Commencement

I am a little behind here, but a few photos of a wonderful event. Congratulations, Nichole! You deserve the good things in life!

Memorial Day Weekend

Before I even get started, I have to confess that I brought the camera along, but it didn't come out even once. . .

Even without the pictures, it was a great weekend. The weather was wonderful! Sunshine Thursday through. . . well, it is still shining!!!! Now if we can just hang on to it throughout the summer.

Most people started their holiday on Friday, but I think I will back up to Thursday morning. Our activity of note was actually inspired by Jessica. She used to do this activity every week, and I have been thinking about doing the same, so after Seminary, I took Nichole and Marissa to the Portland Temple. We didn't stay terribly long, but it was such a nice visit. I actually really wish I had taken my camera. The girls and I were amazed at the size of some of the rhododendron blooms. As we stood gaping, one of the temple gardeners invited us to pick some violas as they were in the process of removing them to make room for summer flowers. (The temple grounds are always so beautiful--the gardeners must stay busy pretty much year-round.) Nichole and Marissa both ended up with quite a bouquet of flowers, some of which are pressed in their journals. The Portland Temple has a fountain and a reflecting pool, which are nice to just sit beside and think. On Thursday, there was a cute little Mallard duck in the reflecting pool. We all thought that was really cute.

While most people were headed out of town on Friday, we decided to stay put--more or less. Rachelle, Marissa and Jamie all did some babysitting. Tim had to work. Rob and I went on a date (back to the temple!), and Nichole stayed home as she wasn't feeling well. We all slept in on Saturday morning. We took our time packing up for a couple of days camping at Grandma Hawkins' house. I think we arrived at her house around 5:00 pm. She immediately stuffed us on the most delicious chicken and dumplings we have ever had! Nichole says this is truly one of her favorite foods. Then we set up the tents and sat around visiting and watching a little TV with Grandma and Craig. Around 9:00, Grandma Christi stopped by for a visit with her new friend, David. We all thought that he was a very nice man. We finally hit the sleeping bags around 10:30 or so. I had a little trouble sleeping, but it seemed like everyone else managed fairly well. The weather was still pretty nice, and most of the night sounds were delightful. For some reason, I am oddly fascinated by the frenzied yips, yaps, and howls of the coyotes. They did actually serenade us for a few minutes that night. As is customary when camping, we were up with the birds on Sunday morning. Grandma beat us though. She spends time every morning and evening in scripture study and prayer. Then she cooked up a breakfast to feed an entire army! We were pretty much stuffed till dinner time. We attended church with Grandma and came home for a relaxing afternoon. I had quite a head-ache, so I retired to my tent for some down time. After a rousing little game of chase with Ivy, (see Nichole's blog for the story) Nichole joined me for an afternoon nap. Rob and the other girls went out to play some wiffle ball. (Tim had to work, so he didn't get to join us this time--which felt extremely odd.) Eventually, the sun had done it's job and cooked me all the way through. I had to get out of the oven tent for some fresh air, but my head-ache didn't subside. Eventually, Rob gave me a blessing and one ibuprofen which did the trick. (I generally don't take ibuprofen as I am allergic to it.) A cold front moved in, so we put on our jackets and ended the night around a terrific bonfire to roast hot dogs and make smores. It was really fun! (Oh, just a little side note: Grandma had food out all day long, and Rachelle discovered that she LOVES Grandma's Spanish rice. She has formally requested that for her birthday dinner.)

