the name is TROUBLE

So Jackson has been walking for a little over a month now. At first it was very exciting - but now - not so much. The boy gets into EVERYTHING!!! He plays in the toilet, un-rolls the toilet paper roll, plays in and drinks out of the dog water, pulls things out of the garbage, then throw things in the garbage that aren't supposed to be thrown away - like toys and clothes. He thinks it is his job to unload the dishwasher -- which I do let him help me when they are clean - but anytime the washer is open he makes a bee-line for it and starts pulling things out - dirty or clean. He loves to pound on the computer key board - popping things up on the screen that I wouldn't know how to get to if I tried.

I am constantly telling him "NO!!" But then he tries to explain himself to me in his own gibberish language and he is so darn cute that I can never be mad at him. He's just driving me a little crazy, but makes me laugh at the same time. :)

Camping Fun!! **warning - lots of pictures!

So last year we started our first "annual Bend trip". Last year however, we stayed in a nice hotel and went swimming in the pool and spa everyday. It was lots of fun, so when Sam suggested we do a Bend trip every summer I was all for it. This year - he planned a camping trip -- a little different than what I was expecting. I am not much of a camper lover but Sam guilted me into it by telling me I'd be depriving the kids of camping childhood memories. SO off we went. We actually ended up camping in La Pine which is about 20 miles out of Bend. It ended up being kinda fun. We did a lot. But I froze at night - 39 degrees at night -- I froze!!! Other than that (and the dirt) - it was a nice trip.

the kids in the hammock - a favorite past time.........

making s'mores (notice Gwen's marshmallow is on fire) .............
Jackson was CONSTANTLY dirty. His walking skills are not yet mastered, so he would fall down every two steps. The most nerve racking was watching him wobble around the fire pit...
the kids love camping......... so I can't complain..............
Jackson roasting his first hot dog..........
Smokey the Bear came and visited our campground -- VERY exciting...........
aren't my boys cute??????
When Smokey came - his crew gave Addie and Gwen these binoculars -- they LOVE them!!
We went to Bend for a Free Concert in the Park.........
We went to the Lava Butte and went to the top........

We went out to the Lava Cast Forrest - it was cool - a bunch of cave type things created from lava encasing trees 6,000 years ago.................

We drove up to the top of a very tall mountian (8,000 up) - it was a little scary having the kids up there and it was cold ........................
We went to the Obsidian Flow -- lots of cool shiny rocks.............

Fun trip -- but glad to be home. :)

Frogalina

The other day Sam and Gwen went fishing. Well, Sam being the Sam that he is, found a half open case of bottled waters out at the lake. Since the bottles of water weren't open Sam decided to bring it home -- he is always bringing home garbage he finds around -- but that's a whole other blog.

Well there must have been a little frog hiding in the case of water because later that day I was doing dishes and the little guy (or girl) was hoping around the counter. We caught it and the girls were THRILLED! We made it a little home and kept it for a couple of days. But after that I started feeling sorry for the little thing -- it didn't have anything to eat and although we made it the best little home that we could -- it still wasn't it's home. So after saying our goodbyes, Sam took the girls back to the lake and they released little Frogalina back into the wild. :) You were a good frog Frogalina... you will be missed!

swimmin' lessons

this year I put all 3 kids in swimming lessons and they all did great. Swimming lessons is a fun time of the summer - the lessons are held at a friends house in her back yard - which has a trampoline and swing set to keep the kids occupied when it's not their turn. It runs for 2 weeks - so we get lots of swimming in and lots of sun -- which means all of our skin is darker and hair is lighter. We can't wait for next year!

jackson in his swimmer eating his lunch poolside. He is such a mellow baby - he would let me try whatever I wanted in the water.

gwenny hanging out - this is the last day and she just enjoyed her last day treat - a popsicle
addie with teacher Illynn -- she is GREAT with the kids and they all love her

window kisses

The Lundquist's came to Play -- Hooray!!

When we moved away from California to Oregon, we left behind some really great friends. BUT we are lucky enough to have one of these families come up every year. Every year they have a family reunion in the Medford/Rogue River area and she has an aunt in Eugene -- so it works out great for us because they always squeeze in some time to see us.

Tami and I worked together in the Autism program at San Luis Obispo County Office of Education. We were pregnant together and our girls - Addie May and Ella Joy were born just 5 days apart. We both continued work after having our babies and brought the girls to all of the staff meetings -- they were very well behaved babies and we had a great staff we worked with.

We had many play dates and the girls even were in the same class their first year of preschool. From the first summer we got here -- they were here to visit - which made the move a lot easier knowing we would see them soon. We are so grateful for the time we get with them each summer and always look forward to the next visit.

first a look back...............

2004 *** click to enlarge and see just how cute they were

2005
2006
2007
2008
this year..2009.................

we always meet up at Papa's Pizza in Eugene and the kids play for hours.......

we have added to the group - it started out just Addie and Ella but we have added Gwen, Ireland and now Jackson to the mix and each new addition is welcomed with love :) .......
Addie and Ella Joy -- friends forever!
The whole gang - Tami with her girls Ella and Ireland and me with my kiddos
it was physically painful to look back and see how they have grown -- but at the same time it makes me so happy to see the beautiful people they are turning out to be :)

Rusty -- I will love you Forever!!!

So while Sam's family was here - Sam decided it was TIME!! We all have been waiting for this day that he would finally cut his hair!!! He trusted his little brother Rusty to do the honors -- probably because he knew he was the only one who would actually do what Sam wanted -- a dumb braid coming out the side of his head. No matter --- his hair (for the most part) is GONE! And I couldn't be happier and he looks sooooooooo handsome. I can live with the braid for now -- even though it is stupid -- I can still see his cute face. Thank you so much Rusty - you gave me back my cute husband! ****** his sisters Raeleen and Desirae also played a part -- thank you for grooming him ladies :)

Devyn Gets Baptized

Our niece Devyn just turned 8 and decided to get baptized. We were very proud of her decision and so we wanted to support her and go to her baptism. Her dad's parents live up in Eastern Washington and the family decided to have her baptized up there -- which worked out good for us because Washington is closer to us then driving to California - where they live. So Sam's family drove up and we traveled together up to Kennewick, WA. Here is some pics of our trip

the kids traveled great with Aunt Desirae and Uncle Rusty........

We took a break at a waterfall on the way up -- it was nice to get out plus see a pretty waterfall
In Washington, on Devyn's birthday we had a park day with food, cake and a fun volleyball game...........
the cousins all had so much fun together..........
Devyn's big day -- Yay Devyn!! (in the pic is Devyn with her dad - Dan )
The whole Ward family --- well not actually the "whole" family -- missing Sam's older sister (Kaydell) and her family and one of Sam's older brothers (Brent)

Meet Elizabeth

We are so excited to have a new niece. Elizabeth (nickname Eliza) was finally born and we are so happy for Tim and Jessica and for the new big brother Dallin. I was able to be at the hospital when she was born -- it's always so exciting to hear the new babies cry for the first time. She was 8lb 10oz and has the cutest chubby cheeks. The girls of course were very excited to go meet their cousin. Hooray for Jess and Tim and welcome sweet girl!

the new, bigger Officer family (plus Mercedes on the side :) )

sweet baby...........