4 from Arizona 2 Oregon--Day 4--THE River

Fab Four Weekend 2010

Baby Will, this is your first and last chance to be with the girls

you were very sweet

my favorite place on earth

rest by the River, my favorite past time

and Will's

the river has a way of making you look up

this is the usual scene

lots of guac

beautiful Sara

Pooped from our relaxation vacation

4 from Arizona 2 Oregon--Day 3--Oregon Coast Aquarium

the day started measuring Henry's wingspan

and then I made Dean do it

and then Dean made Ryan do it

all for the love of my blog

look friend

slept through the whole thing

Sea Lions or otters or something

SHARKS!

We loved it, now off to Mo's!

4 from Arizona 2 Oregon--Day 2--Beach Day

Henry's first beach adventure

the Oregon Coast is spectacular

never turn your back on the ocean

a great day with great friends

Henry's FIRST sandcastle

Henry's favorite part...jumping in the hole

Henry's FIRST kite flying

Henry could do this all day

have i said lately how i do not like sand. how sad is that? it makes going to the beach a not so pleasant experience. but today, it was fun. sometimes seeing things and experiencing them through the eyes of kids helps to soften the edges of our dislikes. what's a little sand anyway right? it washes off, right?

Next stop for the day, outlet malls...

az2or Day 1--B's Wedding

I loved B's wedding. Let me show you why...

these candles in the tree

I love them

there was also a window in a tree, but I got sidetracked by some old friends and forgot to take a picture

the flowers were simple and elegant and timeless

i like candles in jars...you know that

i love this family

and they are looking so happy in this picture

this is where I told myself not to cry

wait, B is only 15 how can this be happening

oh, he is a college graduate whoops

i also love this person and his family

gotta love the Musicks

i do not know the bride very well or her dad, but this is the moment I told myself to go ahead and cry

don't you love how her dad is looking at her

i could tell he was having a hard time holding it together

i also cried during his speech...oh dads you are so important to your little girls

a moment after this picture, B was looking at his bride, but my camera did not want to work fast enough to get that look, but it was priceless

i love how happy B is

and his bride was beautiful...i like the way bride's are using those little veils these days.

i loved watching Connor dance down the aisle

his date lost her shoe and he went back to get it,

that is so Connor of him

did i say how much i loved the flowers

I love how Mary stole baby Will and would not give him back and I loved how he slept on her with his mouth open right through his feeding

i loved all our friends we got to see and enjoy

thank you young family for a great first night in salem

B, you are one of our favorite all time people and look at you

I echo your dad's words, you taught us so much in your journey about who God is

you remained real and thoughtful and look at God blessing you, not just with a beautiful bride, but with a full life

thank you for always letting us love you

you are a man to know

az2or Day 1--Fun in the Sun

Henry and Jacob had a blast in the pool. They went from the pool to the sprinklers back to the pool. Very warm here--we like to bring the weather with us.

Henry loved the plane ride and got to meet the pilot and give him five. Damn I did not have my camera. Yes, I just said damn, but it is fine. At least I did not say damn it to hell like my mom does. But I digress.

The minute I saw the green it was like taking a happy pill. I heart Oregon, especially Salem.

What A Week

Have I said lately how much I love elementary school aged kids. It is the end of my week in the Discovery Room and I almost tied myself to the door. But then I remembered that I get to be in there again in two weeks. YES!

Here are some pictures from the end of our week...

Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest

Rest of the school waiting for our parade to start

Our Parade

Our Firework Luminaries

I loved this project...I have something for mason jars

Bendy-Straw Fireworks

So, you may have noticed that there have been some "stars" of my blog. I have this thing for trying to keep kids anonymous unless I know them well. This week that meant, to name a few, the Reynolds kids (above) picture, the Hunts and a lot of Daders, Miss Kim's son who is soooo photogenic anyway.

Here's to you Discovery Room...have a 3 day weekend on me.

Happy 4th of July!