Venus Fly Trap

Dave brought home a carnivorous surprise for the girls today! We couldn't wait to capture the lone fly in our house and feed it to our Venus Fly Trap. Myah ran around with a dish towel trying to swat the fly and she finally killed it. Dave then picked the fly up with the chopsticks leftover from our takeout sushi and quickly the Venus Fly trap clamped down on the fly. This is what you call fabulous Friday night entertainment! The girls were on a mission to find any more insects in our house to feed to our new pet.

Glaicier Park

So I think Dave is jinxed! Almost every time we have been to Glacier, it has been horribly bad weather. This trip was no exception. We drove up to the top of Glacier, Logan Pass, and it was about 43 degrees and raining like crazy. We took the kids on the trail of the Cedars and that was pretty fun, but very wet. We let Avery go home with Grandpa and Grandma and then enjoyed a partial hike into Hidden Lake.

My third and second graders

Here we are-first day of school! Aurora and Myah were both giddy at home before the first day of school. I really enjoyed listening to them talk about all the things that were happening and going to happen. Myah has Mrs. Vega and Mrs. Lohr, the same teachers Aurora had last year and Aurora has faulous teachers. Myah was so invovled so quickly she didn't even have to worry about saying good bye! At least Aurora gave me a quick good bye. Myah is on the bottom with her friend Abby.

Detroit Lake

We couldn't have picked a better week to camp at Detroit Lake. The whole week it was a blistering 100 degrees plus-which is HOT for Oregon. We took the boat our with the Nissenins and had a fabulous time water skiing and swimming. We all dropped into our beds each night because we completely exhausted from the swimming and the heat. I have to say the highlight was a little cove we found that had a waterfall tucked back in it. The falls were beautiful and the water was freezing cold. We found a few rock croppings close by that couldn't have been more perfect to jump off. I just can't believe I didn't get any pictures of all the amazing stunts from everyone. We even had copycat competitions. The crazy part of the trip-Dave running out of gas after dropping the Nissenins back off at camp. He had to flag a stranger down, who had to find me on the island in the lake. After we accomplished that, Mark tried to get on the stranger's jet ski, which didn't work, so we had to ask some people next to us if they could give Mark a ride back to camp to get the gas cans. Mean while Dave is drifting aimlessly, because Aaron had to cut the anchor earlier that day because it was caught under a tree. The first guy went and exchanged his jet ski for his boat and then proceeded to tow Dave over to me. Just as he arrived, Mark showed up with the gas on Aaron's jet ski! Yeah, we were saved. Needless to say, that next week the broken gas gauge was fixed!

And they're up!

Myah was able to get up on the waterskis a few days back, but we were so excited that we didn't take any pictures. Here are the two of them waterskiing! Aurora was even getting a little adventurous by just using one hand. It was a beautiful day, finally about 87 degrees and very little wind. We took Dave's mom and dad out and our friends the Browns. Tanny even got on the tube with Myah and Kayla. Once again Dave was able to eject Beth and I off the tube with Beth's daughter still hanging out on the magic center position!

Ode to Mother's

Aurora's favorite place to eat is Mother's Bistro in downtown Portland. We first took her there about four years ago when we picked my mom up from the train station and she has been addicted ever since. We don't go very frequently because of the distance and well, frankly the chaos of taking children out to eat. We did venture down there with Dave's mom, Tanny, Laura and Kate. We ended up waiting 40 minutes at 10:30 on 08/08/08 and the kids were starving. Kate was super great and we didn't spill anything except the maple syrup!

Tagged by Rachel

I think: About what I should be doing next all the time.
I know: I have an amazing family and husband that loves and supports me and I am blessed every day.
I want: To take Spanish classes and learn as quickly as my children.
I have: Way to much laundry to do all the time.
I wish: I could travel more and help more charities.
I fear: Major health problems.
I smell: The fresh rain smell. It has been sprinkling on and off today.
I crave: Fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden.
I search:For my missing I-pod Shuffle that Avery swears just disappeared three days ago when she was listening to it.
I wonder: Why Avery stays outside playing so long that she can no longer hold her urine and half way pees her pants/shorts/swimsuit almost every day.
I regret: Not figuring out some of Aurora's health problems earlier.
I love: My family and Oregon berry season.
I always: exercise once a day-otherwise I get pretty cranky!
I am not: Tall! I would easily take a few inches from someone who could spare and few!
I believe: In the Book of Mormon and in my family.
I dance: With my kids to Shrek music and the Wedding Singer Broadway musical.
I sing: Songs that my mom taught me and her mom taught her like "Bill Grogan's Goat" and many primary songs.
I write: on my blog, in my journal and in my scrapbooks. (Thanks Rachel)
I lose: Something big every time we move. Last time it was my sleeping bag!
I win: Hang Man with my tutoring students, their eyes staring straight at the word is a dead give away, but I try to let them win sometimes.
I never: Want to back up with a trailer or a boat on the truck-but I have to sometimes.
I listen: To my kids laughing then fighting and laughing and then fighting again.
I am scared: Of the decent size snake that hangs out in our Shasta Daisies.
I need: more time!
I am happy about: Almost everything.

Thanks Rachel! I tag Laura and Beth.