Mancation

Last Saturday's rain didn't stop Dan from spending a day on the Clackamas River...and when I say on the river, I mean right on the river, floating on top! As a kid, he grew up right next to the Salmon river. He and his brothers used to ride inner tubes down the river during the summer. Just recently he discovered extreme white water river boarding. Basically you lay on a river board and go down the river on you belly. Sound fun? Here are some great shots of Dan and his brother Dylan on their Mancation (vacation for the manly-man).

Getting ready to put in the river boards.

Dylan getting his flippers on.

Here's Dan navigating the Clackamas River.

Over a rapid...

...down the river they go!

Here they are at the end of their journey.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Yesterday was Dan's birthday. I arranged to have friends meet us at Red Lobster for dinner. While we were waiting to be seated, the kids got an up close look at a live lobster.

Including our family, there was Chris, Anne, Isaac, Matthew, Kyle, Melissa, Angel and Jenny. It was fun getting out for a change.

Anyway, for Dan's birthday I made him a photo book from iphoto with pictures from our anniversary trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This was my first hard cover book and I think it turned out great.


Dan ordered the Lobster and Crab platter and I had the Blackened Halibut...the kids of course had mac and cheese. Some people think the body is 98% water, but if you were to take a sample from my kids, they would find out that they are 98 % mac and cheese. We don't have it at home that much, but they sure love to order it when we go out to eat.

Meet Beariel

Today Natalie went to a birthday party at Build a Bear Workshop. It was the first time she got to make a bear. ( I don't know who was more excited, Natalie, or me!!)

It didn't take Natalie long at all to choose her bear.

Then she waited in line with all her friends to stuff the bear.

Here she is stepping on the pedal for the stuffing machine.

Now it's time to place the heart into the bear.

But first you have to make a wish and blow a kiss on the heart.


When the bear is all stitched up he needs to take a bath and get nice and fluffy.

Now the bear is ready to get dressed.

There were numerous outfits to choose from, ballerinas, cheerleaders, swim suits...but Natalie made a bee line for the mermaid costume.


Lastly, she chose a name. I thought Beariel would be cute, but she was sure Ariel was a better name.


After taking some pictures of the birthday group, we sang happy birthday and every one got to sign their name on a special autograph bear for the birthday girl.

Natalie and Sarah with their bears all boxed up ready to go.

After the party we went to the Olive Garden with Sarah and her mommy...mmmm! So tasty!

ACHOOOOOOO!

Having 4 acres of grass can really take it's toll on a girl with allergies...especially when it's compounded with a laurel tree in the middle of the yard that is shedding pollen pods all over the ground. I wasn't out much today, but when we ate dinner outside, I had to eat fast and run inside because my eyes were burning so badly. It feels like someone put sand in my eye lids. I can handle the sneezing and itchy mouth, but the itchy eyes make it hard to stay outside for long. After sitting in the AC for about 20 minutes I can once again open my eyes. I try to take natural herbs like stinging nettle for my allergies and that usually does the trick, but I think for the next couple weeks I might be better off indoors...which is really bad news for my garden.

Enchanted Forest Field Trip

Today was the kindergarten's end of the year field trip to the Enchanted Forest in Salem. This 21 year tradition finishes up their unit on nursery rhymes. Last week Natalie had to recite a nursery rhyme (she chose Jack and Jill) in front of their class.

The last time I went to the Enchanted Forest I was very young and don't really remember it at all. Whenever we drive past it on the freeway, I (in my best little girl voice) ask Dan if we can go there. "Please, can we? can we? please!" But he always says no...so I was excited to find out about today's field trip.

Inside the castle entrance.

Everyone else took a picture here, so I did to!

Mary had a little lamb...although you can't see the lamb in the photo!

Humpty dumpty sat on a wall...Zander kept asking me if he died.

Waiting in line to go down the rabbit hole from Alice and Wonderland. I even squatted down and went in...Boy, not a place to go in if you are claustrophobic, afraid of the dark...or if you just fell down the stairs the day before.

The gingerbread house from Hansel and Gretel.

The witch from Snow White.

Going down the witch slide really freaked Natalie out...can't say I blame her!

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe...

...and her children slid down the slide a time or two!

Here is Abe Lincoln helping Zander into a Civil war Army uniform.

Natalie was too shy to dress up (I guess the clothes weren't girlie enough), but everyone else in our group had fun and were rewarded with a lollipop for their "bravery."

Singing opera, of course.

Heading through the alpine village to go eat lunch.

We found the perfect spot to eat inside a little storybook house.

After lunch all the kids were so goofy! Here they are peeking out the window of the house we just ate lunch at.

The light show finale.

Sitting down watching the light show.

And they lived happily ever after!!!
Wee End (that's how Zander says it!)

Edited to add: when I got home, my parents, who had been watching Hayden for the day, cleaned up our house and picked up a bit in the back yard! It was such a nice surprise! Thanks!

Fabulous Food Friday

Ever since I served these at my Favorite things brunch, I have had several requests for this recipe...so here goes.

Cheesy Artichoke Triangles
2 packages (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls)
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
4 oz. fresh, grated Parmesan (about 1 cup)
2 eggs
2 teaspoons of lemon pepper
1 can (14 oz) or jar of artichoke hearts, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons fresh snipped parsley

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll crescent rolls and lay triangles flat onto jelly roll pan and roll dough w/ a glass or just seal the edges all together with your hands to form one large pan of dough. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown

In a medium bowl, soften cream cheese, add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of the lemon pepper, eggs, garlic and artichoke hearts.

Spread mixture evenly over partially baked crust. Add remaining Parmesan cheese and lemon pepper over filling. Bake 25 more minutes until brown and set. Allow to cool 10 minutes. Cut into squares, then cut each diagonally to form triangles.

Makes 24 servings

Variations use phyllo sheets instead of crescent rolls. Also if you like tomatoes, you can add sun dried tomatoes before sprinkling on the Parmesan cheese.