Montana Cara Came to Visit the OSU Girls in Oregon

Cara had to come do some cattle work over here in the valley this summer and we had to take the time for all of us to get together and have some girl time...with our hubbies and kids of course!  Heather and Chris hosted the most fabulous dinner and some sunshine too!  Gorgeous summer day and wonderful evening! Cara also got together with her band from the early 90's.  What a treat to listen to them and it was like being transported right back to college...just add about 15 kids ranging from newborn to 20 years old!  Always a good time with music and memories!

One Trip to the Beach

This summer we made it to the beach just one time...one time!  It was not even planned.  My nephew Cole had spent the night and when I went to wake the boys up I asked them if they wanted to head to the beach.  What beach?  We were not even sure until we all got in the car and started driving. 

We ended up in Pacific City for lunch at The Pelican Pub then a quick walk to the beach for some fun in the sun and surf.  We all got sandy and enjoyed the salty air.  We then drove into Lincoln City for the obligatory stop to get caramel corn at Candyland and some oysters for Carlos at Barnacle Bills. 

Perfect day!

Cole and Zac; building and playing

Zac scoping out his next building site.

CJ!

I love this picture!  Zac and Haystack Rock!

The boys playing in the surf.

Cole got buried by his cousins.

They gave him some boobs!  HA!

Then Zac wanted to be buried.  This is one of my favorites!

Brothers!

CJ with the Pacific City dune in the background.

Zac loved how the water washed away his fingerprints. 

Baseball 2012

CJ did JBO baseball this year, McMinnville Junior Baseball Organization.  He had to try out, get evaluated and then put on a team.  It just so happened that he was put on the same team as his cousin.  That worked out great becuase we got to see Cole play, but a bit sad too because he was not on the same team as his great friend Stevie.  So, bittersweet for his first year in the JBO league.  Baseball is a long season.  We traveled a lot over the course of the summer and little brother Zac did a wonderful getting dirty at the field, finding friends to play with and keeping up with his big brother's baseball schedule.  It was a big deal for all of us! 

On one of the last games of the season we met up with the Ryans for dinner out on the lawn of McMenamin's in Forest Grove; cold beer, hot pizza and live music on a wonderful summer night.  Boys in the uniforms and little  brother to play hide-n-seek  with made for a perfect evening. 

4th of July

Another great year spent celebrating our country with the Harris family, Wineland family and friends.  Heather and Chris have a beautiful home and fun is always had by everyone!  Thanks guys!

On the way home from Montana...

It started off as a great ride home...made it through Montana, Idaho and almost all of Washington. Then, the truck started to sputter.  It cut out and we barely made it off the road and to the gas station.  At first we thought it was just going to be a fuel filter...but it was the fuel pump.  We sent CJ on home with the Wineland family and Carlos, Zac and I stayed the night in the hotel room.  After some stress and tears, we made it all work out.  Thanks to family and friends for picking up the loose ends at home and taking care of CJ. 

While we were waiting for Carlos to figure out the truck Sunday night, Beth and I took the kids for lunch and a walk.  The walk was in a cemetary!  They had fun as we gave them games to play; finding initials, dates and running! 

Montana!

A glorious caravan, with the Wineland family, to Stevensville, Montana to visit college friends Cara and Tom Ayres on their beautiful Angus ranch.  A fun filled trip that included, but was not limited to: boards games, firepit, singing, eating, swimming, laughing, drinking, feeding cows, moving irrigation pipe, rearranging furniture, sleeping in, staying up late, cooking, hanging pictures and basically...enjoying each other's company and talking about the past, present and future. 

Here are just a few pictures (thanks to Beth) that highlight our trip!

6th Grade

CJ finished up 6th grade exactly like he started...with happiness, great grades, full of excitement and ready for the summer.  He thought it was fun because "it just was", "it was the first year of middle school".  This kid really knows how to express himself.  His best buddy Stevie was there as the locker partner and classmate...they had almost every class together.  I am so very proud of him and his 4.0 GPA, his excitement for learning, his ability to laugh quickly and his interest in sports and art and reading and...and... well, I just think he is a great kid, person, human!