A Trip to the Beach

Last weekend, for Memorial Day weekend, we went to the beach with Jeff's parents.  We picked the boys up from school and headed straight to the beach.  We got there in time to go out to the sand and do some digging.  The boys could dig in the sand for hours if we let them. 

On Saturday we got up and the boys got a little more time at the beach before we headed out for a day of bike riding.  We took a picnic lunch and drove up to Fort Stevens State Park.  We had a nice lunch and then got on our bikes.  They have some great riding trails that wind through the park.  We stopped at a couple of places and let the boys run around and play.  They had lots of fun exploring two of the battery areas left over from both World Wars.  At one time they held munitions for the war and protected the coastline.  It was interesting to read up on the history of the area.

On Sunday morning we headed out to Neakahne Mountain to do a hike.  It was 2 miles up and back (4 total).  I was a little worried that Simon might get tired, but he did great and didn't need to get carried much at all.  We motivated him with snack stops about every 1/2 mile to keep him going.  At the top of the mountain is a beautiful view of the ocean and Manzanita Beach where we were staying.  As we headed back down the mountain we felt a few rain drops.  By the time we got back to the house, it was raining, so we stayed inside the rest of the day, watching a movie and playing games.

Monday morning Jeff got the two older boys up early to do some tide pooling at Haystack Rock.  The boys saw many neat things.  There were lots of starfish, sea anemones, a couple of hermit crabs and even a sea sponge.  They had a great time exploring.  Then we packed up the car, stopped and had breakfast and headed home.

Bloomsday and Hippie Chick 2014

The last two weekends I did two different races.  First was Bloomsday on May 4.  This is a 12K race in Spokane.  My family does it every year, so it has become a tradition.  Also, I enjoy it and it's a fun challenging race.  The rain held off, which was nice, and the sun even came out a bit during the race.  I was pleased with my time.  I bettered my personal best by about 2 minutes. 

Before the Start

The Line Up

Finish Line!

The second race was the Hippie Chick on May 10.  It's a half marathon.  I have been training for this since last December.  This was my 3rd year doing it.  The weather prediction was rain, but the rain held off until the afternoon, for which I was very thankful.  I will run in the rain if I have to, but I would much prefer not to!  Again, I set a personal best, beating last year's time by about 5 minutes. 

Just Before Leaving the House

Prepping the Start Line

My Cheering Squad

Finishing!

Catching my breath while getting hugs!

Done!

Daniel's Recital

Last Sunday was Daniel's spring piano recital.  He had been working on this song for about two months.  At first he thought it would be too difficult.  He learned one hand first, then the second hand and then put the two together.  He even had it memorized.  He did a wonderful job, and we are all so proud of him.  This is his last recital of the school year.  And his piano teacher is pregnant with her first baby, so she is going to take some time off next year.  That means that Daniel, and Sam too, will be taking lessons from a new teacher next year.  We have enjoyed his current teacher very much and are happy that Daniel was able to take from her for two years.  But now it's on to someone new. 

Getting Ready to Begin

Ready to Play

A Recital Pose

Sam & Simon Afterward

Easter 2014

Last weekend was Easter, and we celebrated it on Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday we went over to the grandparent's house here in Portland.  The cousins (Cy, Aimee, Jules & Zibby) also came over.  They had a fun time opening their Easter packages from Grandma and Grandpa.  Then we ate a yummy lunch of homemade pizza!  After that the kids colored Easter eggs while Jeff and Cy hid the other eggs to find in the rest of the house.  It was rainy that day, so we had to have our Easter egg hunt inside.  After coloring eggs, the kids were ready for a hunt.  We let the two younger cousins have a one minute head start and then let the other cousins join in.  Everyone found lots of eggs.  When the hunt was over, it was time to sit and look through all of the candy and things.  The kids all played together after that for a bit before it was time to go home.

Ready to Eat

Sam & Jules Coloring

Daniel Hunting

Zibby & Simon with the goods

On Sunday we went over to Aunt Debbie's and Uncle Todd's house for an Easter brunch.  Aunt Cheryl had also flown into town from Boston.  We had a yummy brunch and then it was time to find the eggs.  Uncle Todd had hid the eggs earlier.  It didn't rain that day, so we were able to look for eggs outside.  The boys had fun and got a whole bunch more candy! 

Cute Decorations

Simon & Sam in Bubble Play

The Boys on their Hunt

Simon takes it all in

We had a nice weekend.  And we hope you did too!

Cake Wars Part 2

This past week I attempted cake #2.  It is a chocolate cake with ganache and mousse fillings.  I started on the cake in the morning.  It took about an hour to make the cake, then I baked it and let it cool.  In the afternoon I made the mousse.  That also took about an hour.  I had to let it chill in the refrigerator.   Just before dinner I made the ganache.  Then I put the layers together.  It had to chill again before eating.  I opted out of the cashew brittle.  That seemed a little out of my baking range.  Overall, it tasted yummy.  Although it did take a lot of work and a lot of time, I was glad to have made it.  I won't be making it a lot, but I would make it again.  I think it would be fun to make the cake and put other layers between it such as a whip cream or frosting layer.

Saturday and Today

We've had some nice weather here lately.  On Saturday after church, the Grandparents and I (Jeff had to work) took the boys to the Rhododendron Gardens here in Portland.  They enjoyed running around, looking at the ducks and geese around the ponds.  We saw some baby ducks too.  It was nice to be outside.

Sabbath School with Simon

Peaking Out

Picnic

The Gardens

Today the boys had a half day because of parent/teacher conferences.  We came home and enjoyed some watermelon outside. 

Outside Watermelon

Bridge to Brews 2014

Today was the Bridge to Brews 10K Run here in Portland.  I did this run 2 years ago.  It's a fun run that goes over 2 of Portland's Bridges and the 10K is a nice distance to run.  The weather couldn't decide if it wanted to rain a little or let the sun break through, and in the end, it stayed dry enough to get the run finished.  This run also includes a kids 1/2 mile fun run.  Daniel did this 2 years ago and wanted to do it again this year.  He did great!  He finished 4th of about 30-40 kids!  We are so proud of him.  He is showing some interest in doing races, so it may be time to sign him up for a 5K.  I really enjoyed the race today.  The only con was that I had to go to the bathroom, so between mile 2 and 3 I made a quick pit-stop.  This run goes through downtown Portland, and as I said previously, goes over 2 bridges which is fun.  I was also pleased with my time.  I beat my time of 2 years ago by about a minute.  It's always fun when I can improve my time.  Here's a look back:

the boys playing before race time

pre-race photo

ready to run

finishing strong

mommy and son pic

yeah! did it!