It's February!

Seriously? It's already February? Ugh.....that scares me a little inside. I always look forward to the fall, especially at work, because it's kinda quiet, and we can have some lazy days, and some days to get some projects done that wait all summer. But, um, yeah, it's February, and we never got any of those quiet, lazy days! I guess that's good and all, business wise, but now we're fast approaching Spring, and pretty soon it's going to be the busy time again, and next thing I know it will be October again! URG!!! The only thing I hate about my job, is not getting to enjoy the summer. Even if we go on vacation, we usually do a wedding on Saturday, leave on Sunday, are home on Friday, and do another wedding on Saturday....it gets a little overwhelming and exhausting. I must be bummed today, because I feel frantic, stressed, and exhausted just thinking about it. Must start working out, build up that strength, yadda, yadda, yadda. I say I'm going to excercise, I tell myself that before I go to bed. "I will get up and work out." And then I wake up in the middle of the night, and decide I'm too tired, and I just can't do it, and then I don't do it...Ugh. Really need to get better about that. Been cutting out my salt, reducing sugar, shrinking portions, eating better overall, but that dang working out thing. Sweating is just not for me.
I blame my parents. They never taught me to be competitive. =)

Basically, nothing exciting is going on here this week. Catering a surprise 70th birthday party Friday night, for a lucky man and 160 of his closest friends. Switched banks after 15 years to avoid exorbitant fees, and now I have to try and memorize a new account number. EEK. =) Trying to scrimp through February, and just make it to March. I hate property taxes!!!!! They make November and February a cruddy, cruddy time for us. In May, when I pay the last one, we usually have our tax returns back, so it's not as bad then. But, between gas going up, electricity going up, Craig driving his absolute FUEL HOG diesel (higher than gas) pick up, because I can't afford tires for his Camry, things are TIGHT. Talk about trying times. One should not spill out their financial distress for everyone to see, but seeing as 2.9 million homes were foreclosed upon last year, I can't be the only one with troubles. Thankfully, I can still afford my home, my cars, my phone, and most importantly, the kids, and I can feed them, us, and the dogs, and everything is paid in full and on time, so really, what am I complaining about? Oh yes, the fact that we never get to do anything FUN!! But hey, you take what you can get, live each moment for what it is, and look forward to brighter times, because they may be around the corner. My job is raising great kids, so really, I'm on the right track. =)

Tonsager update. Wait, I don't have anything exciting to say, but you know it will be long anyway!

Wow.....so here it is, another year. I thought maybe I should either be a little better with my updating, or get rid of my blog, but I decided that it gives me a good reason to sort out all that mumbo jumbo in my head!

I haven't posted anything since March. How crazy. Life has been a bit hectic, apparently. I didn't even do Christmas letters with my Christmas cards. Don't know if that's laziness, or I just didn't have anything exciting to report!

Work has been super busy. We have really picked up a lot of catering. The wedding gown side of the business has been slow the last year or so, apparently due to our withering economy. Girls aren't spending a lot on dresses. They are either purchasing them on Ebay or Craigs list. Plus, thanks so much to the Chinese market, they are selling designer copy wedding gowns on ebay for as little as $69. They take the ad shot from one of my designers, post it on ebay, and then sell you a copy of that gown. There are hundreds and hundreds of them out there, all with China as location of seller. Little rotten buggers. You don't probably get much of a gown, but for less than a hundred bucks, why complain, and the feedback on ebay for the purchase is always positive. Very discouraging. They can't actually do that, and there are aspects of it that are illegal (such as shipping clothing into the U.S. without tags, Craig says that's a big no no) but what can I do about it? We've mentioned it to our designers, but really, who's to say they aren't getting a cut of this somewhere? It's all shady dealings if you ask me, so it's just irritating for us little guys.

BUT, our catering is through the roof, so that keeps the doors open, and a paycheck in my pocket, and I figure that Craig and I should just be glad we are working, and working full time at this point in the game. There are a lot of people around us getting their hours cut, and mine seem to be increasing, but I got another raise this year, so I figure who am I to complain?

Craig's business has been slower the last couple years, but they seem to be holding their own, and since some regulations on things have changed, they have to charge differently, and there are a lot of fees attached to things now when they are imported, which is probably not so good for the customer, but is good for us. Helps keep those doors open too!

