Summer Time Fun

ah..... Summer was busy! And I have been so remiss in posting all those details. Guess it's time.

Sidenote:: I am posting complete albums on the Facebook pages as fast as my connection will allow.

We spent time between all that kid and work stuff working on the house and building a deck in in July. :P

At the beginning of August we went to

Florence and Tillamook with Girl Scouts....

Jordan spent the WHOLE summer in Utah with Ma (Geno's Mom) he had some wonderful opportunities he would have never had here at home. I don't have any pictures. But I'm sure Ma took some.

SO.... in August I took the longest vacation

time in a row I have ever had from the Lab(a whole 10 days in a row) and we drove to Utah.

We camped the whole way there.... with only a few detours..... and took the "back roads" the entire trip. We traveled

down Hwy 101, stopped in Cresent City, toured

the Redwoods, then stopped in the Siskou's

and had fun in Lake Shasta. We were planning on stopping in Susanville but ended up driving through that area due to forest fires.

Then we wanted to go thru Reno, but we never got in touch with relatives there :( we just stopped a few hours.

So.... we drove in the night (best way to go through the desert)

...... and arrived in Utah.

Strait to Ma's - excited to see boy - and ready for the next day and the family reunion.

Next Stop .... Pierce's

(Uncle Bubba, Auntie Melissa, and Bruce's House)

and their Castle!

Had fun with cousins. We camped with the family. Shot marshmellow guns we built. Went swimming with the family. Jumped on Grandpa. Geo-cached with uncles. Did art projects with aunts. and had some real quality time with all seven of us. The only family sibling attachments missing were Charity's kids and hubby. But Charity was there! So it still counts. Memories created, bonds solidified, and proof that we can have fun really cheap. I don't have the group picture......

Wish I did, but my camera was not in use at that time.

We left the reunion,

And Into Tolley Land

We had a wonderful BBQ -

Played with more cousins, and water gun fights,enjoyed "shows" by Gracelynn and Mia.

Then crashed at Ma's for the overnight, getting ready to drive back to Oregon in the early morning.

Then we were on our way home .....

we stopped to see Geno's Grandma Ruth. That visit was so worth the time that we stayed longer. The kids all ended up with new blankies, plus some other great things and a chance to visit with their Great-Grandma.

Then -we drove strait home - yip.

Dead-Heading.

Tag-Teaming.

So I could be to work the next morning.

AND The next day was school registration! ....... I'll post more soon.

Pow - Wow

We went down on Saturday to see Chauney at Pow-Wow... the Indian Education Program sponsored Camp in Power's.

Many, Many photos to up on the FaceBook page.... and here is the promised vid... "Fast and Fancy Shawl Dancing"

So - Our deck is still making progress.... we have a 6'x6' whole in the house. How blessed I am to have a husband who can do this. More photos in the FaceBook Album!

Update - Update - Update

Nothing much has changed in our little world..... Jordan is in Utah, Chauney is at Pow-Wow Camp, Janelle is getting ready to go to Camp Fircoft on Monday, and Grace is just enjoying her cars and is building with her daddy!

I am looking forward to Saturday. Good ole family fun! The tribe will put on a Pow-Wow, and Chauney will be dancing, drumming (her favorite I am sure), and food - glorious food! I am praying for fry bread with honey! Mmmmmmmmm......... Bad for my sugar levels, good for my soul.

Pictures to follow then...

Salute to our troops air show

SO - We had alot of fun at the airshow yesterday. I have so many pictures, it is hard to choose what to put up in this arena.... so I posted many more on the FaceBook page. Invitation only..... but these are a few favorites

Independence Day Air Show

Air show in little Coos Bay?? You bet! 5 planes, Coast Gaurd Rescue and Chinook Helicopter, along with a stunt man......

There was a break between every flight that the girls thought took F-O-R-E-V-E-R....
I was told it was cool - but boring......

Independence Day

We are free - a whole bunch of independent thinking citizens decided that they no longer wanted to be under the rule of a king.

Many people have done one thing or another to assure we live in a country where you have freedom of choice, freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of speech..... and more!

One created a flag,

one wrote a declaration,

and all those soldiers since that day have fought to make sure it stays that way.

Independence Day

After a long day of work that wasn't supposed to be, I arrived home to find no-one here....

