Pumpkin Ridge

 We got to go on a beautiful hike to my favorite spot on Memorial Day.  Above is a panorama that opens  after hiking up a fairly steep path through a small forest.  Pumpkin Ridge is about 12 miles north of La Grande.  Out past those trees you can see all of our Grande Ronde valley.  So beautiful this time of year with the field covered in yellow balsam root, lupines, and indian paintbrush.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  Henry and the kids both were loving running free. 

We attempted a family self-portrait while out on our hike.  Only took 3 tries to get everyone in the shot :)

Dinner success

It is so rare to cook something that everyone eats without complaining.  Even less rare that  ALL the kids  seem to ENJOY a dinner (boxed mac 'n' cheese doesn't count).  So imagine my surprise tonight when I came up with dinner out of the blue, trying to use up things I had around the house, and every ate with a smile on their face.  And Thomas even asked for seconds...and then thirds.  Remarkable.

Menu:
Oatmeal breaded fried swai (fish)
Green beans and corn
Apples

Makes a mom happy.

perks

Brandon found out a new favorite perk he gets for working for Aurora Public Schools:

Snow Days- if the kids are off b/c of weather, so is he.

Sledding anyone?

Random Pictures in reverse

6865 s elati st...actually looked very well kept

The Boat park...remember they replaced the fun wooden rotting boat with this 'oh so dull and safe' concrete one?

YW mother/daughter spa night. Milla is working on finishing up my makeup here.

the attempt at the sweetened condensed milk easter egg. incredible. edible. (and slightly sticky)

Rin finally finding her basket after her third look in the closet.

 Not sure why she followed this with the comment, "Mom, why do you hide the baskets in the same places every year?"

Ahhhh

Lorna married Jasen Kennington in the Salt Lake temple on April 14.  Don't they look lovely?

Any Alabamians remember the lady on the left?

being goofy with Thomas

Aunty Coreen and Rin out for a drive (thankyou Coreen!)

Sean demonstrating the laws of physics with his jungle marble run.

My baby is 6

Smiling happy people

I've been having so much trouble sleeping since we found out we were moving.  I'll wake up at 2 in the morning, my brain buzzing  with things I need to get done and then can't get back to sleep.  Yesterday, at 5 pm, I was dragging so much I just pulled various leftovers out of the fridge, set them out, told the kids to heat up what they wanted for dinner, and went to bed for an hour before Symphony.  This morning was no different.  Woke up at 2 pm with a headache and actively thinking.  I just prayed I could get back to sleep. At some point I conked out and woke feeling great.  Then I looked at the clock...7:20! Crud!  I was sure Thomas would still be in his pajamas and the bus would be here in twenty minutes!  I ran out to the kitchen and here is what I saw:

Ahhhh.  Sweet children.  All getting along.  All dressed.  All smiling.

All is well.

Ha ha

At the end of dinner a few nights ago:

Brandon: 'Carrie, would you mind if I go soak in the bath for a little bit?'
Carrie (being nice): 'Of course not, would you like me to draw your bath up for you?'
Brandon (being oh so funny): 'Oh.  No thanks.  I already know what it looks like.'
Sean (doing fake drum actions): 'Ba-bah-ba-ching!'