Chloe started middle school this year. So far, so good. She seems to be enjoying it ok. Probably an adjustment for any kid, and with all the hormones that seem to be "flaring up" at our house, I'm thankful she hasn't asked to pierce anything other than her ears. She's a real good kid. Our biggest complaint is the ditziness that seems to overwhelm kids of this age at times. Sometimes you feel like they are in another world, and since I have noticed it in several tweeners, I won't zero mine out too badly. =) She's doing well in school. Straight A's first quarter, all A's and one B the second. We hope the rest of the year goes as well!

Koben is adjusting awesomely to kindergarten. His vocabulary has improved immensely. We are working on fine motor skills, and comprehension right now. Koben was fully evaluated through the ESD, and they determined he has cognitive delay, along with the Autism. Which we already pretty much knew. They figure his social communication is that of about a 3 1/2 to 4 year old. However, when they did some of the tests on him, they discovered that when he fully understood what he was supposed to do, he actually tested higher than a 6 year old....so isn't that interesting? Goal for Koben is getting him to fully understand what he needs to accomplish. The knowledge is already in there, they just have to figure out how to get him to understand, that that is what they want from him. Just doing activities here with him at home, I really understand how much they have their work cut out for him. During the last conference they told me he had already met his benchmarks for math for kindergarten. However, he won't hardly hold a pencil, and can't write. He does know how to spell his name, and he traces letters with playdoh every day as part of his occupational therapy. It is just so hard for him to coordinate those fingers together, and then put it all together with his eyes and his brain. I will have him tested this spring for any eye issues. Sometimes Autistic children have distortion in their vision. Wavering, or odd blurriness. Sometimes over head flourescent lights are a complete distraction for them, because they can see them "wiggle", so that is something we will look into very shortly. So, basically, overall, we've been told our boy is actually very very bright, but is difficult to pull digested information from. I however, just see him as Koben, and we love him to pieces. He's a great little kid. I am soo proud of his accomplishments in the last year.

In September, Craig and I decided, finally, to get another dog. Bryan had been wanting us to look at the place where he got his chihuahua for over a year, and we finally decided now was the time. Koben was very afraid of small dogs, and most animals in general, and we hoped that it would help pull him out of the shell. So, we brought home Sophie. She was born on my birthday, so right away, that told me I had to have her, and what a sweetie she is. If you had told me 10 years ago, I would own a Chi, I'd have told you, you were crazy. I never really liked small dogs. What if I step on it? Sit on it? Lay on it? I'm too big a girl to have a small dog, and Craig always liked big dogs anyway. But, we told ourselves that if we ever tried the dog thing again, it would have to be a dog that could live inside, because having a big dog, outside, in the city, is just not fair to the dog, as we learned with the first dog. She is smart, sassy, sweet, and sociable. Doesn't yip or bark, doesn't nip or bite, and is overall, a complete cutie. Pictures to follow. About 3 weeks ago, Craig decided, without my consent, to get another puppy. He said Sophie needed a friend, a pal, a confidant. I said, hell no. I didn't win. So, now we have miss Piper, to be a little pal for Sophie. My reasoning for only one dog: One dog is just easier to take places. Sophie is potty trained. Sophie sleeps through the night. Vet bills are smaller. Food bill is smaller (that one is weak, because they don't eat much) Sophie is a really, really good Chihuahua, and how did I know I would luck out with another good one? She might have been a complete fluke! So, I was totally anti-Piper, until Piper came through the door. Really, who can refuse a big eyed, floppy eared, 2lb, roly poly bellied puppy with a curved piggy tail? Um, not me, apparently. She looks like a miniature rottweiler....which I have a soft spot for. So, now I have a puppy, that can't hold it all night, that I have to take to the potty pad, when I get up to use the bathroom, who is not potty trained, and some nights wants to play instead of sleep, and keeps me up. Really, it's like having a newborn and a toddler.....on top of the kids I already have. =) However, I think I will adjust quite nicely, and we have a pretty cute little family, AND, Mr. Koben LOVES the doggies...carries them around with him everywhere, hates to be away from them, and is no longer scared of most puppies. Score one for mom and dad!

See, told you I had nothing to say, but it would be long winded anyway. Wow, I sure do talk alot. I need to start a blog on the bridal business. Funny stories, bridezillas....things to that effect. There is probably a book out there needing to be written about "our" world.

