Oregon for July

Wow! It's been awhile since I last posted and so much has happened. I guess that's what summer is for. It's not even August and we've already been camping six times and seen most of both of our families. The rest of the summer will be moving at a slower pace, I hope.

We got back from Utah and then the boys and I left for Oregon a day and a half later. Got back last Thursday and then went camping with our ward this weekend. We've been having tons of fun but I realized today, after spending 3 hours at the zoo, that I need to just slow down and take it easy. I think Jasper and Gid are a bit tired out from all the go, go, going we've been doing. Jasper told me today that all he really wanted to do was play with is Tinker Toys... Sweet boy... Sorry, Jasper, for not giving you more time to just do what you want to do. I need to re-remember how important unstructured play time is for a little 3 year old.

Okay, back to the post. We had a blast in Oregon. Our reason for going to Corvallis for an extended visit was so that Rob could have some intensely dedicated time at work so that he could get this paper published by the end of July. My parents were actually out of the country for the first week we were there. We went down to house sit and take care of Pepper, their dog. We experienced a major heat wave so we spent most of every day in the water.









We had a lot of plants to keep alive too. Jasper was a big helper.


The boys had a great time riding their bikes. Jasper is now 100% on a two wheel bike all by himself!




I had a great time seeing some of my old friends. Lynda and Ben met the boys and I down at the splash pad in downtown Corvallis one morning. Lynda took some great pictures that I'm "borrowing":






My good friend Kari Caulder came down from Salem and we had a nice morning catching up. We hadn't sat down and had some good heart to heart time for a couple of years. It was nice to have our kids play and talk about motherhood and memories. She's amazing balancing a full time job and being a mom. I admire her a lot :)



We had a little party at my folks house one evening. Lucy and Matt were in town from Chicago, Lynda and Ben, Chrystal and Ben, Lori, Sally, and Robin and her husband came. We had a really, really nice evening. Lots of laughs over memories from high school days. We were quite a funny, awkward bunch at times. Lori has the best memory of anyone I have ever known. She remembers the funniest, little details about things people said and did. We were seriously rolling out of our chairs as Lori recounted stories about our youthful adventures. Good times...

My mom, dad, and brother Bobby came back from Dominican Republic and the real party began! Bobby, the boys, and I went to Otter Beach the following day. What a great water park! Jasper and Bobby went down this huge water slide about twenty times. I couldn't have gone without Bobby, so I was really grateful that he was excited to go with us. He's such a great uncle. Gid says "Bobby" about 50 times each day. Seriously. I don't know if he remembers exactly what the name goes with at this point, but he loves to say it regardless.

My Grandma Dorthea came to stay at my parents' house for a week while I was there too. It was really nice to spend some time with her. She'll be 102 next month and she can't do very much for herself anymore. It was challenging to help my mom with lifting, changing, and entertaining her, but I'm happy I was able to help. My mom did such a great job caring for her, though. My dad, too.

Rob rode the Seattle to Portland Classic (STP) last Saturday, so I was able to drive up and meet him at the Finish line. I was so proud of him!!!! He did it in ONE DAY! It worked out perfectly because he was able to come down to Corvallis and go to church and rest up before heading back to Seattle. I cheered louder than I think I've ever cheered as he rode across the finish line.







My mom took us to Enchanted Forest the day before we left. What a great time we had! Jasper and Gid loved it. Jasper cried and cried when we had to go home. He said he never wanted to leave :) It is the perfect amusement park for little kids.





I always love being with my mom and dad. We got some good scrabble games in, nice outside time working in the garden, walking along the riverfront, enjoying time with friends and relatives. It was a wonderful visit. We sure miss Corvallis when we are away.