September 1 - 8

We had our family friend, Ron Cieslak, come visit us.  He arrived the evening of August 31.   The next day we took the kids to the Oregon State Fair.  They loved it.  We had tears from Daniel when he found out he wasn't tall enough to ride the Ferris Wheel.  He had anticipated it so much.  I think he had plenty of fun on the other rides to more than make up for it.

Touching the horn on a longhorn cow

They were excited to see the pigs

Aren't you glad you don't have 8 babies at once?!

Goats are soft

This lama was taller than me, super soft and very friendly

Lydia was a trooper hangin' in her stroller for so long.  Pretty sweet ride if you ask me

J on the Ferris Wheel with Ron

D on a roller coaster ride with Ron

They had the ride to themselves.  D loved it.

Round and around and around...

Sunday - September 2nd Brent was called into the Elders Quorum presidency.  That's going to make for a lot of meetings on Sunday's.  I'm in the Primary Presidency so it's going to be fun juggling all the meetings with taking care of the kids and getting ready for church.

Monday - Labor Day.  Ron worked with us in our back yard pulling weeds and other tasks.  Brent continued to work on the foundation for our shed.  We worked hard for several hours while Lydia napped.  Once she awoke we went to Multnomah Falls.  It was super crowded and took us almost an hour to even get to the parking lot.  We ate a delicious lunch at the lodge restaurant there and then went to see the falls and make the short hike up to the bridge.  Such a beautiful place!  We came home very tired, but fulfilled, from our day.

Tuesday - 4th
Jacob started Kindergarten today.  He was very excited to see some of his friends from Gaarde preschool and Hyrum from his church primary class.  His teacher is young and very nice.  Jacob took to her instantly.

In the hallway of his Kindergarten wing

With his teacher, Mrs. Pelser

Wednesday - 5th
I sent Jacob off to school on the bus.  It was very strange for me to see him go and I had no control over him and his safety.  Daniel was so sad that he couldn't go on the bus too.  Jacob came home bouncing with joy from his day and the bus ride.  He thought it was "awesome".  :o)  After several days of lots of walking, pushing a stroller and yard work my hip was out of alignment again and pretty sore.  I went to the chiro today to get it put back in.  ::sigh::  I wish it would just stay in place.

Friday - 7th
Brent's birthday.  I spent much of the day preparing for his party.  I made him a Burnt Almond Cake.  The best one is found at Dick's bakery in San Jose, CA.  I called a dozen bakery's up here and not one of them had even heard of that cake before.  So I determined to make my own.  It didn't go smoothly, I burned my first set of almonds, but in the end it looked ok and it tasted ok too.  For dinner we all went to a Japanese restaurant and Brent was able to enjoy some sushi.  Jacob informed us he is now ready for "adult food" and he ate his Miso soup, tempera and Teriyaki chicken bento box with ease.  He even tried some of Brent's sushi.  He's a great eater and for that I am thankful.

We came home and had a small party for Brent.  His mom sent a snoopy card that lit up and danced and it was definitely the highlight of the evening for the kids.  They've been playing with it for days.  I sure love my sweetheart.  I'm lucky to have him.

Goofy grin.  At least he's excited.

Brent with his loot (and Daniel with the beloved Snoopy card)

Saturday - 8th
Our home teacher and his family came to help us put together our shed.  They are such good friends of ours and have helped us several times with home projects.  It was great fun to work with them and laugh at the ridiculous instructions.  The kids played well together and a good time was had by all.  We didn't get to put the roof on but it's looking good so far.  We rested for a bit then headed over to the Elders Quorum BBQ were we had a great time with our friends.  We love our ward and the people in it.

The platform.  All primed, painted, and ready to go

Lydia really enjoyed helping dad organize the parts...

... and eat his tools

Brent and Brandon starting work on the frame

Mid day progress.  We were done with all but the roof when we actually quite for the day. 
(Jacob and Ephram are snuggling on that chair.  Too cute)

Week of August 19

Monday - 20th
The usual shopping and errands occurred in the morning.  Lydia had really short naps (thanks to the boys waking her up) and I never had any down time during the day.  That's never good.  Once the kids were down for the night I spent the rest of the evening making 4 batches of peach jam.  I found this awesome pectin called "Mrs. Wages Lite" and I was able to use only 5 cups of sugar for 12 cups of chopped peaches and it set up marvelously.  I am delighted.  I love making my own jam.  I can actually taste the fruit.  I love feeding my children preservative free jam with no added colors, chemicals or high fructose corn syrup.  Especially since jam is something that they eat so often.

