Astoria Trip - Goonie Town!

Time is looming over us with how little we have left here in Oregon.  So we took a quick trip to Astoria to check out all the to-do's about it.  It was an on again off again rainy day which was very fitting for Oregon of course.  (Funny how being out in the rain doesn't bother me so much anymore after moving here.)  

We left right after breakfast and Ruby snoozed the whole way - side note - Both kids caught a small case of the croop the week before...seriously?  Not fun.  Ross got treated right away, but when we took Ruby in, I had to give a little extra encouragement in giving her the dexamethazone she would need to kick in that night so she could breathe better.  Funny how we moms get when our kids get sick.  So Ross and Rubes had little leftover coughs.  Ruby slept the whole way to Astoria - two hours which was GREAT for her.  Ross even took a little snoozer too.  Our GPS took us a non-highway route saying it was faster.  It may have been faster...but it was WAY windier.  I got a massive headache and was borderline nauseous while by the end Ross was complaining about his tummy too which convinced Daddy to take the turns slower.  While the route was nauseating, the view was GORGEOUS.  The trees were EVERY color and there were so many cute little houses and farms along the way.  

We were going to go out for lunch when we first got there, but my stomach was still recovering so we headed of the Astoria Column first.  We packed the kids up the stairs and got a good view from the top.  I handed my camera to Steve to take a picture of me and Ruby, and when he reached out to grab it I noticed his hand was shaking quite a bit.  I looked at his face and he had this nervous attempting-to-reassure-me-he's-fine grin. 
"Are you okay?," I said. 
 His reply, " Yeah I'm good." 
"You feeling the heights a little bit?"
"Maybe"...."You ready to go back down Ross?" (asked a little too excitedly)
 

There were bridges everywhere - so pretty!  This bridge actually takes you into Washington.

The column - 164 steps - woohoo baby!  I strapped all 22lbs of Ruby on me, Steve lugged Ross's 33lbs, and we made it!

Both Steve and Ross were a bit nervous here

It was windy if you can't tell ;)

Can you tell Steve's a little nervous?  He has Ross pinned against the wall as far away from the railing as he could get. Haha!

When we got back to the bottom he then said he could just visualize his top being too heavy, thus throwing him over the (rather tall) railing at the top (which he also entitled "the ledge" since he felt there wasn't enough space up there either).  My husband is adorable.

Fun family pic!

Cute boy in a bear hat on a green hill.

We grabbed our magnet for our signature collection and found a delicious restaurant called the Bridgewater Bistro my friend Marci recommended.  The setting was beautiful right on the docks with some sweet toys for Ross to play with.  We got their fish 'n chips, clam chowder, and a grilled cheese sandwich with fruit for Ross (I know -he gets his own food these days).  DELICIOUS.  Their ciabatta bread was THE best too.  Ross and Ruby behaved really well there and were even complimented on it by a few strangers (a proud parent moment).  They had a fireplace with couches and a glass window in the floor you could look down (which had a skeleton).  Ross kept wanting to run over and look at it, or sit on a couch and gaze into the fire (how old is this kid while he ponders the wonders of life while staring into a fire?).  We practically licked our plates and then decided to head for the Goonie house.  It was pouring again, but no big deal.
 

"Hey You Guuuuyyys!!!"

The Goondocks

These were some SWEET bird feeders.  There were all sorts of birds hanging out there.

I preferred these two birds the most.

We found the house, but also found someone lived there so you could just look at it from the outside.  Still awesome - and even more so that they publicize that house in Astoria.  Hilarious.
 

The authentication

Oregon fall colors rock!

While we were walking back down to our car we heard some sea lions roaring so we decided to track them down.  We found them, and they were HUGE!  Also - there were barges everywhere - another sweet part of Astoria.
 

So the sea lions are the blobs across the water just before the boats.  This was as close as we could get.

Having fun!

Gotta have some Daddy Daughter love :)

Ross wanted to go to the zoo so we told him the sea lions were our zoo portion of the trip.  

By this time it was around 4 and so we decided to check out the Columbia Maritime Museum.  It was pretty sweet looking, but $12 per person.  Since it closed in an hour, we decided to save it for another time to visit.  We were also disappointed to find out the trolley was also closed.  More reason to come back!
 

