Beach

The other long weekend outing was a day at the beach.  It was already October.  What are the chances of catching beachy weather??  We were AMAZINGLY blessed.  The day was incredible.  Sand castles, soccer, walks by the water, splashes in the ocean...the boys were shirtless most of the day, the skies were clear and bright and the sun shone all over us!  I had so many favorite pictures...it is out of control.  So, I made a little slide show, combining another day we made it out to the beach in September.  We are so thankful for days to make memories together as a family.  The beach is the best place for it.

When Jordan had a long weekend over Columbus Day (have I mentioned how much I love the government schedule? Oh, and thank you, Columbus, for sailing and everything), we made the most of our time.  On Monday we packed up some snacks and went to the top of Mt. Hood.  The view from the top was beautiful.  It was a totally clear and sunny day and we actually got too warm on our first little walk.  As you can see, Trey is turning into a serious hiker.  Jordan has been telling him he needs to stop bumming rides and start carrying his own weight around here...

So, I do as any other over compensating mother would do...I carry him instead :)

And, Grammy, we saw Mr. Silly Squirrel there.  He didn't hike with us, but we did say hi and got as close as he would let us.  

 Silas is turning into a serious hiker as well.  He keeps up with me no problem.

 After we left the summit, we descended a little way down the mountain to look for an easy hike that the kids could do.  We found Mirror Lake, 3 miles round trip, and figured we'd be able to take turns helping the younger two and be just fine.  Jordan offered to put Trey in the ergo and hike with him.  It was a nice offer, but I ain't no fool.  This is not my first hike with three kids...you gotta play these moves smart.  I would much rather take this 20 pound sweet pea on my back (even if he pulls my hair), than the alternative.  Stay tuned.

The start of the hike was great fun.  We found a huge log bridge to cross...

And a tree for Silas to climb, 

 And since Jordan will never be outdone by his 5 year old son...he climbed even higher.

 After the excitement of the bridge and the tree climb...Jewel started to get a little tired.  Jordan carried her on his shoulders for a while.  We kept walking.  And walking.  And then there was a begin of an incline.  Then the incline really increased.  Then we were huffing and puffing and Jordan was carrying Jewel pretty much the whole time (note: this is why I opted to take Trey).  We were still in good spirits, but we were starting to get hungry and we didn't bring any snacks.  Then, in the cover of the trees we started to get chilly.  It felt like we had been hiking for a while, and there was no sign of a lake around anywhere.  Then we came to the switchbacks.  At a note-able elevation increase, we starting really hiking.  Then Silas started to get tired.  It wasn't fair that Jewel was getting carried the whole way and he had to walk.  When was it his turn to be carried.  Enter Super Dad.  Look closely here.  Jordan with Jewel on his shoulders and Silas on his hip, legs wrapped around to hang on.

 Here's me :)  Sweet little Trey, snuggled up to my back, having a little rest.  Ahhhhh...family hikes :)

 I finally sent Jordan ahead to see how much further we had to go.  He sprinted off, leaving me with our three little monkeys, singing songs and walking VERY, VERY slowly.  Soon he was back with news of a very close lake!

We dug out our second wind and started jogging.  At the top of the hill, we found our treasure.  With the sun creating a fantastic glow, we soaked up the clear water, tall trees, warm air and rest for our legs.

 The walk home was faster, easier, happier and very delightful.

 But Jewel still needed a ride now and again.  I think she may just like her Daddy.

My Pumpkins

Today was one of those Oregon days...just perfection.  Bright blue skies with wispy clouds, crisp and cool air but no wind, chilly in the shade but warm through to your insides with the sun on your back.  These are rare gems here.  We've been blessed with an abundance this fall, but the forecast for the next week is cold and rain.  So we decided we better get out to the pumpkin patch ASAP.  With Jenn and her girls out of town, it was just me and my three little pumpkins for this trip.  

Silas found the dig pit.  This is no sandbox, it is recycled rubber that is shredded into dig pits.  We've seen it once before at the Children's Museum, but we haven't been there in ages.  I hate forcing my kids to move on from something they love, but he wouldn't leave here without major prompting.

 Jewel was into everything.  She loved the hay maze, the trike riding, and the animals.

We went on the hay ride.  On the way out, the sun was just making everything GOLDEN and shiny.  Trey was excited to sit with me and take in the evening sights.

This is not the best facial expression for Jewel, she was running out of steam, but the photo almost looks like a painting with her perfect skin, ringlets, and the lighting of the sun.  She takes my breath away.  

On the way back, the sun started to sink behind the trees and the Trey started to sink further against me.  He never fell asleep, but it felt like he was close.

 Silas had a moment with his little sister as we were heading back.  I don't know what they were saying, but pretty soon he reached his arm around her and rested it on her shoulders.  Ahhhh.

