Summer Fun

Wow...a month already? It's amazing how life can go by so fast at some times and so slow at others. The past month has been full of hot summer weather, stuffy noses, sleepless nights and yet we still have found time to have great times with wonderful friends!One of the things I have loved about living in the Willamette Valley and especially in Yamhill County is that there is always something to do. Sometimes you just have to find it. Lately our saving grace has been a wonderful swimming hole that is locally called The Donkey Ponds. We love this place! The waters are slow moving and shallow enough that both of the Things can play in the waters edge with no worries. We have enjoyed this little oasis so much that we wanted to share our fun times with good friends. It the days that we have together, watching our kids play that makes leaving here so much harder.... 

Normal boys eat rocks right?

These are not our dogs, Marley just makes random friends!

Friendships that will withstand the distance!

Kid Corral

Lions & Tigers & Bears? Nope, try Draft Horses, Goats & Bunnies

We did it. We braved our first fair since having the Things. As we climbed into the truck for a long journey home from the Washington County fair Matt looked at me and said "Thank God that's over!" Really? I was tickled pink with glee, and sun, that it went so well. He was shocked at my happiness. Yeah lunch was $30 for 2 sandwiches, 2 hot dogs and 2 drinks BUT no one got hurt, no big fits were thrown, we avoided all rides (the boy is three inches too short), and we never lost a child. I'd say that's a success! The longest part of our fair visit, other that trying to convince both kids to eat without bothering the couple at the end of our shared picnic bench, was the livestock. Man I LOVE the 4H and FFA kids! Marley was in heaven looking at all the animals and wanted to touch every one of them. With the exception of sheep, apparently they're scary. Cows, goats, pigs, bunnies...you name it and my kids were hands on. When we came to the Draft Horses I was quickly thrown into a panic as my 39" daughter took off running for the legs of one of the largest horses I've ever seen. Ever. She was quickly scooped up by a 4H teen boy and put back outside of the rope that clearly said "Stay Behind". (Two thoughts: Shouldn't a 3yo be able to read?, and Man, where are that kid's parents!) That young man was my hero for the day. I hope that the Things' passion and love for animals will continue to grow and I love that my kids are so in love with most animals but unfortunately in order to accommodate all their requests, I'm going to have to buy a zoo. Or move in with Jack Hannah.

Silver Falls

We've had a great couple of weeks to round out the end of summer! We went for a nice long hike and had lunch at Silver Falls. Marley's getting too big to be carried in the front pack so we're looking to get a back pack for her so that we can still hike with her through the fall. She's getting so long that it's hard to climb those hills with her kicking feet! As much as I'd like her to be able to walk it herself, I don't want her to grow up. She's too big already!

Now that we've gotten Silver Falls done and Tryon Creek as our new regular, I'm excited to head into the gorge for some beautiful hikes this fall!

Feeding the Duckies!

Last night instead of going for our normal evening walk we decided to do something different so we went to feed the ducks. I learned real quick in the begining that there was no such thing as jumping in the car and leaving but we're getting quicker, it only took 5 min to get packed, loaded and out the door! Matt, Marley and I fed a loaf of bread to the ducks down at Clackamette Park and Marley had a blast! She giggled alot and screamed everytime bread went into the water. She even threw a piece herself (after trying to eat it of course). I'm sure this will get to be more fun when she can walk around on her own and throw bread but I really had a good time!

Marley's 1st time feeding the ducks!

Nothing but happiness and glee!

Throwing her own bread!

Wants the ducks to stay!