The News Channels are naming this Winter Storm ... "Arctic Blast 2008" ... i just love the names they come up with !

so far we have 12" ... and counting!
being hunkered down in our houses ... going on 8 days now ... save us from ourselves!

"We did the Mash ... We Did the Monster Mash "

Halloween was a great day for us!

1.) Kids were off school
2) Mom & Dad were visiting
3.) We took the kids to see HSM3 (aka: High School Musical 3, for those that are out of the "tween" loop)
4.) Attended the Annual "Trunk or Treat" & went to a super-fun family party!

Costumes:
Parker wanted to be Speed Racer ... but only the "Vintage Speed Racer" from the original cartoon series ... so we rounded up all of the parts & he looked awesome! Definitely one of a kind ~ he was the only one with that costume the whole night!
Makenna (avid Twilight Series Addict ...) wanted to go as Bella Swan, the main character from the book.

When we got home, they of course dumped out their loot ... and this year, lined them up, and brought out the calculators! Kids are Hilarious.

We had a great day & wanted to share a few pics with you :-)

my new banner for ETSY shop!

my very creative, wonderful, graphic designer friend (meg m.!) designed this beautiful banner for my ETSY shop. i absolutely love it, and feel so professional now :-)
thank you meg!
check out my newest designs by clicking on the Lotus Link on the right side of this page!
~ april

We finally hiked Saddle Mountain!

Awesome Oregon Coast!

Last weekend, we went on a Family Camping Trip to Cape Lookout, near Tillamook, OR for the weekend! We had such a fun time together, walking the beach, frisbee, laying around, hiking, you know ... regular Oregon Coast Exploring actvities! Made all of our meals over the open (rockstar) campfires, thanks to Dave's skillz. But, we did have to take a field trip to Mo's in Cannon Beach for TRADITION! Can't mess w/ tradition you know. Can't wait to do it again :)

Makenna's New "DO"!

Makenna was lucky enough to receive a great hair makeover from Danny yesterday! He did such a gorgeous job & Makenna absolutely LOVES it!
Whatcha think??

On to Middle School for Makenna!

Makenna graduates 5th Grade! What a great year, great teacher, and great experience for her! She has know most of these kids since Kindergarten, so she has a bunch of wonderful memories! The last week of school consisted of a 5th Grade Breakfast, Memory DVD, and Yearbook signing, Field Day, and an awesome Pizza & Pool Party. Congrats Mak :)

Go Giants!

2 Years of T-Ball, 1 year of "Coach Pitch" ... this year it was
Parker's 1st year playing "Kid Pitch" Baseball. What a season! They did awesome!

Gotta Love American Idol's Montages!

Winner: Dave Cook Rocks!

This "Gladys Knight the and New Pips" montage rocks! These guys are 3 of our faves around our house! Instantly puts a smile on my face :-)

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SuperHeroes unite to help children in need in Africa!

With Jack Black as his inspiration (at the Nick Kids Choice Awards) ...

Presenting the "Slime-Enator" (aka Parker) was proud to sport his tights and briefs for this WORTHY cause!  (we'll see how he feels about this pic when he's 16 ....) (hee hee hee).

Uncle Matt is traveling to Africa to work in an orphanage and help out the children in need there in Kenya for 6 months!  He has planned out and executed a fantastic service project to be able to arrive in Africa with LOTS of fun things for the kiddos & lots of love ready to give :-)  That night, we were able to make sock puppets, donate books, make superhero capes for them to imagine with, hygiene kits, blankets, games, friendship bracelets, and make ribbon sticks.  What a fun night & memory for all of us!  Thanks Matt!

Rock Climbing Girl was all decked out in her gear, ready to scale any terrain to help out the children in need!

April & her sock puppet creation.

Villain or Hero?  You decide.

Happy Easter!

Recognize the fancy backdrop?  Yes, every year we have our Easter Photo taken @ the church ...  i know, classy.   why?  Who else will take it (while we're in our church clothes for 2 minutes?) 

Brandon & Katie Portland Reception

Brandon & Katie welcomed all of their close friends and family at the Portland Reception.  We were all able to celebrate together!

What are the Odds??!!

what a surprise!!  i count myself pretty lucky to get to run into one of my greatest friends @ DisneyLand!  

makenna & i were just minding our own business, enjoying a beautiful day at the Disney Park, when all of a sudden, out of the corner of my eye, I see Miss Kristi Taylor & her awesome family sauntering out of Minnie Mouse's house! ( i'm sure the other families standing around us probably thought someone lost a child, by how loud i screamed Kristi's name! ) so great to catch up with ya Kris!  your entire family is terribly missed in Oregon!

Seattle Trip (Zoo & Climbing Competition)

We were able to go to Seattle a couple of weekends ago to attend Makenna's 1st Rock Climbing Competition!  She did a great job!  Had perfect weather & enjoyed a little time off :-)

** This film was produced, edited, and music selected by the one and only Parker Young Haroldsen ** Thanks for sharing your talents bud!

Spring Trip to DisneyLand

Makenna and I went down to CA for a sunny weekend break from the Grey clouds of Portland.  Celebrated Brandon & Katie's beautiful wedding, as well as spent a day at Disney with the family.  Even ran into a best friend that had moved away from Portland last year!  What are the odds??  Loved it!

** This film was entirely produced, edited and music chosen by Parker Young Haroldsen!! **  Thank you buddy!

Star Wars (told as only a 3 year old can!)

 

lotus girl jewelry

hi friends & family ~

well, here it is ....

i have just created my website to market my jewelry :-)

yay!  i am so excited, and am loving this creative part of my life right now!

please check it out at: lotusgirljewelry.etsy.com

(click on link at the top left side of this page.)

Natural Inspiration

I love to design jewelry, and have been playing around 

with some new creations. 

I'd love your feedback!

Miss Makenna turns ELEVEN!!

This year was a "family party" birthday year for Makenna.  She decided to go to her FAVE restaurant for dinner ... Claim Jumper.  We had a great time together as a family.  We had celebrated with G&G Haroldsen and cousins on Sunday, which I made her favorite cake (and mine!) German Chocolate!!

Earlier in the week I took her to a George Winston (awesome piano-man) concert, we had a great time together and she was such fun to take her to a mature event like that!  She is such a sweet and fun gal to hang out with! :-)

During the concert's intermission, there was an Art Gallery upstairs ... so with drinks in hand, we ventured up to check it out.  It was Glass Mosaic pieces on display that were really beautiful.   This one was our favorite.

This large piece was very impressive and so beautiful (especially up close).  We both appreciate art so much, so touring the gallery was a great addition to our evening!