Easter, farming and more yard work

We've been busy outside getting our place looking nice. We've still got a lot to do, unfortunately the weekends are too short! If we could have 5 days off and only work 2 days, we'd be making some serious progress! 

I'm so happy we got all of our berries planted! We had to change our original plan of where we were going to put them. We watched the security cameras from a day with all sun to see where go the most sun. It was not our original location. Now we have them in the front near the pond. Strawberries and raspberries in raised beds and blueberries as well. We did raised beds for the strawberries and raspberries and let me tell you....shoveling two trailer loads of dirt is hard work!

We've also been planting some flowers and working on the yard. Getting rid of the weeds and making it look thick and green. Jered mowed the field with the riding lawn mower. It took him HOURS but he's happy he got it done. He said he didn't see much tansy but we both know we'll be out there hand pulling it before long. 

We brought home some baby chicks the weekend of St Patrick's Day. Originally we were only going to have 8. For some crazy reason we ended up with 12! So far they've been a lot of fun. At first they were just these little fluff balls. They grow super fast because they're huge now. If you would've told me 10 years ago I'd be raising baby chicks and ALL that that entails I would've told you you were crazy! But here I am scooping out chicken poop every night, fermenting their food and even had to wash chicken butts for the first week because one of the chicks had pasty butt. We're chicken farmers now!

Ashlyn spent spring break with my Aunt Jean and Uncle Hugh in Monroe with some of her other cousins. Uncle Hugh took them for a hayride everyday she told me! She was pretty excited about that. They also helped him feed the animals and even got to bottle feed some of the baby lambs. I can remember doing that when I was a kid too. Its so fun to see her getting to do some of the stuff I did. Uncle Hugh told her she can come back any time and she thought that was a great plan. She really liked being a farmer for a week! 

Easter turned out to be a beautiful day! The weather man called for showers but they held off until that evening. The girls were able to play outside and we even had them hunt eggs outside. Grandma and Grandpa fixed a wonderful dinner as usual. I was stuffed but made room for a super delicious gluten free pineapple cream pie Grandma made for me. She spoils me with yummy gluten free desserts! I brought the left overs to work with me and everyone else thought it was super delicious as well.

Ashlyn started T-ball this week. She was so excited because there's a boy from her class on her team and a couple other kids she knows from the other classrooms. Her coaches seem really nice and patient. The first day they were teaching them drills on how to throw and catch and also had a little batting practice. They had them line up to throw to each other and before she even got through explaining what she wanted them to do balls were flying everywhere! Corbett has two T-ball teams this year so we're hoping they are going to scrimmage each other this weekend, weather permitting. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures if they do. They haven't given us a schedule for games yet, as soon as they do I'll share. 

 We went to McMenamins on St. Patrick's Day. 

It was raining but still fun. Lots of stuff for kids to do. 

 Easter morning showing off her dress 

Aunt Jenny bought her for her birthday

 I couldn't get them to look at the same time.

Here's all three girls showing off the pretty dresses. 

 With Daddy

 With Mommy

First day of T-ball practice, batting practice

End of March already????

Is it really the end of March already?? We had a very busy February! This spring has just flown by. The weather has been so amazing (until now) we've managed to get some work done around the house. Lots of raking, mowing, picking up sticks, etc. Then a big wind storm will blow in and mess up all of our hard work! Grrrrh!

Disneyland was absolutely fantastic!!! We all loved it and had an amazing time! It really is "The happiest place on earth!" We had four day park hopper passes and not one of us was ready to come home. We could definitely have done another day or even two days. We had an uneventful but very early flight into LAX. Since we arrived so early we decided to hang out in Santa Monica for a few hours. Took Ashlyn to see our old apartment, she couldn't care less, she was asleep in the car. Went to 3rd St Promenade, walked to the Santa Monica Pier, played in the ocean. Ashlyn fell in of course, because she always does! We got coffee at my favorite coffee shop, ate at a couple of our old favorite restaurants. It was such a beautiful day to just hang out. 