Everyone else in the family is good. Mom has been living in a construction zone for the last year. Been taking a long time to get things done. Her contractor is very good, but I would never call him speedy. Hazards of family friends. But, the house looks FANTASTIC. Very hard to believe it is the same place I grew up in. The sun room is almost finished, and she has so many palms, and fronds, and plants in there, that the kids go in there and play "jungle". Very funny. I think dad would have been completely freaked out and overwhelmed living in a construction zone, which is the reason none of this ever got done when he was alive, but I think he would have LOVED the end result. He would have had to move out for the duration though. =)

Bryans oldest is expecting a baby in June. She just turned 19. So basically she is a baby having a baby. We are optimistic that everything will work out ok for her. She is engaged, but is having a hard time finding a job. Hard to start in the work force when you didn't go to college, you've never really had a job, you have no license, and your pregnant. Hhhmmm.....I'll let you know how that all works out. I'm on standby for baby and pregnancy advice, as she doesn't quite trust the knowledge of any of the other females in the family. What do I know? I only had 2. They just kinda show up, right? She should call Michelle Dugger. =) THAT woman could tell you what to expect! Bought her the What to Expect When Your Expecting book today. I called that my pregnancy bible. She didn't think she needed it, but I don't think I would have sanely made it through my pregnancy without knowing what in the world was going on with my body.

Well, I think this is just about enough for one day, don't you? I mean really, who could go on and on and on all day? Oh wait, that would be me, but then you'd have to sit there and read all this, and you probably have more exciting things to do. I'll give myself five minutes to see if I remember how to post pictures on this thing, and see if I can get some of those up! Oops, and dinner...dinner should be in the oven right now. See, technology is time consuming!!!!!

Spring update

The Astoria Column, which should be somewhere in the middle of my pictures, but I missed it the first time, and for some reason I could not copy it and get it where I wanted on here....or maybe I'm tired and don't feel like messing with it anymore. Either way, that's just the way it is, and yes, I did climb my way up to the top. 150 steps. Not too bad for a big girl. I would say the worst part is the spiral staircase which makes you super dizzy while coming back down. That and the 10 year old that beat my fat butt up to the top, and then would come back down to where we were, and then go back up to the top, and then come back down, and then back up. I wanted to poke the little pooper by the 3rd time down. We wore her out though, so haha.

I have been extremely lax with my blogs lately. Between family and work, I feel like I have very little free time. Being on facebook seems to suck up what little free time I have left. We are in serious need of a newer computer. We have been contemplating adding memory to the old one, but the program is not current, and they are so reasonable right now, we may just buy a new one. It takes me 5 times longer than it should to do anything on here right now, so by the time I get to the point in the evening where I have a moment to check email and what-nots, I don't feel like updating anything. We just returned home from a mini vacation with mom. We stayed in Seaside, and took a couple day trips along the coast line. Cannon beach, Manzanita, Astoria, Warrenton, Long Beach and so on and so on. We had a nice time. It was good for her to get away. She doesn't have anyone to take these little trips with really, so we were happy to volunteer as drivers and entertainment. She is busy planning remodels on the house. Painting, new carpet and so on's. She is having a sun porch put in this spring, and just finished a new front door, along with a new railing on the front walk. With the new roof and paint, it looks really nice. She wants to tackle removing a couple walls and making her kitchen bigger, and remodeling it and maybe her master bathroom, to make the shower big enough to put a seat in it, something I agree with since she is getting older, and lives alone. She's having fun deciding what she wants in the house. Considering she has lived there for more than 30 years, and it has had very little in the way of updating done to it, I can see where she is having a good time deciding what she likes. We are getting ready to tackle the floors in the bathrooms. First on the list of many more things that are in the works, but we never know how much we will get done, or what other "home" thing will pop up, so we are taking it slow. The bathroom floors are the last item on the list of actually getting all the floors in the house done. I would like to get it finished so we can finish the transition molding. But, it just starts a list of other questions. New toilet? New sinks? New vanity? Do I still like this paint color? See where I'm going. It goes on and on. One thing at a time!

Finally I have some pictures to post. Getting any photos of Koben at all are a miracle. He refuses to look at a camera and smile. So I guess when he is 16 and asks me why there are so few photos of him, I can use that as an excuse instead of the "you were the last child" excuse that is really more the reason why. =)

Koben helping daddy with the molding in the living room. He had all his "tools" and tool belt out too.

Yes, he is wearing a camoflouge shirt, and spongebob pajama bottoms. He likes to pick his own jammies. =)

Yup, this is what most of my pictures of him look like. I need a faster camera.

Or I get this. NO smiles. He is such a pale child. You can see the circles under his eyes this time of year between his allergies, and his white white skin. Can't wait until summer.

Koben's birthday doggie. His absolute favorite "toys" are stuffed animals. It's all he plays with. He makes them move, dance, talk. Keeps him entertained for hours.

