If you can't go out stay in...

Eric took off a few days while the kids were out of school but we really didn't have time for a trip so we camped at home one night.  We roasted hot dogs over the fire, made smores, and sang around the "campfire."  The kids, minus Garrett, slept in the tent.  And the best part?  I got to sleep in my own bed. 



Caught it...

The best pictures for me are the moments that can be captured and not contrived.  But let me tell you, they are hard to get! 

Spring break at Silver Falls...

See the little bit of color to the left of the falls?  That is Sierra, Mason and Eric.

We picked the perfect day to go to Silver Falls, there was sun!  I am pretty sure it rained the rest of the break.  Next year I am thinking we need to go somewhere warm, a place where the sun shines and there is water to play in.  There was a lot of water on this day trip, just not the kind you want to jump into. 

It's a birthday day!

This boy is seven years old today.  He woke up and had french toast for breakfast, opened a treasure box full of treasures from Grandma C. including at least 20 gold dollars.  Then headed off to school with pudding for his whole class to eat at snack time. 

Mason is such good kid.  He wakes up on his own, makes his own breakfast and makes sure he gets off to school on time.  He is always telling us what time it is, when we need to leave, etc.  He can't wait for Spring soccer to start and as luck would have it he starts today!  He still loves Star Wars, soccer, reading, running, jumping on the trampoline and bugging Allie.  He still doesn't like vegetables very much, he prefers pizza, burritos and salami sandwiches.  He will eat apples like crazy and is a big helper when it comes to kitchen clean-up. 

He is looking forward to his chocolate cake with white frosting and a few more presents.

Dad and I love you Mase!  Happy 7th Birthday!

Another birthday...

Happy, happy birthday to my dear friend Sandra.  I miss seeing you!

Need an after school idea?

Hire Sierra and  Mason they will think of something.  Like taking your pretzel  stick, putting it into a straw, crunchy it to powder with your teeth and then blowing the powder out at the trees.  I think you call them straw pretzel rockets. 

When the kids are away Garrett will play..

Garrett is a really busy little guy.  Running, playing, climbing, climbing and running.  But when all of the kids are at school and the house is quiet he is quiet too.  He spent a lot of time this day under the table with his bus, cars and his "deer" as the giraffes are called.   He definitely has his favorite toys and plays with them everyday.  

I guess he needs calm to be calm, makes sense.  But when the kids are home watch out. 

Ladies and gentlemen may I direct your attention to the center ring...

Grandpa took the kids to their very first circus and they loved it!  Tigers, elephants, dogs, cotton candy, horses, even camels.  It was a small event but entertaining nonetheless.  It was so small that when the performers were finished with their act they would throw on a jacket and be in the stands selling popcorn and cotton candy.  Then when they were up again they would head back out. 

Allie must have said, "that's cool" a hundred times.  She also wanted to make sure I got pictures of all the animals for Garrett since he was home with Dad.

It was a fun treat to a regular old Tuesday.

Things that are green...

Mason's leprechaun trap.  He sees the gold, climbs the ladder and falls into the
hole hidden by the branches.  I think it will work.

Sierra's felt purse.  She hid herself away in the office and came out with this.
Nice details, don't you think?

Signs of Spring...

Matt and Amber...

Eric and I were so happy to be at this wedding.  Matt is an old friend and Amber is a new friend.  Now they are married to each other and we are really, really happy for them.  It was a beautiful, sunny, happy wedding day. 

Long kitchen tables make the best forts...

A blast from the past...

My siblings and I spent a lot of time going up and down the driveway on our hot wheels, wagons and other contraptions we made up.  Some things kids do really don't change. 

Bouquets...

I was at the Portland Temple Saturday for a wedding and took some pictures on the sly of a couple I don't even know.   I wanted to remember this bouquet the bride was holding.   It's made of vintage broaches, I think some buttons and brown lace.  It was so unique and pretty and it will last forever.  Can you imagine getting married and saying, "this is my great-great grandmother's bouquet."  I think I will tuck this idea away for future weddings.