Yummy Peach jam

Tuesday - 21st
Tuesday is Library and laundry day.  After morning nap I took the kids to our lovely Library.  They played in a room they have open with toys out for kids to enjoy and I went around gathering books and movies and taking care of check out.  I love our library and so do the kids.  The boys spent much of their time riding their bikes today.  I love that I live on a dead end street and don't have to worry about cars.  I check on them every now and then and it's wonderful.  I'm so grateful for summer right now and that my kids can enjoy outside activities like bike riding.  I know that all too soon the rain will begin and bike riding will take a back seat until next year.  The evening was spent working on our hobbies and planning out our morning routine and daily schedule for the upcoming school year.

Wednesday - 22nd
What a fun day we had today!  This morning we joined the ward playgroup at Ibach park and the kids played in the sand,   Daniel of course spent all of his time between the sand and the swings.  Jacob enjoyed playing with his friend Gracie.

Daniel on the swings.  My friend Jessica is pushing him.

Jacob playing in the sand with Gracie

Lydia looking super cute in her shades and hat

After nap time we went over for a play date with their best buds, Alex and Ian.  They have been looking forward to this play date all summer and it didn't disappoint!  They have a fun play structure in their backyard along with a large sand box with lots of trucks, shovels, and sand toys.  Daniel was in heaven.  I had a nice time chatting with Karen and playing with Lydia.

I gave the boys haircuts after dinner and Brent and I accomplished tasks around the house after kids were in bed.  We even folded 4 loads of laundry while watching a show.  This was a great day.

Friday - 24th
Lydia is 8 months old now.  Time is flying by fast and I can't believe how much I love this little girl and what fun she is.

8 months old

8 months and cute as can be

I never get tired of seeing her peek at me then bust out this super big grin and giggle when I look over at her

Brent took off work a few hours early and we took the kids to a Pool.  I didn't get pictures but this was one really cool place.  It's had a really fun kids area that was really shallow, even Lydia could stand up in at one end of it.  They also had a current swirl pool, two slides and more.  We had a GREAT time!

Saturday - 25th
A neighbor on our street won some Nascar tickets when he entered a drawing and then was unable to go.  I took the boys on Saturday to watch the practice runs.  The National Guard was there and had many vehicles the kids could explore and we had a wonderful time.  It was hot but we survived.  Daniel is so into race cars right now and I thought it was neat to take him to see the real thing.  He even got to meet a race car driver and get an autograph!

Watching the race cars

Don't they look cool with their ear protection?

He thought it was really cool that the tire was taller than him.  That was one HUGE vehicle!

Sittin' in a Jeep

A real tank?  So awesome.  They were blown away here.

Peeking out of the tanks side window

Week of August 12th

I have to apologize in advance.  My camera  is having problems right now so I couldn't add any pictures.  I'll add them later if I can.

Monday - 13th
News Flash: Lydia slept through the night last night!  Too bad I didn't get to reap the benefits of a full night sleep.  Daniel woke me up twice for various reasons and I woke up several times after that with discomfort from not nursing.  One of these days/years I'm sure I'll get to sleep again.

Monday is my shopping day.  I got that done and laundry.  I filled up the kiddie pool for the boys and they played out there all afternoon.  It's pretty hot, but I don't mind since we only get a few weeks a year like this.

Tuesday - 14th
I went to physical therapy in the morning. My joint was out of alignment again but not as bad.  We were able to identify a weak area to work on and I was given a whole new set of exercises.  After seeing the chiropractor before our vacation I felt so much better.  I didn't have much pain at all while on vacation and then started having pain again when we got back.  I'm beginning to wonder if our bed is contributing to that.  If so that would be sad.  I love my bed. I haven't been as stiff buy my back is still achy.  I don't know.  ::sigh::

In the evening we installed our window air conditioner in our bedroom.  We have been in the high 90's since coming home and triple digits are forecast for the weekend.  It was so nice to sleep in a cool room.

Wednesday - 15th
We went to a park in Hillsboro with the playgroup to have some fun.  They had a lot of areas set up for kids to play in and get wet.  Once Jacob got over his "I'm bored" attitude he had a great time.  [Jacob has been saying "I'm bored" constantly lately.  We give him a chore or job to do when he says that but it's been difficult to handle.  What do you do when your kids say that?]  I really enjoyed spending time with my friend's.  My friend Jaimi was there with her 2 week old baby girl and I was lucky enough to hold that precious little newborn.  Jacob went down this shark slide over and over and over.

Wee!!!

Hit the bottom and run!

Running to get right back in line

Lydia striking a pose

D happily eating his PB&J

Thursday - 16th
I worked with Jacob to help him learn to ride his bike.  I took of one of his training wheels.  He did pretty good but has a long way to go.  I even felt good enough to put my sneakers on and run next to him for a bit.  I ache to run again.  Pray for me people.  Pray that my hip will heal and that I can run again soon.