This is what I get when I say, "Koben, Koben, look at the camera. Koben, smile for mommy" I get a sssshhhhhhhhhhhh.

His pretend growl.

There's my happier boy.

He moves too fast. I have a lot of blurry photos.

Koben on the carousel in Seaside. It was so rainy and cold outside, I didn't think to take off his coat and hat so I could take his picture. No matter, he didn't smile anyway.

Chloe being windblown. It was soooo windy in spots.

The staircase at Astoria Column.

The view from the top of the Astoria Column.

Cape Dissapointment

Obnoixious sea gulls. Don't worry, this was through the sunroof. I wouldn't let those little buggers above my head without glass between us.

It was sooo windy at Ecola state park. Chloe chickened out and ran back to the car. Craig and I didn't make it very far. Look how much wind blew under his coat. Had to be at least 50mph up there. You could actually lean into it and it would hold you up. And it was sooo cold. Our ears and hands were numb.

Craig and Koben battling the wind. Couldn't even walk upright.

Bridge across the Columbia. We also visited Fort Clatsop. Chloe turned in her paper work and became a captain of the Jr. Park Rangers, which I thought was cute, and she thought was embarassing because they announce it over their loudspeaker, but she got some cool patches, a certificate and a nice pin. We also went to the maritime museum in Astoria which was cool. Had a conversation with a man who fought in WWII. He told us some stories of some VERY close calls, and he sang us some songs they sang on the aircraft carrier he was on. And of course, we visited the "Goonie" house. All in all, it was a great trip, but it's good to be home in MY OWN bed. Hotel beds just aren't the same.

Just sayin'............

Oh my gosh, how could I drive myself so crazy? Why? Why do I let things bother me, to the point where I need to type about it to get it all out? Really, I need to find new hobbies!

I LOVE the HGTV and DYI networks. Love them. Why? Well, because I'm a middle of the road, middle of the income, kind of girl, who enjoys being able to do alot of work around the house herself. (ok, who am I kidding? My husband does the work. Mostly I paint, lend a hand, and pick out the colors and material) BUT, I like the fact that we do it ourselves, instead of paying someone else to do the work. That way, if we screw up, and it looks weird, it was our fault, instead of saying "yeah, doesn't that floor look like crap? We payed $5,000 for that." Instead, we get to say, "Thanks, glad you like it, barely cost us a thing." Granted, sometimes it backfires, and we redo things, but at least we were paying ourselves $0 an hour, instead of paying someone else $80+ an hour.

So, back to my current thought, which is starting to ramble around in my head. I enjoy those programs. Bang for your buck, $10,000 in your hand, Moving up.....you get my drift. However, I think it may be consuming too much of my t.v. time at this point, because I can't STAND these real estate agents who come into these houses, and flat out call these people idiots for putting THE THINGS THEY WANT into their houses!! It is so aggrivating! Who cares that you put $50,000 into your kitchen and your only going to get $25,000 back? If you are ok with the fact that you spent that much, and you will only see half, and you LOVE the kitchen, why does it matter??? If I want a lime green wall in my kitchen, why can't I have a lime green wall in my kitchen? Ok, so I'm not going to put a lime green wall in my kitchen, but one couple painted one tiny wall that color, and they went all "heck no" on them, and told them they would never see a return, (on what $10.00 worth of paint?) because it wasn't a "neutral" color. Buyers want "neutral" colors........Jeeeeeeze. I don't want neutral colors. If I plan on living here a while, why can't I have yellow and green and red? Why? Why? Why? And why are people so dense that when they walk into a house, and it's not the color they want, they can't just paint it? Paint is cheap! Why would you walk in, and say "oh, I don't like that color on the wall, and I don't like the area rug with it." Why does it matter? Are you going to have that area rug? Are they leaving that 5X7 for you? Are you so out of it, you can't picture a house with your things in it? Are people really that uncreative? Like when they tell you, you have to pull out all your personal effects when you sell a house? What if it takes a year? Are you going to live in your house for a year without any pictures on your walls, and with "neutral" walls, because the realtor told you it would never sell because your bathroom is yellow? Oh my..........What if you WANT an $18,000 wine pantry? Do you drink wine? Do you collect it? Are you REALLY into your wine? Then by-golly, put in the wine pantry. When I move in, I will make it a food pantry, ok? If you WANT a $5,000 toilet with automatic flush and lid lift, and bidet, and dry and remote control, well, that's just fantastic. When I move in, and it still happens to be there, because you didn't take your funny little toilet, well then, thanks, I guess. If I get tired of looking for the kids, because they are always in the bathroom playing with the toilet, well, then I guess I will put in a new one. Wonder if I could sell that on Craig's List. Hmmmmm

