Thursday, August 30, 2012

Flashback Friday - Biltmore Estate, August 2011

We will be here again this weekend with Oma and Opa....

 
 

 
 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Productive Weekend

Another weekend passes us by, though this time it did not rain so we got quite a bit done around the house/yard.  I was able to clear out six rows in the garden.  After having been out of town for a while and neglect, the garden was extremely weedy.  It took some time, but I found it!  I am still not even halfway done, but I got two rows of pumpkins and one row of gourds planted.  Tomorrow I will plant the other three rows.  Sometime in the next couple of weeks I hope to clear out the rest of the garden....never letting it get that overgrown or weedy again! 

Josh mowed the lawn and worked on the garage.  He made lots of progress and should hopefully be ready to raise the walls next weekend.  He will need to gather lots of help I'm sure.  At least he won't have to worry about his little helpers;  I'll be taking the boys to the mountains with Oma and Opa for the holiday weekend.  We will have tons of fun I'm sure!

I also managed to add more items to the boys birthday lists.  The usual...shoes, clothes, books, games for their leap pads, and even a couple DVDs since we now let them watch a movie now and then and we are all rather sick of the only two we have!

We also have friends over for dinner Saturday night.  The boys all enjoyed playing and getting wild.  They did not get to bed until after 10PM and yet they were up at 6:30 this morning!  Needless to say they went down early tonight and were extremely whiny and cranky.

Today the boys and I went to Charlotte with Oma.  It was a productive trip to Trader Joe's to get some of our favorite yummy goodies.  I cannot wait until our store opens in Columbia early next year.  We also went to Costco and got more goodies.  The boys enjoyed snacking their way through the entire store.  They also were over the moon excited about their new pajamas and sweat suit for Jack.  Jack wanted to wear the sweat shirt in the car and was not thrilled when I would not let him.

As soon as we got home he ran into the house and put his sweat suit on over his clothes and played outside for a while.  I finally had to tell him if he wanted to keep it on he would have to come inside.  So we did.  They watched a movie and after a while Jack and Ewan put on their new winter pajamas.  As I have said before, they get more excited about new clothes than toys!!

So this productive and hectic weekend has passed us by.  We feel like we need another weekend to recover from our weekend!!

I look forward to school starting after Labor Day.  I dream of getting back into some kind of routine! 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Birthday Season

Hard to believe it, but it is almost birthday season again here at the Dalrymple household.  Time flies so quickly.  Josh starts the party season, then Sean, Jack and Ewan.  So the mad planning for parties shall begin soon.  Well, actually I have had ideas brewing in my head for some time now.  The biggest obstacle is to get some pumpkins planted and HOPE that they are ready by Jack and Ewan's party!

The other tricky part is presents.  The boys have pretty much everything they need.  So it is always tricky coming up with gift ideas for them.  Thank goodness for Amazon.  How I love technology, sometimes anyway.  We have had our universal wish list on there for some time now.  Of course some of the items were outdated as the boys have grown since I put some things on the list.

Last night I updated the list, for Sean anyway.  Sometime soon I will get around to Jack and Ewan.  Since they truly do not need any toys their wishes (aka our wishes) are clothes and shoes.  This may sound boring to some, but all the boys get more excited about new clothes and shoes even more so than toys.  Oma got them some socks in Seattle and yesterday they were so excited to wear them when their friends were here.  Jack kept commenting on how he was waiting to show his friend Evan his new socks!!  And shoes, don't even get me on how much they all love shoes.  Sometimes we battle over which shoes they are going to wear!

Modern days are just not like when I grew up.  Sometimes it makes me feel old, talking about the days "back when I was a kid"!  Kids back then did not have as many toys as they do now.  We didn't get tons of presents at Christmas or for our birthdays.  Luckily we have a small family so we can minimize the overload better than some.  And luckily Josh and I agree on the whole less is more theory when it comes to toys.  Frankly, our boys break everything anyway!  So until they are older and want bigger ticket items like electronics we will stick with clothes and shoes and one or two small toys.  Now if only we can get Daddy to branch away from wanting tools and rc airplanes....