Ruby had some issues keeping her socks on...we saved her socks about seven times that day from being lost.

Evidence that she has no socks

She really didn't want them on!  But it was chilly - and she wouldn't keep her blanket on either.  Hence the grumpiness.  Oh yeah - and she didn't get her second nap.

We took a walk around the docks and decided to head home stopping in Seaside for a little beach taste.  
 

Steve was obsessed with these barges.  He kept saying, "I just can't believe how big these barges are!"...."Stace, seriously - these barges are HUGE!"..."Look at those barges!"... I think he kind of thought they were cool or something. :)

Steve and his barges...

Anchor's away!

 

A Beach stop at Seaside!

Some swingin' at the beach too.

Contemplating our great trip to Astoria - filled with wonders. :)

It was a GREAT family trip.  I love making memories like these. :) 

Conference and Family Home Evening and I'm an Aunt!!

So our Church has what's called a General Conference twice a year, when our beloved Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and Apostles all speak to us and share the Doctorine and counsel to strengthen our testimonies and help each of us with whatever we may be going through as well as guide us to how we need to live our lives in line with the Savior's.  It's like Christmas for me.  As a kid - it just seemed like a LOT of church since it spans over two days with 5 two hour sessions.  These days is seems to go by SO fast and I catch so little of it the first time around since we're wrangling kids while we try to watch.  

We got to have Steve home for the weekend so he cooked us a delicious pancake breakfast before it started and we enjoyed soaking in all the talks that were given.  I know that we have a Prophet on the earth today.  A modern day one.  I know that we have the true Priesthood and authority within Christ's true church, and I know that the only way to be happy is to follow our Savior's example and cherish our families always.  Everything else in life seems to fade away or become unimportant compared to the everlasting Gospel that is offered to us.  It's the way to make us better and more perfected as we strive to progress throughout our lives.  

This is our United States pancake - yes it was delicious

Enjoying the spread

It was a wonderful weekend and I can't wait to go back and read these talks again.

We've also been trying to have better family home evenings once a week.  We've done pretty well the last few weeks including parading the Title of Liberty around our house (aka we covered our broom with paper towels) proclaiming "Title of Liberty!" Ross LOVED it - especially the running part. Holding to the rod (aka using our vacuum cord to lead Ross to his toy box where fruit snacks awaited him), and last night, The Loaves and the Fisheswhich Ross again loved since it involved Goldfish. :)  

Ruby REALLY wanted some too

Ross was SO happy there ended up being more than enough of the five "loaves" and two "fish" to share with everyone. :)

He's doing well learning the scripture stories and knowing more who Jesus is.  It touches my heart in every way.  This week I keep catching him singing "I am a Child of God" which is the most beautiful thing in the world.  He has such a sweet spirit about him.  How can you not believe in God when you see these beautiful children?  They are so beautifully innocent and perfect.  I'm so grateful to have a testimony that there IS in fact a God, our Heavenly Father who loves each one of us and wants us to learn and grow, go through good times and bad, so that we may be like Him someday and return to Him.  He truly hears and answers our prayers.  I love Him with all my heart.  

Also - I'm FINALLY an aunt!  It only took almost 30 years!  My brother-in-law and sister-in-law just had their first boy, Alex, on the 4th of October.  He's got a bunch of hair and is adorable.  So happy for them.  And SO glad to have another cute baby in the family and not be the one going through labor for it. :)

 
Oh how I love my life!

Teaching Pre-School and Having Some Laughs

First - so aren't my kids to DIE FOR CUTE?!!  Just had to put that out there. :)

I immediately ate them up after this picture. :)

 
So last week was my turn to teach our little pre-school we've had going for our toddlers.  I got to be the assistant the week before and was able to get some good observing in before deciding how to tackle planning my own week.  

I will admit - I went a little crazy.  It was like my teacher side had been cooped up far too long and went ravenously overboard as I dusted off my lesson planning techniques.  So, of course the first day was a bit manic with all the stuff I planned to do (remember this is really just a glorified play group for the most part with some structural learning time).  I decided to go with the theme of autumn and winter (we also got to choose what we wanted to teach - totally liberating).  