Guess my rant is just that, a rant. I just don't think a person should have to make every tiny decision about their decorating and remodeling around the question of if it will sell. If you decide to build a tree house in your living room, well then, we will re-evaluate my thoughts, but I don't think that choosing red glass backsplash in your kitchen is going to completely ruin the sale of your house. Especially if you don't plan on selling it for a long time. If people purchase a home with the thought that they don't want to do anything, or put anything into it, well then, they are crazy. Even in a new model home. Your not going to do a thing? Your not going to put your mark on that house? Your going to leave everything, even the light fixtures, and paint colors? Interesting. Maybe you are a "neutral" person. Which is fine, I guess, no qualms there. But me, well, I need a little color, and a little "me" in my house.

Ok, I feel better now. =)

Merry Christmas!

Yet again, another year has gone by. It always amazes me how quickly time goes by. This was not a good year in our house. Oh yes, it had good moments, and there were still smiles and laughter, but I just felt like this year was a trial for us. One of those years where the saying "what does not kill you only makes you stronger" really mean something in our house. We will be missing dad this year, no doubt about it. I've accepted his passing, sure, but it still makes me sad. I feel though that all the positive feelings I have, are directing from him, so that sure helps make it through the day. I feel that the older I get, the more I understand that I have no control in this world, and death is a fact of life. One that we all must accept, but one that we don't really think about when we are young, or when we have not had to experience something like that.

Tonight I am cooking dinner for my side of the family. Mom and Bryan and Dee and the kids, and also my aunt and uncle, and Nellie and Ray. Can't compute exactly how they are related, I'm never good at that. But Nellie is my Grandmas niece, and Raymond is her son. Confusing to me, especially since Nellie is almost 91, and my Grandma would be in her upper 80's if she were alive. Soooo, my grandmas niece would be older than her. Funny, huh? My grandma was towards the end of the 14 or so kids her family had, and Nellie is the daughter of my grandmas oldest brother, and she is one of the oldest of 14 or so in her family too, I believe. Very confusing, and a lot of kids, and a lot of people I have never met!! So, I am cooking for them. My aunt is the one that is battling breast cancer. She is my fathers only sibling. She is in month 9 of her chemo, and the second month of her radiation. She is battling fatigue, and the 3rd degree burns on her body that radiation causes, but she only has a week and a half left, so she feels she can make it. If she's made it this far, I have hopes she can make it another couple weeks! She continues chemo until March. Her Doctor would like her to do an additional year of chemo beyond that time. They feel that it greatly improves their chances for a longer life. I haven't heard yet if she has decided to do it. At this point, her chemo is not so severe, so she feels like she should be able to handle it ok, and still work at the same time. However, she does adult foster care, and that is a highly physically taxing job, expecially if her patients are bed ridden, so I hope everything works for her. This is the first time she has spent Christmas eve with us. Usually we go over to her house on Christmas day, but of course, there is no way she is strong enough to handle that, and no way we would ever expect her to, so I invited them over, and since Nellie and Ray spend Christmas day with them also, I decided to invite them too! I don't ever like the fact of someone not having someone to spend the holiday with, especially when it is family. Tomorrow we will take dinner over to my aunts, and have a meal with them. It may come from Shari's, but it's the thought that counts, right? I didn't feel like going over and making a mess of her kitchen on Christmas day, and this way, no one has to cook, or clean! I've had enough of that for awhile! =) Thankfully I can prepare my food for my holiday parties at work, and then bring it home. The kitchen there is much more useful and easy to clean, and I get paid while I'm doing it. Bonus! So really, all my food is done, except for some last minute things, and putting everything into the oven. Convenient! Tomorrow morning we will be going over to Craig's parents for breakfast, like we do every year. Mmmmm, cinnamon rolls!

I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas! More to report in the New Year!

