Setting up Camp

We went camping again last weekend.  We went to the same campground that we went to in July but we were at a different camp site.  This time I didn't get there quite as early but if I had been ten minutes later I would have missed out on a site.  The campground was full.

The boys just love it and I love watching them explore and play in the wide open air. 

Brad thought he would get to the campground around 5:00 (maybe a little later).  Of course there was a semi truck on fire blocking most of  I-90.  Brad didn't arrive until 7:30.  I had to feed the boys bagel sandwiches for dinner instead of our standard campground hot dogs.

Once again the boys did a great job!  (oh, minus the rock being thrown in Colt's head by Brody since they were playing "bad guy game".   Thankfully there was no blood and Colt continued to play "bad guy game" with very clear explanations of not throwing rocks --or anything-- at bad guys) 

Double Slip N Slide

We borrowed our neighbors slip n slide and added it to ours to make a double one.  Most of the time Brody can make it all the way to the end.  Colt is still working on his technique and Ollie loves being pushed down the slide.  

Gunner & Sayler came to visit and loved playing on it.  Sayler just crawled up and down the slide.  Jessi had the camera so we had lots of pictures and videos of Sayler.  :) 

The Smash-Up Crash-Up Derby

Please be patient...this is a longer post that requires a little background. 

Somewhere in our "let's give these things to the Barquist family" we acquired this book.   The boys love it.  At one point I discovered that Brody had the book memorized.  (not trying to brag about my son but it has created a unique bond with this book).  So he often "reads" it to grandparents or other people willing to sit and listen. 

Fast Forward to our latest adventure....

On our way to the wedding we went a new route, through The Dalles.  It was an adventure for us, for sure, since we didn't know where the next Starbucks would be or how long we had to drive before the next gas station.  About 30 minutes outside of The Dalles, Colt had to go to the bathroom.  We found the next small town called Tygh Valley.  As we were driving into this town looking for a bathroom we saw signs for a 10K road race.  We were perplexed as to how there would even be enough people to have a race.   Upon further investigation we discovered there was the Wasco County Fair.  After an unsuccessful bathroom break (the bathroom porta-potty was so disgusting Colt refused to go in it), we drove down the road to find the fairgrounds.  We heard there might be a demolition derby so we were hoping it would be right when we were there so we could see it.   It wasn't.  And all though it was disappointing at first we learned the demolition derby was on Sunday at 1:00.  This would be a perfect time for us to come on our way back home.  And that is what we did.  

We went to the Smash-Up Derby, the Crash-Up Derby, the Demolition Derby at the Fair.

All the cars lined up for the pre-show.

Brad, Brody & Colt watching.  (We were lucky to get seats because their little stadium was filled.  We were also lucky enough to sit next to two gentlemen who knew all there is to know about demolition derbys.  They were so nice to answer all our questions).

It was a little loud. 

Colt & Ollie had enough so we went to check out the animals.

A few videos.

The fair was very fun even though the temperature hit over 100 degrees.  We are so thrilled we were able to  make this book come to life for the boys and that we made a fun family memory out of what could have been a very long day (& weekend) of sitting in the car.  

Birthday at Nannys

Colt's birthday was on the same day as the wedding.  Aunt Angie was so thoughtful and had cupcakes and balloons waiting at Nanny's house so we could celebrate Colt's special day. 

Smiling (cheesing) for the camera

Nanny also gave Colt some fun new presents. 

Justin & Ashley's Wedding

We were invited to a family wedding in Prineville.  Justin is a cousin of Brad's but I have gotten to know him (and now his wife) over the past seven years at the Labor Day Family Reunion.  Justin's family made the trip up to our wedding and we thought it would be a fun adventure to take our family down there.

It was a long drive over a very short time but we went into the trip with a positive attitude and decided to make it into a fun family adventure.   We tried to make the entire drive on Friday but our dinner stop took much longer than we anticipated.  We pulled out our map called some family friends and found a hotel in The Dalles.  

The boys were great travelers and loved the idea of waking up in the hotel room and watching cartoons. 

Ollie still doesn't sit to watch cartoons.  He just likes to explore. 

We made it in plenty of time to get a little nap in before the wedding.  

As soon as Justin & Ashley showed up at the reception, Brody immediately asked Ashley to dance.  I think it is against wedding protocol for the bride to have the first dance with someone other than her husband but Ashley was so sweet and danced with Brody.  (We did have to cut the dance short to make sure Ashley actually ate her dinner.)

The boys were cutting it up on the dance floor.  Everyone loved watching them dance. 

Brody had fun dancing with the ladies. 

Congratulations Justin & Ashley! 

