breath taking

This photo was taken a few days ago, the sunsets here glow, it's very interesting.
Jared, being the awesome dad he is, made the kids a clubhouse to sleep in. They spent 2 nights in here and I finally had to force them to tear it down, being as it required the use of all of our kitchen chairs-haha.

I miss being a kid, everything is so fun. They had a blast, we heard them giggle all night for two nights; a beautiful sound to hear as you drift to sleep.

We had two rainy days here, it was refreshing. The storm brought a cool, clean breeze and the smell of the wet pines trees is unlike another other. We took a drive to different parts of the river and passed this reservoir, very pretty.

then we decided to stop at the fish hatchery, something my dad always took me to do as a child. I have so many memories of feeding fish at the hatchery and now, hopefully, my kids will have those memories too. Look at how huge these trout and sturgeon are!

The wildflowers below are so perfect, they look fake.

I had to pose Lexi in front of these flowers.

standing in front of these monstrous fish!

Today we decided to take a 30 mile drive to a state park here that is rated as one of the top state parks, Silver Falls. It is an 8 mile hike with 10 waterfalls. We set out, not sure what to expect as far as how long the kids little legs will carry them. We ended up making it to 2 falls and walked about 3-4 miles round trip. It was intoxicating; the fresh clean smell, the breeze, the coolness of the shade, the beauty...all of it. Wow, we had a great day!

the kids and I

It's so lush and gorgeous everywhere you look.

Jared and Kyler

silly faces!

the first waterfall, this is the second largest one. We didn't make it to the largest, but I'm hoping we'll eventually be able to hike the whole way kids in tow. We could easily do it ourselves, but what fun would that be sans-kids?

my handsome guy

under the waterfall.

side shot.

Jared and the kids.

the river.

they had so much fun!

one more of Kyler in front.

Taking a rest.

Hollowed out tree with 2 strange kids inside!?

This photo is the start of Lex's bad mood...

the progression of her pout:

the peak of her pout:

(see what I mean when I talk about what a good kid she is? this is about as bad as she gets, she just sulks)

Kyler stayed all smiles all day.

daddy to the rescue, he gave her a piggy ride in effort to cheer her up.

the second falls:

the kids and I (Lexi blinking)

as we were walking under the falls, this is the view above us:

the kids and I under (ignore my hair-haha)

the side view

Jared and the kids

love the moss!

kids and I, Lexi still isn't fully cheered up.

Can you see the hiking trail zig zagging through? You may have to view the photo full size.

the river

Jared and Lexi, she's still upset; tired and hungry.

slowly starting to cheer up

so pretty.

Now she's happy! She defeated daddy in a race! Notice her arms raised in victory and his head hung in defeat? HAHA

Always goofy

she FINALLY posed! wow, I have never had to put that much effort into getting her to pose.

nearing the journey's end, our last break.

As we were driving home, I noticed how messed up my pinky still appears. I cannot flatten it out. It has healed just fine but it definitely looks odd.

So, here we go, once again trying to make good memories for our kids to reflect upon as adults. Looking back, childhood seemed so magical and wonderous and I want that for my kids as well, only more. They deserve so much and I hope we are giving them all they need/desire. Not to mention, we have such an amazing time seeing life through their eyes on our new adventures, it kind of brings that childhood magic to a new level, a level where WE are making the magic happen for our kids. At least, that's my dream...

a day at the park & stopping to smell the roses

Kyler and I sitting on the porch, no matter how big he is, he'll always be my sunshine!
the three of us sitting on the porch, the weather was beautiful today, a wonderful, cool, clean breeze blowing.

Our kitties:

Ash

Mia Wallace

the kids in front of our roses, wow these bad boys won't stop blooming!

remember that picture of our pumpkin plants when they barely started growing? Now look at these big'ns! I am so impressed that they are growing so well.

our pond, listening to that waterfall is one of the best sounds. lucky Kyler, he hears this all night long.

