Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Summer is here!
Hooray!!! Here's a few pics from our end of the year preschool party at Carkeek Park yesterday evening. We are sure going to miss this terrific once a week evening co-op group we've been a part of this past winter. It's been soooo much fun. Sally was a phenomenal teacher.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Bike trip with the Schmidts
About four months ago we planned a biking/camping trip with our friends the Schmidts. They are so great. Super fun adventuresome family, love the outdoors, hiking, camping, biking. Andy did most of the planning. He found a fabulous place for us to do a biking/camping trip with kids in tow - the Suiattle River Road near Darrington. It was really the perfect place to go with kids and bikes. We were able to get that feeling of being in the back country, which is becoming more difficult to accomplish with little kiddos.
So two weekends ago we went with our friends on our three day biking/camping trip. We started 12 miles up the Suiattle River Road where it is barricaded off from motorized vehicles. Back in 2003, because of severe rainfall, river levels rose and washed out a few areas along the road. The road is now in good condition (we saw a dually with a horse trailer that made it past the worst of it - turns out this guy had a key to the gate). There were a few places where I held my breath, but nothing dangerous. We loaded up our bikes and trailers and set off.
Anza, who is just a few months older than Jasper, biked most of the way by herself!
We biked up the trail about three miles and set up camp at Buck Creek Campground. This place was gorgeous and there was only one other small group of people around. The "creek" (let's call it a river) was breathtaking and roaring, so much that I made us pick a campsite a little ways away from it because I was afraid one of the kids would fall in and be whisked away.
We had such a nice, relaxing time. The kids all played together really well.
Day two we biked up the trail another 6 miles to where the river had washed out a bridge (which had just recently been repaired for foot, horse, & bike/trailer traffic). We found a nice sandy beach and the kids played and played. Chele was hilarious and built her own little beach. I kept looking at her and thinking I should help, but I was exhausted!!
Nothing brings a mama's heart joy like this:
Ah, the wonderful smell and feel of a fire when you are camping! We built some pretty impressive fires with the prolific firewood that was all around. There was also a few felled trees that we harvested some nice douglar fir wood from.
Catching smores on fire is always part of camping for us Egberts
Thanks Schmidts for a great trip!! Let's go again!
So two weekends ago we went with our friends on our three day biking/camping trip. We started 12 miles up the Suiattle River Road where it is barricaded off from motorized vehicles. Back in 2003, because of severe rainfall, river levels rose and washed out a few areas along the road. The road is now in good condition (we saw a dually with a horse trailer that made it past the worst of it - turns out this guy had a key to the gate). There were a few places where I held my breath, but nothing dangerous. We loaded up our bikes and trailers and set off.
Anza, who is just a few months older than Jasper, biked most of the way by herself!
We biked up the trail about three miles and set up camp at Buck Creek Campground. This place was gorgeous and there was only one other small group of people around. The "creek" (let's call it a river) was breathtaking and roaring, so much that I made us pick a campsite a little ways away from it because I was afraid one of the kids would fall in and be whisked away.
We had such a nice, relaxing time. The kids all played together really well.
Day two we biked up the trail another 6 miles to where the river had washed out a bridge (which had just recently been repaired for foot, horse, & bike/trailer traffic). We found a nice sandy beach and the kids played and played. Chele was hilarious and built her own little beach. I kept looking at her and thinking I should help, but I was exhausted!!
Nothing brings a mama's heart joy like this:
Ah, the wonderful smell and feel of a fire when you are camping! We built some pretty impressive fires with the prolific firewood that was all around. There was also a few felled trees that we harvested some nice douglar fir wood from.
Catching smores on fire is always part of camping for us Egberts
Thanks Schmidts for a great trip!! Let's go again!
We got stuck down in a skate park
And the only person in the vicinity was a very drunk homeless man, who very kindly helped us out.
U-Pick Strawberries
No explanation needed, except that we had a terrific time, gorged ourselves, picked about 20 lbs, and went home very dirty!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Father's Day
I know this is a few days late but I wanted to take a moment and thank the fathers in my life.
Back in 2008, I wrote the following about Dads (and more specifically about my dad): Dad is someone who plays blanket monster for hours upon end. Dad is someone who takes his daughters fishing and camping just as often as he does his sons. Dad is someone who helps you set up a 40 foot slip 'n slip. Dad is someone who takes time out of his busy schedule to come to your band concerts and soccer games. Dad is someone who has pictures of his family up on the walls in his office instead of plaques. Dad is someone who takes all the kids to Arby's when mom is out of town. Dad is someone who gives you a blessing at the start of a new school year and through the spirit speaks straight to your heart. Dad is someone who corners your boyfriends and asks "what are your intentions with my daughter?" Dad is someone who you measure your boyfriends up against. Dad is someone who cries for you and with you when you hurt. Dad is someone who cries at your wedding. Dad is someone who calls you back right away, even when he's swamped at the office. Dad is someone who I know will always love me, unconditionally, through the lows and the highs of life.
