Salem, Oregon... and the big Mountain Biking adventure!

We've had a great Summer so far. The kids got out of school early to take a trip. to Salem, Oregon, for Memorial day weekend.

We met up with friends from Seattle and Keith's brother and family. The boys mountain biked, and we all hung out at hotel pools and parks and the mall, etc. Here we are at McDonald's after a night of swimming.

Keith ready to mountain bike with his buddies. He left Arnold at home with Grandpa.

We had the royal treatment... grandpa's breakfast and cousin time.

That day the rest of us went to the Carousel in Salem and the neighboring park. The kids had lots of fun!

Driving to Oregon

We just drove to Oregon Wed afternoon and Thursday. We had a great trip. So glad to be here at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Here are a few photos from our drive. Emma took them with her camera. My camera was packed away.

LDS Twin Falls temple

 I made a pact with some of the Mia Maids that we would visit all the temples in the world! I know it's a lofty goal, but I'm putting it on my bucket list. We've driven by this temple many times but this is the first time we stopped.

Tate the reporter.

Emma with her funny glasses!

We stayed at the KOA campgrounds Wednesday night in Twin Falls. They have a cabin option. It was really quite comfortable  and reasonably priced and we were able to have Arnold with us.

The next day we had 10 hours to get to the Portland airport to pick up Keith who had been on business in Cleveland and Philadelphia. We had plenty of time so we stopped to see the Boise temple and the Multonamah Falls. Arnold also needs to stopped more, too.

Arnold enjoyed the temple grounds, too.

LDS Boise temple.

It was a beautiful day!

 

The other side with a tiny Emma.

So beautiful and very, very rainy!

I guess I should add a few things here, too. There was a beautiful husky, wolf, something else mixed dog. I asked to see if Arnold could meet this dog. It was a very aggressive dog and Arnold got all worked up and somehow he got out of his collar. Then I was chasing Arnold trying to catch him to put his collar back on. A bit of a comedy! Oh well.

We've always wanted to stop and see the falls, so this was fun. 

The worse part ended up being Tate's allergic reaction to petting the other dog. He sneezed and sneezed in the car and his eyes were all bloodshot. I felt so bad for him... because I've been there! Finally, when we were parked waiting for dad's plane to land, I poured some rain water from a top of a plastic bin (in the back of the truck) on his face and gave him a Claritin. He recovered soon after. Phew.

All in all, it was a fun day. Glad to have made it in one piece! We even made it on time to pick up Keith.

Wasatch track day

Unfortunately or fortunately... you could look at it both ways... I didn't get any pictures of the track meet, but here are a few after pics... not pretty. My sweet Emma has quite the big heart. I love this girl.

The first time Arnold was aloud in her room.
It didn't last long. He couldn't  sit still.

The flesh wounds.

So many good reasons for her to be just like me
... just not this one. Oh well.

I almost forgot to write about the reason for the skinned knees. Emma was all ready to go in her heat for the 50 meter dash. There were about 7 heats altogether. Her's was the second. She was off to a great start and fell right in the middle of it all. I was cheering.... then I was walking down to the track to my heart broken little girl as she was being bandaged by the teachers on hand. Her knees looked awful, and I know she felt awful inside, too. She, however, as always, was undaunted and kept her head held high. This is one strong cookie! I love her so much.

Pioneer Day

Today was Pioneer Day for fourth graders at our elementary school. Emma has been looking forward to this all year! She's wearing my baptism dress... her plan all along. I wish I was a better seamstress, because it did need some altering, but it worked out in the end. My cousin Tami Barnes Winston sewed it for me all those years ago when she spent the Summer at our house.

She had me braid her hair.

We found her bonnet at the gift shop in the Old
Statehouse in Fillmore, Millard County. We went to
Fillmore to  investigate for  her county report.

They had to pack their lunches the same as the
pioneers would have packed their lunches...
hard boiled egg, bread with butter and honey,
an apple and cornbread... all wrapped in
parchment paper... no baggies!

Emma's first post!

Hello peeps, I'm Awesome!!! Because I am ten. Giggle giggle giggle. I love to laugh and it's true. I'm going crazy. Here are some pictures I took with my new camera! Also, I need to post some pics of other gifts I got  from my awesome aunts, uncles and cousins.

Arnold. My cute dog.

I'm being weird.

Mom helped me make these treats for my
Activity Days international activity.  

A gift from my Activity Days leaders.

Hello.

My Awesome dog, Arnold.

Mother's Day 2013

Emma and Tate got together Saturday night to make a plan for Sunday morning. Emma loves planning!!! I did get up before these two, but I was commanded to go back to bed while they got there surprise underway.

Breakfast was delicious.

Tate made this recipe card holder
at Cub Scouts. I've already used it!

Emma bought me beautiful earrings at
her favorite boutique, Harmony. She used part of
her gift card that she got from her birthday. They are
gold with a tree of life. Perfect!

Emma's note: Caring, loving, nice, sings like a bird
everyday. I love you mother.

Tate's note: Mother, I love you.
(I think?)

Utah Lake

Saturday, we went to Utah Lake to do some fishing and swimming. Everything the kids love to do. And it was Arnold's first swim! He did great.

Art Show

Today Tate came home from scouts and informed me that his homework assignment for his English class was to go to the art show at school. Hmm... wasn't really planning on going, but I couldn't get out of this one. Every year the school displays the best works of art from each class. Here are some from Tate and Emma. (Nice smile Emma!)

This kid is always eating! His picture is
directly to the left of his head.

 

Tate's class somehow had all of the art for every student in his class posted!!! I think it depends on how many pictures the room moms are willing to tape to the wall and how big of a space they are given to hang them all.

Emma only had 2 pictures posted and her class had a tiny space for all her classmates. Also, I think she missed a few days where they had projects that she never got to do. I tried to remind her that we had a fabulous time in Hartford this year and to not fret about this art show. She got over it quick as we ran through the rain to our car and headed home for bedtime.