Mt Hood 2012

Winter river water rushed through the camp this past year and changed the layout of all our camping sites.  We couldn't get into our normal sunny/sandy camp site but my cousins saved us an area that fit us well.

This spot had many holes from the water damage and we only had to walk a few feet to cut down or gather fire wood.  The real down side is that the wind blew right off the river through our site so kept is quite cool day or night.

Geocaching Barlow Rd South

We loaded up in Gma Marie's truck and headed south for some four wheel driving and geocaching.  The kids love it because they ride in the back of the pick up the whole time.

We love it because, well it's just fun to do.  Every part of it.

Old stumps and fallen logs were easy spots for the cashes.

Derian spotted this one and ...

What are you doing Derian?

Nope, not a drop of wine to drink in this bottle.

When I said the wind blew through our camp I mean it was COLD!

(I barrowed Cousin Betsy/Johns tent trailer thinking it would be much warmer and more comfy to sleep in) THANK YOU! Loved being off the ground.

Jo, Hanna and Doug joined me in the tent and it was still quite chilly as you can see.  Sleeping bags, wool blankets, two layer of cloths and snow hats.  Yes, that is Jo in the ski mask.

Cole and Derian built a hidden fort / teepee across the river.

Can you see it?

Here it is.  They started working on the evening before we had to come home so not much playing time.  Maybe next year they will do this the first day as it was quite cool.

Jo and Hannah built a TeePee Garden next to the river.

Flowers, rocks and sticks along with some plastic bottles and twine they found.

The girls had a good time and did a very nice job.

Planking

This is how we crossed the river.

Even Doug had a good time getting to the other side.

Geocaching North on the Barlow

Cousin Annie & Aunt Nancy joined us as we headed out again for a 4x4 drive and some caching.

We came upon this bridge and sign..."due to failing bridge"

Did this mean, "Caution" - "Closed" - "Drive at your own risk"?

What does it mean????

I told everyone to sit down, hold on and I hit the gas and drove like Mario Cart over the bridge thinking that if it failed it would fall out after we were over it.  Isn't that what everyone would do?

See, stopped for a geocach and everyone is still alive.

This drive was much too long and slow.  I really enjoyed it but now I know that it's not for a quick trip as we drove for hours before returning to camp.  We didn't get to take the kids shooting as a result.  Lessons learned.

At the end of the road we came upon another sign.

OH...Road Closed due to failing bridge.

OK, we will take another road to go back to camp.  See, we can follow directions and signs.

We ended this drive at the Pioneer Woman's grave to pay respect .

We thank her and all the travelers that came to Oregon.  What an incredible journey they had, sacrificing more than we truly understand.

Camp Ground BB gun contest.

Didn't make it to the quarry to shoot the .22 so we set up a couple stumps in camp and had the kids shoot the BB gun.

They had a good time and the new targets were quite fun to see the colors pop out when they were hit.

Not bad marksmen we'd say!

Gma & Gpa Lovely

Our visit to say hello to Bud & Elizabeth Lovely at their spot on the mountain.

Sunny, over looking the river.  What a beautiful view.

And the Rock photo of the kids.

Could be the last photo of the four of them on this rock.

As we dove out of camp we stopped at a wide spot in the road to check we had everything tied down.  We looked over and spotted this construction lift moving around.

Don't be mistaken here!  These guys were not the construction workers.  They were two guys that stopped and thought they would see if the keys were in the lift.  And yes they were!  Lucky Dudes!  Bet the view up there was amazing!

Last of August

Xena is fitting into the family nicely and she also seems to enjoy us.

Xena and her quiet spot: For three nights in a row we could not find Xena any where in the house when we were all heading to bed. We would look and call her and each night she would suddenly "appear" sitting in Cole's doorway. By the third evening I knew she was in Cole's room but where? I searched and searched and still could not find her until I heard a purring sound.

Opened Cole's bottom dresser drawer and there she was all snuggled up in his cloths.  No bottom to the dresser and the drawers do not roll all the way to the back so she found her quiet spot to sleep.  Silly kitty.

First injury at football.

Fat lip from a shoulder pad to the face.

Oma and Cole went shopping for a new chin strap after this for added protection and padding.  Poor guy could hardly talk for over a week with a large cut inside his lip and bruising too. (oh, suck it up and get back out there!)

Champoeg Camping

(pronounced like shampoo-ie)

We made a short trip up the I-5 to camp with the Oma's sisters and cousin's family.

Betsy, John, Chloe, Sam, Lisa, Skylar, Carol, Maggie and Lanna.  Oh, and the BS Family too with Doug.

Nice park with bike riding and a river near by.

The kids played and had quite a good time especially this evening where they tried to cook everything over the camp fire.

Jo & Chloe dipping strawberries in chocolate.

I also remember potato chips with melted cheese that were quite tasty.

Very fun, close to home weekend with family!

Maybe we can/will make this a yearly activity with them.

First 1/2 of August

Cousin Derian raised sheep again this year and had a GREAT showing at their County Fair.  Here she is showing her ewe named Whizo.

Reserve Champion in the middle weight class!

Good job with Whizo & Izso this year Derian.