Our hotel was awesome and served hot breakfast everyday. After a little salt and pepper the eggs weren't too bad and they always had gluten free chex. We were right across the street from the main entrance to the parks, about a 5 min walk.

We rode so many rides everyday and did not stand in very long lines at all. How did we manage this on a holiday weekend? We were up and eating breakfast as soon as they opened at 7am. Our day bag was packed, cell phones charged, bodies coated in sunscreen, etc. After breakfast we grabbed our stuff and took the walk to the parks. The parks opened at 8am and we were there every morning by 730-745am. They opened the gates usually around 745am, did rope drop at 8am and we were riding a ride or talking with a character by 801am! Our first day we had ridden all of the Fantasy Land rides by 9am. We rarely stood in a line longer than about 20 min. We came early, we used the Fastpass system. We rested in the afternoons back at the hotel and would go back in the evenings for shows. 

Jered only carried Ashlyn twice. On the first night when we were walking back to our hotel and on the last night when we stayed late to see Fantasia. We were SO glad we waited to take her until she was 6 years old. There must've been 10,000 strollers parked outside every ride and we were very happy to not be the owner of any of them. She was tired, we were all tired, but she was a trooper! Give the girl a churro and she was ready to go! She met a lot of princesses and we were successful in seeing Anna and Elsa (thank goodness!) Seeing her face when she would meet the characters was priceless! She was just so amazed to be meeting them. Seeing Disneyland through her eyes and watching her experience it was just awesome!  We can't wait to go back!!

We got home from Disneyland on a Tues evening and were gone again on Friday evening to support my brother and cousins at their district wrestling tournament. The weekend after that was the state tournament and we had overnight house guests. 

First weekend in March was our niece Macy's birthday party at Skateworld in Eugene. I wish I had pictures, but I was trying so hard to just stay on my feet and not on my butt I forgot to take any! After a couple of hours Ashlyn was really getting the hang of it and was off skating by herself. She had a blast and wants to go again. 

 ZERO days till Disneyland!!!

Leaving for the airport. 

 She wanted to see if she could fit inside the truck of the rental car. 

She did with all of our and everything!

Jered and I outside of our old apartment in Santa Monica.

It was this same baby poop green color when we lived here 9-1/2 years ago!

 Jered and Ashlyn riding the roller coaster on Santa Monica Pier. 

This was Ashlyn's first roller coaster and she loved it!

 Up, up, up and over 

 My Disneyland DILF! #14years

 Captain Hook took Ashlyn for walk-about

 Peter Pan

 The teacups. They road this at least half a dozen times. 

This is one I do not ride. Ugh, way too nauseous for me.

 ride selfies

 First night she had to be carried home. This was one of only two 

times she needed to be carried. She was awesome the whole trip!

 Selfie waiting for Daddy to get the Frozen tickets. 

 Success! Her face was priceless.

 Not tall enough for the big coaster, California Screamin'

She was not happy! About 5 minutes after this she was all

smiles again, Jered bought her a churro. Nothing a little 

sugar can't cure!

 Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirate. 

One of her favorite shows.

 Snow white teaching her to curtsy

 Tink

 They almost got the sword

 Family selfie

 We loved Space Mountain!

 Me and my honey. We were in Astoria for the district wrestling tournament

 Ashlyn doing what she's does best at wrestling tournaments.

This kid can sleep anywhere, just like her father!

Christmas and 2015

 Here's a few pics from our Christmas festivities.

 Helping decorate for Christmas.

Singing mice were given to her by

Grandma G and she has always loved them!

Putting the star on the tree is 

her job every year

Family pic on Christmas Eve

We were so excited when the Ducks

won the Rose Bowl on New Years Day!

This was the day of the National Championship.

We were very excited to watch the game and pretty

disappointed when they lost. They had an awesome season tho!