Has it really been two months since my last post? Jeesh. My computer was acting up horribly. It wouldn't even turn on for awhile. So, I started using Chloe's laptop, and then it started acting up. So we took it in, but left mine at home, and hers had a thousand viruses in it. Can you believe it? Wow. Then one day I turn mine on, and it works, so I use it for a few weeks, and then one day it doesn't work. So I beg my husband to please take it in to work and give to the computer guy that they keep on retainer. So, he goes to unhook it, and he tells me it was not plugged in. (this is after he completely unhooks it) I know darn well it was plugged in, because when you turn it on, it would whiz and make noise, but it would never completely come up, plus the light was on, and I had to hold down the power button to get it to shut off. So of course it was plugged in. But, he swears it isn't. So he plugs it in, and turns it on, and sure enough, it comes up. So, of course he gloats, because that is what some men do. However, the next morning, I go to turn it on......Nothing. HA!!!! It was too plugged in! Finally, he had to concede that I was correct, and there was something wrong with it. Aaahhh, sweet victory. I love my man, but boy can he be stubborn, and when he is arguing a point, you might as well just walk away, because you aren't going to win, EVEN when you can prove him WRONG! I really just don't understand why he was not on the debate team! Oh yes, it is because he is horribly shy! But, finally I get my computer back, and although it is deciding to run a little slower, I will take it. =)

Not too much has happened in the last couple months. We finally got the diagnosis back on Koben. Alas, yes it is Autism, as we all had suspected. They took him out of his morning preschool class, with 14 kids, and put him into the afternoon class with just 5. Hopefully it will be better for him, and he will get some more one on one attention. He has been a struggle the last few weeks. Everything has been such a struggle for him, and I am emotionally exhausted. Transitions are soooo difficult for him. It could be as small as him washing his hands, and when you want him to turn off the water and dry his hands.....complete meltdown. Meal times evoke a meltdown. He wants to eat what he wants, when he wants it. Everything seems to strike up a tantrum right now. Something we have not dealt too heavily with in the last five years. Sure, he would protest a little with some things, but not high pitched screaming. Ugh.....it makes me so tired. Koben has gone thru stage after stage after stage in the last five years, and I am hoping and praying that this is a form of a stage, and it will get a little easier, the transitioning, at least. We will see. Some days are really good, and some are really bad. It is very hard on me, just emotionally, from a mommy point of view. I see this handsome, sweet, smart kid, who really just can't concentrate on anything around him, because he is constantly feeling overstimulated with his surroundings. I am hoping the new preschool time will help him. He has a fabulous preschool teacher who is trained to work with kids like Koben, and she adores him, so I am confident something good will come with it. We all just want our kids to be healthy, and happy, and to succeed, and be well rounded, functioning members of society. Really, all I ask is that he succeeds in school, and it doesn't drown him, and that he is not drowned by the system. I've got my fingers crossed.

Chloe is doing well, school is good. She is enjoying her afterschool program, SOAR. She had her braces put on last week, and is adjusting. They had to pull 7 teeth out of her mouth, so really, her biggest challenge right now is chewing, not the braces. She has her four front teeth on top and bottom, and her very back molar on top and bottom. That is it. 12 lousy teeth. Hopefully they grow in fast. However, the whole reason they needed to be pulled is that her teeth grow so slowly, and her baby teeth refuse to come out. In the end, she will be rewarded with a beautiful smile to go with her beautiful face. I'm excited for her.

More later!

Random bits and pieces

Chloe's first day of 5th grade. She is gowing so fast.

Koben learned on this camping trip that he loves cocoa. Now everytime we go to Starbucks, I hear "me have chocolate milk?"

Craig chillin'

Home Sweet Home

Empty field behind us. Nice campground. I didn't feel like I was surrounded.

Miss Sassy Pants

We just turned off the road, because the sign looked interesting. Called the Rogue river canyon, or gorge, or something. I forgot. Supposed to be the smallest gorge, or some darn thing. Really, I should pay better attention.

Was pretty impressive, the amount of water running through such a small space. And loud! Oh my Gosh!!!!! Best part was that it was at least 15 degrees cooler there.

Crater Lake. Still there, and still beautiful.

My cute little family

Not sure why I took such odd random pictures. It was SOOO hot that day. We were sitting in our chairs with our feet in a sterilite storage container of freezing water. The kids actually filled one up and used it as their mini pool, it was so hot. Chloe made me promise not to put up those pictures. But I have them on my phone. hehe =)

Some random game Koben and Chloe were playing with a rope. Not sure what it was, but they had fun and it passed the time.

Koben rigging his end up to the water jug. He loves to build things. Give the kid a rope, a blanket, and some plastic piping, and he'll build you a house. =)

He was so sad that day.

Boredom. The ultimate low for any kid.




That pretty much summed up our summer. I was so busy working, we didn't do much. Went to a couple fairs, took the kids camping, that sort of thing. Looking forward to fall, and the Holidays.