If the going gets rough - get a SUSANNA

I don't know if you call it wimping out or getting smart...but getting a nanny this summer will go down in our book of BEST THINGS EVER!

When I look back to the beginning of summer and think that I ever resisted the idea of a "little" help - I'm just grateful for a wonderful and persistent husband who sometimes knows best.

One of the best parts of our summer was when we got Susanna. She was more than a "little" help - this girl saved me and helped make our summer sunny and bright. She sacrificed 3 mornings of sleep a week to come over for a few hours and be whatever we needed - a ride for someone somewhere, an errand runner, a babysitter (so mom could get away), an extra set of hands on fun outings, a housekeeper, a berry picker, a cookie baker, and a wonderful playmate. My kids absolutely love her and I think she will forever be my hero.

I wish we had taken more pictures. But we will always remember our summer with Susie!

I know she will probably never know what she did for me this summer and just how much she meant...I can only hope that someday when she needs it the most, she will have a Susanna in her life. We love you and we'll miss you Susanna. Good luck at college.

The Scenes of Summer '09

Wolf Badge
Our family attended the Pack Meeting in August (which is a regular occurrence since I am a den leader) where we got to see Caden awarded his Wolf merit badge. Of course there is always a little help from mom when boys earn anything in scouting...but Caden was very good about tracking his achievements and getting his requirements earned. He's off to a good start and graduating up to the Bear Den.

Cade getting his Wolf badge and 3 arrow points from the Cub Master at our outdoor/park Pack Meeting.

Beavers Baseball Game
My parents pulled together a BIG family night for everyone at the ballpark. Papa got a suite and we all enjoyed a little baseball together at the Portland Beavers game in August. The kids loved watching the game from up so high. They were also in heaven with all the food and treats their little bodies could consume.
The mascot "Lucky the Beaver" even made it up to the box for a surprise visit.

Cole and Bo learning from the pros

Lukers has seen more ballgames in his short life than he probably cares to count...and he's still smiling about it!

Family picture time during the 7th inning stretch!

Grammy and Papa with all their grand kids.


Cousins Movie Nights

Whether it was a sleepover or just a babysitting trade-off with the cousins, the night always ended with popcorn and a movie in the dark.

College Football

Go Cougars! We LOVED watching BYU beat Oklahoma over Labor Day weekend for the season opener. It's going to be a good year to be a cougar fan! A perfect way for our sports-a-holic family to spend the day saying goodbye to a great summer and welcome fall.

Summer Fun at Black Butte

Summer would not be complete without a trip (or two) to Black Butte Ranch. Every year I threaten to just take the kids and go live there all summer long...one of these years, I just might! Grammy and Papa's Black Butte house is our family's FAVORITE place on earth all year long, but summers there are just the BEST!

With endless miles of trails, one of our favorite things to do is go for bike rides. We had to be a little creative in order to get the whole family out for a ride together, but where there is a will, there is a way. I got a good leg workout pulling Bo and Luke behind in the cart. Cole loved riding in the seat on the back of Bart's bike.

Even with our crazy crew, there is plenty of R&R that goes on...relaxing in the hot tub and hanging out on the deck watching the golfers play by.

Spending hot afternoons at the pool are a given.

Caden discovered his love for Italian Sodas (or "Australian Sodas" as he kept accidently calling them) that they sell at the pool cafe.

Bo loved playing in the bubblers and fountains where he could "ninja fight" the water.

Our second trip in August included a few days with friends. We were quite amazed that we were able to schedule it and acutally make it work out, but even more happy to have them join us and share some great times and fun memories.

Ty and his buddy wait underneath the fountain for the big water dump.

A little afternoon guy-time on the putting green at the golf course

You know your friends are great when their teenager lets your 3 year old lick & stick fruit snacks to his face!

As Luke displays...It was so much fun...we came home all wiped out!

It's amazing how a quiet little ranch in Central Oregon can be so much fun. I know the draw for us is more than just fun outdoor activites. It's the family time spent together - just being US. I hope Black Butte will forever have a special meaning to my boys through the years. I love having this place to go to and comparing adventures and pictures year after year. I love everything our summer getaways to Black Butte create for our family.

Just a walk in the park

It's a rare thing to have Bart around on Sundays with his church calling as Bishop of our ward, so when it happens, we like to make the most of it. Last Sunday we spent the afternoon walking the trails at Tryon Creek State Park. It brought back memories for Bart (mostly unpleasant ones) as this park is adjacent to the law school he attended here in Oregon (and he used to take study breaks to walk the trails and clear his tired brain!). It was a beautiful Sunday and a great way to spend the day together.

