Day at Silver Falls

Well once again, time has gotten away from me and this blog has suffered. I am very behind in posting. In mid-August, we went with Grandpa Gordon (my natural father) to Silver Falls State Park. There are a number of beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails for nature lovers. We had a yummy picnic lunch and enjoyed a wonderful day together.

Gorgeous

Grandpa G and N reading the history

All of us

Grandpa and the monkeys

This was as close as we could get to this one

Checkin out the riverbed




Me and my girl

Woohoo!

Pops and I

I love this photo



All tuckered out

Beautiful

Grazing deer by the road

K flexing her muscles

Tic-kled pink

So I have a whole bunch of catching up to do on some of our late summer early fall doings. I will try hard to get to that this weekend. Hubby is busy hunting for the first time and so we're crossing our fingers he brings home a little venison. I say it like that because the thought of him killing a deer is not something I want to think about. We say pork, bacon, and ham...but not pig? We say beef, steak, or hamburger...but not cow? Then there's chicken...guess there's no getting around that one...but I digress.

It's been a busy month since I've been back to work. School is well under way and keeping me on my toes. Between juggling teaching my classes and helping my own two monkeys, it's enough to make my head spin. I've been trying hard to balance the two better. I've only stayed late once so far, not counting the Curriculum Night that was required. It has helped me to be a better Mom, but I think my work has suffered a little. Every year since I began teaching, the months of autumn months are sprinkled with many late nights to get things up and running in my classroom. Not so this year. I'm learning how to "be okay" with not finishing certain things, however I fall behind faster. Ugh. Definitel still working on that learning curve.

I'll work on updating our summer doings in another blog, but I do want to update on my kids. They are in 4th and 2nd grade now. Both are doing well so far in school. N just celebrated his tenth birthday (will post pictures soon) and K learned that she doesn't have to wear her eye patch anymore for her vision therapy. A year of that was more than enough. She still needs her glasses, but her amblyopia seems to have subsided. I took her to the neurologist today for similar concerns we had about N a couple years ago.

DH thought I was just overly concerned and neurotic, but my Mommy radar was kicking in. Thank you Jenny McCarthy for telling us to listen to the mother warrior instinct. The doctor confirmed my suspicions. She does indeed have a tic disorder like N, albeit a mild case. Basically, they both have a variation of Tourette's, but not the full-blown kind that most people think of. Both are aware that they have these tendencies, but are learning to cope with their tics. It is genetic in one side of my family, so there you go. My aunt said my cousin eventually outgrew his tics, so there's definitely hope. To be honest, this doesn't define my children in the least. I'm tickled pink by every quirk that makes them unique. It is one very small part of each of them and helps make them who they are...fabulous and funtastic kids!

Wordless Wednesday

For his 10th birthday, my parents took N to his first U of O Ducks game at Autzen Stadium. It's my alma mater, so I couldn't be prouder of my little duckling! They even handily beat Stanford 52-31.

Wordless Wednesday

Took several attempts to get a shot of them diving in unison. So sweet!

Remember...

September 11th...nine years ago today our country experienced a tragedy that will forever be etched in our collective memory. Much like Pearl Harbor, the moment will live in infamy. Most people can tell you where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the planes hitting the World Trade Center towers.

I had just began a new job barely a month earlier. They sent me to Salem (an hour away) to attenda weeklong training. Early in the morning on 9/11, I was getting ready for work just happened to be watching the news that morning. Not since the Oklahoma City bombing did time stand so still. I dropped my mouth in utter horror as the events unfolded. I had to leave to drive the hour to get to my training, but I so wanted to stay home that day. On the way there, the radio reported the United 93 flight that had crashed in Pennsylvania. It was so crazy what was unfolding that I couldn't wrap my mind around the sheer magnitude the events. It was when I arrived at the hotel where my training was taking place that I realized America was literally under attack.

Everyone who actually came to the training that day was in a state of absolute shock. Nobody could focus. It was quite strange to be experiencing that day with complete strangers that I suddenly felt an instant connection with. We were bonded by the trauma everyone was feeling. We were across the country from where all the attacks were taking place, yet nobody felt safe or secure. Our poor trainer was trying in vain to conduct the weeklong agenda, but it was so hard for people to focus or even attend. I did leave early that first day as I just longed to be home with my son. He was almost a year old at the point and I needed to just hug him. In fact, we celebrated his 1st birthday a couple weeks later. That whole week was quite surreal. Planes were grounded and loved ones were stuck all over the place and just wanted to get home. My uncle had to rent a car and drive across a couple of states to get back to Oregon.

