Tsunami Treasure Hunt

A couple of Sundays ago my family planned at little beach picnic for after church since the weather was staying so warm every day.  Unfortunately, the clouds didn't roll away and the wind was rather chilly, so we had lunch at my parent's house and then headed for the beach anyway to kill some time before going to the movies to see "Brave."

The kids mostly looked for shells and dodged waves.  The wind was outrageous!

Adam thought it would be fun to go treasure hunting for debris that has washed up from the tsunami in Tokyo last year.  Quite honestly, I didn't think we would find anything, but we did! Among several washed up 2x4s and random pieces of siding, we found a large handful of drink bottles with Japanese writing on them and Adam found a fluorescent light bulb...it said "made in Japan" on it...ha ha.

Henry and Adam being "Japanese" dorks.

Our bottle caps.  Adam found the one that has "2011" printed on it...pretty neat that it has the year of the Tsunami on it!

Clam Digging

Spring break was last week, and we did virtually NOTHING! We were all still recuperating from being sick and the weather was awful. On the first weekend (first day of spring break) Adam spent the day out of town, but came home by 5:00 to drag us out of our cabin fever rut and go clam digging. We didn't get to the beach till about an hour before dark, but we made a go of it anyway. We knew that clamming wasn't that great, so we weren't expecting much. Really, we just wanted out of the house. It was cold, but it wasn't raining, and the wind was just a whisper. And although we didn't come home with any clams, we all enjoyed the fresh ocean air.

March 19th:

Visit with Cousins

My sister-in-law, Amanda, was in NY last week, so my mom-in-law watched Samantha and Carter. We don't see them too often, so it was a nice to have them visit for a couple of days last week. Grandma Patty had promised Synnove some new additions to her "fairy garden" that they started last year, and she wanted to do some fun crafts with the kids all together. Faith and her two kids came too, so we had a full house! The kids enjoyed all the company and played for hours outside. Patty had planned to stay the night, and thought that both Faith and I knew. Communication isn't a strong Brown-family characteristic...lol! I wasn't doing anything for the next couple of days, so it worked out fine, but Faith was a bit bummed that she didn't come prepared to stay as well. She had an appointment the next day and didn't want to be all frazzled. Still, she stayed till almost 11:00 that night visiting and loading up on coffee for the drive home.

Quite the fairy garden, if you ask me. Notice, Synnove is watching Grandma work...lol!

Samantha playing peek-a-boo with Cash and Synnove and Soren through the window.

The next day, Patty and I spend a lazy morning visiting while the kids played outside. My fridge wasn't full enough to create a suitable lunch, so we headed to town to have sandwiches at the Wheelhouse. Coincidentally, Patty and I both were in dire need of oil changes, so we got that out of the way and headed to the beach.

The weather was surprisingly beautiful! I took them all to Fort Stevens to explore Battery Russel before finally ending at Peter Iredale Beach for a quick run through the sand. I actually wasn't planning on going, so I didn't have my camera with me. I could have got some really great photos of the kids playing in the little pools created by the shipwreck. Though the beach isn't far, it's rare for us to actually go there. In fact, I'm pretty sure I was pregnant with Soren the last time I was at Peter Iredale. Peter Iredale Beach is less than 5 miles from my Parent's house. I suppose knowing that it's there is enough for me :)

While Mom's Away...

While I was at Creation, Adam stayed home and played with the kids. He had planned a handful of things, including camping out in the field, and going on some hikes. On Friday they went and got some rocks for the house (landscaping? wall-building?) and discovered a field of foxgloves.

On the way back, they stopped at Hunt's Market to pick up some necessary items for dinner. I was so busy last week that I didn't have time to go to the grocery store and left Adam with an empty fridge.

That night they pitched the tent in the field and Adam built a little coffee can cook stove for the kids to heat hot chocolate and roast marshmallows. They were so excited to sleep with Daddy outside...and Charlie. They left the waterproof top off the tent so they could sleep under the stars (sort of).

Soren as he woke up the next morning...drool and all...

That day they did chores around the house, went on another hike (I think) and then headed to the beach in Warrenton after a much needed nap. That night the kids begged Adam to sleep in the tent another night, but he was so tired from the night before that they ended up in the house.

The next morning they headed to church and I made it home 15 minutes after they got back. They were full of fun stories to tell me. I hope one day they realize what a rare and wonderful daddy they have.

The Past Week

You know you're life is busy when you have to check your calendar to see what you did the day before. We're having lots of fun in this semi-beautiful weather, and have been taking advantage of every day.

