Dude where's my bike?

The other day after Miriam and I took the older kids to their day camp, we noticed my bike was missing! I counted 4 bikes several times instead of our normal 5. Then I look closely at the bike lock that was on my bike (now missing) and Simon's bike. The cable lock had a clean cut right through it. Somebody cut my lock and took my bike thankfully leaving Simon's alone. The responses from the kids when they realized what happened were funny....
Miriam- (proud and a pretty happy) "They didn't get mine!"
Jillian- (raising up with clenched fists) "I'm gonna find them and.... No! Let's go to the Police!"
Simon- (after some time thinking quietly...) "Wait Dad! Did you touch the lock... cuz we need to get finger prints!"

So, Today I Washed My Kitchen Floor...

I decided it was finally time to get the gunk off my kitchen floor. I am a maniac sweeper, sweeping upward of 5 or 6 times a day. But, washing the floor-I put off to once a week. I scrubbed my floor so good you could almost eat off it! And wouldn't you know it...Miriam spilled her entire cup of orange juice, Jillian dropped her milk from off the table, and I broke a brand new jar (glass) of corn! So much for my clean floor!

Check out THE BIG STORY...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kCVcSiUUMhY

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

My "Meme"

Today I was "memed"(or however you spell it) by my mom and friend Elisabeth. Looking around at others blogs I see a lot of memming going on. Until this morning, it was new to me, but now I am pretty much an expert. So-here are the official rules as required to post:
-link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
-share 7 facts about yourself on your own blog, weird or random
-tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
-let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
So...7 random or weird facts about myself:
1. I love the name Hilary. It is, in fact, my favorite name. I loved it when I had my first babysitting job for the funnest family who had the cutest little girl I had ever seen. Her name, of course, was Hilary. I wanted to name Jillian Hilary. I can't remember why I didn't, now that I think about it. I was considering voting for Hilary, until, well, you know.
2. I love spicy food. In fact, it is not spicy unless I have a tissue box by my side and I am sweating. I feel powerful when I eat spicy foods. I challenge anyone to to a contest in eating spicy foods. Especially, Thai food. And, I will win.
3. My dream job is to work at Whole Foods, or New Seasons. Or, to be a really amazing chef.
4. My favorite way to give birth is without medication.
5. When people talk to me, or I watch tv, my fingers are always typing out the conversation I am having, or hearing. I have carpal tunnel, because of this.
6. I was raised on raw goats milk. I milked the goats myself, as a 6 year old and then drank the milk. I loved to milk the goats. I don't love goat's milk. Bu I did love the honey yogurt my mom would make with it.
7. While typing this out, I sat next to my 3 year old, who was painting. I had to open several tubs of paint, get out paper, wipe paint off her fingers, wipe paint off my fingers, wipe paint off the computer (sorry Gerald), clean a paint brush, wipe paint off the table, talk to her and answer her questions about the meaning of life all the while. I don't multi-task well, but miraculously, I managed to get this done.
*So, I will tag: Rebecca, Chris and Megan, Vicki, Emilie, and Shannon, and Gerald

Notesinspanish.com

If you are interested in learning spanish, or reviewing the two years you had in highschool...I am going to give a shout out to one of my favorite websites: notesinspanish.com
This couple living in Madrid, Spain (he is from the UK and she is a from Madrid) put together awesome podcasts to help english speakers learn spanish. I love listening to them when I am washing dishes or cooking, or going for walks with the ipod. There are three levels you can choose from (beginner, intermediate, and advanced.) Let me know what you think!

What Jillian Likes To Do For Fun

Back Together Again!

After several weeks divided by the Oceano Atlantico, our family is back together again! Gerald and Simon returned home to us girls in Basque Country from a full and fun time in Portland. I was personally very happy that the time seemed to fly by. My wonderful mother came to stay with us girls and we deemed ourselves "on holiday." A couple of day trips to my beloved Francia, a day at the IKEA in Bilbo (this is basque for Bilbao), lots of walking, several cafe con leches, one or two cafe au lait, and...voila! The boys were home!!! Gerald and I were even able to take two days to get away to Burgos, Spain (courtesy of my mom.) It was my first time to be in Spain outside of the Basque Country. It had a very different feel. I will post pic's soon of our time.

Simon goes to camp!

Simon went to Trout Creek Bible Camp outside of Portland for the first time this week. Here he is with friends from birth; Timmy and Jonah. They had a great time and will all be back together next summer. According to Simon their counselor "Cricket" was the best counselor ever!

Jonah, Simon, and "Cricket"

Portland Basque students and families 2008.

Chicken fight!!!

Simon and da boys.

Simon and a best buddy, Jonah (Aitor in the background).

Ushue, Jenni, and Miren in our plaza.

During the summer the courtyard of our apt. building is a great place to be. The kids play and race around there... and neighbors stop and talk as they come and go. The other day these friends came over for a coffee and dinner. They have both in Portland with our program and now are at one of the Colleges in our town.

SIMON'S VIEW.

The other day we went for a walk and then met friends for lunch. Simon asked to use the camera and we were happy to give him something to do for the long walk. After looking at the pictures we thought this would be a great way to show you more of our city, our friends, and Simon's unique perspective. Enjoy!

Auntie Em!!!

Mommy and Miriam.

This guy looked cool!

I had to sneak up on this baby for the picture.

Girls.