While the raw fear and pain of that day has been dulled by time, the healing process is definitely a slow one. I don't know anyone who sees those images without reliving a small piece of that day. So many stories, so much loss, and so much heroism. Our country may be splintered over the seemingly neverending war, but we will forever be united by that 9/11. If only we can remember that solidarity and pride we felt that day all the time, not just on the anniversary. I made a promise to myself and God that day to celebrate life as much as possible and try not to take anything for granted. I thank the good lord for my husband, my two amazing children, and all the other gifts in my life. Many hard lessons have been learned since that day, but I am grateful still. Remember...

Wordless Wednesday

Hometown Visit

I'm a little behind in my summer blogging, but that's life for ya. It has a funny way of taking over. So the weekend after we went on our annual campout with friends, the kids and headed to Bend for a hometown visit with my folks. We left on Friday morning and came back on Monday. DH had to work, so he didn't make it on this trip. Whenever I drive somewhere, I need to break up the monotony any road trip by stopping to enjoy the scenery. The kids and I checked out this one place with a staircase in the middle of the mountains. I can't remember what it's called, but it was really something to see.

Stairway to Heaven maybe?

We were just outside of Warm Springs, an hour or so from Bend, when some kind of accident happened. Traffic was backed up on both sides for quite a ways. I figured we were in for wait so I turned off the engine and we got out to stretch our legs. It's kinda funny how you get to know perfect strangers when you have odd situations in common. The nice couple behind us were headed to a nearby campground and were on the final leg of a long drive from Washington. We all got a kick out of this one man who kept walking up and down the road looking with his binoculars. After about 20-30 minutes, cars began to move. I was glad to get going again.

Waiting...

When we finally got there, we'd been in the car for much of the day, so the kids needed to get some of their energy out. My parents weren't quite off work yet, so we visited an old friend of mine who worked downtown. Then I took them to Drake Park. We go there every time we come to Bend so they can see the ducks. Afterwards, we met my Mom and Dad at Deschutes Brewery for dinner. It was a little loud there, but the food was oh so good!

K and her ducks

On Saturday morning, we had a pretty low key day. After a lazy morning around the house, my parents took us down to the river so that kids could play and go walking. Later that afternoon, my dad took care of the kids so that my mom and I could spend some time together. We went and could go see Eat, Pray, Love. It was a really inspiring movie. My mom and I enjoyed time together.

Helping Grandpa water the lawn


N and Grandpa

My parents

K always loves being a step ahead

K and Grandma, so much alike!

Sunday was so much fun! We headed up to Cultis Lake (nicknamed Coldest Lake), a family tradition for as long as I can remember. The water is shallow for a quite a ways in the swimming area we go to. It's chilly at first, but you warm up fairly quickly. I grew up going there and we always manage to get our favorite spot at this little cove, maybe because we usually get there first..haha. Anyhow, my parents brought their new kayak, so there was extra stuff to do. We got everything set up, floaties blown up, and then finally settled in for a lovely day at the lake. We went hiking, swimming, and took turns kayaking. Poor Grandpa's arms got quite the workout! He knows how to steer the kayak well, so he indulged us all and took us out on the water. When I was younger, we owned a yellow canoe and I remember many summers enjoying it. I'm glad my parents are getting back to what they love. They go paddling down the river or on the lake quite frequently on sunny days. One thing Cultis Lake is known for are the MANY dragonflies. A yellow one even landed on my hand as was using the oar out in the kayak. So pretty! Wish I'd had my camera at that moment.

Dad and I

N wading out

K's turn



K deciding if she wants to go in deeper

N's turn

Dragonfly

On one of the docks



K being a brave girl

N helping guide the kayak through shallow water

Another dragonfly

We left Monday morning and began the 3 1/2 hour drive home. Along the way and on whim, I decided to make pit stop (big surprise, eh?). We drove up to Mt. Hood to see the historic Timberline Lodge. This ski lodge was made famous by the movie, The Shining. The exterior was used as face of the Overlook Hotel. It had been years since I'd been there, so I wasn't sure what we'd find. If you can believe it, there were people skiing (in mid August!). There were also throngs of people hiking and sight seeing via the chairlift. We didn't have time to do any of that, so we just walked around a bit and took in the amazing views. I've never been inside or even had pleasure of skiing there. I hope we can come back either in the winter or summer again to do some of the more touristy things. It's strange when you don't think to indulge in some of local treasures, even when you've lived somewhere for so long.

How's that for a view?

Timberline Lodge

Mt. Hood

N and K



What a great weekend we had!