Yesterday, we celebrated our freedom at--where else--the beach! There was enough of a breeze to make it cold for those who got soaked, but otherwise it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! There were many people out on the beach yesterday. And certainly, there will be till after Labor Day weekend. Still, there was plenty of sand to place our blanket down and relax. But, first the water! Nichole had Ivy, so she wasn't able to just run out into the waves like the girls traditionally do. And Ivy would have nothing to do with rushing about in the water. She didn't mind the waves coming in, but she had a terrible time with the ones going out. Nichole did eventually get her out there. Rob picked up another body-surfing board. I intended to play on it too, but it was just too cold for me. I could only take the arctic water up to my knees. Marissa and Rachelle finally got the hang of the little surf boards, but the breeze drove them out of the water before Nichole could get much practice. We headed back to the blanket, where the girls tried to warm up. For a mostly dry person, the weather was perfect. A cool breeze to keep things from getting too hot. For a wet person, the breeze kept things a little too cold. For a black dog, it was just plain hot. Nichole tried to warm up by sitting on the blanket. She eventually took her wet shirts (yes shirts) off and just wore a dry sweatshirt. That seemed to help her out. Marissa tried sitting in different spots on the warm sand, but she just didn't dry off. She shook and shivered the whole time. Rachelle had Jamie bury her. I laid on the blanket with Rob's head on my tummy or lower back and fried myself into a nice lobster red. After burying Rachelle, Jamie went to play on a swing just down the beach a little way. When Marissa had had enough chattering and I had had enough cooking, I looked over at Rachelle who had fallen asleep buried up to her neck in sand and with a hood pulled down over her face! I wished I had thought to bring the camera down to the beach! I think everyone was relieved to head back to the truck to change into dry clothes. . . even the sand monster that slightly resembled Rachelle (again, I really wish I had thought to bring the camera out). Once everyone was dry and comfy, we headed into Seaside for dinner at Fultano's and then off for some hand made ice cream at Zinger's Homemade Ice cream. It was the best! Everyone agreed that it even beats a trip to the candy store. From there, we headed home. We were all pretty tuckered out, but I think Ivy most of all. She is still just laying around sleeping!

It was a very nice weekend and I am thankful to all the soldiers who have put their lives on the line to protect my freedom. What a great blessing it is to be able to freely enjoy my family and friends in this great country. Truly, I am proud to be an American!

Mother's Day

Rob asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day, and since I have become rather obsessed with the beach, I surprised no one when I asked for another beach day. . .

The day started out very nice. Happily, the fact that we followed a tricked out HEARSE part of the way had no bearing on the kind of day we enjoyed. We took Highway 4 this time. It is as scenic as any route we could take. We discovered this nice historic site as well.

This beautiful Great Blue Heron was just sitting in some water on the side of the road by Warrenton.

Rob decided to park at the northernmost part of Seaside's beach. We made our way south toward the cove. Nichole, Marissa, and Rachelle wasted no time getting wet. Although the day was pretty nice for this time of year, there was quite a breeze which made the air seem much colder on the beach than back home in Battle Ground. The girls said they actually felt warmer in the water than out of the water. Halfway down the beach, Rob decided to run up to the Seaside shops to find the girls an inexpensive bodysurfing board. By this time, the girls were getting pretty cold, and were just about to call it a day. But, they had to try the board out. Rob and I tried to explain that they needed to ride the waves into the shore, but for some reason they kept going sideways. Occasionally, they even went against the waves and really got dunked! As the clouds rolled in, we knew that we had better head back to the vehicle. The girls were so cold their muscles were all tensed up from shivering. Nichole actually started to walk all hunched up like an elderly person (looking remarkably like her 2 year old cousin Rylie's verson of an elderly person). Towels, dry clothes, and the truck's heater were greatly welcomed.



A very unusual sand sculpture. . .

Jamie

Maybe bodysurfing is not all it is cracked up to be?

With the wind came the clouds. . . with the clouds came the cold. It was time to move on. We decided to head toward Cannon Beach. On the way, we found a roadside cherry stand open, and had to stop! Yummy!

In Cannon Beach, we took a trip down memory lane. Not only did Rob spend some of his childhood years there, but he and I were very blessed to be able to spend some of our honeymoon there as well. It had been some time since I had been in Cannon Beach. It was so beautiful! Especially when viewed from Indian Head Beach in Ecola State Park. Haystack Rock makes for a breath taking view. We were pretty tired from our Seaside adventures, so we decided to leave further exploration of Cannon Beach for another day. We made our way home on Highway 26. Along the way, we came across a nice little park where the largest Sitka Spruce in the US used to stand. Sadly, about 50 years ago lightning struck it and a section in the middle died and weakened the top of the tree. In 2007, hurricane strength winds were able to snap about 120 feet off the top of the tree, leaving an 80 foot stump behind.
If you look very closely, you can see Rob at the base of the tree. He is in green so you will have to look VERY closely.