So let the birthday season begin.  Let the party planning begin.  Let us eat cake!!!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Fun in Portland

After the drive from Tillamook we arrived in Portland.  It was a shock to our systems.  We were on highways the whole trip and in small towns.  We finally hit rush hour traffic in a big city!!  We survived and finally got to the hotel.

We checked in and unpacked the car.  It was time to sit back and relax.  Josh went to the grocery store and got supplies to have dinner in the room...bread, wine, our cheese we got in Tillamook, salami, salad, blueberries etc.   After dinner we enjoyed some time in the hotel pool.  It was great to have time to just relax and play with the boys.  They showed off how well they can swim now, thanks to lessons during camp at my gym.  They slept well that night, Jack and Ewan sharing a bed and Sean on the floor (beds were too high for him to share, afraid he would fall out).

Friday we headed to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry after breakfast.  It was a wonderful place.  I wish we had a museum like this at home, the boys and I could spend hours and hours there and learn so much and have tons of fun!!  I took Jack and Ewan on the submarine tour (Sean was too young).  Then we all met in the toddler playroom (HUGE) and headed to the rest of the museum for learning and fun.  By the end (was already past lunch time) we had seen only a fraction of the place and watched an IMAX movie (the boys were excited about this).

Jack and Ewan checking things out inside the submarine


The submarine on the river, just outside of the museum


Hooking up the hoses just the right way to accomplish maximum launch


All my boys working on their design


Getting the pie pans to fly off Ewan's hand


A sleepy Sean with his hair sticking out!!


We headed into the city for an outdoor store where we found Sean some adorable Toms shoes.  Josh and I could have spent a lot more time here, but alas the kids were restless and running all over the place.  We headed down several blocks and found lots of food trucks.  It was a tough choice but the boys got pizza and Josh and I had Vietnamese fusion (me the burrito, Josh the tacos).  YUMMY!!  I so wish we had more food trucks here.  It took some work keeping the boys out of trouble, city traffic and all.  Then we headed to VooDoo Doughnuts.  There was a line, despite it being nearly 4PM.  Oh well, tourist trap I'm sure.

Back at the hotel, after more rush hour traffic, we ate our donuts.  They were tasty.  Sean nodded off since he only had a few catnaps in the car during the whole busy day.  Josh took Jack and Ewan to the pool.  After Sean woke up we joined them in the pool and had lots of fun.  After lots of fun and swimming and splashing we went to the room, cleaned up and had another carpet picnic for dinner. 

Jack proud of his box of donuts!


Enjoying their tasty goodies!


Sean got the donut shaped like a voodoo doll, a pretzel as a pin in it!


Saturday after breakfast we packed up.  The FINAL time!!  We checked up and headed to Trader Joe's for picnic supplies.  We drove to a park and plopped ourselves down for a picnic.  The boys played, we relaxed and we watched the Thunderbirds fly overhead.  Overall a nice afternoon.  Despite the near 100 degree temps, it was not humid like here and in the shade there was a lovely breeze.

After the park we drove to a restaurant on the river for Josh's final chance to get dungeness crab.  He did indeed get on, I had a superb salad.  More importantly, Josh and I had huckleberry lemon drop cocktails.  I think it was the best cocktail I have ever had.  Had I known there was a huckleberry vodka I would have been looking for it.  Unfortunately, we headed to the airport right after dinner.

This is when the adventure began again.  Josh dropped of me, along with Sean, Ewan, one car seat, one large wheeled bag and three backpacks.  It was HOT.  I managed to get us all in the building and sat down, now sweating quite a bit.  Josh and Jack went to return the rental.  We were sitting for maybe all of three minutes when Ewan announces "I have to poop".  Great, I have to haul all this STUFF AND TWO KIDS to the bathroom.  I get them ready, Sean runs off in the wrong direction.  Ewan runs after and pushes him down while trying to stop him.  After a few tears we are headed in the right direction.