Last Saturday we invited Chris, Tonya, Faith, Elise, and Chris over for a little BBQ. Chris B. ended up not being able to come, but we had fun anyway. As usual, the kids were overjoyed to have a friend to play with. The kids played outside for a while until dinner, then they had a bath together and watched a movie downstairs while the rest of us visited and watched a movie upstairs.

 

On Sunday we all went to church for the first time in a while. No, we haven't been playing hooky...but have been either sick, out of town, or camping for the last two months. We took separate cars to church as I had a baby shower to attend, and Adam and the kids were gonna go island fishing with Dad. The weather wasn't the greatest, but they caught enough sun to put on their swimsuits for a while. However, they didn't manage to catch a keeper.

On Monday Synnove had Grace over to play in the afternoon and then Adam and the kids went to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. I had to stay home because I had an appointment with a gal at our house. I had arranged for the kids to stay the night at Grandma and Grandpa's because I had a dentist appointment the next day and would have brought the kids over the next morning anyway. Adam came home with flowers that evening...thanks honey :)

Tuesday was Adam and I's 8th wedding anniversary. I opted to skip my MK meeting so I could spend some time at home. After my dentist appointment I stopped at the store to get some stuff for dinner and then picked up the kids. They had spent the morning picking berries, fixing the sprinkler system, and going to DQ (go figure). That night Adam and I mowed the lawn, split wood, and stacked it. Nothing like quality outdoor family time on our anniversary!

Wednesday I had planned a playdate with Jenna and JR. I was really looking forward to visiting with Cassie and letting the kids play! That morning Soren woke up not feeling good. I passed it off as morning hunger/gas (he's been having issues with that lately). He's not much of a breakfast eater, so when he willingly ate some Wheat Thins I figured he was fine. He threw them up 20 minutes later. I cancelled our playdate and we watched TV and movies on the couch all day. It was a beautiful day too! Synnove was bummed that her buddy was sick, but found things to do on her own. Soren got sicker as the day progressed and was throwing up green by midnight. He was such a trooper though...I don't think he complained once, and only cried when he accidentally hit his lip with his heavy tractor toy. He slept on the couch that night and woke with an appetite on Thursday morning. Thank you Jesus!

Yesterday we got our driveway sealed. There was much debate between Adam and I on whether or not we should pay to have it done. We have a fairly large driveway (roughly 4500-5000 square feet) and it is (was) covered in moss. We decided that it was going to be a fairly large undertaking for us to try to do it on our own, and much more headache than the savings would be worth. With all their big machines and expertise, the driveway was cleaned and sealed in 3 1/2 hours. It looks beautiful!

Adam came home fairly early last night so that I could race to Gearhart for a little MK party. He spent the evening with the kids going on a hike in search for treasures. The came home with a handful of elk teeth. I made it home in time to find Adam splitting more wood and the kids climbing trees. Even after being sick the day before, Soren was back to his old self.

And, tonight, Adam and I are going on a date for our anniversary! The kids don't know it yet, but Fi Fi is coming over to babysit. I love that when Adam and I decide we need a night out, the kids are happy to see us go so that they can play with one of their favorite cousins ;)

At the Beach...In March!

Last weekend, we sacrificed a day of working at home in the beautiful weather to take the kids to the beach. Jones Beach is just 20 minutes from our house. I had never been there before, but Adam had taken the kids there sometime over the summer. It's a fun little beach on the Columbia River with lots of fun hills and valleys to take 4-wheelers. The kids ask to fly their kite every time they see the slightest bit of wind outside...so we brought it along too. In the pics, it looks cold outside, but it was actually quite warm. It was a fun break.

There were countless amounts of mini clam shells to decorate castles...oh, and a nice dried out orange peel...you know...for color =)

After a while, the kids were able to fly the kite themselves. Every time it fell, they would take turns picking it back up. I loved watching them play. Oh, and there's a "papa does" (ship) in the background!

The wind picked up and Soren turned into a butterfly!

Synnove, taking Soren for a ride

I Don't Think the Laundry Will EVER Get Done!

No, this blog has very little to do with laundry, and mostly to do with how my family has been occupying their time in the last couple of weeks. Because of the busyness of our summer schedule, the laundry has been piling and if I finish one load in a day, I'm doing quite well.

I'll try my best not to make this entry drag on too long, as I don't have any visual stimuli to keep you reading. Yes folks, I accidentally deleted all of my most recent pictures. It's a tragedy, for sure. I plan to steal some from my mom of our most recent camping trip, and I'll post those as soon as I get them. But, for now, all you get is the boring text.