Further down the road, we stopped at a cool restaurant called Camp 18. It is situated on an old logging site and is filled with all sorts of logging memorabilia and equipment. We had great fun exploring outside while waiting for a table to open up. Dinner itself was--well I had mixed emotions. First of all, this was my mother's day gift from Rob, and I loved it. But Tim had to work that morning, so couldn't be with us. It felt strange to be eating out without him. And the prices!!!! None of us felt up to a $23.00 dinner entre. We all ordered very substantial meals from the lunch menu. After half of my dinner (meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy) I was officially stuffed.

Marissa and Nichole take the opportunity to get close to one of the local loggers.

Rob is caring for a bear which he thinks makes him a care-bear!

Care-bear or no, this Sasquatch is not looking very amused! I wonder if the people eating in the restaurant were?

Rachellie is just chillin' with the bear.

We finally made it home around 10:00. . . to another feast prepared by Tim. He had gone out and purchased pork chops--one of my favorite foods! And Tim is such a GOOD cook. I managed to get half a pork chop down, before I had to stop. After hanging out together for about an hour, we all headed off for bed. My tummy was so full!!!

Tim-cat--World Class Chef!!

After a whole day of driving, walking, feasting, and keeping Mom happy, Rob was pretty tuckered out!

Rob and several of the girls prepared a delicious breakfast for me. I was still full from my two dinners! Thankfully, I have now had a couple of days to recouperate. I can actually eat a little and enjoy it again!

It was a great mother's day!

Some horses + a birthday = ONE REALLY GREAT DAY!

Although Tim has been as busy with his fishing as ever, I have no amusing fish stories to share. However, I do have a horse story, and we have come to call it "The Best Day Ever".

It all started with Girl's camp. This year, the girls are being asked to come up with quite a lot of money to attend Girl's Camp. Perhaps for one girl, $110.00 wouldn't be so daunting, but we have 4 girls going this year. Rob and I are on a tight budget, and $440.00 is a lot of money for us to come up with. Of course, the idea is for each girl to earn the money herself. Unfortunately, the economy has many people pinching their pennies a little more this year. So, earning opportunities are not as plentiful as in the past. Still, whenever a little money had been earned, the money (after tithing, of course) went into a little jar to be split up between all four girls. This is a sweet story in itself, because sharing their moneys was all their idea. Rob and I had nothing to do with it. Our girls were not worried about who earned more or less. They just decided to help each other get to camp. The idea was noble, but the jar wasn't filling up very quickly. One day I mentioned our dilemma to my fellow Seminary teacher and friend, Lia Stokes. She is one of the kindest and most generous people I know. She offered to let girls work for her for a couple of weeks. They muck out stalls, groom horses, wash feed buckets, sweep, and whatever else needs to be done. Sometimes the work can be hard and quite dirty, but they LOVE it. I don't know how a woman who is as timid as I am around those enormous (although very beautiful) creatures could end up with daughters who love them so much. Seriously, they have no fears or worries. Only a deep and trusting love for horses. Apparently, the girls are willing to do whatever they can to be near them. Getting paid for the job is just a bonus. (And a great blessing, as they have been able to add their earnings from Sister Stokes to their other little stash and have enough for all 4 girls to go to camp!) Another bonus has been Deon Laboto. She has been teaching the girls all they need to know to do their jobs well. She is kind and tender, and the girls just love her. Honestly, I can't imagine anyone not loving her, though.

Then one day, it was suggested that the girls come up to the horse barn for riding lessons! Well, if I live to be a million years old, I will never be able to stir up that much excitement in my house! The girls were beyond ecstatic.

The big day was May 5. Cinco de Mayo. Rob's 42nd birthday. The BEST DAY EVER!!! First, the girls got to groom the horses. Even I participated in this little chore. The lucky horses were Harvey, a very well trained quarter horse/thoroughbred mix (there is a specific term for Harvey's breed, but I am very new to horses, so this is as good as it gets), and an Arabian named Smoke. For the first lesson, Sister Stokes decided to have the girls get a good feel for the horses by having them ride bareback. Truly bareback. No blankets or anything. The girls spent a little time learning how to "sit" on a barrel, then after demonstrating how to get "a leg up", Deon left the riding arena to clean stalls while Sister Stokes commenced with the training. Nichole went up on Smoke first. Jamie and I were asked to lead Harvey a little distance away, so I had my horse experience that day too! Once Nichole was situated and instructed in the way to handle Smoke, Rachelle got situated on Harvey. From there, the girls took turns on each of the horses, Sister Stokes right there to assist in any way needed. Jamie and I remained in the middle of the arena.