Letter to Ashlyn: 6 years old

Happy Birthday Ashlyn!! Six already? Where does time go? I remember seeing your beautiful squishy face all wrapped up snug as a bug in a rug in the OR. The doctor handed you to Daddy and Daddy put your face real close to mine so I could give you a kiss. The doctor still had work to do and you needed some tests done so we had to give you back to the nurses for a few minutes. As soon as we got back to our room I didn't want to let you go. There were a lot of very happy people ready to meet you! All your grandparents were there and some of your Aunts, Uncles and cousins too. Uncle Eli couldn't wait to meet you! He visited more than once!
This year you started Kindergarten. You were so excited to start school, but as it got closer you got more and more nervous. Not only were starting a new school but you also had to change to a babysitter and ride the bus to and from school. That's a lot of change for anyone but you handled it like a champion! Now it probably feels like you've been there forever. You love school and always have lots of stories to tell us. You're very creative because some of your stories have been really fantastic. You are already reading and writing so much more than last year. When we read together I'm always amazed at how well you're doing! Some of my favorite time with you is when we have snuggle time and read books on the couch. I think your favorite class though is probably music. You've learned a lot of new songs this year and have been teaching me and Daddy some of them too. At your teacher's conference a couple months ago Mr Lewis said you were doing very well in school but you sometimes talk to your friends when you should be quiet. I wonder who you get that from?
You are really starting to assert your independence. School has definitely made you more independent and have your own opinion. I love this about you even when sometimes its so frustrating. All three of us are working at better communication and listening to each other. Tomorrow is a new day right?
You love peanut butter! Everyday you have a peanut sandwich for lunch. You've even put PB on your hamburger! Some of your other favorite foods are yogurt, mandarin oranges, applesauce, cereal, ice cream, baked chicken legs, hamburgers, tator tots and Burgerville hamburgers, still the only burger you will have with sauce. You and Daddy also love your gummy candy. Still not the most adventurous eater, we're hoping now that your SIX you will try some new foods. I'm looking forward to the day you want to try real sushi!
You still LOVE your stuffed animals! I've lost count of how many you have. When your naughty you lose a stuffy and it goes into the closet. There are times (like now) where you have more stuffies in the closet than you do in your bedroom! You earn them back by doing your chores, brushing your teeth without a fight, bringing your papers home from school, etc.
You are still an early riser. Even on the weekends you're up before 7am. Daddy and I would prefer to sleep in but you have us up and out of bed instead. You are definitely a morning person! So happy and talkative in the mornings. You get crabby when you're tired. You sure can stay up late though. When you had a sleep over with some friends you and Hailey stayed up talking all night! You made it till midnight on New Years Eve!
You still love wearing dresses. You would wear a dress everyday if you could. We compromised though and you wear jeans or leggings on PE days. When its really cold outside we just layer you up. If its cold and windy at our house, its colder and windier at school.
You are finally solidly on the correct side of the Civil War! You are a DUCK!!! But its ok to root for the Beavers, as long as they aren't playing our Ducks, right?
Daddy and I have been keeping the biggest secret from you for months! I almost can't stand it anymore!! I'm super excited! I haven't been there in almost 10 years, since before we moved back to Portland from Santa Monica. We're telling you this Sunday night. Since Daddy is at a conference today and won't be home till late we're saving your birthday presents till Sunday. I'm planning a scavenger hunt and you are going to LOVE it! Can you guess what it is?
I've loved watching you grow into the six year old you are now and I'm looking forward to seeing the young lady you are going to be. Being your Mama is the best job I've ever had! I love you!

Birthday dress for school this morning

Fall and Winter Fun

What have we been doing since my last post you ask?

