The Adventure: 07/01/2009

July 28, 2009

It's the Season...

It's the season for sun...it's the season for fun...and it's the season for thunderstorms. Sweet home Colorado has plenty of those afternoon, evening, and night time storms. I'm not a huge fan of the crashes of thunder that bring me out of a deep sleep, or the strobe light lightening that happens along with, but the day time storms...bring 'em on!! At least in an emergency I have a basement to take my kiddos into - there will be no huddling around a toilet here like there was in Alabama!!

Even the boys enjoyed the drenching storm that we had a few days ago

Why a picture of this you ask? Just to give you a reference point...this is the usually empty storm drain that is 2 houses down from us.

I stood out on the front step while Justin held the umbrella over my head - the boys were cheering me on...you can see the parked car down the street - the water was almost up to it's front fender.

Our street...or should I say river...

The storm drain (picture previously)...

After the clouds parted - kids started coming out of their houses to play. I am not usually in support of this kind of risky behavior, but I could really resist!

The water was still very swift and probably about 1-2 feet deep. The boys LOVED it!!

Even Eli and his permanent attachment (blankey) took a small dip. I would let Justin take him out...so he had to settle for the smaller stream!

After it was all said and done, the boys were wet...stinky...and had to take hot baths to warm up. The best part they said, was watching the neighbors big trash bag float down the road - there were a lot of giggles when that happened!!

July 13, 2009

Beach Day...

This past weekend we headed out to the Oregon Coast. Beautiful doesn't really describe this beach...it is gorgeous, and amazing. It is certainly different than Antigua...and the Gulf coast. It was chilly and the waves were crashing but that didn't stop the kiddos from have some fun!

We spent a couple of hours playing in the sand and letting the waves "try to catch" us.

Getting buried in the sand is a must for all kids. Believe me I am still washing sand out from between toes, behind ears, and other unmentionable places!

Uncle Kelly showing Eli a dead crab.

Yes, Eli wore his basketball PJ pants to the beach. He wasn't not pleased with the crashing waves and spent a lot of time in my arms or on my lap. Every time he ventured closer to the water a wave would break and he would tear back to me screaming "mama mama!"

Aunt Erin and Seth running from the waves...Seth loved it!!

My sister and her family. They have put up with the boys and I for almost 3 weeks. It has been a great chance for my sister and I to catch up and for the cousins to get re-aquainted (i.e. fight)!

My two favorite pictures of the day - taken my my sister...what a great day!!

July 8, 2009

Happy Belated Birthday America!!

Food, Fun, Family and Water could describe our 4th of July here in Oregon. The boys and I spent the day with my sister and her family. We went swimming in the morning, and the kids spent most of the hot afternoon in their undies. In the evening my brother-in-law helped the kiddos with a small fireworks display!

It wasn't quite as hot as the Alabama heat, but plenty warm. Every kid loves the sprinkler right?!

After a while, even a couple of the adults were hot and quickly found a solution to the problem. I held tight to the camera so that I didn't have to take part in the fun!

Eli was dedicated to helping Uncle Kelly with some yard work...his solution for the heat was just to be naked!!

We have especially enjoyed all of the Oregon berries that are available at the local fruit stands and berry farms. 4th of July was no exception - frozen berries on a hot day are a perfect afternoon snack!!

By the looks of this picture you would have thought the fireworks were huge...but in actuality they were one or two inch fountains!!

Eli and my niece Emiley are about 3 weeks apart - after about 30 seconds of fireworks they were in tears...but Emiley especially enjoyed the champagne poppers...