Jen's Bridal Shower

JEN & MIKE

Jen is getting married and we are all excited!!! This weekend Jen came home with her fiance to have a little party and get pictures done. It was a fun, fast and furious weekend. They took great pictures and we had a good turn out at the bridal shower. The food was so good and the girls loved seeing their Aunt beam with happiness. Congrats Jen and Mike!! This post is primarily for Jen's sister's that could not be here. We missed you all: J.J., Julie, Jill and Amber.

Oh how cute!

We had the bridal shower outside because the weather was so beautiful.

Gannon loved the party.

The fruit.

Oh so very good.

Great honeydoo.

Delicious brownies.

The 4 bridesmaids ran the show.

Friends: The Lakes.

Opening one of her gifts.

Can you guess what it was?

Mom with her grand babies.

Jen was radiant. She is very happy.

Eating a little of the food.

Loading her mouth with gum from one of the games that the girls did.

I can't help throwing these pictures in of him. He just started to walk.

These cute measuring spoons.

Ash and Will.

The whole group together!

Happy days are ahead.

The Lake House

My friend called and asked us to come out to her lake house for a couple of days. I hadn't been in 7 years with all of lifes demands, so I was very excited to go and have the kids play in the sand and water for 2 days. They had a wonderful time with each other. The weather was perfect. Thank you Sarah for a great 2 days.

The kids playing Twister.

The boys loved this game.

Carter was the captain of this paddle boat. He loved it.

Here he is taking the kids on a tour of the docks.

Gannon and Madalyn out on the dock.

Matt was unable to get up on this machine 7 years ago. Finally, he did it this time. It was like riding a bike, he remembered everything that didn't happen last time and got right up this time!!

I love this picture because all of the kids are doing something different.

Carter snapping his life jacket, Hayden walking on to the deck, Paige waiting for Matt to be ready, Madalyn talking to Matt, Bailey ready to jump on this water craft and Matt starting the engine.

Oh Yeah!! Hold on Madalyn.

Hayden is having a blast. Look at those 2.

Paige loved riding with her Dad.

Madalyn really enjoyed this paddle board.

The big tube.

Carter on "his" paddle boat.

Matt got the rope wound up in the engine of this ski doo. Sarah and I had to hold it up while he unwrapped the rope.

Look at those muscles!

Paige loved the sand.

Kris, Sarah and I.

That sunscreen in the bottom of this picture is a must.

Sarah and I.

Madalyn enjoyed floating on the water right before we left.

Bailey loved trying everything at the Lake House. She is fearless.

Gannon was such a good boy. Paige gave him a lot of attention. He really liked sitting on the trampoline.

Carter was very cold, but he finally got into the water on the day that we left.

I drove to Eugene for the night and Gannon loved Grandma's little pool. Isn't he precious.

My very helpful daughter!

Madalyn sat in the pool with Gannon.

Madalyn and Gannon.

Hayden loved swimming in G & Gs pool.

Carter ready to jump back in.

Brothers.

When I got home, Matt had painted our headboard that we had bought at a garage sale. I have never had a head/foot board and so we were pretty excited to find this for $75 and paint it black. Thank you honey!

Madalyn sewing pajama bottoms for personal progress.

She loves to sew.

Carter just started to play tackle football. He is so so sore. Poor kid!!

Carter's First Official Scouting Overnighter

Being the 11 year old scout leader for Troop 288 might seem like a lot of work but when you only have two scouts it is kind of nice and laid back. Luckily for these two scouters their fathers enjoy backpacking. Beyond the flag raising, rocket making and other fun things we had planned this summer was there first official backpacking trip that we had scheduled for the middle of July. Not knowing where to go I looked to my trusted companion, sidekick and friend Rich Simons who quickly decided on a perfect 12 mile backpacking trek that to this day put the fear of death in my heart. For these true scouters it was just another day at the park. Eagle Creek trail is in the gorgeous Columbia Gorge. The trail head starts near the Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery. It hits about 6-7 waterfalls as you wind around different ravines and trails that eventually make there way to Mt. Hood. It was a wonderful hike that we all enjoyed and will never forget. All the boys: Carter, Hayden and Ethan did an outstanding job.

Ethan, Carter and Hayden with their packs ready to head out.

They seem so refreshed and eager to go.

After the normal whines and complains

they seemed to settle down and just hike.

Hayden to your left...that boy has energy.

He could have carried my pack. He definitely likes the front of the pack.

Here is Punch Bowl Falls. It was a good

stopping point to rest and eat a healthy snickers bar. I love hiking!

Here I am crossing one of many bridges....

Here is looking down off the foot bridge into the ravine. Yes it was quite a drop.

At numerous points along the trail we had to hold on for dear life... I mean...we faced many obstacles and learned a great deal about our inner strength or...we learned a lot about peer pressure... as I would have turned around had it not been for these fearless boys.

Eventually we found a great camping spot 4 miles in and broke for camp. Here the boys just finished putting up our tent.

After breaking camp we hiked another four miles to take in more waterfalls. It was worth every step.

Getting closer to the big daddy waterfall "Tunnel Falls"

The video speaks for itself!

The boys and I in front of Tunnel Falls. Yes we are standing on a cliff.

Returning to camp Rich and I heated some water and we all feasted on some great dehydrated meals. I would suggest you mix the spaghetti with the macaroni and cheese hmmmmmm!

After dinner we went down to the river to water up.

The boys loved the water filter kits.

Some call them burnt smores... Carter calls them well done and delicious. Nothing like graham crackers, chocolate, marsh mellows and outdoors to make a camping trip. We forgot to bring the Tang.

The end could not have come soon enough. We were all tired and ready to hit the hay. (Notice the hiking stick that Carter packed out. It was a good carving activity. He kept all ten fingers.) Please don't think this was a walk in the park. It was so hard that we had to head straight to DQ before heading home just to gain the strength to make it home.

Haaaaa....... one hike down...How many more to go???????????