Sun River, OR 2010

We went to the High Desert Museum this year, which was a first. My oldest child was quite convinced that she didn't like museums, which confused me, because I'm pretty sure I've never taken her to one. But she left singing a different tune and could not remember saying she didn't want to go in the first place. Maybe it was the outhouse that helped her make her decision?
We went with "the cousins" to the museum, but Ben stayed behind for his nap.
We spent lots of time in the pool. JD refused to "swim" with anyone other than Daddy, so John made many a trip across the pool leading the blue dolphin.
A really had a good time, especially when she realized it was absolutely impossible for her to sink since she was wearing a life jacket AND clinging to a floatie.
Before we left for Sun River, we had the cousins over for lunch. As you can tell, my kids were really shy and hesitant to show their true excitement.

ND 2010

How do I sum up our trip to ND this year? Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun! The kids flew airplanes. I mean, how can you top that?
We had a picnic in the park.
We went to Velva for their 4th of July parade. My favorite part was how the announcer named EVERY person in/on each float - no kidding. And, my second favorite part was the fact that the parade only paraded down 2 city blocks, so when we saw every entry they came around for a second go-round. Very cute.
Our trip could not be complete without a ride on the choo-choo (never mind that we ride the big one to get there/go home every year). Both of my kids are train lovers, and we are happy to oblige.
Great Grandpa Jay was transferred to a nursing home so he could attend rehab/physical therapy. While we were there, we got to see his new home-away-from-home.
I love this shot. I'm glad JD sat still long enough for me to take it.
JD really, truly believes that Papa's tractors are his too. And, despite the sheepish look on his face, this ride was an absolute highlight for him. Thanks for the ride, Papa!
Just a run in the park
I loved our attempt at mini-golf. A shows true potential for golf - which I can not take credit for. JD somehow lost his ball around hole 7, even though it was a bright orange color. A few holes were completely skipped, and no one kept score. But everyone left with smiles. A week later, we passed a glow golf business, and with all confidence A announced, "Oh yeah, we should play that. I'm good at it."
We enjoyed many an evening on the lawn. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes knew we were there.
I think we went to the "sprinkle park" three times this year. Every time, JD sat with me for a good 15 minutes saying he didn't want to get wet. Eventually he decided to give it a go, and then it took quite the convincing to get him out.
A was a pro. She did a little modeling for me, before she got completely soaked.

Uncle Jon's Wedding

We attempted a family photo before Uncle Jon's wedding. But, it's not a family photo without John. We did our best in his absence.
My kiddos know I love hydrangeas. I'm not sure that they actually were, but it didn't really matter what the flowers were when they were handing them to me. They know their way to my heart!
Congratulations Uncle Jon and Auntie Amy! You had a beautiful wedding, and we loved being there to celebrate with you - bubbles and all!
We practiced our bubble-making abilities before Uncle Jon and Auntie Amy came out of the church.
My beautiful girl!

Memorial Day Weekend Camping

Our camping trip was filled with rain, of course, a nice walk around the lake, a bit of fishing and some s'mores. The kids had a great time. When I asked them what their favorite part was, they answered: A: everything JD: all of the food J: spending time with the family.

Random Pictures from May

One evening while I was making dinner, A "read" to JD - using his favorite book of late, a find the picture book of farm scenes. It's always a little surreal to hear her interpretations of my reading. They sat reading for 20 minutes. It was a wonderful moment!

In preparation for our upcoming camping trip, A and JD are proud new owners of their own fishing poles - Barbie and Spiderman. While they're fishing, it definitely seemed more real to wear their life vests, don't you think?

JD decided it was more authentic to drive around the family room with Daddy's helmet on - clearly!

I awoke one morning to find my little cowboy in bed next to me. This is a daily occurrence. What was not typical, however, was his new decision to put on his cowboy boots before crawling in with me. A cowboy never goes anywhere without his boots!

We attended the Hazel Dell parade again this year, and there was no shortage of ice cream, bread, necklaces, stickers and, of course, candy. JD really seemed to get into the hang of the candy grab. He became so confident, I had to reel him in a few times.

Meteorology, according to A

I just overheard:

J: It's going to rain soon. Look.

A: Oh, I see. I know where the rain comes from.

J: Where?

A: The waves get bigger and bigger, until they reach the sky. The clouds get filled up. And then it rains.

Me: Hmm.

Mother's Day

On this, my 5th Mother's Day, the weather was gorgeous, so we decided to take out the kiddie pool and enjoy some Vitamin D, which is much needed for us Vitamin D deficient Pacific NWers. Happy Mother's day!

My Jumper

A was watching me jump rope yesterday and wanted to give it a try. I loved seeing her do it. The rope was way too big for her, but she gave it her all. Nice job, A!

Will the April showers ever quit?

Tomorrow, we are supposed to get record winds, rain, and cold. J said they are even predicting that we'll lose power. I'm sick of this weather. I know it's not snow, but I've had it. Enough already. I'm ready for summer.

Tonight was A's first ever Awana awards night. She learned 25? Bible verses this year, and she had a great time as a Cubbie. Now she's moving on to Sparks, or, as she called it last week - Sparkles. Well done A. May you hide God's Word in your heart!

One of my favorite events in April was our second annual trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, OR. The flowers were beginning to show their age, but I'm still glad we went. It is definitely one of the highlights of living in the northwest.

JD especially enjoyed seeing the "tractors" up close, especially with all of their smoke. Secretly, I enjoyed them too.

Aren't those colors phenominal?

JD is at the stage where posing for pictures is quite a feat. Most of the time they are very loving and affectionate toward one another. However, they couldn't seem to do that while the camera was on.
We ended our afternoon with a trip to "Old McDonald's" for an ice cream cone. Good times.

April was also full of lots of sickness at our house. First JD, then A. After JD's run of it, I learned about Pedialyte popsicles. Amazing, if you haven't tried them. Plain Pedialyte is disgusting, or so I heard, but both of the kids thought it was a treat to eat these popsicles. So, it was a win-win for all involved.

April began with A's first swimming lesson. She talked to me the whole way there about how she would get into the pool, listen to her instructor, wave to me as I watched, and then we would drive home. But I knew all of her chatter was because was nervous. And, as seen below, I was right. She spent the first 20 minutes like that, saying no the instructor every time he asked her to put a toe in the water. Thankfully, during the last 10 minutes, they had "free play." Somehow she was convinced to go in, and low and behold, she loved it. She left that day saying how much fun she had and "when do we come back?"

After her first swimming lesson, A was all smiles!

Easter Sunday

We went to Papa and Nana's church and house for Easter this year. The kids did two egg hunts, because we knew the weather was going to get wild. And, it did - crazy winds and rain. But, thankfully, they still got to do some hunting for eggs.

JD enjoyed walking with J when the weather was a little calmer.

We attempted the impossible - a family picture. Two year olds simply have a mind of their own. But I thought the kids looked great all dressed up.