Playing Catch Up, Part II

This is our 8 year old, MaKenna. Growing and thriving and learning and loving. MaK started third grade here at Toledo Elementary School and has also made friends. MaK is currently playing soccer and of course, I'm coaching. She plays defender and despite her size keeps up with the biggest players. MaKenna is genuine and happy. 

In August MaKenna went to her first concert, Taylor Swift at Century Link. Thank you to Aunt Michelle. The girl loved it! 

Enjoying T-Swift

Fun with JJ at T-Swift 

My little defender! 

Here we are. Farmers.

...Right in the middle of our perfectly happy life, the five of us sat down one night in May of this year for a real deep family discussion.  We talked about farming.  What it would be like. How our life would change. Who we would miss. What our new schools would be like. If jobs were available for Mom. The joy of having Dad around in the summer.  The weather over here. And whether or not we all wanted to jump right in...


So here we are, Mill Creek Farm(ers). And it just happens to be National Farmers Day!

What's up Summer 2012?

It's been a little crazy around here. But we've decided that is how we play best and somehow our summer is nearly half way gone. And although this was the first weekend we didn't have something going on, we had some funthing(s) going on. Starting with mommy running for Team SWEET in the La Grande XTERRA!

Talk about mindovermatter that was my chant as I ran in the eighty plus degree weather. The run was a 10k, bike a 25k, and swim a 1k. It was a tough, hilly 10k. My final "official" time was 1:09.

Upon the arrival to a work barbecue after the XTERRA, I bragged that my time was 1:04ish. I seriously thought that it was. Apparently, I didn't look at my watch until 5 minutes into it. I can eat crow tomorrow when I confess that I really wasnotthatgreat.

At the Wilson Resort, the family had fun! We were the last to arrive (due to race) and last to leave by a longshot. We used their paddle boat on the pond, raced their golf carts around their nine hole course and snuck on their gator for a good ol' farm ride. The kids did NOT want to go. And cannot wait to go back! If we are lucky.



So Sunday I folded fifteen loads of laundry and washed and remade all four beds. While E mowed the lawn and cared for our garden. After household chores were done, we snuck out for a hike at Catherine Creek! Making it much further than we have in the past. MaKenna was a natural--wanted to be in first place and would rather run on the trail than walk. Sadly, we had to walk because Jet could not keep up any longer, nor could Morgann. We threw some rocks in the creek and headed home. 

After a crazy week of soccer coming up, we embark the second weekend of nothing to do. I'm sure we'll fill it with somethings. In fact, pending fire dispatch we just might luck out and go camping! Get out there!

For the love of order.

Or no order, in this case. I keep drooling over this picture. Yes, I put my child in the lap of my ninety something year old grandfather while driving. As guilty as I feel about it, I will forever cherish this photo opportunity.  Morgann and Grandpa Bob are getting along fantastic. Added bonus, her and Charlie are buddies, too. Double bonus, she got left for the week because she was being so good!

Farm time! Hot tubs, gator rides, saw dust jumping, bike riding, cow chasing, man cave finding, chicken spying, hard working fun. Mason brought his friend to JJ and Grandpa Dan's over the weekend. Let me tell  you. The kid finally explored and had the kind of dirty fun that I knew he'd find someday. They even let the girls tag along on their excursions!

Both eight year olds went home full fledged gator drivers!

Busted.

The big day was July 4! We hit up the M's game!! Carson loved his first game!

A little Daddy and Mason time before dispatch!

Team Giles!

The real reason that called us to Toledo was Grandpa Dan's 60th Birthday and retirement party! The kids and I picked wildflowers from the farm to make the centerpieces. And although the weed is called pig weed, I think they turned out perfect.

Cheers to my parents! They are the BEST Grandparents! And parents! Thank you for all you do!

PS, I am opting to not include pictures from our shopping trips, destruction derby, fireworks or other gallivants across the farm! One last kid story about this trip coming very soon! 

