What's better than a cute, posing boy?
Well, almost nothing...but a bowl of fresh cherries,
and an afternoon drive to the Colombia River Gorge will do.
Add in said posing boy, and that just about sums it up!
And don't forget about the views!
O La La! View from Portland's Womens Forum,
looking east up the Gorge with Crown Point on the right.
Recognize this place much? Can you see the red headed vampire looking out of the upstairs window...mercilessly plotting her revenge against Edward and Bella. Oh yeah...we run into these Twilight spots everywhere we go...this one is the View Point Inn, aka Forks High School Prom.
view + posing!
Another funny story:
We were hanging out at the Women's Forum here...and just when we were about to leave two more families pull up in huge cars with lots of kids. Our kids started running around with them and playing tag. They were all playing very nicely together we stayed for a little longer. One of the dads came over in a University of Utah shirt, so Brent struck up a conversation about his alma matter. In a matter of about 30 minutes, we made friends with the two families, celebrated one of their kids birthdays with them (they served us cupcakes and marshmallows), and exchanged contact information! Only outside of Utah, eh? How lovely.
Here's another absurd story to share. A couple of weeks ago Brent told me on a Thursday that his brother was getting married in Northern California on Sunday. Brent had to work both Saturday and Monday, but he wanted to drive down for the wedding by himself (as it would be too much driving for all of us in too short of a time). But we all LOVE Glen and Lizz (whom he unofficially married 5 years ago)...and the boys would not want to miss a chance to see Grandma and Granddad. So we got in the car at 7 pm Saturday night, drove for 6 hours, stayed in a motel, went to church the next morning, attended the wedding and reception, and drove home 6 hours. We got home Monday morning at 3 am, and I drove after midnight since Brent was working in the morning. It took me a whole week to catch up on sleep, but we made it safely. And the little boys were so happy to see Grandma and Granddad...even though they were very sad that it was only for a day.
Pictures:
On the way to get hitched!
Glen and Lizz held their ceremony down by the lake near their home.
Here they are with their two cute kids Jaxon and Riana!
The happy couple
& family
Glen and Lizz with Brent's parents
cute lil' Jaxon
Glen, Lizz, Bruce, Jane, Brent and nephew Hunter in the very back (he rode up with the grandparents)
Lizz's green shoes
A few sweet pictures from the reception:
adorable boys
The view of Mt. Shasta
Toby and Grandma
drinky time!
Fairfarren Elsa. We will meet again in another life.
(Tears).
Yep. I told you my belly doubled in size in two weeks.
2010 2009
31 weeks 27 weeks
Just for contrast. I guess I'm not THAT much bigger.
My poor abdominal muscles are just all stretched out.
I am SO behind on blogging. It's hard to even think about doing it. Plus I'm feeling very private right now. This is a time full of anxiety and complicated emotions. And I'm getting very awkward in my pregnant state, so the pictures...well...I will post some anyway. For posterity.
So here's to catching up:
First, the
Jog-A-Thon! It was a large success. It was one of Joshua's favorite events of the year.
This is Joshua's 2nd grade class. His cute teacher in the front, Mrs. Nelson was a long-term substitute for the original teacher who had a baby half way through the year. Mrs. Nelson did a GREAT job!
Joshua's in the middle in the back.
RAINY, RAINY Day
Joshua jogged 5 laps in 30 minutes. That's just over 2 miles! Good job!
Cub Scout Pack Meeting:
(I hope
Jennifer doesn't mind me borrowing her pictures...mine didn't turn out)
Joshua's first pack meeting: he received his bobkitty award and here he is pinning a pin on me.
The new comers were initiated with face paint
The three new bobcats...I think they're going to have a great time together!
Joshua is SO into scouting...he is LOVING it! I am enjoying being the bear den assistant. It is my first ever experience with any kind of cub/boy scouting.
29 weeks & still working out:
(It's been three weeks since then and my belly has doubled in size)
Willamette Shoreline Trolley:
This is an old restored trolley along the river and Brent has been wanting to ride it for 3 years!
(And the end of the line in Portland is at the very FIRST Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurant.)
The verdict:
Very beautiful ride up the river...but don't go if you strongly dislike the smell of diesel fumes and if a bumpy ride will make you uncomfortable or queasy (in addition to the diesel fumes, of course).
Chicken-Sitting:
What an absurd little story. A family at our church has a lot of chickens. They thought this silly little chicken had messy hair like our (Joshua's) friend Parker. So they let Parker name the chicken (he named it Parker), and take it home for a week. But Parker's family was heading out of town and could not return the chicken before they left, so they asked us to chicken-sit and return the bird. And the boys LOVED it. They became besties with this little chicken.
(That's Toby's 'fake' smile)
Good times!
Piano Recital:
Joshua did great at his second piano recital. He played "Au Claire Du La Lune", and "When The Saints Go Marching In". He's really taking to it and loving it. (It is so nice to find some activities that your kids LOVE, no?). A couple of Sundays ago he asked me if he could practice the piano. When I said yes, he asked me if he could practice ALL day?!?
The Last Day of School:
Another silly story. Today (June 16th) was supposed to be the last day of school. I know, it's rather late. But it's ok because we start later in the fall (September 8th), and we have a week and a half for Spring Break. The weather is usually nicer here in the fall. Anyway, because of budget cuts school was let out last Friday instead. That's alright by me (and Toby)! We are happy to have Joshy around again...he has been volunteering to do the dishes every day since school got out, and he's just such a nice boy! I'm just nervous about school starting again in the fall. Toby will be starting Kindergarten (gulp!). I don't think I'm ready to let go of that little guy!
Joshua with his two favorite helpers
Joshua's class and his friend Parker.
Hello Summer!!
(and unseasonably cool weather and more rain. Blech!)
But at least I can sleep in.
OuR LIVES REVOLVE AROUND OUR INTERNET ACCESS, AND OUR PHONE. AN OURS HAS BEEN WORKING VERY SPORADICALLY FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY. IN ANOTHER WEEK WE WILL HAVE A NEW PROVIDER. BUT I FEEL SO LOST AND UNCONNECTED.
IN OTHER NEWS THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JOG-A-THON (MY SECOND YEAR BEING IN CHARGE) IS FINALLY OVER!! HALLELUJAH!!! I AM SOOOO TIRED. ALL AROUND IT WAS A TRYING DAY. JUST ANOTHER BUNCH OF TRIGGERS TO REMIND ME HOW MUCH I WISH ELSA WAS STILL HERE. LOTS OF MEMORIES FROM LAST YEAR, WHEN I WAS STARTING TO IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO HAVE A BABY GIRL. IT HAS BEEN A FAITH DAY.
SO, HOPEFULLY I'LL BE BACK SOON POSTING MORE STUFF...MAYBE SO, MAYBE NOT. IT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY OF THESE FAITH DAYS I WANT TO SHARE.
(I CAN'T UNDERSTAND MY IPOD...WHY ALL CAPS?)
Elsa was born today, 9 months ago. Her spirit has been gone from her body longer than it was with us. And I have to say that I'm truly glad that she was here, despite the pain that it has caused. My life is richer. My boys are more precious. The current flutterings in my belly are priceless. The world is more beautiful. And sad. And real. The time I spend everyday pondering life's mysteries and God's mysteries, seeking answers and peace...those times have become priceless...and I am truly grateful for them. Sadness comes and sadness goes. Happiness is here to stay. Elsa's spirit is here to stay.
Let children walk with nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communion of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life.
JOHN MUIR