Campout With Friends 2010

We made it to our 3rd annual campout with some dear friends of ours. It's become a summer tradition that the kids really look forward to. The group consists of DH's best friend Troy and his three daughters; DH's other best friend Brian, his wife Rosalee, and their five children. For the last two years, our three families have gone to a secluded little campground near Mt. Hood called 8-Mile Loop. It's been a comfortable spot with hiking trails and a creek. The first year, we got a prime spot and had a wonderful time. Last year was DH's first year going and unfortunately he didn't enjoy himself too much. We didn't get as good of a spot and the bees were out in full force.


This year took on many changes. DH is not so much the outdoorsman, so it's been an adjustment for him. Over the year he has tried to adopt a new attitude about camping and many other outside activities, even taking up hunting and fishing...and listening to country music! I've been very proud of him for these efforts. I grew up in a very outgoing family where outdoor recreation and camping was a way of life. We drove everywhere and camped out many weekends in the summer. Whereas DH's family flew everywhere and stayed in hotels on tropical islands. Get the picture? Anyway, we decided to buy my parents' trailer for an amazing deal (thank you mom and dad!). Tenting it just doesn't work for DH, so the trailer has been a blessing in more ways than one. DH has a coworker with a large plot of land that his family uses for camping along the Nehalem River, in the Coastal Range. He allowed us to use it for free, so everyone was willing to give it a try.



All the guys had to work, so we got a late start on Friday. It was evening by the time we arrived and everyone got their stuff set up. After we got the fire started, we roasted hot dogs for dinner. The kids threw rocks in the river and explored the area a bit. By dark, we were ready for s'mores and oh how the kids loved that! DH was exhausted, so he turned in early. We got all the kids settled into bed for the night too. The four of us adults who were still awake enjoyed some great conversation and laughs that night...without any alcoholic beverages I might add! (although a strawberry margarita would've been nice)



The next morning, we took our time getting up and made breakfast burritos and hot cocoa...yummy! The older kids went exploring by the river, while the little ones found the dirtpile (of course!). Kevin's coworker who owned the property, Brian F., arrived to hang out. Rosalee and Brian's little boy really took a shine to him. As the day wore on, the sunshine was beaming down on us...making that river look very appealing.



So all the dads went wading with the kids. Eventually, they either fell in or got dragged into the water fully-clothed. Rosalee and I were quite snaphappy with our cameras. The guys rode the current down a ways before trying to claw their way back upstream, not an easy task. The kids took turns sitting with their respective daddies in the water and had so much fun. K struggled with her fear of stepping on a crawdad before finally relaxing long enough to enjoy herself. I took her hand and waded with her to help ease her fears.



After enjoying sandwiches and chips for lunch, the guys took the kids for a walk to put the crawdad trap in the river and do a little fishing. Rosalee and I stayed back for some quiet time. She put her baby down for a nap while the others were away. The dogs really had a good time chasing sticks into the river. Our dogs both braved the water for the first time.



By Saturday evening, the kids were getting worn out, so we got dinner going. This meal is perhaps the best part of the whole campout. Troy taught us how to make hobo stew, and now it is tradition that we make it every year. Hobo stew is so easy to make if you do a little prep ahead of time. You mix hamburger, sliced carrots, celery, and potatoes all together. Season it with plenty of garlic salt and ground black pepper. Feel free to add other vegies and spices as you please. Wrap it up in aluminum foil and put on the grill for about 30-45 minutes (or until ready). So good! More s'mores and even a ghost story courtesy of Brian F. rounded out the evening.



On Sunday morning, we kept breakfast simple with doughnuts. Everyone began to tear down the campsite and pack up the cars. Then the guys took a few of the kids to go get the crawdad trap and brought back quite a haul. DH boiled them in trailer and everyone nibbled them for an afternoon snack. The only disturbing part of this was when the kids created finger puppets out of the crawdad heads. Alrighty then. The kids really seemed to have a wonderful time overall and I was grateful to have such good friends. Camping can be a lot of work, but the memories are so worth it!

Acting goofy

Man vs. Fire

Bushwacking


Waiting to roast marshmallows



Keely going into a river for the first time EVER

Brave girl

Sticks were the toy of choice

Playing in the river

N with his best buddy

Campsite view from the bridge

Look at my dirty hands Mommy!

Hanging around the campfire

Yes, that is a crawdad on his finger.

Crawdads galore

All the kids in birth order

Our trailer

These two will always find the dirt

I'm king of the world!

Quiet moment for K

Checking out the Nehalem