Friday - 17th
I went to a nearby city to pick up fruit for several ladies in my ward.  It's a great deal on yummy, locally grown peaches and I want to make lots of jam so I got a 25 lb. box.  Well, I honored nap time and paid for it with traffic.  It took me two hours to make a 40 mile round trip. It was 100 degrees outside and I'm so grateful my van has nice air conditioning.  I kept the kids entertained listening to Scripture Scouts.  Lydia was an angel and didn't get cranky until near the end of our trip.  That alone was a blessing from God. 

Saturday - 18th
We went to the Lake Oswego farmer's market.  I haven't been to a FM since I lived in California.  It was nice to browse around and walk through the crowds of people and try yummy samples.  One fellow was selling watermelon's that have different colored flesh.  He had the traditional red and then he also had yellow and orange.  I'd never seen such a thing!  I tried it and it tastes just like red fleshed watermelon.  For fun I purchased a yellow one.

We spent the afternoon accomplishing odd jobs around the house and yard and spending time together.  It was great.  Brent and I watched Napoleon Dynamite after the kids were in bed and ate homemade caramel popcorn.  Good times.

Sunday - 19th
I made banana nut muffins for breakfast and some banana pineapple bread that didn't turn out as good as I hoped it would.  Oh well, you can't have success all the time, right?  We watched old church videos (Uncle Ben, The Gift, The Mailbox, Johnny Lingo) and I still got all teary eyed when Uncle Ben got a standing ovation at the graduation ceremony, or when Lethe died after finally getting a letter from her children, and when the dad got to watch his kids on Christmas morning thanks to the thoughtful hard work of his son.  Those movies are great!  I watched them often when I was young and enjoyed them again today.  Do you guys remember those old videos?  We introduced them to Jacob today and I hope he'll love them too.

Week of August 5th

Monday 6
Lydia awoke with a cold Monday morning.  In the mid-morning my delightful cousin Stephanie and her husband, Lars, and their cutie-pa-tootie son, Roan, came by to see us.  Teresa and Tristan were there too.  We chilled out in the living room cooing at each other's babies and taking pictures then we had a nursing party.  Good times.  Then we went to a restaurant called Scramble'z and had a great time.  Good food and good company.  Can't get much better than that!  Stephanie is so much fun and I had a blast hanging out with her and a hard time saying goodbye.

Teresa and Jeanene, Me and Lydia, Stephanie and Roan

Tristan holding Jeanene, Brent holding Lydia, Lars holding Roan

We got ready for a bbq in the afternoon while babies napped.  We had said bbq that evening.  Our friend's Scott and Colleen came but none of our other friend's we had invited were able to come.  I love Colleen and I was so glad she was able to come.  We had a good time and enjoyed the beautiful weather and mom and dad's beautiful back yard.


Tuesday 7
After naptime we headed up to Santa Clara.  As we pulled up in front of our old house to show Jacob where we lived when he was born he excitedly announced from the back seat that his tooth had fallen out.  It's been wiggly for months and the adult tooth started growing in behind it a few weeks back.  I'm glad it came out so painlessly.  I have a hard time with teeth, I think I was traumatized as a kid and it really grosses me out.

New tooth all ready to go

Brent then dropped the kids and me off at my old work and he went to run errands and visit a game shop.  I had a great time seeing my old co-workers.  Man, I miss them!  I miss working and feeling important and accomplished.  You could even see a few of my touches around the office (like the seating chart I designed).  Much was the same and much had changed.  It's been 5 years since I left.  Crazy.  I feel so at home there and it was good to be back.


After that stop we got our favorite Indian food to go and came home to enjoy it.  That's another thing I miss about CA.  The diversity there means there are more ethnic places to eat.  I have yet to find good Indian cuisine in Oregon.


Mom, Jenny and I went shopping for Back To School clothes for Jacob while Lydia was down for a nap.  Then Brent and I prepared to go out with Ron.  We were able to leave the kids with mom and Jenny which was a real treat.  Ron treated us to Tony Romas, my favorite restaurant for ribs and the place in which I compare all other ribs.  I'd never been there when it was so empty.  It was great.  Then Ron came back to the house and played games with the kids and then us once the kids were in bed.  We had a really nice evening.

Here are some pictures that Jenny took of their adventures with the kids

Snuggle time with grandma

Daniel going down the slide

Slip 'n slide fun!

