beauty

I was trying to take as many photos of the waves crashing against the rocks as possible, but could not capture it all, so I decided to just take a short video to display the beauty.

surviving the heat wave

An Oregon heat wave has struck us! Today was the hottest thus far, it got up to 104. True, this is hot, but growing up in California, that's pretty average for July. So, we did as all the Oregonians tend to do to "beat the heat", we went to the coast! It was an absolutely WONDERFUL day...the weather on the coast was a perfect 70 degrees, we all had energy and were in the mood to explore with smiles on our faces. What more can one ask for?

I took this photo yesterday, Jared and Lexi were laying in her bed listening to her new Hannah Montana cd, such a bonding moment:

Kyler hitched a ride on my back while I did the laundry. I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to do this!

I made blackberry jam! There are wild blackberries galore here, so we picked some, brought them home, I washed, smashed and turned them into jam. So yummy:

Today at Seal Rock:

Lexi with one of her babies:

the Deyn machine

the kids sitting on a log, I wonder if I annoy them with my constant posing of them? haha

The seals sunbathing on a rock

playing in the ocean

Lexi doing the splits

I love this picture

Building a retaining wall

I love the photos where you are looking through their eyes

Jared, Lex and Kyler

Jared and I climbed some steep rocks to get to the top of some monster waves crashing against the rocks, it was beautiful

here we are

Jared and Kyler waiting for the waves to splash them

the kids and I

and again

Jared watching the waves

digging in the sand

looking handsome, I couldn't take his long hair anymore, last night I gave him a haircut

so sweet, Jared and Lexi were sitting in the sand chatting away

I love taking pictures of the waves crashing against the rocks

taking it all in

Saturday July 25:
We took a walk/hike on some trails that lead to the Santiam River across the street from our house. It's so nice to have this kind of beauty and so many activities in walking distance of our home.
Kyler D.

Lexi Brei with baby "Jalynn", she is such a little mama, as we always call her. Such a loving, nurturing care giver, she is truly a little angel.

gorgeous views

he was preparing for a bear attack, this kid is always thinking and evaluating each situation. Today he asked me "would you rather know when you were going to die or just die?" He asks such deep questions...about God, religion, aliens, natural disasters, diseases, etc...things that a typical 7 year old wouldn't even consider. Maybe that's just it, he's anything but typical, he is wise far beyond his years. Since his birth, he has never ceased to amaze and impress us.

Doesn't it look like a rain forest? Photos cannot do the scenery justice!

Jared can be so sweet, he unexpectedly brought me flowers for no reason

The kids have become so close since the move (as I mentioned in a previous blog), they fell asleep in a cuddle position in Kyler's bed watching a movie. So adorable.

The front of our home, as I realized I had basically no pictures of the exterior.

Lexi's video

Kyler volunteered to brush Lexi's hair today. It seems as though our move has brought these two closer together. So sweet!
Lexi has been singing this song (Bear Necessities from the Jungle Book)for weeks now, I finally convinced her to agree to let me record her singing it. However, she was a bit camera-shy.

all too familiar

Monday July 20:
We went to the reservoir with family and spent the whole day playing in the water. As always, Lexi fell asleep on the way home.
Kyler didn't!

July 22:

After my dad and I returned to my house from the airport, we walked across the street to check out the river. He was so impressed with the fact that this is across the street from us! It never gets old to see the beauty.

Jared and my dad talking:

Lexi and Kyler looking for baby fish:

Miss Lexi Brei (excuse her hair, I awoke early to make the 1 hr 40 min trek to the airport and wasn't home to get the kids ready for the day)

the self proclaimed President Kyler

I am in love with wild flowers, here are a few pictures I snapped as I was passing by some today:

Today my dad and I drove my aunt Ruth and cousin Olivia to the airport to say goodbye. It's something that has been happening all too often it seems lately. Their visit here was wonderful, we had so much fun catching up. My dad and aunt will have anyone around busting up in hysteria every time they are together. They love each other so much, it was hard to watch them say goodbye. I really hope their next gathering isn't too far in the distance.

So...now we are officially visitor-less and it's just the four of us.

yet another complete day

My dad called me yesterday and asked if we wanted to meet up and go to some waterfalls by his house, so today off we went to check them out. It was amazing; the fresh smell of the trees and water, the soft moss pathway, the mist cooling you off from the falls, and the amazing sights! We had a great time.

Sahalie Falls
my dad, aunt Ruth and I. She leaves Wednesday morning, it will be sad to see her go.

Olivia, Kyler, Lexi and Anthony

Kyler and I

Lexi and I

Jared and Kyler walked as close to the falls as you can get

this is as far as I was comfortable with Lexi getting (she has a falling problem-haha)

The next series of photos are from the TOP of the waterfalls:

looking down off the edge

Jared on top

my dad

such a powerful force

I love this photo

the view from the top looking down

Jared, Kyler and Lexi on the top

Lexi, Kyler and I on the top

Jared and Kyler looking over the top (while I was holding my breath!)

Kyler sitting on top

Jared holding Lexi atop the falls

the side view

Jared and I on the top of the waterfall

I have to admit, I was terrified standing on top of this powerful force...one wrong move and I'd slip right off.

Jared on the other hand, seemed totally comfortable.

We drove past a lake we had read a lot about. We decided to stop by and take a look. It's called Clear Lake and for good reason, you can see the bottom of the entire lake even at it's deepest point. We plan on renting a boat for the day there. It's gorgeous.

See what I mean? You can see the bottom perfectly.

We stopped again at a hiking trail where there is supposed to be a lot of old growth. It was amazingly beautiful. We plan on hiking it soon. It's about a 2 mile hike so we have to plan well for the kids.

There is just so much to explore here in Oregon, we are having a blast along the journey everyday brings us. It has been amazing to be near my dad again, it had been such a long time and he is a wonderful person. We are missing everyone we left behind as well, today started off as a rough day for me emotionally (Danielle sent me a few heartbreaking texts)...but remember our door is always open for visitors!