Nélida goes left-right-left (after mastering the pivot yesterday)

Welp.... it'd be a farse to say that we as parents aren't still interested in the classic landmarks these days... Today we celebrated Nélida's first steps with joy...




We've been walking around like scarecrows trying to encourage her to take a few more, but she has been content to stand and smile keeping us all in suspense. Love, Ben

Garden Explosion!

I knew that while I was away, the plants in the garden would grow, but man oh man - have they ever! What a healthy creature a living thing can become when it happily chooses its own home. The volunteer tomatillos, the cosmos, marigolds, sunflowers, cilantro and odd squash here and there are hard to pull up when they appear, before they dominate the space, but it might be a wise move in future years. In particular, I decided to let one wild pumpkin vine live as it emerged from underneath the new compost bins. Pops told me that it might be in his way later on, but it looked so pretty, I couldn't bear to yank it out. I hoped that it would wind its way around to disguise the bare wood of the bins. Now as you see, it is taking over the driveway, as it draws nourishment from the rich compost soil. Hopefully the pumpkins are pretty, or edible, or special in some way. I would like to try some of the blossoms stuffed with a creamy filling. I hope that the truck will avoid rolling over the now thriving and pampered pumpkins.

Bye Bye Baby!

Saying goodbye to chickie and babybug and the mommies and daddies in Oregon was hard, but knowing that more adventures lay ahead, and that soon our family will gather together in Entiat softened the blow. I miss those baby kisses.
I am posting a few of the cutest pictures here and hope to see more that our family photographer, Geoffrey took too!

But on to more adventure! Ruthie, Nathanael, Trixie and I discovered two very fun parks with toys for big kids! We watched the most beautiful sunset, and a show of fire twirlers, and then went to the Ballard Seafood Festival. I just mention the highlights, because in the few hours that we had, we found so much to do!
Thank you kids for a great time!!

Granny visits the babies!

 

Birthday Song

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day for our little sunbeam. She was serenaded by friends and loved ones from all over the world, even a lovely island songstress sang her a song.

Happy first birthday, sweet Neli-pie!!!

You are one amazing and adorable chickie! We love you!!!

Bebes Super-Intelligente

Amy and Nelida made it into the Salem Statesman Journal last week! What a proud granny/librarian I am!

Click here!

Amy Dalgas, with her daughter Nelida, 11 months, sings a song during Brainy Babies bilingual story time at the Salem Public Library. Parents of toddlers bring their children for reading in Spanish and English every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

Yumm - Avocado

DSC_5409, originally uploaded by geoff_dalgas.

Sometimes pictures don't need much explanation! That's ONE MESSY BABY!

Philomath Frolic

We froliced at the Philomath Frolic and rodeo today! Caleb had a great time learning about animals both human and the other four legged kind.



You can see more pictures HERE

dancin' in the park!

neli walks with mama and papa

Happy 4th of July ( on the 5th )

Thank you Ruthie, Nathanael, Jessi, Ben, Amy, Neli, Trixie and Pops for making this weekend a very fun time! We missed those of you who were celebrating at home or elsewhere, but we hope your day was filled with fun and fireworks.

New Pics Using Birthday Present

This birthday has been fun! I received a new flash for my camera as a wonderful present from Jennie - so I thought I'd share some photos taken just today!

With the bases loaded Caleb makes the sign for the ol' spitball pitch

We love you Geoffrey!!

On the weekend of your second birthday, Dad and I took a little trip to the coast with you. We had the small Shasta trailer that we hauled behind our International Suburban. Grandpa George had a spot at Newport where he and Grandma Mildred stayed while Grandpa went salmon fishing. One day Grandpa took us out in his little boat to catch herring for bait. While he and Dad went fishing, I took you for walks in your wagon to visit Grandma, and to the Marine Science Center to see the starfish and other sea creatures. You were so much fun. You loved the water and being at the beach. The day of your birthday, you took a nap while I decorated the trailer with balloons and made you a cake. You had gotten a cold of some sort, and had a little fever. I still wanted you to have a little party with Dad and me (and your little sister to be!). When you woke up, you were so excited and shouted out "Balloons! Balloons!" You got a little truck for your present. You liked it a lot, but you were too sick to play for long, so after a brief party you went back to sleep. That weekend we watched the fireworks over the water from where we were parked near the base of the Newport bridge. In those days, it was just a little unofficial campspot near a fishing and diving store.

Now that you are a daddy too, enjoy every special moment! I wish I could be with you today, but I know that little Caleb and lovely Jennie will be there to love you and make it a happy time. Caleb wanted to start early, didn't he! ( I caught Geoffrey on skype at 4:30 AM!!) Have a sweet birthday!

Fun with Video

Caleb the Worm



Mommy in the Park

some garden pictures

While Pops is off to work in the agricultural dominated town of Connell , I spend much of my free time growing the crops here at home, in hopes of sharing them with all of you dears. The main work of planting is over, and while the tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other vegetable fruits grow ripe and heavy, I tend to the weeding and watering.