Labor Day Parade

In support of Carmen running for the school board we joined her in the parade. The kids liked being pulled by the tractor and throwing candy. I was over Sawyer on this adventure and was trying to help coach him in throwing candy farther. It's rough getting that candy to people ten feet or more away.

Spencer joined our family and the Sones, who were in town visiting for a missionary preparing to leave.

It's rough being that youngest in a group. Sawyer had quite a few tears between the cousins and friend visiting. He got left out and teased more than seemed fair. But, after I would point things out to Crew, he was much better and including Sawyer.

It was hard to compete with the waterfall of candy coming from the firetruck ahead of us. They threw so much that we would see tons scattered on the road with no one picking them up.

Because we were in the front of the parade we were able to stop at the end and collect some of our own candy. The boys each received neon green/yellow shirts and sunglasses... along with too much candy!

Library: Zoo Friends

Today we went to the library. They had an array of animals, including a Kangaroo. I was shocked when he brought in the alligator! Very cool! I loved that after each animal he explained why the animal was not back out in the wild. All had been illegally obtained as pets and nearly all exhibited some physical aliment that would not allow them to survive if released back into the wild.

Pretend Play

Lots of hitching on and going on adventures. Or as Crew says, "These are hookers."

Oregon Adventure: Driving Home

We got up, hooked up the trailer, Abe pulled someone out, we got out without getting stuck, and we were off to church! Thankfully my Dad had made a delicious cobbler a few nights before and we had taken the warm leftovers to our camp neighbors. I had chatted and mentioned that we were a little nervous about getting stuck on Sunday. Well, kind acts can go a long way! Everyone got up and moved their vehicles out of the way for us to plow through! We then gave them all of our leftover fire wood. They told us to come back and join them next year. 

We made it to church just as they were singing and we were able to sneak in by Grandma and Grandpa. The ward was so tiny! As soon as sacrament was over the bishop was down asking if we were all new to the area. I bet they would have been excited for more kids since I think I counted maybe 5!

I then pulled out sandwich making material and we all made our lunches to go. My parents headed out to Crater Lake and we went to the dump station before heading towards home. Luckily the fires were under control so we could go the shorter route. 

The boys were tickled to have their new ctr rings from their grandparents!

Mt Shasta. We were at 3,000 ft and Mt Shasta's peak is 14,000. It was huge!

This was one long road! It was straight but went up and down. 

 We could tell when we were getting close to the fires because we could see the choppers. There was a lot of damage and the forest was burnt clear up and around many structures. Kudos to all of the firemen that fought hard to save everyones' homes!

We made it home in about 10 hours. Pretty good time! Camille and Gregg made it home earlier in the day and my parents finished the drive the next day. It was a great adventure and I loved every minute of it!! I can't wait for our next family adventure!!

Oregon Adventure: Day 4

The boys are so exhausted by the end of each day, that they are sleeping very well into the morning hours. Between 8 and 9 are regular occurrences. Then it's breakfast time!

 After breakfast I asked Abe to take me on an adventure. The boys stayed with Grandma. My Dad came with Abe and I. We stopped at several lakes and enjoyed the beauty around us. There are crazy amounts of rolling sand dunes. Many of them are really steep on one side and more gradual on the other. None of them are as tall as Sand mountain though.  The actual allowed riding space is very small compared to the overall size of the dunes. They stretch for miles up and down the coast!

Abe and I wanted our picture taken. We asked this guy, who we had been chatting with, to snap one on my phone. Most hilarious thing I have ever watched. He put the phone up to his eye, he held it backwards, he had his finger on the whole. Finally I held up the phone to show him how to take a picture. he figured it out and was able to get one of Abe and I. Oh the characters we meet!

There were some awesome paths that went through the trees. This one was by far my favorite. I had to stop mid descent to snap a picture.

 When we got back to camp the kids were happy, dirty, and smiling because Grandma gave them soda! I was happy that the had fun!

After lunch we decided to go and do something. We went into Reedsport to check out some of the local sites. This little place sculptures out of wood with a chainsaw. Very cool to watch.

Next we checked out the Elk reserve. I may have been showing the boys what noise an elk makes while we drove. As soon as we took Sawyer out of the car he covered his ears in anticipation. But none of the elks bugled.

Crew picked a flower for me and requested that I put it behind my ear. I love that sweet boy!

Next my parents went to check into their hotel and we went to the pier.

Then of course we had one last beach visit while the tide was going out. Abe and my Dad went on some quick rides and then came to join us.
Sawyer and Crew were having to much fun chasing waves and splashing in the water. Sawyer fell in, up to his chest, several times and didn't seem to mind.

Abe went hunting for shells and found the largest, whole clam shell.

The moon was huge, again! I loved watching it come up over the mountain.