We talked about what it looks like and feels like outside when it turns to autumn and focused a lot on the colors the leaves turn and how we dress.  They loved the dressing up part - and the songs.  I even found a beloved old kindergarten song that has somehow stayed with me my entire life that we sang and danced to called Mr. Wind is a Mischief - go to minute 1.41 for the song.  It was a definite success.
 

The bunch spreading out what to wear in Autumn.

Yes - we learned about the letter "I" as well.  So we had to have "I" cookies! (I know - you want to be in my pre-school - it's okay)

Ross was, of course, clingy to me the whole time while I was trying to teach.  What is it about sharing your mom that is so hard especially when he uses so much selective hearing with me when he's got me along? ;)

The second day went a bit chiller - the kids were happier, and I think I tamed my inner-crazy-teacher more - thank goodness.  We reviewed a little more on autumn and put leaves on and took them off of a felt tree I made and then went into winter - building playdough snowman (Once There Was a Snowman song included) and having paper snowball fights.  
 

I love these kiddos!  Caleb, Davin, Naomi, Wes, Ross, Jack, Carter, and Brooklyn

Snack time is the one time EVERYONE is calm and quiet while they munch down their food while on their circles.

My felt tree ;)

It was definitely much different teaching 2 year olds as opposed to 6 year olds - but they did really well.  Ross loves pre-school.  When you ask him what his favorite part was every time it's when they got to play with the toys and he had some sort of truck during that time.  I've been trying to marry his passion of trucks to more educational things so I came up with the idea of a matching alphabet and truck card game.  I found all the pictures I needed and then utilized my friend, Kim's designing talents to create the cards.  Success!  Ross LOVES them and he's enjoying our alphabet games much more. ;)  If you'd like me to send you a set you can print off yourself just message me and I'll email them.  I just printed them on cardstock, cut them out and laminated them.  Brilliant!  I need to some up with a set for numbers now. :) 

Here's a sample of them. :)

I also was asked by the Relief Society (women's organization within our Church) to do a presentation on writing your personal history.  I found this assignment to be very broad and was all over the place deciding where to take it in order to motivate people to just write things about their lives.  So I scoured over my 15+ journals (yes I was a good journal writer back in the day....until I got married and had someone to talk to before I went to bed each night - that journal is about halfway through from the past 5 years - embarrassing) and found some examples to use - my first journal entry ever was actually 22 years ago in 3 days - Oct 15th, 1991 - it read as follows:
"Dear Journal,
I'm in second grade.  My teache's name is Mrs. Phillips.  I'm on the second row.  I had to trade places with Malinda.  And I sit close to Chelsie.  I have a boyfriend named Eric.  He is Chelsie's boyfriend too.  P.S.  Miss Sabie is too (my teacher).  I chase Eric almost everyday.  I know his phone number.  Well - good-by for now."

Everything and more right?  I had a good laugh reading how my words and tone would change over the years.  My teenage years sound EXACTLY like teenage years and are filled with all that drama you would think of as well.  

Anyway - after all my research and reflecting, I realized I'm not a fabulous writer.  I don't write in a whole variety of ways.  I'm extremely wordy and probably add way more details than anyone (including myself) probably cares to read at times, but the whole point of writing about your life is to help someone else get a taste of what it was like to be you.  It's YOUR life.  So write it like you own it! :)

We had a great turnout for the activity and hopefully I didn't stumble too much over myself.

Anyway - in between all this, Ross, Ruby and I mostly chilled, planned Halloween costumes (Ruby had some great insights.  Ross was also very supportive), and had some laughs. :)

A visit to our old Parkview Apartment complex - I LIVED for these trees turning all golden yellow in the fall.  Still do :)

Swingin'

Headin' to the farmer's market again. :)

One of the trips headed to pre-school!

My TERRIBLE phone camera botching a perfect picture!