Lydia loved smiling at her cousin Elisabeth

Ron took this picture after a round of crazy 8's

Wednesday 8
Daniel awoke quite sick today and Lydia wasn't better either.  So Brent and Jacob took off to hang out with the Dixon family while I stayed with the sickies.  My dear friend Angela came down and took me out to lunch.  I simply couldn't be in SJ and NOT see her, so I was so happy when she was able to come down.  I was delighted to meet her daughter Giulia.  We had a great time!  Brent stayed with the kids.  I don't often get to go out sans children.  It was nice to enjoy my meal and play with her kids.

Giulia, Angela and Lydia

Daniel, Xander and Giulia

Holding my baby girl

Best buddies.  Angela and I.

Mom and I did more shopping in the afternoon.  We were able to get everything we were looking for and it was nice to spend time with her.  I am lucky to have such a great mother-in-law.  We out in the evening and tried to have the boys go hot tubing with grandma after dinner but they both couldn't handle it so off to bed they went.  Brent and I went in after all the kids were in bed.  How nice to sit in a hot tub while looking at the stars.  The boys were missing out!

Thursday 9
The day did not go as planned.  Teresa and Tristan arrived in the morning.  I went through clothes for Lydia that I'm borrowing from Jenny.  Then Teresa and I took the clothing bins back to Jenny and said "Hi and Bye" to Chris.  That was the only time during our vacation that I was able to see him.  Crazy.  Then we got some Jack In Box for lunch (they don't have that in Utah).  We had planned to all go swimming but after lunch was over the kids all needed naps and it was too late.  So we relaxed until it was time to take the Freckleton's to the airport.  On my way back from dropping them off Teresa called to say her wallet was at my in laws house.  I got the wallet and Jacob (for carpool lane advantage) and raced back to the airport.  When I got back we got the boys ready then headed over to Jenny's for some pool time (much later than originally planned).  The boys had so much fun!  Their first time in a pool this year.  The water was too cold for Lydia so she hung out with Jenny and I in the hot tub for a while.  Then we raced back to clean up in time for a double date with John and Amanda.  They took us to a super-delicious sandwich place called "Which Wich?".  Oh man, it was so good I was sad when I finished the last bite because there wasn't any more.  What a fun place too.  Then we walked over for some Krispy Kreme.  We hung out and talked and had a lovely evening.  Then we headed back home to put kids to bed and watch the Olympics.  Phew!  What a day.

Pool Party with the Dixon's

Friday 10
We spent the morning racing around and getting ready to leave.  Lydia got a morning nap and we were off around 10:45 am.  We arrived in Fairfield, CA to tour the Jelly Belly factory the same time as a million other people.  It was so crowded.  The line for the tour took over an hour.  The boys handled the wait like champs and we proceeded to see how Jelly Belly's are made.  After the tour we had lunch and then on the road we went.  We had a blessing occur when our gas light came on while we were in the middle of nowhere.  We had 26 miles before our destination (Yreka, CA) and our distance to empty said 5 miles.  I prayed and we turned off the A/C and slowed down to stretch conserve what has we had as much as possible.  The distance to empty warning said 0 for a long time.  We made it to some town outside of Yreka and when we pulled in to the gas station I said a prayer of thanks.  When filling with gas it literally filled the tank.  We must have been driving off of fumes and a prayer!  The relief that we were ok was immense.  I couldn't imagine being stranded out in the 97 degree heat with three little kids.  It would've been a nightmare!


We made it to our hotel in Yreka about 7 and immediate went to the pool.  Oddly, the water was too cold to swim in.  So we went back to our room and got ready for bed.  The boys watched TV until lights out and we all happily went to sleep.  Lydia decided it would be a good night to not sleep though and we had a difficult time with her.  Sheesh.


Saturday 11
We were on the road again around 9:30 and made it home at 4 pm.  The kids did so well.  Jacob complained of a sore bottom much of the time but we all made it through.  Driving with kids is hard but they all did better then I expected.  We spent the evening de-vacationing and had long baths for the kids.  With that our bi-annual California vacation had come to an end.  We had a great time and loved seeing Brent's family.  I even talked of figuring out a way to move back.  But in the end we couldn't figure out how to do it and sighed as we once again resigned ourselves to being family-less in Oregon.  I do love it in the Northwest for multiple reasons, and I'm so glad we have a great ward and good friends.  There is no way I'd make it otherwise.

Sunday 12
Daniel and Lydia were still not well enough to go to church so I stayed home with them.  It was a hot day!  I made a pot roast (having the oven on for 3 hours probably wasn't a good idea) and spent the afternoon resting and updating the kids' journals.  Brent and I have both been stiff and achy since coming home so we put more water in our bed and hoped for some improvement.

Now I get to focus on getting the kids ready for school in a few weeks.