It's a very long day for sheep, showmen and spectators when your sheep wins.  She had to  show again and again until almost dark.

So when the show was over the kids and I jetted to the midway to jump on a couple rides eat an elephant ear before we headed home.

Football Camp

Cole participated in his first football camp this summer.  One week of skills and seven on seven team games.

The week ended with awards given to the top player in each age group and medals to the top 7 on 7 team.  Cole's team won the most games this week and he was very proud!

Xena & Littlest Pet Shops

Jo found that the kitten likes to play in, out and though her Pet Shop play structures.

Very cute and entertaining for the three of them.

Tackle Football

Cole's first football uniform/practice jersey. He still plays for N. Eugene but at his age group they are named the Patriots not North Eugene.  Hmmm, NE, maybe that is why they are the Patriots.  Call me slow at times.

Potatoes anyone?

The story goes like this; I was cooking dinner one night and asked Jo to grab the potatoes.  She picked one up that was growing and had actually gone a little soft.  Jo asked me if she should toss it and I said off handedly, "Oh, go bury it in the yard and you can grow some potatoes."  So Jo did and this is her harvest!

The potatoes were quite tasty.

Summer School

Both kids do very well in school, however all the (blankety blank) state tests and government rules the schools have to follow don't allow the teaching we believe necessary for a complete education. For example, we taught the kids how to write in cursive.

Last summer Oma taught the kids 4th grade work in preparation for 4th grade. This summer we hired one of the teachers from their school and everyone's summer was much happier.

Teaching twice a week at Barns and Noble / Starbucks.

What you see here?!

On the date of 8/10/2012 Cole became taller than Jo for the first time ever.

We celebrated as Jo wept.  Oma and I don't really think this will last a life time for him so Cole will just have to hold onto the fact he was born first so therefore older.  By 8 minutes.

Circus

We got Jo back into her circus class as she needs to move and just really loves this activity

Silks, tightrope and the trapeze.

Archery

This was one of the activates the kids asked to do this summer.

Bricks

Oma bricked in the flower bed along the back of the house.

She did a fabulous job, even complimented by Gma Marie & Gpa Norman.

Day at the Young Belmont's

Good food, good conversations and even good weather.

Grabbed the bb gun to shoot at some soda cans on a string.  We had a hard time getting the gun out of Oma's hands she learned to enjoy shooting targets.

Football Practice

First week of practice requires no pads, only cleats and helmets.

Before practice, during & after practice.

Cole is a happy guy!

Oma, Jo and I picked blackberries while Cole was at his first practice. 

Requirement to eat a few off the plant as warm blackberries off the vine tastes like summer.  Came home with enough for a cobbler with leftovers for ice-cream and just eating from the bowl.

Doug and Xena

Xena: Oh, I found a tail. (paw - paw - paw)

Xena: Wait, I saw that leg move...I got it! (chew - paw - chew)

Xena: Mmm, the ear twitched! (chew - chew - chew)

Xena: HA!  You had no idea I was coming did you Doug! (chew - claw - paw)

Mom: Doug, you ok?

Xena: What?  I'm just laying here cuddling with Doug, were good.

Last 3/4 of July

Little over two years owning a piano and we finally had it tuned.

The kids have gotten use to hearing their music sound "out of tune" that now the piano is in tune they don't like how their music sounds. What good parents we are.  Brain washing them into thinking their playing actually sounded good and correct.

Hot Cocoa?

Yes, a little real cocoa powder can make some yummy chocolate balls!

Gooey Goodness!

Notice some thing different on Jo?

After much research on her part she got her ears pierced. 

She chose to have this done at a body piercing business instead of the "mall" experience.  Jo stated that using the gun didn't sound good to her and that the needle was less scary.

This is the first time I have ever seen a piercing heal with no issues.

Satin Love Orchestra

Heading to the park for this free concert, I wanted to do a little reading as well.  However, I was uncomfortable with my book choice in public.  So I asked Cole to do a little of his paper folding to make me a cover.

I keep hearing Mandy (Conkey) telling me to "Put the book down and stop reading that!"

Cole did a great job and I was able to sit in public with less embarrassment.

Now to the music!

We love going to the park and listening to this Groovy Music!

Sitting in the park, eating finger food for dinner and tapping our feet.

Now this is summer!

LCpl Andrew

Trish (Thank you) sent us items to help keep Andrew in our thoughts, and well, just keep him with us always!

Necklaces which the three of us wear, a replacement "My Son is a Marine" sticker for my truck and a Service Flag showing that I have a family member serving during war.

 Andrew is in our daily thoughts and Cole asks questions often about Andrew.  Why the Marines? Why war? Why mechanic?  ...and other choices Andrew has made in his young life.

Much Pride.

Xena, Welcome Home

Oma picked up a 6 week old kitten that she named Xena, Warrior Princess.

The name choice was due to her lack of fear towards large dogs.

Xena bonded quickly with Doug and Doug seems to really enjoy her as well.

 

Jo and her High Heals

I just thought this was darn funny.

Doug and his new summer cut.

We will definitely do this cut again at the beginning of next summer.

And how are the animals getting along?

They enjoy each other and Doug is quite gentle with Xena even when he picks her up by the scruff  to move her back out into the open for more playing.