I am directing the boys, trying to keep them in line and out of trouble.  I am struggling with the car seat and HUGE suitcase.  After MANY looks and offers of help we make it to the bathroom.  Thank goodness.  Then the journey begins back to the check-in area.  As soon as we get out of the bathroom I notice Sean's nose is bleeding (likely from Ewan pushing him on the floor).  Luckily somebody at the security line gives me a tissue.  It takes LOTS of work, Sean running off all over, loss of I don't know how many nerves and too much stress, but we FINALLY get back. 

By now Josh and Jack just arrived.  So we check in.  Somehow this time they decided to charge us for our luggage.  PLUS both bags were too heavy, one by only ONE POUND.  So we move a pair of shoes from one bag to the other and only have to deal with only one surcharge (another $100).  Frankly, I'm just happy to be rid of all the big luggage.

We manage to get through security and arrive at the gate.  The boys are FULL of energy and run all over the place.  We are sit of chasing them.  I notice that the flight is delayed (we have NO time for this due to a VERY TIGHT connection).  Later Josh hears his name announced.  After some time there is finally somebody at the gate to help him.  Seems they decided to change us to a direct flight on another airline since clearly we would not make our connection.  They already had the two suitcases and two of the carseats moving to the other plane.  We figured there was plenty of time to find the third car seat, it was still a couple hours until takeoff.

So we gather the kids and head to the other gate.  Why were we not hear earlier (it is in another concourse)...they have a playground and a TV on Nick Jr.  HEAVEN!!  The kids play and we can sit for a while.  I  checked the Made in Oregon store, hoping to find huckleberry vodka.  No such luck.  Josh checked in since we did not have seat assignments.  He came back and gave me the good news, Josh and I had seats.  The kids did not.  Well this was grand.  Apparently before they moved us to this flight they did not pay attention to seats....only exit row available (no kids allowed here). 

After a while she came back and we all had seats.  The bad news was the one of us would have to sit with all the kids.  The other would get to sit in the exit row, several rows away.  I finally volunteered to take the kids, hoping they would sleep well (that and fearing what the payback would be if Josh took them all)!

And so our night of fun began.  We finally boarded...the flight was smooth.  Ewan and Sean were asleep almost as soon as the plane was off the ground.  All in all I guess it was tolerable, though I got all of 10-15 minutes of sleep.  Jack could not get comfortable so he slept on and off and complained a lot.  Ewan slept most of the time.  Sean started out well, but then he was uncomfortable in my lap and moved around a lot and fussed quite a big.  I managed to take them all to the bathroom once and Josh sat with them while I went.  It was an adventure.  I fed them to keep them quite.  I WAS EXHAUSTED!!

We arrived in Charlotte around 6:15 in the morning.  We got our luggage.  I sat outside with the kids and luggage, Josh got the car and picked us up.  It took a while to get all the car seats in, but we were finally on the road HOME!!!!

We had to stop to get breakfast since we had nothing at home, ate, unpacked, started laundry and then everyone napped for a couple hours before lunch.

And so was our adventure in Oregon.  I am not ready for another family vacation any time soon!!!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

The Oregon Coast

After Crater Lake we left and headed for the coast.  Once again it was all country roads, except for about 5 miles on the interstate to switch highways.  We ran into some construction, but otherwise it was relatively a smooth drive.

Once we arrived at the coast we stopped for lunch.  It was nice and breezy and "chilly" to us southerners!!  We had seafood of course!  The boys discovered that they like popcorn shrimp, no big surprise since they already like grilled shrimp.  There was not any direct access to the beach nearby so we got in the car and drove some more.

We finally found a public beach, most other places before this time were state parks and charged a day use fee.  By this time Sean and Ewan were asleep in the car.  Josh took Jack out and headed to the beach while I stayed in the car with the sleep boys.  After 15 minutes or so I gave up and woke the gang so we could go to the beach too!!  They woke up pretty happy and excited to go to the beach.

