Memorial Day Hike

For Memorial Day we went on a hike with some friends to Wolf Creek Falls.  Another beautiful hike, 2.5 miles and lots of green everywhere.  The kids all succeeded in soaking themselves.  Next time we will have to wear swimming suits.  

Later that day we met some other friends at Singleton park and had a great picnic and enjoyed visiting and letting the kids play.  At the end of the evening I had one of those perfect moments where the weather was perfect, the kids were playing, I was laughing with Richard and friends and I felt a rush of happiness.  Good times.

Experimental Garden

Early in April Richard tilled a spot in the backyard for our garden.  I didn't plant anything at that time because I got hung up with details like what to plant and what kind of compost to add.  Because of that the only things I had watched grow in the garden were weeds.  

One day I was at the store and saw a bunch of plants and decided just to buy $20 worth of veggie plants and see what happened.  We didn't add compost, we had the neighbor kids come over and help and I spread some old leaves all over the weedy parts of the garden to keep the weeds down (this is not a proven effective method, only a hair-brained idea.)  So far the plants are fine, except the tomato leaves are a little yellow and some naughty animal has eaten the top off of one of them.  Wish me luck!

Donkeys and Marbles and Cars, Oh My!

A couple of Saturdays ago Richard was at an away track meet and so the kids and I decided to cheer ourselves up by going on some outings.  First, we took a walk down to the river for a picnic.  The kids swam and played in the freezing water (luckily it was 85 degrees and sunny.)  

After the river we headed over to the fairgrounds.  First we went to watch a donkey basketball game.  We laughed so hard at the players trying to get their stubborn donkeys to move.  

After that we headed over to "Marble Madness."  One of the elementary schools has a 50 year tradition of playing marbles and they decided to try to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for the most people playing marbles at one time.  We got there as things were wrapping up and as they announced that the city of Roseburg is the newest record holder (700+ people playing.)  The kids got to take some souvenir marbles.  

Also at the fairgrounds that day were some race cars practicing for an upcoming race.  That was so much fun for the kids (especially J man) to watch.  It was so loud!!

We finished up the day with a relaxing movie and an evening at the park.  I am so loving this nice weather!!

The Best Mothers' Day Ever

At 7:30 a.m. on Sunday Richard and I awoke to the sound of the kids singing Happy Mothers' Day (to the tune of Happy Birthday.)  In they came with a tray of scrambled eggs, bagel toast and shredded wheat cereal.  It was all very delicious.  

Breakfast was followed by cards and gifts made at school (a book mark, a fan and a painted pot with a flower in it.)  Richard gave me a movie.  I also received some great coupons for "folding clothes while you are watching a movie," "give orders," "make you confterble with pellows," "kisses and hugs," and "free mashose (massage)."  I have almost used them all up.  

After all the fun I got ready for church and had quite a pleasant morning.  On the way out the door I went into the kitchen for the first time.  Yeah, beautiful.  What you can't see in the picture are the eggs that Baby R cracked into that open drawer.  

After church Richard gallantly cleaned up the mess and made me my Mothers' Day meal, pizza from Papa Murphy's.  I got a nice long nap, went for a walk with the family, chatted with my mom and Richard's mom, and had an awesome day.  Thanks guys.

The Laundry Room Salon

This week the older girls decided they would like to have their hair cut.  With each girl I would wash their hair, take them down to the salon (laundry room) and sit them on the washer for the cut, then style it afterward.  It was a fun mother daughter bonding time.

Cub Scout Express

This year our cub scout pinewood derby was a blast.  Mr. M did such a good job designing, cutting and painting his car.  Richard and I are very hands off when it comes to these types of projects.  We have found he almost knows more than us when it comes to building and creating.  At one point I was trying to drill a hole and the bit would not go into the wood.  After five frustrating minutes I saw that the drill was set on reverse.  Ah duhh.

Adam's Wedding

This last weekend we took a trip to Santa Rosa, California to attend my cousin Adam Baughman's wedding.  He and his new wife, Veronique, were so happy.  They smiled ear to ear through the entire ceremony.  Their pastor gave a very beautiful and insightful speech about marriage.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  We were at an amazing winery and everything around us was breathtaking.  

Following the ceremony we were served drinks and hourdouvers.  It was so fun to try all of the fancy food.  My sisters and I took a lot of pictures (as is customary when we get together.)  We were  only missing Michelle, the eldest.  I am not sure why we didn't have the boys in the picture.  Three of the four of them were there.  They must not have been pretty enough.

Not long after that we were invited into the dining room.  Everything was so elegant and beautiful.  We were served really nice food and got to hear some fun toast speeches.  It is so wonderful to see two very loving, good people get married.  I was so thrilled to see Adam with someone so gentle and caring.  They will be so happy together.

After the dinner was the dancing and that was a blast.  Dancing is one thing my family loves to do (almost as much as quoting movies.)  I loved being out there with my brothers and sisters boogying down to great music.  We danced until my feet hurt.  

Now, I am sure you are wondering where all the little people were while we were having all this fun.  Well, my uncle Kevin, the kind and thoughtful person that he is, hired four babysitters to watch the 13 children.  That made the evening a perfect date for all of us.  What a great wedding.