Makena's Day

To continue celebrating Makena's 13th Birthday, I took her and a friend (Hailee) out to lunch at Chang's Mongolian Grill. Chang's is Makena's favorite restaurant - but for some reason she only gets noodles, chicken and pineapple?!? Makena wanted to eat at their own table, so I sat a few tables back and read a book. (It only hurt my feelings a little to not be allowed at the same table...guess I'd better get used to the teenage years huh?)

Then I took them to the Rose Garden to take some pictures of them. The last time I took them to the Japanese and Rose Gardens, the roses weren't in bloom and the girls weren't too impressed. They were much happier this time around! The weather was beautiful!

Look - roses!!

"Are we allowed to put our feet in?" they ask

'I don't know.' I say

My tree-huggers

'Just one more picture' I say (a few times)

'Last one, I promise' I say (again)

We then headed to Washington Square. I try to avoid the mall AT ALL COSTS! There are just too many (pissy, slow, irritating) people there for me...not for Makena tho. A while back, I found out that one of her favorite stores (Forever 21) is there, so she has been asking me to take her ever since. That Birthday money was just burning a hole in her pocket!

First we went to Jamba Juice for yummy shakes. As we headed to Forever 21 (half way across the mall) the bottom fell out of my cup and my shake went everywhere! Down my leg, all over my foot and onto the ground. I had the girls head in to the closest store for help, and I made sure no one stepped in it or slipped. (Here is where the pissy people at the mall come in.) People looking at my like I was in their way or just walking right into me because they just weren't paying attention...until they stepped in my yummy shake. (I just smiled know that they would be carrying it on their shoes for the next few stores.)

The maintenance person showed up, so we headed back to Jamba Juice (half way across the mall) to get me another yummy shake. Then we headed to the bathroom so that I could clean up - I had to take the messy cup back with me to Jamba Juice.

With a new yummy shake, we headed back towards Forever 21 (half way across the mall) to shop. This is where Makena and Hailee spent most of their money and time. Then we headed to Hot Topic, Zumiez & Journeys - back across the mall. Makens found the 'perfect shoes' at Journeys. Hailee then remembered that she wanted to go to Claires to find a wallet - back across the mall. Makena wanted to look at a backpack at Spencers, so that was our next stop - back across the mall. Hailee and I talked Makena out of the scary Heath Ledger/Joker backpack and they bought Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch wallets instead. The girls then decided that they were tired and wanted to go home. (Whewww...me too!) We did want to stop at Goodwill first tho, just in case something caught our eye.

Makena did a little fashion show for us when we finally got back home.

The entire album has been uploaded to my Picasa Site.

THANK YOU:

Grandma & Papa - knee high white Converse shoes

Flahertys, Aunt Tami & Uncle Kent & Gram: skinny jeans, new tops, Oscar the Grouch wallet and money to spare

Castillas: Owl City CD from iTunes

Makena's Birthday BBQ

We had family/friends over on Saturday to celebrate Makena's 13th birthday. We planned a BBQ for early evening; Jamie smoked some salmon, we also BBQ'd some, as well as burgers and (Makena's favorite) Better Cheddars.

Makena recieved 3 cards in the mail that morning - with money in the envelopes!

THANK YOU Grandma & Papa, Aunt Tami & Uncle Kent and Gram!!

Makena says that 13 is an unlucky number, so she was either going to be 12 for another year or just skip to 14. I told her that she can't just 'skip' a birthday number! She didn't want anything with #13 on it...so Jamie and I bought #13 balloons and candles for her brownie! : )

playing a little kick-ball

TeaLee stayed the night...they were up late!

THANK YOU to all that came and helped celebrate - and for the thoughtful gifts! Even though she is getting older (sniff...sniff), Makena enjoys spending time with her family and friends!

The entire album has been uploaded to my Picasa Site.

MY Costco purchase

With all the fish that we currently have, someone suggested getting a Food Saver. 'Great idea!' I thought and went straight to Costco. (Yep, I beat Jamie there!!) Here is MY new Costco purchase; which came with lots of goodies.

Jamie & I got up early on Saturday morning to cut up the salmon to get it in the smoker. We wanted to have plenty for the BBQ later that night.

Airshow 2009

We attended the 2009 Oregon International Airshow (aka Hillsboro Airshow) courtesy of ATG - a local company that Jamie does business with. The Flaherty's came along with us again this year, but we had all the kids to play with this time. We like to go to the Airshow on Friday nights, because ATG also sponsors a firework show. We can watch the planes fly over our house (and practice all week), but it's nice to be front & center for the fireworks!

Kallie had to get a little help up

Can't go to an airshow without binocs!

Yes, they're backwards but that's how she likes it

a 'dinosaur' that Kallie didn't like - it destroyed cars

The entire album has been uploaded to my Picasa Site.