Well, we spent a wet and windy weekend in Newport in October. I had made a reservation using our time share months before. Oregon coast is rarely available with the time share so when I see it, I just make the reservation. The weekend we went it happened to be pretty windy and rainy but we still managed to have quite a good time. We made it to the beach before a rain storm hit, we ate dinner at a restaurant I've been wanting to try, Local Ocean. SO good! We tried to tour one of the lighthouses but it was closed for renovation so we walked on a very rocky beach instead. Mom and Ed came over with my brother's two step-sons and we all went swimming in the indoor heated pool. Even Ashlyn with her cast :) We just wrapped her arm up in some plastic bags and she tried her hardest to keep it out of the water. She dunked it a few times but oh well! It came off the week after we were there anyway.

We went to Disney on Ice with my cousins. It was a lot of fun! It always is. This was mine and Ashlyn's third time seeing Disney on Ice. Its always so well done, it is Disney after all. The girls loved it. In the spring they'll be back with another version of Disney on Ice, but this time it will include the Frozen characters. We'll definitely be going again, I think I enjoy it just as much Ashlyn!

Halloween was a lot of fun! Ashlyn had a party at her babysitter's house early in the day and then we drove up to Vancouver to Jered's work. All of his co-workers had candy at their desks and some of them were even dressed up. There were lots of little kids walking around in costumes. Ashlyn's bucket was full before we left the building! One of the owners of his company gave out full size candy bars, she was pretty excited about that. We stayed with our friends Justin and Steph so the kids could go out trick or treating together. We don't have a "neighborhood" anymore and they do. It was a little drizzly but that didn't stop the kids from chomping at the bit to go out trick or treating. It was hard making them wait it till got dark! They all got a little wet but they got lots of candy and had a lot of fun.

The yard work is never-ending. We've been blowing, raking and hauling leaves for weeks now. Trimming and burning limbs, etc., etc. We put some plastic up on our windows to block some of the wind as well. The first day we tried to do it, it was super windy and super cold. Not the smartest decision we've ever made. I'm sure if anyone was able to see us, thank goodness no can, we were a real comedy show! We got one window done in TWO hours and decided to wait for a less windy day. Next time we did it, it took us an hour to do 5 windows. We learned our lesson :)

Ashlyn's class has been on a couple of field trips already. They went to the pumpkin patch and to Big Bear's market before Halloween. Big Bear gave all the kids a T-shirt. She was pretty excited! Their class has been learning about the Chinook people of the Gorge so they toured a Long House where the Chinook people lived. Her class also did a narrative of a Chinook story about how they found fire. Ashlyn had was a chickadee and she had a few lines. It was very cute and she was very excited both Jered and I were able to get off work to be there. After the narrative, all of the K-1-2 classrooms were open and each room had a different thing to do or learn about the Chinook people. Some were games they would have played, a couple rooms had snacks (jerky, smoked salmon, apples etc) the Chinook people would've eaten. They also had a model of a Long House.

Both Jered and I had the week of Thanksgiving off. We had a staycation and it was wonderful! Ashlyn had school the three days before Thanksgiving so we'd drop her at school and then take off to do something in Portland. We've been working on finishing up our McMenamins Passports (getting really close!) so we did a few more stamps around town. Visited their coffee roasters (love their coffee!), saw a movie at the Bagdad theater (super cool old refurbished theater), ate too much, drank too much, had yummy Thanksgiving flavors ice cream at Salt & Straw. The first day we really went all out, like we were in our 20's again, living it up in LA. We had brunch and bloody mary's at Tasty & Sons, hung out at Powell's bookstore for a couple of hours (I could've stayed all day!), had chips, salsa, guac and yummy cucumber-jalapeno margarita at the Matador, took a tour of the Crystal Ballroom with a cider in hand of course, stopped in the Mission Theater for a stamp and another cider, then it seemed like a great idea to go get ice cream at Salt & Straw. The night before we had seen this food network show on crazy Thanksgiving foods and Salt & Straw was on there because of their Thanksgiving ice creams. I got turkey-salted caramel and bourbon corn pudding. Jered got turkey-salted caramel and sweet potato pie. Sounds gross I know, but it was so delicious! The next day we were exhausted and didn't leave the house till almost noon! :) It wasn't all play, we did have to do some work at home. The usual yard and house work of course.

