Summer 2015

Griffin playing "helicopter" with one of my socks in the pool. Enjoyed a lot of alone time with Griffin this summer in the pool. 

Regretfully we haven't taken the boat out much it seems since we got our pool and heater. We love our boat and we've taken out a few times this summer. When we do, one our favorite activities is whipping the boys around on the tube. Griffin has come a long way. Finally, this year, he was brave enough to ride full speed and even liked being thrown off!

Summer seems to go by so fast these days...

Momma & Griffin's Trip 2015

Every few years I like to take the boys to wherever they chose overnight. Just mom and said child. This time around was Griffin's turn because, well, I'd failed to do this with him yet. Maysen has been a few times and he's chosen to go to the beach - one year he chose to go to Portland. Griffin's choice was "....Chuck E Cheese." That meant we were going to Salem because since shutting down our local one, it's been a source of sadness for poor Griffin. So ... Salem it was!

We decided to go while Maysen was still at camp for a few more days. We left Thursday around lunch time. We stopped first and got milkshakes at Burgerville in Albany. Then onward to Salem. Griffin likes Chuck E Cheese for the video games, not so much the cardboard pizza (I know, right?!). So, when we arrived our first stop was the nickel arcade "Wunderland".

A young man from Idaho showed Griffin how to "cheat the game" by scoring three 9000 in a row. Griffin made out like a bandit with tickets. We stayed until we'd played every game at least twice. Onward to the hotel. My car said 107 degrees and we were hot just driving tot he hotel.

We chose to stay down by the river downtown Salem at "The Grande"

Of course we had to have the jacuzzi room.

Us being silly in the hot tub...

Cannonball!!!

We watched Paul Bart: Mall Cop and Book of Life. This young man relaxed in the jacuzzi for most of the first movie with the jets full blast!

.... a man in a black suit brought us dinner. You just put this outside your door and they come and take it away. Where do I get this service at home??

After all the jacuzzi time, it was popcorn time. What better popcorn bowl than the coffee pot thing? It's called, improvising.

We made an impromptu trip to the Capitol when we left our hotel. We were so close, why not?

Finally .... the reason for our trip ....

Another ticket bandit. The boy is so lucky!!

Griffin is such a social kid. Before I knew it he had made friends with "Andrew". They pal'd around for a few hours. Much cooler than playing with mom ... (and I was fine with that!)

I certainly made some good memories on this trip with Griffin. He is such a great kid and I am so lucky to have him as mine.

Camp Harlow 2015 and Grandma Sherrill's

When there's an opportunity ... you must take it. Maysen went to overnight camp this week for the first time at Camp Harlow. He's been waiting to go but wanted to go with people he knew. This year Roman was going, so this was the year! Since Maysen was going to be gone all week, I asked Sherrill to take Griffin home with her for a few days. Thankfully it worked out wonderfully and Griffin spent a few days with his cousin Blayz at Grandma and Papa's. 

Big Man at camp .... taking it all in. 

Mase and Roman. I'm so glad these two have remained friends for so long. Their friendship started back in pre-school. Even though they haven't gone to school together since kindergarten, they have remained friends.

You'll notice the fan in the corner. I was joking that Maysen would be right at home bunking above Roman. That's when the counselor said something I didn't want to hear because I knew it was going to be "HOT" this week. He says, "Well, our cabin generally gets the hottest so we have to have a lot of fans."

Generally Maysen had a blast. He came home with his voice gone from "cheering so loud" during cabin competitions. I got to hear about his daily routine, and he said "Even the God stuff wasn't so bad". Ohhh Maysen. He's been interested in religion lately and we'd had a talk about baptism a few weeks ago, so this was a great time for him to attend church camp. He came home hot, happy, exhausted, and appreciative of our central air conditioning. All attributes of a successful week at camp.

Grandma took these two Minions to see the movie ... Minions! Griffin was so excited to go to this movie - he was counting down "the sleeps" until he could go to grandmas and see this movie!

Great (windy) day at the beach and park. Making great cousin memories, that's for sure.

I brought them home and within a few short minutes, this was the sight I saw. They don't skip a beat.

It was a great week of camp, grandmas, fun, relaxation for us. Best part? Since we didn't have kiddos, I don't think I cooked once! We had cereal for dinner and popcorn for lunch. Felt good to be kid-free for a week but oh-so-good to have my family back together complete!

Shindley Summer Visit 2015

We live in Western Oregon. My father and Jo live in mid-central Florida. Yep. You couldn't feesibly get further away from eachother while remaining in the same country if you tried. Sometimes it's difficult to see one another and I know each of us feels like we don't do it enough. However, we do see eachother at least once a year. This past March my parents 100% retired. They have a retirement house in Lake Placid, FL. They decided to travel this summer with their friends Ron and Judi and are spending a month here in Oregon.

Dad and Jo would be entering Oregon and coming over the mountain pass and right past Belknap Springs so we decided to intercept their travels and meet up with them at the Springs. We rented a cabin and Ron/Judi, Dad and Jo rented their RV spots. It happened to be Father's Day, June 21, that we met up with them. I cooked dinner for all while the boys ran around and played in the pools and swimming trunks. We had a fire and roasted marshmallows. It was nice catching up.

