Hello Hydranga and Misc Happenings

It has been a busy week for our family and it's looking like a busy week again next week with VBS at our church the kids will attend and I'm helping with. I admit, it's fun to have busy weeks after some lonely weeks in a new place, so it's a welcome change in our schedule!

We've hit the strawberry fields a few times and got a couple fun pictures on yesterdays trip. The berries are bursting right now and yesterday was a clear day that we got to enjoy Mt. Hood in the background in serious snow capped beauty!! It was terrific scenery to be out in.

I had to post this picture of our hydrangea in our backyard. They are amazing right now! I had Leyton stand beside it to show how tall they are! These are without a doubt my favorite flowers.

We also got to spend time with some friends who were in town for a few days, the Frys!! Thanks so much for taking time to see us, my kids and I had a blast just being with you.

Crazy Booth

Went out to Rockaway Beach on Saturday to a celebration at the camp Jared and I used to work out right after we got married, Twin Rocks Friends Camp. We had a blast reconnecting with old friends and just being at such a beloved place in our lives and being by the ocean.

A friend of ours, Joel Bock, was taking the pictures for the event and he had a Crazy Picture Booth set up. Here is one picture from Jared's IPhone (not a reflection of Joel's quality of photography)...hopefully I can scan some of the real photos in, because there were some funny ones of our kids.

Loving life and what God has provided for our family here in Portland. It feels like home.

Omaha, somewhere in middle America

A few weeks ago I got to Omaha by myself to visit my dear friend, Teresa. I had such a blast with her and her family and of course bumming around Omaha together was pretty fun too! It was such a blessing to spend time with her and her family and bump into some old friends also. God is good. At the end of a less-than perfect year, what a joy it was to have that time with a friend who has seen our family through so very much in the past few years. You are a dear friend!

Then to top off a great trip, on my flight home I had a huge layover in Minneapolis and got to spend time with another dear friend, Michele and her little girl. I hadn't been able to meet their daughter and that was such a wonderful time! Thank you Michele for taking the time to see me!!!

I will also mention, I love flying without kids. Not that I don't love my children dearly and want to take them on trips...flying is just much easier without them. I'm just saying.

Teresa and I antiquing our hearts away at the Brass Armadillo. I found some
great cream McCoy flower pots. My collection is growing!

Michele and Kolaya, what a blessing to finally meet her! Kolaya,
couldn't have been cuter and was so patient while we talked...what a sweet girl.

Piggy Bank Project

Today was the day to make piggy banks at our house.

I saw this Martha Stewart project and thought it was perfect for my kidos! It was pretty easy and my kids are totally pumped about saving their coins now (since they always seem to find them on the ground at grocery stores). It's also a pretty cheap project, I had to buy the cork feet (2.50) and a pack of pipe cleaner (.99) the rest of the supplies we had around the house. And, we now have pipe cleaner for aprox 100 more projects. ;-)

If you decide to do this project here are my tips: 1) use a Gatorade or plastic Sobe bottle so that quaters will be able to get out of the bank 2) use corks for feet 3) we used funny moving eyes instead of paper...just more fun.

I think the end product was great and they are super cute so I thought I'd share!