Somehow I think the boys had different expectations for a beach...something more like the Southeast, warm, sunny, warm water you can swim in.  They were a little disappointed that they could not swim in the Pacific Ocean.  Not only was the water cold, but the air was chilly at only 60 degrees and VERY windy!!  We played for a while and then got in the car again to get to our final destination.

Jack is thrilled to be at the beach!  SAND!!!


Splash time!


A worm Josh and Jack found


Jack proud of his worm


Look closely, the wind is blowing sand all over!


Sean, Ewan and I join Jack and Josh on the beach.
For a while Sean's teeth were chattering, my poor
Southern boy!!


Who cares if it's cold, let's get our feet and shoes wet!


Sean checking out the sand


We spent the night in Newport.  Our hotel room was a beach front view.  It was a beautiful view and the boys definitely enjoyed it.  After settling into the room we went down to the beach.  It was still windy and chilly, especially for poor Sean!  We played for a while and then walked down the beach a little and headed to town for dinner.  We had some yummy clam chowder and other goodies, calamari for my boys.  After dinner we walked some more and found treats, a huckleberry milkshake for Josh , chocolate covered marshmallows for Ewan and huckleberry taffy for Jack.


Sean found a bucket on the beach and enjoyed filling it with sand


Dumping sand it pretty fun too!


Unfortunately we did not make it back to the beach in time for the sunset


This view with the light house in the background



The next morning we headed to the aquarium in Newport.  It was lots of fun with plenty of hands on activities for the kids.  They also have nice exhibits outside too.  Then we were off to Portland, by way of Tillamook.  It was not the most direct route, but Josh wanted to go to the air museum in Tillamook and I wanted to go to the famous dairy there!!  The dairy was fun, briefly watching them make cheese, but more importantly sampling many delish cheeses and eating ice cream!!!  Black cherry for Josh and Sean, cake batter for Jack and Ewan and a huckleberry milkshake for me. 

All three boys shared a bed at the beach!!!


Having fun at the touch tank


Catching a fish!!


Sean enjoying himself


Watching the sea lions swim by


Fun at the playground at the aquarium


Future pilot Jack at the Tillamook Air Museum


The gang enjoying lots of planes
(Sean was having fun copying us by putting his hand in his pocket)


YUMMY ice cream at the Tillamook Dairy


Sean helping Daddy eat his ice cream


The boys having fun "driving the bus"!


Up next, our stay in Portland and the flight home.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Sean's a Big Kid Now!!!

Sean peed in the potty for the first time today!!!!  Yeah!!!!  I brought out the training potties yesterday.  Today he went on the potty before nap and after nap.  Nothing, except for the fart after nap which he was quite proud of.  Tonight after dinner when the big boys went potty Sean said he wanted to go too.  I took his cloth diaper off and put him on.  Within seconds he produced. 

I guess that means we will indeed begin training for real relatively soon.  Right now he is still in the getting familiar with the potty stage.  If all goes well he could be trained by his second birthday.  Ah, no more diapers.  That would be nice since somebody had been in them ever since Jack was born, sometimes two kids at a time!

Crater Lake

Disclaimer:  Later in this post there are some bare bottoms....who could resist.  Someday Jack and Ewan will be embarassed by this photo!



Monday morning we left the mountains and headed to Crater Lake.  It was a scenic country road drive.  The landscape changed quickly once we got out of the forest and mountain areas.  We truly did not expect to see so many different types of geography/geology in one State, yet there it was.  Oregon is an exceptionally beautiful state.

After lunch we drove by the Lava Lands Visitor Center.  We stopped by, after all it was a great chance to stretch our legs and see the damage/remains of volcanoes.  We got out of the car and went to the bathroom.  We come out and low and behold run into my cousin and his family!  We knew they were headed to Crater Lake that day too, but what were the odds of running into them along the way?

