although
Dad did most of the cooking, Mom was also a great cook and made “The World’s Best” fried chicken and potato salad. She used to enjoy crocheting and was an excellent seamstress. In more recent years, her favorite activities were family gatherings and special occasions, watching Millionaire, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and lunch out with her “Thursday Lunch Bunch” whenever she could.

**********************

Kid update.

File under man I haven't done a kid update in forever!

Some shots from today...

this child is ALWAYS dirty. yes, that is dirt between his teeth.

goofballs.

Noel.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a small Block was stirring, not even a delivery guy from amazon 'cause we done bought them out;

The stockings were hung on the mantel with care,

In hopes that the presents soon would be there;

they were!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-highs danced in their heads;

And mamma drinkin champagne, and I a nice cab,

Had just settled down for a long winter's...marathon of Entourage season 8.

We had such a nice Christmas Eve.  Spent with the Block contingent (Grampa Larry and Grama Jo, Ryan, Michelle, Wyatt & Ros)...Presents galore and then a nice fondue for just us two while we wrapped presents and got ready for Christmas morning.

cuzins

 

Wrapping paper flying, dump trucks & princess outfits all over the place, peppermint hot chocolate, pancakes...and I'd say the kids' Christmas was all they could hope for and more.

will surely have this bottle til he's 10.

santa pulled through and brought a "pink baby"!

nothing like a kid in a tool belt :)

Christmas afternoon we had a delicious Prime Rib fiesta at Vicki & Bruce's with the whole family, and more presents...

mr. wyatt

4x block

caramel corn...mmmmm

We were missing our time with Frama Joyce & Frampa Warwen, but their presence was found in a big cardboard house that entertained them through the whole day.

welcome to my home.

Then fastforward to New Years Eve, we celebrated our third Christmas with dinner with Grama & Grampa Gingell and TONS more presents (definitely hit the jackpot this year). 

New year's eve found Shan in bed by 8:30 (whoops, long year). But January 1, 2012 was full of the promise of a fresh new year ahead.  Brunch with the Garratts, Hess' and McFarlands and the mimosas were flowing.  I even made my first quiche!

2011 was not the easiest year we've had, personally or least of all professionally.  We lost family members, young and old, we've raised two crazy toddlers, we've worked our butts off (mostly Andy's butt) and a heap of other things big and small have made this year a challenge, to say the very least. 

But if they never should have bitter, they could not know the sweet.

Cheers to a very sweet 2012!

The Big Bad Dog.

Doesn't he look sweet and innocent?  Sweet he is as long as he is by my side 24/7...innocent, he is not when left alone.  He has run away upwards of 7,000 times.  The whole neighborhood knows him.  He has destroyed the 'Gorilla Tough' crate (crate number 4 by the way) that claims to hold even the most stubborn of dogs. He has destroyed expensive doors, my shoes, the kids' toys, barked incessantly, and he can't be alone...he is in a sense, troubled. 

To make a very long story short, we have been to hell and back with Dublin, and this is his last chance!

Bring on Ceasar.  Milan, that is.  Starting next week, Dublin will be attending doggy boot camp at Gun River Labs in Oregon.  With any luck, he will come back just slightly more normal.  He will be gone for two to three months and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready for him to be on vacation for a while.  This means, I'll be able to leave my house without a 'third kid'.  Amazing!

Wish him luck, he's going to need it!

Farewell furry friend.  We have loved you.  Mostly.

Got their hair did.

 Two haircuts for two little cuties! They always do so great at the salon.  Love these two.

Deja Vu

I think we'll have to get this picture every year until he's 6 feet tall!

The Ole Tree

With some of the family stuff going on and Andy being extremely busy at work, we were running WAY behind this year on our Christmas decor.  We finally got our tree up and going this weekend! 

Did you know that Reindeer are in fact not mythical creatures? Yeah, me neither.

This is the one!

The finished product.

I seriously cannot believe it is December...much less the end of December. Between chasing toddlers, working 3 days a week and generally trying not to lose my mind, I just barely got my Christmas cards out the door today.  Next year, I vow to be ahead of schedule! 

Happy Holidays one and all! 

Vegas in Pictures

Although the end of the trip was pretty sad and difficult with the loss of my aunt, we still ended up having some great fun with our Swiss friends that met us there for two nights.  It was beyond amazing reuniting with our friends (Braden & Anna, Lisa & Martin, and Josh) that we hadn't seen in ages.  Just the sight of Anna and Lisa had me in tears on the spot.  I have really missed having daily contact with those ladies.  So here we go, Vegas: In Pictures.

The flight -- we learned many valuable lessons about travel...such as, we won't be doing it again with toddlers -- EVER!

Martin, Andy, Braden - Drinks at the Venetian before our amazing meal at Sushi Samba.

Hads got to come out shopping at the Forum with me, Lisa & Anna.

H&J with cousin Olivia (9 yrs old)

Family shot at Caesar's Palace

At Harrah's Jack Daniels Bar...had so much fun with these girls!

Hadley learning a thing or two about style from auntie Lis.

Dying to make this an annual trip!  Thank you for the wonderful times girls, until next time!