The High Desert Museum

A few weeks ago Trish invited us to go to the High Desert Museum in Bend. It was such a fun day! We spent about 4 hours exploring the fun exhibits and natural habitats - and we're sure glad we went early because it was SOOO hot that day! One of the first things we did was to find the otter - who was so playful and the kids had so much fun watching him play and swim.

Samantha didn't want to miss out either!
Another favorite outdoor exhibit was the settler's homestead. We got to see baby chicks, pet goats, pump water, see the insides of a small cabin, water their garden and plants, and lots more!

All the people on the homestead were dressed in period clothing and talked as if they really lived there. The school marm just happened to be visiting from Prineville that day and she wanted to check up on how the kids were doing with their "letters and numbers."
She was so sweet and the kids loved pretending they were really going to school!
The girls continued to pose for pictures all day - it was great!

We got to explore a real teepee - it was unanimous that no one thought it would be that great "to actually live in one!"

The kids got to see this porcupine up close and personal. I think all the moms were just a little nervous one of those quils was going to shoot out and poke someone!
Before taking a lunch break the kids all had a great time

pretending to be spiders on this enormous web

We were so hungry and took a little picnic break
Then it was off for more posing!


After lunch we went to the exhibits inside the museum. This nest area was a favorite with fake rocks to climb on, a slide, and even a small cave to explore!



It was a great day and I know the kids would love to have another visit before the summer's over! Thanks Trish, Josh, Brook and Samantha for a super time!

The Stoddards

When we lived in Spokane we made some amazing friends. We're not sure if it was because it was the first place we lived after we got married, or that we had no family there so our friends became our family, or maybe just luck - but these friends are the kind of friends that even if you only see them once a year, it feels like there was no time lapse at all. Kim and Kevin Stoddard are this kind of friend - and even though it's been more than 2 YEARS since we've seen them, it really was like there had been no time pass at all - and that hug was what had been missing in our life the last 2 years. We decided we'd make the little jont over to Eugene after Church on Sunday and spend the afternoon and evening with them. We kind of felt like royalty the way Kim fed us - a full on ham dinner with all the fixins and delicious double desserts, thats right two - Baked Alaska and Angel Food Cake with fresh mixed berries and homemade whip cream (I'm salivating just thinking about it). When you mix good friends, with good food, and good memories - you can' t help but having a good, I mean GOOD time! We love you guys so much and just wanted to thank you for the wonderful visit and amazing food!

Kim and I

Kim, Peter, and Kev in the kitchen

with Noah's head poppin up!

Abby (their youngest - 4) and Kenna,
they had so much fun

From left to right: Isaac (6), Noah (9), Anna (11, but looks like she's 15!) holding Charley,

Kenna, Abby (4) and Port

When we lived in Spokane these kids were just babies! It was so weird seeing them so grown up and looking so old (thanks for the fashion show Anna, you cute girl!)

The Brothers - we'll get that Monopoly game in nex time Noah!

Girls Camp

I was so lucky to get to go to Girls Camp this year! So many thanks to Monica, Trish, and Debbie for helping out with the kids - you're awesome! Mel and I were asked to do the team building portion of camp which meant 4 hrs. a day of doing the same games over and over for each group! It was a lot of fun and we had a great time with our girls - but I think I had the best time sharing a tent with Mel and Jodi (I haven't laughed hard enough to wet my pants in a long time, thanks). Jodi was in charge of the hikes - but also helped us with the team building, so you know it was more fun with her involved! We did the hikes around Sahalie (sp?) Falls, which was BEEUUTEEFUL! Everyone loved it and the hike was great, especially since we stopped a lot for pics along the way. I didn't include even half of the pics I took during camp - so if you want the full camp experience you'll have to go to www.sistersyw.blogspot.com.

Me, Mandi and Jodi
Mel and Jodi - my happy shiny friends
Mandi, Morgan, Felicia, Me and some random girl
The famous hollow log everyone got to climb in for photo op
This was taken standing on a bridge that crosses the Mckenzie River
Our first day at the lake, aaahhh so nice

Me with Dianne by the falls

Can't wait for next year, but I can wait for the mosquitos, those were pretty bad!

4th of July FUN!

It was a really fun 4th of July weekend! Christopher, Maria, Cheyanne and Nathan came into town, that was SO GREAT to see them and to meet Nathan for the first time! We started out with having an 8am Branch breakfast at the church followed by a church grounds clean-up. After eating the kids ran around with there buddies while Mel and I did some last-minute planning for girls camp (we weren't any help at all with the clean-up, sorry)! We then went home for about an hour to prepare for the rest of the fun-filled day! Peter planned a BBQ at his granite shop and invited some local businesses, friends and family to come eat. It was a great lunch - good job hon!

The kids thought it was a blast to eat in Peter's truck bed.

Ice cream cups on the trailer - who could ask for more?
There he is - the Granite Guy himself

and the money-maker there in the background!

After lunch at the shop the kids and I zoomed around Redmond and Bend in search of some new beds for the kids. We finally found some at Shopko and we're so excited to put them up, the kids are SOOOO pumped - can't wait to have REAL beds! Then it was time to head back to Sisters for a birthday/BBQ - Happy Birthday Brooky, we love you!

Here's Ray just chillin', having sweet sweet dreams of the Dutch Oven Ribs Eric had been cookin' all day! There was supposed to be another picture here of Krissy, Lily, Grandma, Papa and Nathan but somehow I just deleted it, bummer, it was so cute! The amazing Trish - thanks for a great party!
The GIRLS hangin' out in the back yard.

OOOOHHH, we just love that brotherly love!

After the party we headed into Bend to watch the big fire works show. Afterwards the kids had fun with sparklers and pop-its while the "big boys" put on a little show of their own! Unfortunately I didn't have the camera to catch any firework moments - you'll have to visit one of the other family member's blogs for that! Peter, Makenna, Porter, Christopher, Cheyanne and Alix all camped out that night by the pond - they were exhausted, what a fun day!

On Saturday we hung out at the pond and had another BBQ, yum! Although, only a handful of kids were crazy enough to brave the cold water and wind - it was a bit chilly!

This picture cracks me up! Charley is holding on for dear life! She wanted to go in the boat so bad! Thanks Aunt Trish for taking her along, death grip and all!

He looks so innocent, doesn't he?Charley and Papa - two of a kind!

We got a big kick out of Nathan trying this marshmallow! I love this picture, it's hanging out of his mouth like a big tooth or something!



I have to say there was some 4 wheeler mayhem. The kids all love getting rides around the pond and up to the house - it's like the Liddell clown car!


I think only a mother could love this face. And yes I do!

The beautiful thing about the pond is not only that it's beautiful, but it has fish! One of Peter's true loves (besides me of course): fishin' at the pond!

Before leaving for the night he caught a good sized bass - it was pretty and all the kids were alive with fish frenzy!

A great way to end a great weekend!