Our fun week

Last Sunday, our friends the Gishes, from Idaho, came to stay for a couple nights. Our kids get to see them just a couple times a year so it was a real treat to spend so much time together. They have 3 kids Darrien 13, Kylie 11 and Dylan 5 and they all played so well together. All the kids (6 of them) slept out in the tent and had so much fun "camping." We swam a lot and made s'mores in the fire pit.

On Wednesday we went to see Captian Bogg and Salty at the library. Our summer just wouldn't be complete with out these singing pirates! After wards the kids got their autographs.

Here is the latest shot of Natalie...such a sweet girl. She was so excited to have a tea party. This was her first time using her tea set. You can hear all about it on her new blog.

Yesterday we went to the hospital to see Andrea, John and their new baby (11 lbs, 2 oz!).


Me holding Christian for the first time!

Natalie was at a birthday party, but the boys were there and were very interested in the new baby. Zander asked me if we were going to have any more babies...he was really good with his new cousin and would love another sibling, but I think 3 is enough!

...but these tiny feet are ALMOST enough to make me reconsider.

Day out with Thomas

Last Sunday we drove out to see Tomas the Train who was stationed in Hood River. Each of our kids has got to ride on Thomas when they were about 2 years old. The first time when Natalie was 2 1/2 was just 3 days after Zander had his brain surgery. Then when Zander was 2 1/2, I was pregnant with Hayden. This time, instead of the whole family taking the train ride on Thomas, I took Hayden while Dan did all the other activities with the older 2. The price of the tickets to ride were significantly higher than before, so we agreed (although I would have loved for the other kids to come along to) that this would be Hayden's special day!

Hayden was seriously shocked...could it be true? Legos that make Thomas!...He was in train heaven! Next you see him all ready to go as he boards the train.

The kids had lots of fun with their balloon creations. The boys got swords with belts to hold them and Natalie got a unicorn. There were all kinds of fun trains to play with.


Zander and Hayden with Sir Topam Hat.

Looking out at the scenery. When the train started moving, he was so excited "Train moving," he said over and over, until he was distracted by his other favorite thing "TRACTOR, TRACTOR!!!"

He did this pose all on his own...I guess he thought is was pretty cool!

Here they are with Thomas.

Fabulous Food Friday...

...has moved to my Paper Capers blog...check it out!

Dan the Man

Dan and I are in full project mode this summer. It seems in the past two summers we have been so busy inviting people over to swim, that we really didn't get much done around here...So we have a lot of things that were falling behind.

Last week we started pressure washing the patio by the pool. We didn't get very far on this chore last year so we were anxious to finish it up and apply the sealer, so the job won't be so time-consuming in years to come. Dan and I each spent 1- 2 hours a day each day last week pressure washing the patio and it's still not done, so you can see why we are motivated to get it all sealed this year.

We also pressure washed the metal patio furniture in preparation for painting it...we're giving the patio set a makeover and you can see the results on my Paper Caper's blog.

Going, Going, Gone!

Yesterday Dan cut down the fir tree in the back that has been shading the pool beginning around 4 pm on. To cut the tree or leave the tree was something up for debate even when Dan's parents lived here. Although I liked the tree, I had to agree, it was really limiting the amount of time we could swim in the pool...what sold it for me was my hope that eventually we can put a little covered area like a gazebo or something back there in it's place!

The process of cutting a tree of this size down was no doubt stressful. Add to that, using a chainsaw that didn't want to cooperate, then borrowing another one from the neighbor, plus the fact that it stared to lean the wrong way...it was an exciting time at Ernstopia. Dan called his Dad up who came over to assess the situation. All that was really needed was a wedge and soon the tree was down. I saw it fall from inside the house and didn't even have time to get my camera rolling again...but was relieved to see the tree come down with only minimal damage...Now I can plant my raspberries!!! So Dad, can we borrow your wood chipper?




Here is our first burn from the burn pile back in June. After 2 years worth of yard debris had collected, it was getting heaped up pretty high. The other photo is of Dan showing off his amazing Bass collection. Dan isn't normally a fisherman, doesn't even have his own pole, but thanks to his brother Dylan who loaned him his pole, Dan caught somewhere in the neighborhood of 13 fish on his rafting trip down the John Day river last month...more than the guys who invited him along!