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.

Friends

Avery and her little friend Max constantly crack us up. They played and played on the shore of Hagg Lake while we tubed and skiied. We put three little four year olds on the tube. That was entertaining!

We had an adventurous bike ride a few weeks ago at Mission State Park. This park has some beautiful trails right along the Willamette river. Avery attempted to ride her bike but only lasted about 5 minutes before she wanted to hop in the bike trailer with her cousin Quinn. There were many trails closed because the streams had flooded a lot of the area. We found a amazing spot where the grass was as tall as most of the kids and they played and played.

We have spent many hours in the last two weeks on Hagg Lake. We just bought a boat and have been loving it. The girls love the three person tube and so do the adults for that matter. Last week my sister Robyn and I were riding it with Myah in the middle. We hit some waves and bounced up and down like crazy. I don't think I have laughed that hard since Audrey told me Homer Simpson was talking to her in her dreams! Dave hit some waves just right and Robyn went flying off her side with her legs skyward which off balanced me just enough to throw me off. Myah looked as happy as a calm sitting there on huge tube all by herself. We had a grea time pulling Dave, Nate and Mark all at once too.



So Aurora is a little too young to drive, but she had her chance on the beach a a few weeks ago while her uncle Mark let her drive all over the beach. She had a great time. Watch out Danika Patrick!

Greenie

OK-So I had to convince myself to be part of the blogging scene, but after seeing so many amazing blogs I had to join the crowd. I have to admit,I was reluctant, but I was purely inspired by many of you and your pictures, children, families and goals.
We had a crazy Fourth of July, packed full of many great things. First, we went to the Hillsboro parade where our kids had an overdose of candy. We left there a little early to drive to St. Paul for the rodeo. Dave and my kids-minus Myah- loved the carnival food. You can't go wrong with a big greasy elephant ear-can you? The rodeo was completely entertaining, pure Western Americana at its best. Calf roping, bull riding, wild horse saddling, barrell racing and the list goes on. We left there to head to Oak Hills park to meet my sister Laura, her husband Ryan and cute almost one year old Kate for fireworks. We burned a few hours running, playing tag, horse, frisbee, wiffle ball and believe it or not during the fireworks and 10:15 Avery was still jumping up and down saying, "This is the best Fourth of July ever!" I don't know if she even remembers last years Fourth at the ripe old age of three. It was a great night and everyone fell asleep in the car except Dave!