Trip to the Oregon Coast

We went to Oregon over Labor Day weekend. We stayed with our awesome friends the Lowe's, who live in Eugene. It was an all day exhausting drive. The kids did really well.

After arriving at the Lowe's home, Scott and Jamie took off to the river to do some fishing. A couple hours later I received this text from Scott!



















This is the biggest fish Scott has ever caught in his entire life. It was a steel head (like salmon). Great Catch!

The second day we woke to an awesome crepes breakfast. Our kids haven't ever had crepes and they were loving it!! So naturally I had to get the recipe. After breakfast, we drove over to the coast and stayed the night in New Port. Our hotel was right off the beach, our kids loved it! I was happy the hotel had a decent weight room so I could work out. I was feeling real sluggish after all the car riding we've done. This is my view out the gym window. HEAVEN!!!


We had a great time playing at the beach, building sand castles, walking in town, seeing the seals. I love the beach and the ocean. It is such a serene place for me.

Eileen helping the boys bury Paige!

Scott and Emmett

Emmett loving the beach

Eileen walking with Lalia

Trent and Dylan

Garhett and Emmett

Emmett running from me

Garhett and Wyatt

Garhett

Emmett enjoying the sand

Emmett

Trent

Look at all those SEALS!

After our fun at the beach we drove back to the Lowe's home in Eugene. The kids were bummed that we weren't able to have a bonfire at the beach, so Jamie was nice enough to make a fire in the backyard for the kids. So here are the kids gathered around the fire - making smores. Notice that my kids don't have their shoes on.

Garhett roasting marshmallows

Emmett kicking it on the Lowe's garden bench

 Thank you Jamie, Eileen, Wyatt, Dylan, and Lalia for hosting us at your home. As always, we had such a great time.

On our way out of town, I begged for some shopping time at the outlets and IKEA. Whenever we are that close to either I must stop. We first did a little shopping at the outlet mall. Scott slept in the car with Emmett, while Garhett, Trent, Paige and I hit the stores. I LOVE TO SHOP!!! After the outlets we went to IKEA!

 





What a great Labor Day Weekend!

Type A and maybe a little OCD

Well it's time to admit that I am Type A and most likely have a little OCD. Why? I like order and planning and everything has it's place. Right now I am feeling out of control (oh yea, that's another type A - OCD trait) with my life in all areas and with this blog.

I am so far behind on my blog updates that I didn't want to post anything recent because then I would be out of order and lost in the moments of life that led us to the latest post (in my mind). Not that you as readers would know because I would post the updates with their proper dates. I know - FREAK!!!!

So after admitting all of this and the crazy person that I truly am. I am going to go ahead and jump to present day of our life and update the past posts as I get a free moment.

So ENJOY!!!!

Back to School Party!

We were invited to a back to school party tonight with some friends. The kids were so excited! We spent the evening with the Roskelley's, the Halladay's, and the Tolman's. Jen is simply amazing. Jen is the perfect hostess of a party. She had lunch boxes on the counter with treats in them, Capri Sun's for the kids to drink, and fun bracelets for the kids. After the kids had fun running around their property, we sat around a bond fire and made s'mores.

Here is a little fun the kids had.

Paige and Brighton enjoying a horse ride.

Here is the gang enjoying conversation around the fire pit.

More conversation around the fire pit.

Scott helping Emmett roast his first marshmallow.

Carson jumping in on the roasting fun!

In the Roskelley's backyard they have a zipline for the kids. Trent was digging it. So I finally was able to capture Trent on one of his many zip rides. The video is kind of dark because when I captured him, it was dusk.

Fashion Diva

So at the age of 5, Paige has taken a passion for fashion. I try to dress Paige in age appropriate clothes that she scoffs at. At first, I tried to fight her, but then I realized as long as she is covering everything up and staying within my standards, why should I fight her passion/talent. I choose to save my fight for another battle, which I am sure I will have plenty more to choose from.

Here is a peak at some of Paige's fashion designs.

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school. Garhett is in 5th grade and the top dog at school, he is so excited! He was ready after the 6 week summer break to get back to school. Garhett has great teacher, Mrs. Morse, she teaches the kids responsibility with money, actions, and choices. It's going to be a great year for Garhett.

Garhett in Mrs. Morse's Class

Waiting for the bus

Trent was a little excited but more apprehensive of what the year is going to bring. Trent is not our social kid, he would rather just do his own thing.  The funny thing with that is everyone wants to be Trent’s friend. Everyone wants Trent around and to play with him. I find it interesting that Trent will agree to play and then 10 – 15 minutes into it, the kids are all playing together and Trent has migrated somewhere off to play on his own. Then some time later, the kids are back playing with Trent. It is quite comical.

Trent has Mrs. McClanahan this year, she is a seasoned teacher.  Trent is going to be a great 2nd grader! He is looking forward to teaching his little sister the rules of school.

Trent in Mrs. Clanahan's Class

Now for the Girl! 

Paige is starting kindergarten this year. She has been counting the days since preschool ended in May. Now that night before school starts, Paige asks the questions, "Mom, how many days until school?"  I said, "Paige school starts tomorrow". She answered hesitantly, "Oh". During the night, Paige kept coming into my room, "Mom, I don't feel good, my tummy hurts. Mom, I had a headache". Paige's nerves finally caught up to her months of excitement. I finally got her to settle down around 3am. 

As the morning arrived, everyone was excited to start school. The tradition is everyone takes the bus to school and mom drives and meets everyone at school. So I can take supplies and take pictures of them arriving at school and checking into their classrooms. The boys are pros. Since it's Paige's first time with school and the bus, here are a few more pictures of Paige.

A side note on Paige. Paige is so over mom's opinion on clothes and what to where. So here is Paige's first day of school outfit - put together by Paige herself.

First Day of School Outfit

Before heading to the bus and to school, Paige lost her 4 tooth. So Paige is starting kindergarten missing her front teeth and bottom teeth. Poor Trent, but that's another post.

Look another tooth gone on the first day of school!

Paige arriving at school

Paige and the bus driver Fred

Paige and Aubrey

Paige and her BFF Aubrey

Paige in Mrs. Longpre's Class

Everyone had a great first day of school. To wind up the kids' first school day, I greeted them with warm chocolate chip walnut cookies. We sat around the table, ate cookies, and talked about their first day of school. What a great day!!!!

Happy Birthday Scott

Scott is not one to celebrate birthdays. If it was up to Scott, he would like us all to forget. No such luck! He's married to a woman who loves to celebrate the day of your birth. I love birthdays, this is a special day that you became YOU! How great is that!

Scott chose McGrath's for his birthday dinner. At dinner was Scott, me, our kids, and my parents. The kids love McGrath's because they have the birthday person wear a fish hat. Here's Scott!

Happy Birthday Scott!

Scott is trying to get Emmett to touch a live lobster.

Emmett finally agreed to touch the lobster!