Ramona Falls

Two Saturdays ago, we went with a few friends from church to go on a hike to Ramona Falls.  Ramona Falls is located towards Mt. Hood, along the Sandy River.  We were told it was a 7.3 mile hike which loops up and around some beautiful falls, looping back around again.  We knew this would be a stretch for the boys, more Simon, but even Sam.  We figured Daniel could handle it.  We drove up there and met up with our friends.  Daniel has a nice group of boys whom he has met through Sabbath School that he enjoys playing with.  And of course Sam and Simon love to tag along as well.  We started hiking.  Simon had to take a few breaks along the way for some snacks and we all had to take little breaks for water and to enjoy the views.  About half way there, Daniel had to go to the bathroom.  I felt bad for him because then he fell behind the others and his friends.  We took off again, even running a little ways, but then he had to go to the bathroom a second time.  Poor guy.  We finally made it to the falls, and it was really pretty!  But when we got there, I was a little worried about Daniel, and so I made him eat something and drink lots of water.  It was also a little chilly.  I was afraid we had stretched the boys maybe a little too thin!  So we started hiking back around the loop.  Daniel fell, trying to run and keep up with his friends again.  Sam and Simon took a couple of small tumbles too, but they were all right.  As we neared the end of the trail, we noticed a sign reading 4 miles to the falls.  So now we are thinking the hike might be closer to 8.5 miles.  I don't know for sure, but it was a long hike for us.  When we got back, everyone had brought food for a potluck dinner.  We were very hungry and everything tasted good!  I would do the hike again, but perhaps be a little more prepared next time!

Sam with Mt. Hood

Climbing Sam

Snack Break

Silly Group Pic

School Field Day

Last Friday, one week ago today, the boys' school had a school field day/fun day.  Simon and I decided to join in on the fun.  It first started with a chapel and the boys getting their yearbooks.  It was so cute to watch them running around the school asking students and faculty to sign their yearbooks.  After that it was time to get ready for lunch.  The school had a Subway order option if the kids didn't want to bring their own sack lunch.  Simon and I took advantage of that!  After lunch it was fun play time outside.  The field was set up with different stations.  All of the students were divided up in to groups and sent around to each station.  Simon enjoyed following Daniel and Sam through some of the stations.  After the stations, it was free water play with a water fight.  A fire engine also came and sprayed water from one of their big hoses.  The kids had lots of fun!

Daniel Throwing at the Dunk Tank

Sam Jumps in the Sack Race

Simon Loved the Bounce House

Sam Visited with some Puppies

Simon is Ready for the Water Fight

Daniel Slides down the Water Slide

School Activities

The boys have been busy lately staying involved with school activities.  Each of their classes was in charge of chapel recently.  They helped lead song service for each of the chapels.  And both were involved with the plays/skits that their class presented to the rest of the school.  It's cute to see them so excited and want to be involved with their class.

Sam (in all red) helps with song service

Daniel (in Duck shirt) helps with song service

Daniel reads for the play his class performs

The other activity they did recently was to be in the schools walk-a-thon.  The school was raising money for new computers for the school.  Daniel did a great job of making phone calls and getting family members to sponsor him and Sam.  Then when the big day came, they both ran their hearts out.  Daniel ran 25 laps (a little over 6 miles) for his class and Sam ran/walked 13 (over 3 miles) laps.  I was so proud of both of them.  It rained a little while they were running, but they didn't get distracted by it, and they just did their best. 

Sam

Simon cheers them on!

Daniel

Sam's Birthday/Mother's Day

Since Sam's birthday is May 12, he and I will always share the Mother's Day holiday.  And we did that this year again too!  Sunday morning, Jeff took the boys out to the store, and they all came back with flowers they had picked out for me.  It was so sweet.  Jeff got me a soda maker this year.  I need to learn how to use it, I think it will be fun!  We got Sam a new bike for his birthday this year.  He's getting used to it.

Later that morning, we went to Jeff's parent's house to have a brunch and celebrate Sam.  He opened a couple of presents.  Then we were off to do a bike ride.  They have something in Portland called the Portland Parkways.  A part of a neighborhood closes some of its streets and people are able to safely ride or walk.  It is centered around parks in the area, and at each park there are vendors selling food.  It's a fun place to stop if kiddos need a break to run around and play.

After riding the parkway, we went to dinner to finish celebrating.  I think Sam had a great day.  I know I did!

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