I didn't take very many pictures but it was a beautiful ceremony and a very fun reception. I'm glad it all worked out for us to go. Little did we know our family adventure was only half over.

Listening Ears

We were driving home from a long weekend road trip when we found ourselves in the midst of a discussion with Brody about disciplining.  Brad explained why it is important for us to teach him to listen, be obedient etc. yada, yada, yada.  After our discussion I asked Brody if he heard what daddy said.

Brody replied, "No, my listening ears were on low." 

Slip N Slide

It was a hot day so we pulled out the pool and the slip n slide.   Brody has the skill mastered.

Ollie likes it too, especially when he gets a little push from Brad.

Colt only likes to go down it when the water isn't spraying on him from the side.

A few fun videos!

Ice Cream Social

We had our neighborhood ice cream social.  They have a few inflatable bouncers for the kids to play on.  Fortunately our neighbors were there to help with the boys and to go down the slide with Ollie. 

The best part is the Ice Cream!  Ollie and Brody each had two bowls. 

Going down the slide

Blocks

Ollie is playing more and more independentally.  His latest favorite thing is playng with blocks.  He often puts blocks together and then comes to show us what he has done.  He is always so proud of himself.  I just love watching his little fingers and hands work together to build something.  

(These aren't great pictures but I wanted to make sure I got some of him and his blocks)

Happy 3rd Birthday Colt the Bolt!

Today we get to celebrate Colt's 3rd Birthday!  He continues to be a mama's boy but is always in awe of his daddy.  He is Brody's best friend and Ollie's little teacher.   This last year he has worked hard at his speech and has been very patient with us as we have learned how to communicate with him. He is speaking in full sentences (they are just not always very clear).  Colt also just started swimming lessons with Brody.  They have so much fun together and Colt learns a lot from watching Brody. 

We know God has many wonderful things planned for Colt and we are excited to see what Colt discovers this next year and in the years to come. 

August 20, 2008

1st Birthday

2 years

 3 years

Happy Birthday Colt the Bolt!

A new look

I get my hair cut once a year.  You may think this is an exaggeration but it's not.  I went last summer and just went the other day and haven't been anytime in between.  I have started to go to Set Salon.  A friend of mine from high school owns this cute little place and I love that I can support her business.   Plus she does a fabulous job.  I am a no fuss kind of person and never have any ideas about what I should do with my hair.  She is able to read me and gave me a new look this time. 

I'm still not quite sure what I think of it but I am going to give it a few days before I make any real judgments.   So far most people have responded well to the change.  These are a few of the comments I have had.

It looks like a wig.

It looks like Shannen Doherty from 90210 (not one of my favorite characters)

You look younger and hip.

My problem is I don't know if I want to be hip.  It might not be a hairstyle that fits my personality.  We will see.  But for now I will enjoy this new look. 

Nicki's Wedding

Last weekend we went to Yakima to celebrate the marriage of one of Brad's cousins (Nicki).  I was unable to see most of the ceremony since Ollie continually jabbered on about everything in sight.  We spent most of the time out in the lobby of the church.  I heard it was a nice ceremony and Brody & Colt did a great job.  

The boys were most excited about the dancing, and even though the music didn't officially start until much later the boys danced to their own music on the dance floor.  Boy did they look stylish out there. (Thanks to Grammy!)

Brody & Erik

Colt & Ollie dancing on the floor.

For some reason Ollie just loved being on the floor.  I don't know where his mother was.  Who would let their child just lay on a dirty dance floor?

Bust a move!

One of the great things about Brody is that he can often be our ice breaker.  He had no hesitation approaching Nicki and asking her to dance with him, even when she was in the middle of something else (we will have to work on not interrupting).  She was so sweet and danced an entire song with Brody and another little girl.

The boys were exhausted and quickly fell asleep for our drive home. 

Tiger

We went to a Safari themed birthday party for one of my friend's daughters.  I didn't take my camera because I had three boys to watch and didn't want to hassle.  But they had face painting and Brody wanted his face painted like a tiger.  I was able to get his picture when we were home. 

Our neighbor wanted in on the picture too. 

Colt didn't want his face painted and I don't think Ollie would have sat for more than 15 seconds. 

Crabbing

Uncle Jason went crabbing at the Des Moines Marina and invited us to join him.  It was a beautiful day and the boys had fun seeing the sights of the water. 

Zephyr was here visiting. The boys loved seeing him.

Crabbing was pretty boring while we waited for the pots so we went to the beach for a little while.  Papa Bob turned over rocks to look for little crabs.  These seemed to be a little more appealing to the boys since they weren't as big. 

Ollie just wanted to throw rocks and walk in the water. 

I'm so glad we were able to be outside to enjoy the nice weather.