I stopped to smell the roses today (although this isn't a rose, you get my meaning-haha). The following flower pictures are from our garden.

My favorite picture!

I took the kids across the street to play at the school playground. We had a blast! Here, we were pretending we were on a ship headed to Alaska, Lexi driving and Kyler hanging on for dear life.

she is so gorgeous!

mr. handsome!

loving her mama, so sweet.

Alexia's birthday countdown

My little girl will be turning 5 in 1 month and 1 day! It's amazing how the time flies. She is such a little beauty, a sweet, gentle soul and a very bright girl. She'd do anything to make her loved ones happy even if that means she'd be without or unhappy, such a giver! I am so proud of this girl for who she is becoming and has always been. From the day she was born she has been so easy going, I'd lay her in her crib and she'd fall asleep, as a toddler I'd say "go night night" and she'd squint her eyes so tight til she fell asleep. She is a sweetheart and life would be seriously lacking had she not entered our world.

Lexi put together her very own wish list this year, and it does NOT consist of every commercial toy advertised! I am thoroughly impressed. I decided I'd post it here so when someone asks what she'd like, I can simply point them in this direction being as most of our family and friends are out of state.

SO here goes her very own birthday list:

• anything Hannah Montana (room decor, toys, clothing, books) she does have all her c.d.s already.


• a piggy bank (hers broke during the move)


• the new Hannah Montana movie on DVD


• Clothes-size 6 or 6x bottoms and size 6x or 7 tops-yes, she is TALL!


• shoes size 12


• baby stroller, she recently broke hers by attempting to push her friend in it.


• baby carrier, as she specified "like a backpack" she really wants this


• toy cleaning set (mop, vacuum, iron, broom)


• Fisher Price loving family furniture sets: dinning room, office and a rocking chair for the nursery


• Barbies and accessories


• babies and accessories

She is very easy to please. I have one request, please tell me what you plan on getting and what you end up getting being as this is the only list I am giving to everyone and will be going off of myself. Thanks!

wasting the day away

The heat wave has officially come to a close, it was in the 80s today, more typical of an Oregon summer day. So we felt more capable of activity without withering. We headed to a portion of the river (S. Santiam) about 15 minutes away known as River Bend. The water was warm and hardly any people were there; it was perfect.

on the way to the river, I am SO lucky to have these two little angels
a twisted tree on the trail to the river

so gorgeous

we bought a 3 man raft and floated down the river, so relaxing.

little Lex

K. Dizzle

such beauty

kid's fashion show!

This morning the kids put on their VERY OWN fashion show with their school clothes (although Lexi will not be starting school until next fall-she misses the cut off by 4 days). We had a good time shopping with them in Oregon's capital city, trying on clothes and letting them pick their own outfits based on their personalities. I thought it was adorable they were willing to and even excited to take photos of them in their new outfits.
Enjoy...
Kyler's basketball shoes, he's so thrilled about them, especially since Uncle Joey is making such a huge deal about how awesome they are and how much he wants a pair! (thanks uncle Joey, for making him feel so special)
He's not a fan on long sleeved shirts, so this is his only one he chose.

Lexi's hoodie says "princess" on it

Lexi's shoes

I love this one

I haven't washed their clothes yet, so they're a little big still. Can you believe how GIANT my kids are? Lexi isn't even 5 and wearing a 6x and Kyler is 7 wearing a 10!

I caught a smile!!

haha, he was disco and she was a puppy!

my favorite pose!

the other day, Lexi came into our bedroom dressed like this! We were laughing so hard, Jared snapped a few photos. SOOO funny.

a few highlights:

our heat wave is coming to an end FINALLY! It's going to be a cool 80 degrees this week.

the kids are addicted to Gilligan's Island, thanks to Jared's impulse buy of the season 2 set last year (did I mention when I was working he spent money JUST to spend it? HAHA).

Jared has been a pro fisherman, catching steelhead and salmon left and right.

Tomorrow I will (keeping my fingers crossed) be booking my mama's plane ticket out here for a visit.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!