Nichole and Marissa are grooming Smoke. Smoke is a very good natured Arabian.

Jamie is helping with Harvey's grooming.

Sister Stokes getting Nichole started on Smoke.

There were a few troubles learning how to ride on two very different (although very well behaved) horses. Marissa was the first to eat a "dirt sandwich", but wasn't hurt, and got right back on to finish the lesson. She had a definite disadvantage in learning to ride, as her legs are just not as long as Rachelle's or Nichole's. Fortunately, Marissa is a natural athlete, and a little spill would never keep her down. By the end of the lesson, she was holding her own, and enjoying herself too.

Marissa on Smoke. . .

And on Harvey.

Rachelle is always a surprise. A couple of years ago, I would have thought it would be highly unlikely that she would ever walk across the riding arena (muddy type shavings and eeewww, horse poo!), much less get up on the the bare back of the horse. I don't know why I had this idea that she was a little prissy. She never really was, she is just a very feminine woman. I actually admire that about Rachelle. I truly believe that Rachelle is what Heavenly Father had in mind when he made women. And sitting on a horse didn't change that image at all. She was as pretty on a horse as off. And she rode quite well. I don't even think she had a close call--not even when Harvey went in a tight circle. . . backwards!

Rachelle on Smoke.

It was easy to smile on this day!

Nichole was actually quite a natural. She was a graceful rider, and I was surprised to feel this certain twinge in my heart that only comes when I witness something truly beautiful. Honestly, watching her was like looking at an exquisite painting or hearing music that takes your breath away. I never dreamed that watching someone ride a horse would be so aesthetically rewarding. In fact, she made riding a horse look so good, for about a split second, I almost thought it might be fun to try someday. Thank goodness, the spit second passed, and my sanity returned. No danger of me getting on a horse anytime soon. But I truly hope to have the pleasure of seeing Nichole riding a horse far more often in the future.


Harvey was so well trained, that he would respond to the slightest tug on the reigns or squeeze of the feet.


Smoke was a little easier for a beginner to ride but he got a little stubborn at the end. By then, he had had enough of beginners and wanted to do something more fun. At least a trot. Nichole was ready to trot by the end of the lesson and had a very successful turn around the arena. But, even the most natural looking rider gets tired, and she had a very silly experience on her second trotting turn. If you want that story, check out her blog. (I laughed so hard, I cried! No, she didn't fall off. Seriously, I don't think we could have pried her off with a crowbar!)


Jamie had the opportunity to ride a little as well. She didn't get to take the reigns this time. Rachelle was good enough to lead her on Smoke, while Nichole held her on. That made for a very fun experience for Jamie, and I suspect she will be eager to ride a horse again in the near future.

Practicing on the barrels. Note: we were taught NOT to sit forward on the horse! :)

It was fun for everyone!

The girls were so euphoric after riding the horses, I swear I could have gotten any chore done that afternoon! Happily, they have been getting their chores done before leaving the house each morning, so there wasn't anything I could ask them to do. Dang!


The celebrations didn't end when we left the horse barns. Rob turned 42, and we had to celebrate that in our usual fashion. Nichole fixed him a nice breakfast, Nichole and Marissa put a huge German chocolate cake together for him, and all the girls and I made an amazing spaghetti dinner for him. The girls put the usual happy birthday sign up on the kitchen wall, which will likely stay there till Nichole's birthday.




Forty-two is a big number and makes for a lot of candles! The girls decided to be nice and put them all together so it wouldn't be so hard to get them all blown out. (The taller sticks were to keep that tall cake from sliding apart! The cake was really that big.)



Nichole established her own tradition of trying to steak the birthday cake. This tradition began with Rachelle's birthday last year. She even got a few of us to sing to her instead of Rachelle! We were on to her by now, though. Everyone sang to Daddy!

It was like lighting a forest on fire!

Next year, we may need to have the fire department standing by. . . just in case!

So, in the end, the day was a complete wonder. I don't even wish that every day was as great, because if they were we would miss out on these "BEST DAYS EVER"!