Some October

After an incredibly busy September, we were finally able to breathe a little bit in October. Although, Adam has been busier than ever at work. In late September his boss resigned and Adam was put in charge in the interim. So far, he's been doing two very important jobs at the mill for 6 full weeks...with no end in sight. He works 12-hour days and comes home to work on the computer after the kids go to bed. Too bad he's not getting paid for two jobs! We miss him, but he has still found moments here and there to spend quality time with the kids.

October is mushroom season, and Adam took the kids out three different times to search for chanterelles. We didn't hit the jackpot like last year, but we still found a bunch. Adam and the kids were even able to take Grandpa out to show him the secret spot!

Soren is an excellent mushroom finder. He found these under a log all by himself!

As usual, we had some gorgeous October days. I hosted my ladies bible study a couple of weeks in October, and it's always perfect when the sun is out because the loud children can go outside. Soren looks forward to his sister coming home from school (even though he denies it) so that he has a buddy to play with outside. I recall one afternoon, however, that Synnove played outside while Soren was engrossed in playing with his train set inside. This never happens. Synnove was determined to climb the maple tree higher than her brother can...I think she succeeded...

The kids also spent some good time with Grandpa in October. It's nice to have my parents in Warrenton because my kids like to spend time at their house while I grocery shop. One day, while I was shopping, Grandpa took the kids to the dollar store and then let them carve a couple of pumpkins. They were rotten by Halloween, so (of course) they carved more! Halloween pics to come.

These balloons were a dollar store find. Synnove had fun making her own clown creations!

The Fair and the Ferris Wheel

(From the first week in August)

For one reason or another, I usually end up spending a lot of time at the Clatsop County Fair. Ever since Synnove was a baby and we lived in Cornelius, I still ended up back in Astoria spending the week at the fair. We have a pretty small fair in comparison to fairs in Tillamook County, Washington County, or even Benton County. In fact, I would say that many would think our fair is pretty boring! We go to visit, watch the 4-H kids, eat some fatty food, and wander aimlessly through the exhibits. The kids love it, especially when Grandpa is there to take them on the rides!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful father...even more so, my kids are blessed to have such a wonderful grandfather. His patience, stamina, and knack to spoil are awe-inspiring. Dad was working during fair this year, but managed to find the time to take the kids down to the carnival for one of the days. The kids had been begging to ride the rides even before the fair opened...and they specifically requested GRANDPA. I told them that he might not be able to take them, so they were over the moon excited when he was able to on "buddy day" (buy one ride bracelet and get one 1/2 off). As in years passed, they would ride for hours, break for meals, and then ride even more.

Mom and I met up with them near dinner-time and I caught some photos. The kids even talked Grandpa into doing a balloon-popping game to get a prize. It's been a month since we were at the fair, and Soren STILL carries his prize around (a frog "buddy" with velcro hands that he wears around his neck).

Synnove jumping as she throws a dart...

Grandpa agreed to ride the ferris wheel after finally convincing Synnove to ride it...she was pretty apprehensive...

I just had to include this picture of dad texting while riding...is that legal?

Dad and Soren have their tongues out while Synnove hides from the camera...

You Want Whip With That??

All of last week was devoted to the fair. I was pretty excited for this year as Tonya, Weesie, and I would be working together. Unfortunately, I started coming down with another cold on Monday night. I couldn't believe it...third cold of the summer!!! The weather wasn't supposed to be that great either. Last year, the business was non-stop because of the heat wave, but this year the weather was supposed to be cloudy and drizzly. Like last year, I was going to have to juggle the kids around. Dad was working, and mom was at the coffee shop. FiFi was able to help entertain the kids a bunch while they were at the fair, and Don and Alice pitched in too. Adam drove out after work when Dad wasn't available and Mom came out after work as well. Somehow it all worked out.

Tonya came in early with Elise all but one of the 5 mornings...6:30...uck! People wanted their coffee in the morning even though the fair didn't actually open till 9. All the kids and parents who needed to take care of their animals every day had to be there early like us. At around 10:00 we would get the carnie rush. And they ALL loved their 20 oz. white mochas with extra shots. Weesie was an animal on the coffee machine! Because it was a rented machine, she wanted to be the only one liable, so she made ALL the coffee. Tonya and I would prep cups and steam milk. By day 2 we had a pretty good system.