We're not sure what this green, turfy blob was along the trail (sometimes in Oregon...you just don't ask...I think they call it art!) but the boys had fun trying to stand on it and even more fun trying to push each other off it!

Luke, smiling as usual and just enjoying the ride.

Cole was happy since we brought sunflower seeds to eat along the walk. Once those were gone, we exhausted all the leftover diaper bag snacks. Whatever works! On the way back to the car, Bo's legs finally gave out. So Cole went into the pack on Bart's back and Bo rode in the double stroller with Luke - we came prepared with every child-carrying device - and with all our kids...we needed every seat!

Sweatband Man

Cole has a little addiction - to sweatbands! On a daily basis he finds them in his brothers drawers and wears them "his" way. The headbands around the neck and wristbands all up the right arm! He can usually be found this way by 9am every day and if anyone tries to remove them - you'll hear about it! He throws such a fuss when they have to be removed, I will admit that I have let him wear them in public on an occasion or two. The total sweatband count is around 9 or 10. Although they catch more drool than sweat - to Cole they are a necessary part of his daily attire. We all get a kick out of how he acts so normal about it. It's no joke to him - just his daily routine.
While it's goofy and often a pain to pick up the sweatbands from all over the house throughout the day, like any childhood phase, we'll miss it when it's over!

The Never Ending Baseball Season...

...has come to an end in a BIG way! These little sluggers won 2nd Place in the Midget National State Championship!! Caden's and his team lost the first game of the State tournament and then continued to play their hearts out, grinding, battling and fighting their way through the entire losers bracket into the championship game - although they didn't come out on top in the standings, these little players showed a lot of heart and to us, they are CHAMPIONS!

The team celebrates their victory. They also won the tournament sportsmanship award - Go wolves!

The tournament took place in Eugene, OR (2 hours away). Bart made arrangements for he and Cade to stay overnight with friends for the weekend. Initially I thought I would keep posted on the team's success through phone calls and texts from Bart and maybe find a way to hit a game or two. But when the start of the tournament came, I just couldn't gut it out - I realized just how deep my love for my boys and sports (the combo is the best) runs through me. I HAD to be there!! (No wonder I was sent 5 boys - I just can't get enough of it!) So, with thanks to a reliable car that withstood a lot of miles put on it, Tom & Jerry movies played in the back of the car to help pass the time, 4 VERY understanding and awesome little brothers that were road-trip troopers, and a WONDERFUL MOM of mine who is so supportive of her grandkids and is such a life-saver to me who came along to every game - we were able to make the drive each day, win after win, to witness the magic and fun of a team of little boys who never gave up and gave a great effort. It sounds dramatic, I know, but you should have been there!

Our slugger was a clutch hitter all season and batted lead-off for his team - nice line drive by #4!

A little pep talk from Coach Mark before an at-bat

Cole didn't even make it to the car to crash - he was so tired after a game.

Caden with his team buddies and their trophy

Experiences like this don't come everyday. I am excited that Caden and his team got to enjoy such a great season and special final weekend. It was a joy for our whole family. Now, on to enjoying the rest of the summer, without practices and games! A big shout out to my wonderful sister and her kids as well as my amazing Dad who made to long trip to come watch a game as well. I can't imagine life without the love and support of my great family.

Celebratin' the Red, White and Blue

Red juicy watermelon, sunburned faces, sparklers, ketchup on BBQed hotdogs
White cool whipped cream on berries, flashes of fireworks, smeared sunscreen
Blue clear skies, popsicle lips, and sweet blueberries

...all things that help make the Fourth of July one of our family's favorite holidays. This year's celebration started at the church for a yummy breakfast with ward friends.

The church breakfast traditionally includes a bike parade for the kids - with lots of reminders from the parents that it is NOT a race! Bo made it half way around the parking lot and announced that he "won" while the oldest two, Cade and Ty never did stop circling the route until it was time to leave.

Next activity on the holiday schedule - Neighborhood parade! This is one done up right, with the fire and police departments, hot rod cars, the Bridgeport Bulldog (our kids elementary school mascot), stilts, scooters, golf carts, stroller and LOTS and LOTS of bikes. Our kids rode their bikes up to the starting point ahead of us to make sure they got to the front of the bike line, right behind the banner.

Luke enjoyed the parade from inside the shaded stroller.

Cole is thrilled to exhibit his Red, White and Blue (even the binky coordinated) - can't you tell!

Then off the grandma and grandpa's pool for an evening swim and BBQ with good friends.

Finally, the fireworks!
Always a "BLAST" for boys and a great way to end a long, hot, fun day of celebrating family, friends and our FREEDOM!

Happy Birthday America!