Thanksgiving was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's in Woodburn. It was lovely as usual. Delicious turkey and all the fixin's. My very own GF pumpkin pie (Thanks Grandma G!!) with fresh whip cream. YUM! My mom joined us again this year, Ed was off shooting a couple deer in Eastern Oregon. Mom had asked if she could take Ashlyn home with her after Thanksgiving dinner. I told her we'd have to think about it, we thought about it for all of about 2.2 seconds. A free weekend, just the two of us? Too enticing to pass up. So Ashlyn went home with Grammy. They had a slumber party with some of her cousins, they went to Aunt Jean's for cookies and Christmas carols, they went to Maliah's (my brother's step-daughter) birthday party. She had a blast! We picked her up Sunday afternoon and as much as I loved our weekend together just Jered and I, I sure missed that kid!

Jered and I headed up to Olympia for more McMenamins stamps. Then stayed the night at their hotel in Centralia, The Olympic Club. I was frantic Friday night trying to find the Civil War game on TV. After about an hour we figured out it wasn't on till Saturday. I was relieved to say the least and feeling like a bit of a gomer! ;) We woke up Sat morning and it was snowing! So quick breakfast and back on the road so we didn't get snowed in.

Now we're preparing for Christmas. I've managed to get quite a bit of my shopping done already but still have some people to buy for. We're going to our first Christmas party this weekend at my cousin's house. I'm really looking forward to it, we'll get to see some people we don't see very often. Ashlyn will be out for Christmas break at the end of next week, which seems so crazy! This year has just flown by!

Lunch selfie

 Windy beach pic. Can you see the flying sand?

The beach wasn't super accessible. 

We had to hike down and through some tall grass and then 

over a hill, down the hill to get to the beach.

Family selfie at the beach

Look! No cast!!

 Disney on Ice with Paisley. They had matching 

Princess Elsa dresses

Our pumpkins

Officer Daddy and Princess Elsa

 Princess Elsa

x 2

 First snow, maybe 1/4 inch. 

Enough to make a snow angel on the front deck!

 Ashlyn's narrative at school. She's standing second from the left.

Jered made her a chickadee mask. It was pretty awesome!

 Action shot! She's shooting "arrows" into the sky to 

make a ladder so they can climb up to find fire.

One shot from our staycation, outside the coffee roasters

Cast and pumpkins

A few weeks ago we took a trip down south to WildLife Safari. I hadn't been in years, probably since I was in grade school. It was SO cool! We had a really great time. I had a Groupon which made it even more worthwhile.

We decided to tie in a few more passport stamps on our McMenamins passports on our way there so we made a few stops in Eugene and got the only stamp for southern Oregon in Roseburg. On our way back we met Mom and Ed for lunch in Eugene for Mom's birthday. We managed to do quite a lot in just two days!

Ashyn's had her cast on now for 3 weeks. She didn't get to choose a color, just plain white. She was a little bummed but the next day at school her friends all signed it so she was happy about that. She's drawn pictures on it, we signed it of course and Gma and Papa Mac signed it. Its so dirty now after 3 weeks everything looks like its just blending together! It comes off next Wed, fingers crossed.

Waiting for McMenamins to open. 

Why use the stairs when you can climb a hill?

 Grandma and Papa Mac gave her some $$ to spend

on our trip and she chose these two stuffed giraffes. 

Their names are Pink Posey and Purple Posey

Family selfie before the leaving the hotel.

Pink and Purple Posey sitting in Ashlyn's sling.

Cast day

McKenzie and Ashlyn with the pirate at the 

pumpkin patch. Brady's tucked in their behind Kenze.

 Walking through the corn maize. 

It was Jake and the Neverland Pirate themed.

Ashlyn loves Jake so she was pretty excited, all 

three of the kids were.

 Kenze and Ashlyn in the patch. They picked out 

best pumpkins in the entire field!