an eventful week

Our pumpkin plants are in FULL bloom! It's so thrilling to plant something and watch it THRIVE!

Aug 28. Jared's best friend, Matt, drove up with his band from S. California to play a few shows out here. They arrived late Thursday night and stayed until around lunch time on Friday. Before they headed out, we took them on a short hike to see the waterfalls near our house.

Matt caught a small fish right here, under the waterfall.

We saw the LARGEST salamander right here, it was the size of an Iguana. As well as a bunch of crawdads.

She becomes more of a daddy's girl everyday.

Later that day, Kyler took a picture of Lexi and I sitting on the couch.

It was our 9 year anniversary, later that day we were running a few errands and before we left Jared sat these shoes next to my flip flops by the front door to surprise me. How sweet! I love them!

This is the CD that started our lives together, how we met. It was my first day at my first job, Jared came in and sat by me. The first thing he asked me was "have you ever heard that CD 'Short music for short people?'" In fact I owned it, he asked to borrow it and the rest is history.

Friday, on our anniversary, Jared was flipping through the booklet to the CD, and saw this tucked away in a corner... (very blurry picture) it is our exit here in Lebanon, OR. How crazy is that? Lebanon is a TINY town pretty much in the middle of nowhere. And we had never noticed this picture before until we had moved here and it happened to be on our 9 year anniversary...is that not BIZARRE or what?

We had a great anniversary (9 years WOW!!). We went for that hike, which was gorgeous-the pictures do not do it justice, ran some errands, rented some movies and ordered take out. It was a great day and I feel so lucky to be so happy in life.
Today Jared left to West Virginia to a SIPS presentation. He returns either very late Wednesday night or really early Thursday morning. We'll be missing him while he's away, but at least it's a short trip. He will miss Kyler's first day of second grade, unfortunately.
Tomorrow is Kyler's back to school day where we meet his teacher, get familiar with the school, set up his desk and cubby and later they will have a BBQ. He's so excited. Tuesday is his official first day of school. It will be an adjustment having him away all day again. I cannot believe he'll be in 2nd grade! WOW!

I have to tell this story of this morning: I was making Lexi breakfast and asked Kyler what he wanted and he said "you know what I want?" I asked "what?" and he said "a BIG hug!" and he came over and squeezed me so tight, it was so sweet. I am so amazed at how great life is. Just makes me smile, for no reason at all.

A very interesting article Jared found regarding Kyler's new school: http://www.nwpublichealth.org/docs/nph/s2005/loveland_s2005.pdf

They have put a lot of time, effort, thought and care into this school and we have heard only GREAT things about it.

last week before school starts!

Some flowers that just started blooming from our garden:

our pumpkin plants are getting HUGE

yum!

Love those messy faces!

early morning fog

Kyler, all dressed up and ready to test. On Wednesday he had to take a general test to see where they will place him in school. He was so excited for the day, he woke himself at 7 (he usually sleeps in until 8:30 or 9), got dressed, brushed his teeth and poured himself a bowl of cereal. They don't give parents results, at least as of yet, but he said he knows he did well and I'm sure he did. We find out what teacher he gets Friday after 4:00.

I made an angel berry cake today, so delicious!

Jared's friend from S. California is driving out today with 3 others, they're playing a show in Portland and Washington so they'll bunk with us tonight. Wish it could be a longer trip so we could actually take them out to explore.

Tomorrow is mine and Jared's 9 year anniversary! Wow, the time flies. Thanks to Pat and Vaughn who sent us enlarged pictures of our wedding as our gift, we love them!

updates on Lexi's birthday wishlist

We did some birthday shopping for Lexi and I wanted to update her wish list being as some of the items have been bought:

• piggy bank
• clothes size 6 bottoms 6x tops
• shoes size 12
• toy vacuum
• toy iron
• Barbie I can be newborn dr.
• Hannah Montana items (except c.d.s as she has them all and the movie)
• Fisher Price loving family furniture sets: dinning room, office, rocking chair for nursery.

Thanks to everyone who has thought of her, makes her feel so special! She has already received one card (with money!) thanks aunt Rissa and uncle Ian and a big package full of goodies, thanks grandma Pat and grandpa Vaughn! This year being as we're alone is so important and she has been feeling "forgotten" so it means a lot. Thanks again.

gaining stamina

The other day I was watering the garden and noticed a new addition...these popped out of nowhere. I have no idea what they are!
Lexi was wearing one of her Hannah Montana shirts, with her Hannah lunch box and decided to pose like Hannah! Yes, she is obsessed!

Today we decided to try out our hiking legs again. This place is in our tiny city, was about 2.5 miles total hiking and was GORGEOUS!

The first waterfall (remember, this is the wrong season for viewing waterfalls. The river is at is lowest point).

it is called a temperate rain forest, very beautiful. The ground covering is soft, the air is cool and smells RIDICULOUSLY clean!

Look at how TALL Kyler is, he is ONLY 7!!

It was so sweet, when I was taking this photo Kyler thought Lexi was going to fall off, so he wrapped his arm around her to protect her.

We stopped and played here. The water was crystal clear and beautiful. The kids raced their "boats" down this drop.

We saw trout and crawdads.

Loving dad, so sweet.

The second falls.

The third falls.

This hike has been our most successful yet as far as distance and complaints go. It was about 2.5 miles, which we breezed through, and we heard almost no complaints about tired legs. I think the kids are slowly, but surely, gaining stamina. We want to attempt a 3-4 mile hike next time.

It was such a beautiful setting and Jared was amazed that it is all so close to our home. It is still hard to believe this is our life now, we have the outdoors all around us. Everyday there are so many options to entertain us and it just so happens to be the things we love. I love the fact that our children are growing up with a respect and appreciation for nature, wildlife and our planet.

soaking up the last bit of summer

Today it hit near 100 degrees, so the kids and I decided to soak up a little sun. Jared set up their slip 'n slide and I sat out there watching them play and enjoy.

Look at that face, classic! ha ha

She never made it all the way down, but she scooted bit by bit.

Winky, my 13 year old baby!

Spunky!

little blind Brail

We are officially down to the last few weeks of summer. It's hard to let it go, summer is so care-free and magical. I am truly grateful this year, it's been so much more enjoyable than the last. I actually had the opportunity to spend time with my family as opposed to the last year. It's been an amazing summer and we'll cherish these memories forever!