My dear old Dad. I love him so much. He's the best dad I could have ever dreamed to have. When I think of my dad, I think of these three words- wisdom, strength, and unconditional love. He is one of the most tenderhearted men on the planet. I remember back in middle school when he served as the bishop of our church's ward, he was up there at the pulpit almost every week with tears streaming down his cheeks. This was not an embarrassing thing to me. I was usually staring up at his face with tears streaming down my cheeks too :) He's not afraid to open his heart and share his emotions with those he cares about. He was such a fun dad growing up. I have the best memories of family camping, hiking, canoeing, and fishing trips. He's forever an optimist- I can remember many a time backpacking or hiking when my dad vividly remember the hike to be at least a few miles shorter than it actually was, or a canoe trip that was really supposed to only take an hour father than the five it turned out to be. Love you Dad!
My beloved best friend and husband, Robert. There are not words enough to describe the overwhelming love and admiration have have for Rob. He's everything I could have ever dreamed of in a husband and father for my children. The minute he walks in the door, he drops everything for his boys. Jasper and Gid light up and run with open arms to Rob when they hear the sliding door open. I breathe a huge sigh of relief the second he comes home because I know he's going to dive full heartedly into helping get dinner on the table and entertaining the kiddos. He's so involved with helping raise these children we created together. He takes time out of his busy schedule to have fun with us. He is SOOOOO much more patient than I am! I'm glad there are two of us because I become not a very nice mom come 6 pm in the evening. Rob is such a deep thinker and intelligent beyond my full comprehension. We went to his lab this weekend and Jasper listened so intently and carefully as Rob explained the experiments he;s been working on. I love that Rob passes on knowledge freely to his sons and myself.
Rob's dad, Larry, is also very special to me. He raised the man I married and I love to see all the wonderful things Rob learned from him. Larry is an avid gardener, which I love to pick his brain about. There is sure a lot of knowledge up in that brain of his. I want to put his brain on for a few days so that I can glean even just a little bit of the vast amount of things he knows. He is one of the hardest workers this world has ever known. He's an ox. When I think of Larry, I imagine him hauling huge boulders around his yard or something. I know it sounds weird, but he's actually done it, so it's not all that strange. He loves his family and his children so much. He raised Rob to love and honor the Lord. I am forever thankful to him for that.
Here's a couple of the things I did to show my Robbie how grateful I am that he's the father of our children:
Back in 2008, I wrote the following about Dads (and more specifically about my dad): Dad is someone who plays blanket monster for hours upon end. Dad is someone who takes his daughters fishing and camping just as often as he does his sons. Dad is someone who helps you set up a 40 foot slip 'n slip. Dad is someone who takes time out of his busy schedule to come to your band concerts and soccer games. Dad is someone who has pictures of his family up on the walls in his office instead of plaques. Dad is someone who takes all the kids to Arby's when mom is out of town. Dad is someone who gives you a blessing at the start of a new school year and through the spirit speaks straight to your heart. Dad is someone who corners your boyfriends and asks "what are your intentions with my daughter?" Dad is someone who you measure your boyfriends up against. Dad is someone who cries for you and with you when you hurt. Dad is someone who cries at your wedding. Dad is someone who calls you back right away, even when he's swamped at the office. Dad is someone who I know will always love me, unconditionally, through the lows and the highs of life.
My dear old Dad. I love him so much. He's the best dad I could have ever dreamed to have. When I think of my dad, I think of these three words- wisdom, strength, and unconditional love. He is one of the most tenderhearted men on the planet. I remember back in middle school when he served as the bishop of our church's ward, he was up there at the pulpit almost every week with tears streaming down his cheeks. This was not an embarrassing thing to me. I was usually staring up at his face with tears streaming down my cheeks too :) He's not afraid to open his heart and share his emotions with those he cares about. He was such a fun dad growing up. I have the best memories of family camping, hiking, canoeing, and fishing trips. He's forever an optimist- I can remember many a time backpacking or hiking when my dad vividly remember the hike to be at least a few miles shorter than it actually was, or a canoe trip that was really supposed to only take an hour father than the five it turned out to be. Love you Dad!