12 kids + 2 years = 22 kids

Remember this, Family Camping Fun 210? Two years took us right up to 23 kids! Of course we added a few families, there were nine to be exact. The kids rode bikes. Played a late game of fugitive. Rode bikes. Played in the lake, river and creek. Rode bikes. Hiked the trails behind camp. Mini-golfted and rode go-carts. And of course roasted s'mores and rode bikes.

Dancing down the path! Sometime, I should share this entire sequence of pictures. It's adorable.

And these two little three year olds--literally rode bikes. The.Entire.Time. And Morgann has officially ditched the Skuut for MaKenna's bike with a basket. A great place to store toys, according to Jerrick.

I could be found at friends' camps. Therefore, our camp became the kid camp. And since there were no fires here, there was never anything to worry about.

The Saturday night feast was mexican themed and delicous! E really missed out. Hopefully he's around next year for our, now, annual camp out!

Hello Summa, 2012

It's here, weather  whether, we like it or not. Don't get me wrong. We like the warm weather, trail runs, camping trips, mountain biking, evening walks, trips to the park, jaunts over to the Pendleton water park, we just like it more when Daddy's home to enjoy it with us. Here's to the first dispatch. The day prior I ran 8.7 miles on the XTerra bike course. It was one of the most exhilarating runs to date and I can't wait to go again. Only, him being gone seriously cramps my style.

Enough of my selfishness! The man of the house turns EIGHT next week! More on that next time.

8th Year

I cannot believe we've been going to Mt. Hood and staying in the same cozy cabin for eight years in a row now. Wearesopredictable. That, is what I love most about my family. And you know, the fact that they are oh so fun. Someone, get this man to the free run. Like, now.

Anyone else up for a late stroll through Govy Camp? 8 kids, snow, friends, all while sugared on homemade brownie sundaes! To those heading to Charlies or the Rat, watch out!

Here's to peace.

Love. Family. Special Memories. Friends.

New nephews. Who are totally sweet, cute and lovable!

And big girl days. Because, I am not going to lie. My fave day was Sunday afternoon. Happily talking and sipping some good brew.

What girl doesn't love a good talk?

And last but not least. Here's to new fur hats. Because the hubby is searching for just the right one. As I type.

Cat skiing, from our perspective.

We loaded up this morning for our first "real" ski day of the season. We went last weekend and had major mishap. Forgotten boots. Socks. Gloves. Ah. Today was nothing of the sort. In fact, it was full of fortune. Mason finally tested out and was successful on the ski's he was given for his birthday! Throw in MaKenna sharing her pink ski's, yes that is fortunate. The big red's are still a little long for Morgann, but they work when selfishness sets in.

I felt fortunate to be up there with awesome friends. But more so, that we were given rides on the cat. To get up the rope tow hill, that is. That really helped ease the thighs back into it!

He did more than hang out. Got some runs. Some air. Some pointers on teaching small children how to ski.

Wait. Who is driving that Cat?

Ok, maybe not driving. But riding shot gun! E and Morgann. Morgann liked riding in the front of the cat better than the back and she certainly was enjoying the trip back down!

Fall Field Tripping

Today, MaKenna took a field trip with her class to Mrs. Stonebreaker's Pumpkin Patch (the same one Morgann hit up yesterday). And although I wasn't there (I wasn't there yesterday either), I can see that the girl, front and center, in bright pink had a blast. Surely, that is what the wide open grin is saying! It's screaming it for heaven's sake.

There is no worrying about MaKenna and school right now. She counts the days over the weekend until she sees Mrs. Onjukka again. By the end of the year, she will be counting the minutes seconds. MaKenna is loving every single minute, of every single hour, of every single day spent at Heidi Ho. We love her being there. Growing there. Learning there. And making friends for life there. I've made a few friends for life there myself, right there in the Heidi Ho hallway.

Me. Me. Me. Me. I want on the gurney and I want to try to lift the air tank. Which by the way, Mason could not. Those are heavy! After four trips to the fire station, the second grade interactive tour is by far the best. I can't believe how much I learned today with Mason and his class! We walked the mile to the La Grande Fire Station and then took a bus ride back to Central this morning. I felt this is where I needed to be. To be eyeing the teacher and students, ensuring my decisions have been OK, so far.

