Oregon-the rest of the time

The last day the boys and I went to a park while Chris napped as he would be driving over 12 hours that night.

These pics should probably be in the post before, b/c that's when they happened.

Steph's dogs were big enough to ride, and they for the most part let you ride them. John thought that was great, cept he kept trying to ride Kebap when we got back!

He loves to drive!


He started to learn to hold on correctly to the swing this trip, but still preferred to lean to the front and be superman!

John exploring the park. It was pretty amazing. It had a couple of fountains that kids could play in, a mud area, multiple different play gyms, and some old timey looking structures (a saloon where there were little benches and chairs, a train car where there was places to play in, and an old fashioned water system throughout the park, that you could pump water, and make it run down the gutter) that they converted to play areas

John climbed to the tippety top of one of the structures, up one of two ladders that went to the turret. He unfortunately was too afraid to go down the slide, and I couldn't fit up the hole, so I had to help him back down, and he went up again, and then I had to help him back down. I finally put a stop to that and moved to another play area!!!! :)

Here's an example of one of the old watering systems.


Neil, Ben, & John on the couch right before we took off on our drive!


John passed out as we were nearing Avon. I love how he's holding his feet!!! :)

Oregon-Boating/Tubing

Yep, still catching up on our summer vacation!

The next day Justin came home (he works away from home 4 days out of the week and comes home on the weekends) and took us for an unforgettable ride in their boat on the lake.

Ben was all excited til he had to get his life jacket on!



Our family in the boat. John wasn't feeling good, and actually looks it, but he thoroughly enjoyed the ride.


The one fairly decent picture of Ben where he's not screaming. That's Justin in the back.


Yep, can definitely tell he's not feeling good (we found out the next day that he had pink eye and a double ear infection).


A family picture on their inner tube behind the boat. It was a 3 seater, that we all rode on!

Here we go!!!


Ben wasn't enjoying the tube ride, so he and I got out and Daddy and John got to go on a ride together.

John had a blast!

I wish the surroundings were this pretty at our lakes in Texas!! It was amazing to be on this beautiful blue (albeit cold) water surrounded by hills and pine trees. Absolutely glorious!

Trying to wave!


A random content moment!

Yep, this is pretty much how he was the entire boat ride. The pics before were just capturing his few good moments!
Daddy riding the waves


John scared for daddy! I think the paci helped calm me down, rather than my kiddos!!! :) It's been in my mouth the last 4 pics

Steph and I getting ready for our turn
Making the first wave

We managed to hold on!!

Daddy has the touch!


After we docked, John climbed in the back of the boat and "played."

Our family pic at the lake

Oh, and that night, Steph made the most delicious meal, YUMM bowls. They definitely fit their name. Pretty much a concoction of whatever you want to put in (rice, chicken, cilantro, onions, etc.) and topped with YUMM sauce. Delicious!

Funnies

So, today John came and woke me up from my nap. Tess was sleeping with me, so he began petting her, and when she jumped off the bed, he followed her, where he saw the dirt on the floor from the plant she had knocked over earlier (as she was trying to eat the leaves). "Mommy, dirt!" he exclaimed, and then he saw a big chunk of dirt, and said, "Mommy, Antpile!" I chuckled, and said, I don't think it's an antpile, but he was insistent. He then proceeded to grab the broom and dustpan and attempt to sweep it up!

In Ben news: So when we nicknamed Ben, monkey, it was b/c he clung to us, and wanted to be held like a baby monkey. Well today he earned it officially. He had left the living room and was quiet for a little bit. I go to find him in our guest room, navigating the cd player on the floor and using it as a stepping stool to get up on the guest bed. He was so proud of himself. And later he did the same thing, and ended up sliding off the bed, and getting stuck in the pile of boxes at the foot of the bed! Crazy kiddo. (Oh, and bananas are his absolutely favorite food, wants them with every meal-so that plays into his monkey status!)

Sorry no pics this time, forgot to capture the moment!