Keeping Ruby contained

Ross got a special present from Grammy and Papa Staheli - he LOVES it - especially poking and whacking things...watch out Rubes! His ADORABLE Halloween monster PJ's are also courtesy of Grammy Joanne.  We LOVE grandparents in this house! ;)

We Oregonians are a bit sun deprived here.  Ruby is exploring one of our sunnier days. :)

We went to get Ruby up from her nap and Ross wanted to visit his old stomping grounds.

Sibling love!

These faces are PRICELESS.  I love Ruby's giant foot in the corner too.  It was time to get real clothes on that day so we stripped them down!

Bath time!

This girl had to get her bath shots too!

Baby bum shot!

Ross was helping Ruby finish some banana

We had lots of story times as well.  Llama Llama Red Pajama is a fav.

Rain and Romance

Our rainy season has begun, so of course we had to dance in it!  Ross LOVES jumping in puddles (I say that like no other kid in the world likes it too).  Since it was one of Steve's random schedule weeks of being gone, Ross and I took advantage of Ruby's nap time and headed outside to break in our rain boots for the year.  
 

"Let's do this mom!"

Every once in a while I get a really good pic - this is one of them. :)  He's GORGEOUS!

Nothin' like an umbrella while you're singin' in the rain.

Great postcard picture right? :)

It wasn't very cold, just incredibly rainy and wet.  Ross's favorite puddle is located near our mailboxes...I should really call it a small pond for toddlers.  You can see now why he likes it right?  We tromped through it, stomped, jumped, hopped, and skipped (well he's still learning) while singing, "The Ants Go Marching" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" at the top of our lungs.  We also found a sweet awesome worm that was trying to find a place to hang out during the downpour.  Our activity would go as follows: stomp around the puddle while singing one of our songs, remember the worm, run back to check on him to make sure he was still there, followed by another round of jumping in the puddle.  Repeat, repeat, repeat.  
 

Ross in our miniature pond of a puddle!

Love the raindrops all around him.

Sportin' the soaked pants and trying to let the rain actually get directly in the boots. :)

A pretty fun day!

Once I noticed Ross's pants looking especially soaked (I decided toddler rain boots should really be waders if you even hope to have your kid come out of puddle jumping undrenched.) I thought we should probably call it quits even though he wasn't complaining about his pants clinging to his legs.  We made it inside and de-rainified our attire.  As I went to pull off Ross's boots, I heard some sloshing around.  I looked in both of them and AT LEAST 1/3 of his boots were filled with water.  (I think even a week later, his boots STILL are drying out.)  You see why toddlers should have waders now?  I poured out the water - it was like in the movies where it's like a never-ending fountain streaming from your boots, and completely changed Ross's clothes since nothing really made it without part of all of it getting wet.  

Afterwards we just HAD to enjoy some hot chocolate.  Ross was EXTREMELY excited about this.  Especially since our Cocoamotion (anyone who loves hot chocolate should have one of these) wasn't so noisy like our blender is.  Then, when he actually tasted it, he died and went to heaven.  He keeps asking for it now - like it should be a staple in our house (well - truthfully I'd also like it to be a staple here...my hips can't afford it though).  I think he also liked having it in a mug.  

This kid is the pro at making hot chocolate. :)  Just ask him for some - I'm pretty sure he'd share. :)

Sampling the goods

Yum!

Ready for more

Ross is pointing out that my hot chocolate is "hot."  Thanks for the heads up buddy! :)  Headband piece bestowed upon me by my husband!  Love him!

Well when it rains and it's nap time, and you're a stay at home mom - sometimes you just have to give in to the guilty pleasure romance novel!  I got sucked into the book Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - it was clean, in the 1800's, and a bit cheesy - hence the guilty pleasure.  Since it was written by someone nowadays some of the dialogue and descriptions didn't really match the tone and culture of the time period.  I liked it nonetheless.  

Of course I finished it in the middle of the night (since the build up for the relationship went all the way to the end) and then promptly woke Steve up demanding he give me a romantic good night kiss which then was followed by my interrogating him as to why he doesn't constantly write me passionate love letters or poems about my beauty and how captivating I am.  When he finally woke up enough and realized I had been reading a romance novel, he just laughed at me and told me not to be silly - that he loves me all the time.  I then told him he better start wooing me again and planning romantic dates.  I'll let you know how it turns out. ;)