So, what do you know? That a city fireman's gear is 45 pounds. And that a little discipline goes a long way. The more I am around Mason's class the warmer my heart feels. It certainly isn't Mrs. Onjukka. But nobody else is her. Mason's second grade teacher is unlike any other teacher he's had. (For me, she may be a little Mrs. Pauls-ish.) At first that felt bad, given all the other circumstances. After spending ample time in the classroom this year (weekly reading groups and Art lessons) my mind is...swaying. Swayed.

Mason brought home his first weekly progress report! Last year he earned E's (excellent) nearly everyday. It was almost a given, I began to wonder if he deserved them. After seeing the box next to excellent checked and reading her comments- Mason is very capable, hardworking and responsible. He is a thoughtful student. I. Like. Her. Mason likes her. The truth is, I started to like her last week. And what I like is that he truly deserved those marks. He's that good and I know she doesn't just give those E's away! This is working!

Pictureless Fun.

We just returned home from a fun little adventure. I had no expectations, and it turned out wonderful. In every single way. Since our kitchen is a mess, I packed and headed to Boise with the kids. If we have to eat out, we might as well eat good. The hubs is roughing it at the Hampton, I guess fires duty calls. He loved us crashing his boredom. We flew down Friday afternoon and came home sluggishly Sunday afternoon.

After a filling dinner Friday night at Red Lobster, Mason's choice (he wanted to see the live lobster display, which was empty) we went back and jumped on the hotel beds until sleep finally found us. Saturday Earl went to work early. The kids and I were up and at 'em early, too. Swimming in the hotel pool. Hours at the Boise Zoo. At least 20 minutes in the Butterfly display. By far the most amazing. Imagine thousands of beautiful butterflies, amazing flowers and to top it off--they land all over you, so much so, you have to be checked prior to leaving the exhibit. Walking the mall. And a few hours at Sand Point, beach/park.

All without a stroller. All without a melt down. All without a camera (waaaaaa). I'm one happy Mommy!

Better Together

There's nothing better than being married to your best friend. And I know these two are, best. friends. forever.

During the father of the bride's toast to the couple. He warned her friends that they would be taking the back seat. They would now be second to Alex. That those friends are still important, still loved, appreciated and needed. Alex is number one. Her dad said he loved that anything he does with any of his friends is better with his wife, because she's his best friend, that they laugh and love.

When we came home at 11:30 Sunday night to a flood in our new house, I couldn't help but be so thankful that my husband was my best friend, too. And even in the hard times, those husbands are still your best friends. The ones you want to weather anything with, good or bad. Thick, thin, funny, whatever.

We Like to Ride our Bikes. STP 2011

WHOOP!

Our New Home! Finally.

Life is so good great. We are officially back to great. Most of our boxes are unpacked. The trampoline is set up. The kids and parents are settling right in. The only issue- we might be taking our quiet little cul de sac by surprise. Who knew a family of five could be so LOUD? First things first each morning at 6:30, kids on the swing set. Followed by bike rides to the end of the sac and a crash of some sort. The kids just found a little fort in the front yard that I can't keep them out of.

In news beyond the move. I turned 30 yesterday! My husband spoiled me. But my friend Bene pretty much gave me the best weekend a mom turning 30 could ask for! Pedicures. Waterpark. Date night. Family BBQ, complete with cupcakes, great food and amazing company. I'm glad to be here, 30 that is.

 

Ready for a little more updating? I went to DC July 15-22. The kids went to the farm. But didn't really hang out on the farm. They went and went and went and went to the-- beach, children's museum, movie, Northwest Trek, and shopping. We've decided JJ gets Grandma of the YEAR award for all of those outings and keeping the kids entertained! Good thing we had a new house to come home to. Otherwise they probably wouldn't have wanted to come home at all. We're sure glad they did.

Our summer is slowly slowing down. Two more weeks of soccer (that is going to be my next post--all about our soccer team)!! And August 13, it's time for Uncle Alex to say I do. We'll be heading to the Western side of Oregon for that. Other than that, it's all about enjoying the easy life until school starts.