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.

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!

I'm a Jeep Kid!

Not long after Zander was born we sold our Jeep. Ever since, Natalie reminds us of how she misses the Jeep...Well, thanks to a group Christmas gift from Dan's mom, they all get to drive one of their very own!

Natalie was the first to try out the new wheels!

Then Zander gave Hayden a ride.

And of course, Hayden wanted a turn too. I don't think he really knew what he was doing, but surprisingly, he did just fine.

Natalie took Sarah around and then Sarah and Ryan got to drive.

Here are Hayden and Ryan.

Even I got in on the action. Kind of funny driving from on top of the seat.

Zander declared himself the best driver since he didn't crash into anything, so we let him park it in the garage. He got really excited when the Jeep said "you're a Jeep kid."

Driving can really take it out of a kid...and his Dad!

Airplane Camping!

The Flight to Nahalem Bay:

We're ready for take off!

The kids had fun talking on the headsets.Hayden got to fly the plane with grandpa.

There's the air strip, ready for us to land.

Our crew, safe on the ground.

Our camping site was nestled in the trees, just to the right of the plane on the right.

Setting up camp:

The kids met up with Andy who drove down earlier with some of the big stuff. They got to ride his car, then they popped their heads out...which of course they thought was so cool.

Everyone helped unload and set up camp.

Our first evening:

After everything was all set up we walked to the beach and got there just after the sun had set. The sky had turned beautiful shades of pink and purple.


By the time we came back from our walk it was dark, so I quickly fixed dinner while the guys got the campfire going.

Airplane camping Day 2

The first night I didn't get much sleep because I was so cold. I just sat there in my sleeping bag thinking how cold I was. Then my mind thought of all those hikers that get lost in the woods and aren't found for days...brrrrr!

In the morning we saw a deer who was airplane camping too!

After breakfast we walked to Nahalem Bay. It was still pretty foggy and overcast, but nice just the same.

The kids loved climbing up the big sand dunes...

...and they loved running down even more. Natalie must have climbed up the big hill more than 6 times. I only made it once! On the last time down, everyone swam down to the bottom.

Here we are in our drift wood tee-pee!

Da- Boyz!

Grandpa giving Natalie riding lessons.

More bike riding with Grandpa and Uncle Andy.

Grilling steak, sausages and corn on the cob.

In the morning we packed up and left pretty early because the rain came and the clouds were starting to roll in. Greg navigated down the coast to try and find the clearest way over the mountains. It was a great ride and at only a bit over 30 minutes, it sure beats driving!