Elise had ordered a bunch of smoothie mix and brain freeze mix because last year we sold SO much and had to frantically order more. This year, she sold a LOT of hot coffee drinks and not so many of the other. We still made our fair share of cold drinks though. Unfortunately, she has a lot of product left over. ANYway, our busiest days were Friday and Saturday. Tonya had planned to go up to Portland on Saturday to do some dress shopping for her wedding next month, but she sooooo nicely went on Sunday instead. Elise was going to shut down the shop in town so that Henry could work if Tonya couldn't be there. It's really hard to run that booth in a rush with only two people.

Because of my cold, I didn't sleep well all week, and by Friday I was starting to really drag my feet. I told Tonya she could sleep in on Saturday and that I would come in at 6:30. So, on Saturday, I woke up at 5:00 and didn't get home till around 10:30. I was beyond exhausted. So exhausted I was wired...so I didn't get to sleep till after midnight. Sunday, I slept in a bit and woke with a headache. Even Soren slept in till 10:00 that morning!! The kids had a very eventful week and had late nights as well. We didn't go to church. I picked up my exhibits at the fairgrounds that afternoon and went to the grocery store. I had entered a couple of photos at the last minute and got a 2nd place ribbon on my picture of Soren with his baby chick (see 2nd photo down from THIS blog). I wasn't expecting to get any ribbons because the photo was a bit blurry...but in Clatsop County there aren't that many folks who know how to take pictures :)

Because I was in the booth all week, I didn't really get a chance to see much of the fair, or take any photos. I brought my little camera to get pictures of us girls and a few of the kids. Dad took the kids on the rides on Thursday after taking the kids and I out to breakfast. They rode the rides ALL day...literally. Dad sent me updates every so often on how many rides they went on. They would take breaks and come to the actual fair for food, but they didn't leave until at least 8:30! The kids stayed the night with Grandpa that night :)

Me, Wessie, and Tonster on the first day. We're wearing our Shanghaied in Astoria pins and our "I 'heart' Mary Kay" pins. I was doing a $50 drawing for MK at the booth....and Weesie and Tonya are my "MK groupies."

The fair sponsored a craft booth and FiFi took the kids there on several occasions. Synnove is a kitty, and Soren is a tiger (I think FiFi drew the glasses and 'stache.) He LOVED his tiger mask and growled at us all of Wednesday afternoon.
Soren wanted to scare mommy when I got home from my night. He did, and then he fell asleep. This is what I found when I went to check on him before finally turning in for the night...

On Thursday, it was warm enough for us to take our sweatshirts off for most of the day. Weesie had pink shirts made for us girls especially for the fair!

At our booth, we tried to play our own music, but the stage was pretty close by. A comedy duo called "Brothers from Different Mothers" played the stage at least twice a day and their music got to be obnoxious. Anyway, we would poke fun at all the acts to pass the time and decided we needed our own act....we called ourselves "Sisters from Different Misters"...I know...you can't contain your laughter.

Island Fishing

Though the weather wasn't supposed to be that great, Dad wanted to risk some rain to take the kids fishing on Saturday. It actually turned out to be a great trip! The rain stayed away and we only felt a few sprinkles. Adam wasn't able to come as he was stuck home sanding the Montero, but he wanted to be there. We headed out late morning, and after some engine trouble, we ended up on one of the many islands on the Columbia east of Astoria.

Taking the zodiac from the boat to the beach...Synnove wasn't so sure she wanted to go...

The first thing Synnove did when she got on land...

After some waiting, and some prayers, we caught our first fish. Synnove practiced reeling in her first fish bigger than a trout...a steelhead.

After we caught the first fish, it took a while to get another bite. We sat around the fire, looked for treasures on the completely man-made island, ate, and read magazines.

Dad caught a few Z's...sorta

Finally, the pole bell rang and Synnove reeled in a jack salmon!

The happy fisher"woman" on her way home...