The following weekend we decided we all needed to go to the Beach. Who comes all the way to Oregon and doesn't stay at the beach. I'd rented a 3 story beach house right on the private beach and it was glorious!

It was going to over 100F in Eugene but out at the coast it was barely going to hit 65. And mind you the wind blows at whipping 20mph constantly. Needless to say it was a bit breezy and chilly. Grandma made hot chocolate on the first night and it was perfect!

The Surf Rider is always a favorite at the coast. You get a perfect view of the ocean and if you look close enough and you're lucky, even wales!

.... you gotta have the binoculars facing the right way, though!

After lunch at Surf Rider, we hit Yachats and looked for Agates in the pebble sandy beach. Nate claimed they were all over and I just thought he was looking at a bunch of yellow rocks. It was too cold for Judi and Jo, so we stayed just a bit and then went back to relax in the hot tub back at the beach house.

If anyone knows Dave Shindley, they know he doesn't usually sit still very long. I had asked him if we could borrow his truck to rent a power washer. Well, that led to he and Ron helping us all day long power wash the house. Maysen came out and Grandpa showed him how to run the patio blaster.

They were a big help to Nate.

We were lucky enough to have them here for July 4th this year. While waiting for BBQ and other festivities to happen, Grandma Jo taught Maysen how to crochet. He was really into it! She did a great job showing him this. I still remember my grandma showing me how to do it and I still can (sort of).

We lit off some illegal fireworks out front for awhile and then moved to the backyard (boys got in the pool). We got out some red, white, blue chem lights and filled the pool with those and glowing RWB balloons. It was pretty cool! Boys swam while the big Creswell fireworks show began.

Click here to read this story about fishing. Dad took the boys fishing and it was a super special memory for them.

Playing games was fun this trip with my dad. I'd never really played with him. We enjoyed playing Yatzee and Farkle.

Cherry Cheesecake and Andy Griffith. Doesn't get better. Dad's favorite episode is when Andy takes the boys camping and Barney gets lost.

We had a great visit. It went extremely fast! Jo made me crocheted washcloths for my birthday (she's working on one here) which was special to have them here for my 35th birthday! We all went to Los Cabos. What a great ending to a nice visit.

Fishing fun!

Growing up I'm sure most people can envision the opening scene of an episode of Andy Griffith. In the background you hear the joyful whistling of the opening tune. The scene is of Andy walking down to the lake with Opie. Ahh, such simple of times. In today's busy times of electronics, I'm one of those parents who has kids with their faces crammed into those monitors. I wish I never would have started, but alas .... 

Growing up I can remember weekends full of loading up the motor home for a weekend full of boating and (mainly) fishing. I was never very patient unless the fish were biting. I'm sure he was about to wring my neck with all my whining. I, admittedly, have never been a fisherman. My dad? In. His. Blood. So I guess it doesn't totally surprise me that Maysen LOVES to fish. Nate hates it. I hate it. 

So when dad rolled into Oregon for a month, I relished in the thought of him actually taking (and enjoying) the boys over to the local pond and throw a worm out. It took me getting sick and desperate demands for him to take them, but eventually he did. The boys were hooked (see what I did there? Hooked!? Ha!)

I'm sure the fishing trip meant more to the boys than my father, who I'm sure was just frustrated with Griffin for constantly reeling in his bobber instead of letting it sit. But they've caught a fever that now, when Grandpa is gone, we will have to continue. On the night these pictures were taken Maysen was catching little fish within the first 60 seconds his pole was in the water. Now that's when it's fun! 

Goodbye 1st and 4th grades!

It's been a great year for Griffin. The biggest thing I have noticed with him is confidence. This has really been the year of new skills. Reading & Math have a whole different meaning. Even by his fall parent-teacher conference, Mrs Meeker was telling us he was very much ahead of the other students in both reading and math. He had a terrible problem coming into 1st grade and continuing from kindergarten ... TALKING. I was a bit worried when I learned Griffin's best friend, Lance, was going to be in his class. This has been a good learning tool for Griffin. Although he still loves Lance, I think he walked out of 1st grade with a better ability to refrain himself. Oh ... Lordy do we still have a talker, but if that's as bad as it gets I'll take it!

Maysen had Brittany Davenport for 4th grade. Maysen went in as a kid who had trouble controlling himself with excitment and boredom. She allowed him the freedom and flexibility to prove himself. She didn't smother him or ride him with a tight leash. This allowed him to grow, mature, and lead by example to others. She allowed him to see his own wrong doings instead of just telling him what they were. He is definitely coming out of 4th grade a different, more mature, and headstrong kid. Watch out 5th grade!!!

Mothers Day 2015

My morning started off swimmingly with french toast in bed with iced grape juice. I got the boys' gifts made from school - coupon books filled with coupons to redeem at whim, such as hugs, kisses, cleaning. If I were smart I would have copied and laminated these for repeat use! 

The boys cleaned up while I showered and then the rest of the afternoon was perfect as well. We got our pool up and running and we were able to get it warmed up enough to enjoy the afternoon together in it. 

We ended the evening with taking mom to eat Mexican food. She received her favorite "suckie" candies, Riesens. She's loved these for years. Of course complete with a card from the boys. 

Every year is such a treat and it's met with excitement not only from them but from me. Not only do they celebrate me being their mother, but I celebrate GETTING to be their mom. It's a fun day.