This is how Oregon sunflowers feel at the end of a sunny day.  Sad.  Who knows when the sun will come back.

After the hay ride we went to pick out our pumpkins.  Trey had high hopes for a big 'ol whopper.

 He pulled and pushed on this pumpkin for a long time.

 But finally settled with one he could hold himself.  I love Jewel's expression in these pictures.  Can't get enough of her.  Ever.

 And we ended the day with popcorn for the road.

But, the gem of the day for me...is this...

I NEVER get good pictures of all three of them.  But this one is near perfection.  This is the cutest little patch of pumpkins I have ever seen.  

For Grandpa

Dad,

Jewel still thinks you are in the TV when we play a song station that has your songs on it.  She still looks at me and tips her head to the side, saying, "Grandpa in there?  Grandpa singing in there?"

We have been riding bikes at the end of the street almost every evening after dinner.  Not much longer and it will be too dark and too cold, but we are squeezing every last ray of sunshine out of the season.  Jewel has been getting so much more efficient on her strider.  I wondered if it could happen, but she is actually picking up her feet and gliding the way the bike was meant to be used.  She is INCREDIBLY proud of herself and often asks me to tell you about it.  So, here is a little snap shot for you.

Grandpa's Girl

Silas is too fast to video these days.  It was also getting dark when I took this, but I am pretty sure this kid could keep up with you for a marathon.  

So, we miss you, we think about you all the time, and we wish you were here to take them for a bike ride :)

Bury Family Reunion 2012

This was an incredible summer for vacations.  For me, it counts as a vacation to have family come to stay with us.  We got a sweet dose of that mid July when Jordan's sister, Mandy, and her three kids came to stay with us for a few days before the Bury Family Reunion 2012.

Mandy is super mom.  She flew with her whole crew (Abbie, 9; Brandon, 7; Ryan, 5) on her own to Portland to share some special cousin time and sibling time.  We packed all the fun we could into their visit.  It wasn't hard to top the last time they came to stay with us...the 109 degree weekend we spent with no AC...it was an expression of true love that they even attempted to come back.  

We picked every kind of berry Oregon grows, and ate them until our fingers were blue and our tummies were full.  We went hiking in the parks, throwing rocks in the river, chased ducks at the library, and had major sleepover fun.  All the boys were in one room on the floor, three sleeping bags lined up with three happy little boys.  Jewel and Abbie had the twin beds in the kids' room, and Mandy joined the girls on the blow up mattress.  Trey camped out in our room, officially making it a FULL house!  

After our long weekend together, the rest of the Bury clan joined us and we all headed up Mt. Hood for the week.  Even Jordan took the ENTIRE TIME off of work to hang with his family.   It was such a great week!  Mandy's family took the bunk room, Chris and Christine roomed with Nixon, Grammy and Pops escaped having kids in their room, but only because they graciously gave our family the master suite.  With Jewel on one side of the bed, Silas on the other and Trey in the closet...we used every square inch.  Ellsie had a room to herself, which shows the true love (of sleep) that Chris and Christine have for her and the rest of the family :)

She did plenty of sharing throughout the week, though.  She and Jewel had their own private table during dinner.

She shared her mommy with some cousins who were in MAJOR need of Aunt Christine fun.

She had to share all of the hugs and kisses and squeezes that she normally gets all to herself from Nixon.  He gave A LOT of them to Trey!

And she had to share her Daddy with Uncle Jordan and their major workout routines.

Thank you for all your sharing Ellsie :)  Our family was very thankful!

Jewel did a lot of sharing as well.  She shared hugs, kisses, snuggles and "inky time" with whomever would hold still long enough to receive it.  No one complained.  

She also shared her dance moves.  This girl can shake the wiggles out like no one's business...much to her Daddy's concern

Perhaps the best one at sharing was Ryan.  He shared his 5th birthday with us, and we partied it up big time!  

We made a tank for his birthday cake, went up to the Alpine Slides and Mt. Hood adventure park for rides and games and treats galore, and ended the night at a pizza place with our whole crew plus Uncle Bruno and Aunt Nancy.  It may have been the best day of the trip if you ask the kids :)

On top of all of that fun, we shared Jammies from Grammy

Hikes to the waterfalls,

several nights around the fire for s'mores, and laughter and smiles and conversations and play times to last us until Christmas.  Well, we hope they do...that's when we get to see everyone again.  And we CAN'T WAIT!!!

Pops and Grammy, we appreciate your generosity more than you will ever know.  You shared more than all of us in making this trip possible.  I am honored to be a part of this giving family.  May this be a legacy that is passed on to your children, grandchildren, and generations to come.  And may the Lord richly bless you for your faithfulness in leading, serving, and loving your family.