Jordan is in UT visiting Grandma - and is spending this Holiday weekend with his Aunt Desi, Uncle Marshall, and their family camping. And the girls I heard up the street, laughing with glee. Turns out they were riding their bikes at the park. So, I took my newpaper and went up to the park to relaxx a bit.

When I left for the park it was sunny and warm. When I arrived at the park a cold wind started to blow. About 15 minutes into it all, Daddy said we had to go home. Gracie stated I "jus woo-in'd it".

So, off to the bedroom with that attitude!

Fireworks last night were spectacular! We lucked out with the most awesome parking spot, sat in the van (warmer - since the Temp was 52*F) and watched everyone else's fireworks while eating icecream until the big show started.

I can't wait until BBQ, Games, and the more Fireworks tonight.

Life

So - I guess I should update us

We have decided that taking a leap of faith may be in order. Though we will not be leaving Coos Bay unless the Lord has the same plan, I have been spreading my feelers for a job elsewhere that will cover the bills and allow me to spend some more time at home.

Geno is now applying out of state (something we never really did with vigor before). And we will see who wins first.

If he finds something here in town, and all else is covered, no worries

If either one of us finds something elsewhere..... Life plan..... Luck of the draw...... Willing to follow a new path.... Whatever.

I am tired. And I have learned that the more I fight the Life Plan, the worse I feel. However, if I take the me out of my thinking, things seem to work out just fine.

Love to all....

Best Recipe in the World

We have recently discovered a kid friendly recipe called

CHEESBURGER PIE

1. unroll crescent rolls and layer in pie pan/casserole dish
2. brown your beef seasoning as desired, drain
3. mix with hamburger with one can cream of mushroom soup (can be substituted with any other cream soup, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, or anything else that goes with hamburger and cheese)
4. place in a casserole dish, laying with cheese.
5. unroll your crescent rolls and lay on top of mixture
6. bake as directed on crescent roll pkg. =)

Mom Points -

Vegatables can be chopped, hidden, and disguised in ground hamburger And sauce

Kids like it 'cause it says Cheeseburger

Cheese and sauce can be mixed and matched to please many different palets

Leftover meat/sauce mix freezes for later

15 minute raw prep - 15 minute cook time

pie crust and flattened biscuits work too (same cook time)

Additional accidental discoveries

You know those little pastry dishes we bought when we thought we were all going to be gourmet cooks?

They are now useful!!

---- TaDa!! Indivdual, make it yourself or have your very own pie dishes! (Little kids think this is VERY Cool)

hangin'

Hanging Out with Cousins is great! I have included a couple of pictures..... Not necessarily in order, but what the heck. We got to Olympia, hung out, barbequed, went to the zoo, played at the park, walked on the beach (Puget Sound).... - Just hung out with Family!

Wild Animals

we went to the zoo in Tacoma.... It was our first ime ever at the zoo. We have gone to Wildlife Safari and open animal parks, but never to an acutal zoo. The "wildest" show was the capture of the actual animals.

So -
These are those thing in their mouths......

traveling

It is always interesting what the kids will come up with to entertain themselves! We were invited to spend our Memorial Day holiday with Uncle Andre' (currently our only active duty family member)and his family. Right before we started on the road we went to K-Light so the Jordan and Gracelynn could pick up prizes they had one.
These teeth were picked by Gracelynn winning the Birthday Contest this month! A Set of 4!
So.... on the way up the kids took a few pics regarding travel entertainment.

The beginning

So, I have been encouraged to start this blogging stuff by many family members and friends, and so - here I sit. I promise nothing - and give everything.
Those who know me know that I have very little that I keep "private", so if you don't like what I have to say, sorry!

I wholly believe in the concept that if you let your needs be known to those who love and support you, beit your close family or your "family" in the village where you live - that is the outlet where those needs will be provided.
I also believe that if you are wanting to hide something in life, that is the reason you should banish that something from your life. (If you don't cheat, you won't have to lie about it).

These are concepts I have decided after many a bad time and wrong turns just might be a good idea after all!

So - forward through life I go. Perhaps this will be an encouragement or a discouragement to keep up with the ongoings of the clan..... However, I hope you love me enough to keep reading anyway.