Camping...

Camping is subjective. It could mean a room and spa to one and a tepee to another. So when sweetest I-Shuan called to see if the kids and I were game for a camping expedition, I hmmmmed and haaaaaed and then jumped at the chance. It's spring break and we were getting really familiar with our new home and I needed to GET OUT! Oh, and Bella needed the 26 mile-long paved Banks-Vernonia trail to learn how to ride a two wheeler.....which she did!

The Stubba kid at Stubba State Park.
We had so much fun! The campfire was Harry's favorite.

How awesome is she?!

Harry and Thomas in the back of my bike.

I love biking, I've decided. Especially on long, paved, gorgeous FLAT linear parks.

Princess on the bike.

Harry in our Cabin.

Ode to Lavinia....

When biking along the path, we say

Never leave without a Warr, by the way

They know North from South, East from West too

They make you laugh, with all the fun things they say and do!

You ROCK!

It was so much fun! Here's to the next available reservation (spring 2015)! Who wants to go camping?

Sheik...

This is our little Sheik. I'll tell you what, he can charm just about anything from me! I adore him. Kent got this outfit in India for him and he has never worn it. It was "mistakenly"(oops) put in the Goodwill pile in our most recent move (which was 6 weeks ago.) Kent said that is needed to be photographed at least once. So here it is...

Now if we can just convince Harry-bear that he is not Samson and that cutting of the hair is not going to deplete all super-human powers! He goes rigid and screams octaves above normal for an indeterminable length. Man alive!

Health Plan, Smealth Plan

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

There is no question that the men that founded this country were acting under Divine guidance. Completely, wholeheartedly with the Lord's loving guidance. I know that is true.

Something hit me yesterday when they were discussing this quote in Relief Society. We as American people are entitled only to PURSUE happiness. Not that we are just ENTITLED to happiness but that we can PURSUE it. I am so grateful for the gospel that gives us the perfect recipe for happiness.

I have been reading alot about the 2,700 page health care reform that will be voted on later this week. Who is honestly going to read 2,700 pages of anything? I for one have not read the 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" for that very reason. I do think that Medicare and Medicaid are great programs for those in need.

This health care proposal is deeply disturbing all the way through and the ramifications will be felt long after 2017 when Obama leaves the office, if he is re-elected. One democrat has given up his Dem seat and joined the republican party. And another representative gave up his seat all together, not wanting to be part of the corruption. This is communism cloaked in coalition, no other way around it. The Obama Administration even somehow got a backdoor way to allow the bill to proceed without the normal 60 vote majority. It now is simply 51 votes away from reality. I could get into some of the nuts and bolts that I disagree (Where to start?)

Anyway, just sounding off a little. Maybe we shouldn't just be GIVEN anything. Maybe we should pursue insurance (and whatever else) if we really want. That is how this country was set up under the direction of the Almighty. To ensure our freedom. I wonder if the founding fathers are turning in their graves?!

Just needed to think out loud!

Gamma and Gardens...

So I could start with an excuse about my blog-less-ness (LAME!) Or I could enlighten y'all with our family's semi-recent happenings (BORING!) But in lieu of those mind-numbing options, I will just pick up where I left off (KA-CHING!).

So my lovely mother swept through town (and my house) last weekend. We love it when Grandma comes to town. Harry at the Beach.


Twins seperated by 30 years.

OK we went to the Japanese Gardens with mi Madre and Holy Cow....It was truly stunning. I can't wait to go back. I loved it!

I tried to explain to my mom that the "Beach" in Oregon is a relative term somewhat akin to the "sun with a cold" or "the bermuda triangle." It didn't take. She did however remove her flip-flops. It was a little bitter but GORGEOUS!

Harry is in the crazy don't look at me stage of taking pictures.

Holding hands at the gardens.

And no, I am NOT pregnant. That just happens to be the world's most unflattering (but oh-so-comfortable) shirt. Who knew I needed to take a polaroid of myself prior to exiting my home to ensure proper impressions? BLAH!


Mommy, thanks for coming! We love you!

The Nutcrackinest...

Last night I took my baby girl to the Nutcracker for the first time. And so it goes...

First and foremost, my stance is that cuss words are not in fact cuss words, if they are in the Bible. Which all of the fun ones are. With that said....

There may or may not have been cussing (silent/whispered or hollered) as we drove 10 miles in 45 minutes. I can also not confirm that there were any said running down 4 flights of Portland parking stairs (why do they stink people?) And I am not going to even pretend that I didn't cuss when I sandwiched the evening with losing my wallet. TWICE! I know, I know mom, I need to grow up and carry a purse. But then I need a sewing kit, first aid supplies, hair brush and every flavor of Trident. It's just too much sometimes, ya know!

Yes people, she truly is that fabulous!

It was Kylene's idea to go all out Prom style to the show. In Kiera's words, "I feel like Gale to your Oprah." That is how truly hip she looked! People stopped to stare, comment, and I am pretty sure someone asked to take a picture with her. Uh-huh.

In the words of Dolly Parton, "Too Cha-cha for words!"

It was a moment I will never forget. I adore my girl. And for record, I will totally admit the fact that the Snowflake dance was my favorite and I did in fact cry.

It was my birthday present. And how many people get moments, honest-to-goodness, take-your-breath-away, never forget it in a million years moments as gifts? I count myself truly blessed. That moment of watching Bella watch art and fall in love was perfect.

And the joke of the evening.....If the girl dancers are Ballerina's...what are the boy dancers? My stylish diva of a doll of a friend aptly named them...Balle-rhinos! And that's all we will say about that.

The three angels at Starbucks after a Hot Chocolate. .....AND THEN I lost my wallet. Which for the record turned up at 11:45, after a missionary discussion and a 30 minute conversation with a member of the church (vegan chef/DJ extraordinaire mind you) calling me from out of state to say that her friend in Beaverton had found it and was calling her to inquire what the heck a temple reccomend was. She is a woman that I have never met but that I was meant too know. Can we say serendipitous (three times fast)!