The week after 4th of July flew by in a flash. My old high school bud, Rachel, came for a visit with her two lovely daughters before heading back home to California. We had a nice time chatting and catching up on some old times. Adam busied himself fixing the Montero and gathering materials for the chicken run that he's now building. I took the rest of the week doing chores and getting ready for our next camping trip that we were to head off on in a week.

Adam had to be at the Toledo mill (don't know the name of it) to help with a safety audit on Monday, which also happened to be our 7th wedding anniversary. Adam was scheduled to be there the entire week, so instead of leaving us home, he brought us all with him! He had the great idea of bringing the trailer and camping out all week...kind of like having a free vacation. My Mom and Dad caught wind of the news and came too! It was perfect!

We weren't allowed to check into the campground till 4:00, but Adam had to be at work around 2:00. So, Adam and I dropped the kids off with my parents and drove our trailer down to Toledo. On the way, we stopped in Newport for a little anniversary lunch at Sizzler. Once in Toledo we had to find somewhere to park (said a big prayer on that one) that was close enough to the mill that he could walk. There's a rule at the mill that people can't park trailers on site. God led us to a public park just up the hill from the mill...woo-hoo! I took a nap in the trailer, and Adam headed off to work.

Meanwhile, my parents took their time driving down the coast, making sure to stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for ice cream and squeaky cheese. Adam got off at a reasonable time, and we made it to the park 15 minutes after my parents did. We stayed at South Beach State Park which is only 1 mile south of Newport, and like 10 miles away from Toledo. The park was quite nice and looked just like Fort Stevens campground. Campground camping isn't as much fun as camping in Naselle, but we still had a good time. The weather was a bit chilly at times and foggy because of how hot it was inland...but it didn't rain!

While Adam was a work we played tourist. We saw the sights, visited a couple of beaches (South Beach and Fogarty Creek), and went to the Lincoln City outlets. My friend Jessica even came for a visit on Tuesday with Jailey and Josiah. I think the kids enjoyed that...but they didn't enjoy the very long walk to and from the beach. Unfortunately, all the pics I took of that day are lost since Jessica didn't bring her camera. On Friday, Adam didn't have to work, so we chose that day to visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The kids seemed to like seeing all the fish...especially the sharks. Then, we played tourist a bit more and headed home.

Over the weekend I got busy catching up on chores and yard work while Adam began constructing the new chicken run. It's quite impressive. I'll post pics soon. On Saturday night, we invited the Thompsons over for dinner. Good times. On Sunday, my friend Margo came over with her two girls. I only get to see her like once a year (if that) so it was great to catch up with her while the kids played outside making potions out of blackberries and huckleberries. After Margo left, I took the kids over to Fi-Fi's house to see the baby bunnies that Peppermint Patty had birthed on early Saturday. Alice was bunny-sitting our pregnant Patty while we were in Newport. I can't remember the count, but I think she had like 8 bunnies! 4 survived...until last night. I guess Patty squished them on accident and they all died. She wasn't a very good 1st-time mom...maybe next time?

When the Thompsons were over for dinner on Saturday, Alice and I made a plan to take a trip to the Goodwill Outlet in Hillsboro. She hadn't been to the one there, and wanted to know where it was. So, we planned to go Monday. Synnove had swimming lessons that morning and I was busy trying to find a buyer for our portable air conditioner (what a hassle!!). It was a crazy morning. My dad said he would watch the kids while we were gone, so I dropped Soren off at my parents' house. Synnove decided she wanted to go shopping with Fi-Fi...go figure. Meanwhile, I was trying to deal with a somewhat shady character that wanted to buy my air conditioner. He lived near Portland, so we drove it up with us and met him in Scappoose. I could go on a rant about inconsiderate Craigslisters right now...but I won't.

Anyway, we spent a good 3 hours at Goodwill Outlet sifting through "the bins" as people call it. We ended up with 2 cart-fulls for $40. We even got to watch a nasty old lady cat-fight! It's always something at that place. If you've ever been to one, you know what I'm talking about. Here's a link to an article someone wrote about "the bins." After that, we meandered a few other places, and headed to Red Robin for dinner. Synnove was a trooper during our "Girls Day" and I think we all had a good time. I can't wait to do it again!

I'll try to get some pics of our Newport trip up soon.

But, for now, laundry is calling my name....ugh...