We all went in the center and learned about the area.  Then we had time for a short hike, the most we could handle with all the boys anyway.  Plus my cousin and his family had to get to Crater Lake since they were still driving to Eugene that evening.

All the kids had so much fun hiking together.  Jack and Ewan really enjoy spending time with their older second cousins and Sean was excited to see Rachela again!

Beautiful hike with snow capped mountains in the background and
lava along the path!


Sean and Rachela enjoying a lift!


The gang having a good time together


We then headed to the Twin Crater Lakes.  We got out of the car and played around East Lake.  East Lake is one of the twin lakes that occupy part of the Newberry Crater or caldera in Central Oregon, United States. It is located in the Deschutes National Forest near the city of La Pine. The caldera was formed over 500,000 years ago from volcanic eruptions. East Lake's water comes from snow melt, rain fall, and hot springs only. The average depth is 67 feet (20 m), 180 feet (55 m) at the deepest point, and covers 1,044 acres (4.2 km2). East Lake is about 50 feet (15 m) higher in elevation and is to the east of its twin, Paulina Lake.  (from Wikipedia)  Like I said, lots of neat places to see in Oregon!!

Boys will be boys, throwing pebbles into the lake!


Jack and Ewan enjoying some splash time in the cold lake


My revenge after Jack and Ewan kept getting Sean and me wet.
That was some COLD water!!



It was finally time to finish the drive to Crater Lake.  It ended up being a long day in the car, but with several stops along the way I think we all managed relatively well.  The boys had their moments, but we all arrived alive and well.  The boys were asleep when we drove into the park, but we really wanted to get out and see that lake right away and play in the snow.  It was so exciting to see snow in late July and we knew the boys would want to play with it too.

We parked the car and that woke Jack up.  Josh took him out and I stayed in the car with Sean and Ewan.  After a little while I woke them, I could not wait any longer.  Sean did all right, Ewan was grumpy. 


Geography lesson:  Crater Lake is a caldera lake located in the south-central region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. The lake partly fills a nearly 2,148-foot (655 m) deep caldera[1] that was formed around 7,700 (± 150) years ago[2] by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama. There are no rivers flowing into or out of the lake; the evaporation is compensated for by rain and snowfall at a rate such that the total amount of water is replaced every 250 years. (from Wikipedia)

Once again we ran into my cousin and his family at the gift shop in the park!!  With no further delay...pictures from Crater Lake!!

Jack throwing snow at me!


Sean eating snow!


Grumpy Ewan still waking up


View of Crater Lake National Park.  Notice the pole above the
stop sign...the snow gets this high!!!


Absolutely gorgeous blue lake




Ewan and Jack shared the sofa bed, my little lovebirds!


The motel had a nice swing set for the boys to play on.
We also enjoyed grilling out here.


Ready to hike to Plaikni Falls


My hikers!!


We saw lots of beautiful wildflowers along the way to the falls
and at the falls.


Boys being boys again, having to play in the water


One of the few shots of our family.
Here we are at Plaikni Falls


More wildflowers and the falls


Crater Lake and a view of Wizard Island


Jack and Ewan checking out the view


After our hike to the falls we found a spot to park on the side of the road and went off the beaten path.  We found a great "sledding" hill and took our picnic there.  We enjoyed some yummy food and wine and played in the snow.  Needless to say we had some cold and soggy bottoms (we did bring a change of jeans for everyone)!!

Jack sliding down a snowy hill


All the boys having fun!


Ewan sliding down the hill


Enjoying our picnic after playing in the snow


Jack and Ewan making yellow snow!!!


Sean eating snow (NOT THE YELLOW SNOW)


My rock climbers



One last chance in the snow on our way out of the park to the beach


Wizard Island again





As I said before, eat anything huckleberry you can get your hands on!!  Here is Sean with his huckleberry lollipop!!  We also had huckleberry yogurt at the hotel for breakfast.  YUMMY!!!