The other day as we were driving to the community pool, Jeremy said in an amused and enthusiastic voice,

"oooH, a flying hair. Those are rare."

 

 His friend and I got a great laugh out of that. It's such a breath of fresh air to have somebody so easily amused and optamistic.

 I think that is a gift.

 He's always been a great joy.

To Scandanavia and Back

Every year Steve likes to go to the Scandanavian Festival in Junction City. Here is where you can see authentic crafts, dancing, and of course, FOOD! This year we came upon this adorable couple that danced the e n t i r e time we were there. It was truly sweet to behold.

There hasn't been a year that we've gone where it wasn't a quest to find something truly delicious to enjoy. The children enjoyed Cotton Candy.

When I say Cotton Candy, I mean these cotton balls were bigger than anyone's head! The children were in soft, billowy sugar dreamland...

 have you ever wondered how they make that stuff anyway?! This booth made them until they were amazingly billowy and handed you a $5 pile for an even 2 bucks! The moment the children saw those, their eyes were as big around as silver dollars and they knew they needed to seek out their treat no further. They were cotton bound with only one decision to make. Blue? {above} or Pink? {below}

Jeremy had wisely selected the funnel cake in all it's deep fried, crisp, strawberry  flavored whipped top goodness and enjoyed every last bite while taking small periodic gulps of Michael's thirst quenching soda then slowly moved on in when the kids were tiring of their sugar castles.

                      Good thing we fed them something of nutritional value before we left the house.  

                      Amy enjoyed such a variety of goodness since everyone happily shared with her.

 Steve and I enjoyed sharing our strawberry jam and cinnamon covered elephant ear. {I think we were less hungry than those littles.}

{what a good looking man}

 On our way out, we saw these girls dancing their hearts out. So wish I had a better picture of them! The one on the left was especially captivating to watch-

As for ours,  they were licking those sticky fingers all the way home. Is that part of a nursery rhyme? Oh, silly me...that was something different about a piggy crying all the way home. No crying on the way home here. Nooohoho siree, These kids were still on their sugar festive highs at that point.

                                    And did they ever sleep well after their much needed baths that night.

                                                {What comes up must eventually come down, right?}

                                                                   Speaking of night, Sweet Dreams! ;)

A member of our family

Wouldn't you say it's an official thing that the first name the baby can say is a member of the family?

Then it's settled. Welcome to our family Dora the Explorer, Alyssa will be so forever thrilled! 

For My Birthday

For my birthday I got to sleep in.

I woke up to a happy birthday kiss.

I recieved a special card.

I enjoyed many hugs.

I was surprised by a friend at the door who gave me a wonderful gift.

I read many wonderful cards, a lot of them homemade.

I was sung to at least 4 different times.

I made a wish and blew out candles. 

I was pleasantly surprised with hand picked flowers. (personal favorites)

I was delighted by giggles and squeals of delight. 

I had a creative cake and ice cream. 

I was  pampered with a back and foot rub. 

I stuffed myself with a great dinner and pie. 

I ate pizza and marveled at the enjoyment my children had in playing. 

I unwrapped a preasant.

I wiped tears away. 

I talked on the phone to many loved ones. 

I watched a fun chick flick after everyone was in bed.

I was showered with love.

I felt a piece of heaven at home. 

I was treated like a queen. 

If this is a glimpse into what it will be like being "over the hill",  I'm looking forward to the best years of my life surrounded with the best people in it that life has to offer.   

What they say Wednesday

Sunday Justin raised quite a fit about leaving for church. He threw a tantrum and sat in his room refusing to get dressed. Stripped down to his underwear and folding his arms across his chest, he proclaimed that he was "not going to church". Grabbing the remains of what we needed to finish getting Alyssa and Amy ready to walk out the door, we told him good-bye in a natural, "it's your decision" kind of way.

 As I was coming out of my room ready to leave, He grabbed me and began to sob. He then stated, "Mommy, I'm sorry. Sometimes I just don't want to leave my toys. I'm sorry I wasn't nice to you."

 I expressed my understanding and explained how things would be waiting for him when he got back since no one else would be home to take or move them. He smiled at me and gave me a big hug.

             Who couldn't forgive this sweet boy? Let's just say he wrapped me around his little finger.         

                                                                 One more time. 

It's a wrap!

July was a c y c l o n e, like I've mentioned in a previous post. Where did it go?! Here's the month at a glance:

 Amy learned to drink from a cup...

Overnighters on the trampoline began...

Outdoor Mexican fiestas were shared...

                                                                   play dates at the park fueled excitement...

Relaxation from a school year of studying began...

Amy started walking with help...

4th of July festivities celebrated...

A much needed vacation in Newport Oregon and fireworks appreciated...

 

Long time friends and fun visited...

added excitement with a rafting trip came...

                                                                       Some shore fun helped us slow down a bit...

                                                                      while admiring the beautiful MaKenzie River...

                                                            Coastal day trips picked back up...

 and appreciation for beautiful scenery was remembered...

                   while eating in a great family atmosphere and cuizine at Mo's seafood restaurant in Florence strengthened relationships...

after which lots of outdoor projects and gardening was worked on and completed. Check, check!

(happy me)...

                            Scout and Cub Scout camp attended and awards earned. (whew!)

And that, my family and friends, is what you call a FULL July.

Can't wait to see what we accomplish in August.

;)