My beloved best friend and husband, Robert. There are not words enough to describe the overwhelming love and admiration have have for Rob. He's everything I could have ever dreamed of in a husband and father for my children. The minute he walks in the door, he drops everything for his boys. Jasper and Gid light up and run with open arms to Rob when they hear the sliding door open. I breathe a huge sigh of relief the second he comes home because I know he's going to dive full heartedly into helping get dinner on the table and entertaining the kiddos. He's so involved with helping raise these children we created together. He takes time out of his busy schedule to have fun with us. He is SOOOOO much more patient than I am! I'm glad there are two of us because I become not a very nice mom come 6 pm in the evening. Rob is such a deep thinker and intelligent beyond my full comprehension. We went to his lab this weekend and Jasper listened so intently and carefully as Rob explained the experiments he;s been working on. I love that Rob passes on knowledge freely to his sons and myself.
Rob's dad, Larry, is also very special to me. He raised the man I married and I love to see all the wonderful things Rob learned from him. Larry is an avid gardener, which I love to pick his brain about. There is sure a lot of knowledge up in that brain of his. I want to put his brain on for a few days so that I can glean even just a little bit of the vast amount of things he knows. He is one of the hardest workers this world has ever known. He's an ox. When I think of Larry, I imagine him hauling huge boulders around his yard or something. I know it sounds weird, but he's actually done it, so it's not all that strange. He loves his family and his children so much. He raised Rob to love and honor the Lord. I am forever thankful to him for that.
Here's a couple of the things I did to show my Robbie how grateful I am that he's the father of our children:
Monday, June 21, 2010
Cousins and Corvallis
We took another super short trip down to Corvallis so that we could see my brother Marcus and his family while they were in town last week. This time Rob was able to come with us which made the drive seem like a piece of cake. We were only there for two and a half days, but it was sooooooo worth it! It was so nice to see my brother. I love him so much. He's been under a lot of pressure the past 6 years as he's pushed his way through med school and now into his residency. I'll be so happy for him when he's all done and he can have a somewhat regular schedule. My brother's wife, Becca, is the most awesome sister-in-law in the entire world. He seriously married one of my favorite people on the planet. I'm so glad she's part of our family. They have two kids- Jack (age 6) and Eliza (age 3), who are adorable. I've been telling everyone about what a great job my bro and sis have done with teaching their kids manners. Eliza and Jack are two of the most polite children I've ever met. They say "please" and "thank you" as just a regular part of their vocabulary without having to be prompted or nagged. Pretty impressive :)
Of course, seeing my mom and dad is ALWAYS a treat for myself, Rob and our boys. We love every minute we get to spend with them. What a blessing to live so close that we can pop down on a whim. I'm planning to spend most of July in Corvallis while Rob hides away in a cave so that he can publish this paper he's been working on for the past three years. Hopefully I won't outstay my welcome... :)
Here's some pictures of our trip:
Eliza and Jasper "helping" Gumpa mow the lawn
Jack and Marcus on the riding lawn mower
My dad is the best. He's so patient with Jasper :)
Cute Rampton clan having a cuddle fest
My mom is having each of the grandkids make a handprint stepping stone to have in their garden and yard
Eliza and Tutu
Rocket launching!
Eliza and Jasper got along so well. They were so cute. Jasper learned how to make "silly" faces from Eliza which he's been practicing ever since.
We went down to the high school to fly my dad's remote control airplane!
I tried my best to get these two to both look at the camera and smile. Wasn't successful...
Of course, seeing my mom and dad is ALWAYS a treat for myself, Rob and our boys. We love every minute we get to spend with them. What a blessing to live so close that we can pop down on a whim. I'm planning to spend most of July in Corvallis while Rob hides away in a cave so that he can publish this paper he's been working on for the past three years. Hopefully I won't outstay my welcome... :)
Here's some pictures of our trip:
Eliza and Jasper "helping" Gumpa mow the lawn
Jack and Marcus on the riding lawn mower
My dad is the best. He's so patient with Jasper :)
Cute Rampton clan having a cuddle fest
My mom is having each of the grandkids make a handprint stepping stone to have in their garden and yard
Eliza and Tutu
Rocket launching!
Eliza and Jasper got along so well. They were so cute. Jasper learned how to make "silly" faces from Eliza which he's been practicing ever since.
We went down to the high school to fly my dad's remote control airplane!
I tried my best to get these two to both look at the camera and smile. Wasn't successful...
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Recipe for sucess
What do you do when it's the second week of June and still rainy and cold? You put your kids in swimsuits, pull out your pots, boil some water on the stove, and fill up the swimming pool! Jasper and Gid played in our little pool for over an hour yesterday. I just kept a pot of water warming up on the stove and when they started to get cold, I'd add some more warm water in the pool for them! They loved it. The "ooooo's" and "ahhhhhh's" from both of them made my mama heart fill up with joy.
These ideas come to me from things my mom used to do! I can remember time after time my mom boiling up water for us when the hot water would run out. Just thinking about my mom pouring warm water into my cold bathtub give me warm fuzzies. I LOVE MY MOM!!! Thanks for all the good memories that help me with my mothering.
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