Ah....Oregon!

So I woke up this morning in anticipation of the beautiful weather that they have been talking about all week. I should have known better after last weekend, when they ("they" refers to the weather forecaster extraordinares of the world) kept showing images of sunshine and promises of 70 degree weather.
Well it's been the same all week again.
So...back to when I woke up...
I got up before "the boys" and looked out the window...it was 7am. It looked a little overcast but still ok, not out of the ordinary for 7am anyway.
I had been planning on having a planting day today, I'd been preparing for it and looking forward to it.
So I went outside and begun the work of planting my tomatoes and jalapenos. Before the first tomato was planted, I was pelted with rain. I managed to get everything planted except for my summer bulbs, but I was looking like a drowned rat from the process.
As I was cleaning off all my tools, Ryan came out with my camera and snapped some pictures of me. What he didn't realize is that I had moved the focal point from the middle to the side, and all of the pictures turned out blurry. Oops...oh well.

Happy Mail

In the land of the bloggers, I have often heard of something called "happy mail". I think "happy mail" is any kind of mail that doesn't fall into the "bill" or "junk mail" categories.
I was the recipient of some happy mail this afternoon.
It's actually not for me.
It's for Jackie!!!
Well, not for Jackie...but the sweet baby girl in her belly.
Sorry...you gotta wait till...um...August to see what it is!
I know...I'm a tease!

New Layouts!

I got busy yesterday and started working on my scrap booking again. This is the end of January, so I have a bunch to catch up on again.
Yikes!
I'll put these in a slideshow on the side too just in case anyone wants to actually read what they say! :)

Omsi, Yardwork, Birthday Festivities and a Kitchen Remodel

On Friday, my friend Savannah treated Wyatt and I to a day at Omsi. Her hubby, Marcus, won tickets by predicting the first snow of the season. We had a fun time, they have a great indoor playground with a huge "sandbox", a water activity table, an area where you can pretend to be squirrels and eagles....the list goes on. Aside from the indoor playground, they also have much more. Omsi is actually very amazing. If you've never been, it's highly recommended. It is quite an investment if you have a family, but it doesn't dissapoint.
When we left, I felt as if I could sleep for weeks though. Chasing Wyatt around a place like that is quite the job. Savannah said the last time she was there she had 4 kids under the age of 5. (then I died of exhaustion just thinking about that).
Well, we got home, I caught my breath, we had dinner and then took Wyatt to the gym for family swim time. We realized that Wyatt needs to develop some respect for the water. It was actually a little scary seeing him just jump in with no reservations or fear. Ryan's family used to have a gym membership and they would go swimming when he was a kid. So, in following his families tradition, he had to have Dairy Queen afterwards.
Saturday morning started bright and early. Wyatt woke up early and came to bed with us. Of course, I couldn't get back to sleep. So, I got up at about 7am and tackled the huge job of getting the yard ready to plant new flowers, summer bulbs, and a veggie garden.
So, from 7am to about 12:30 I was doing yardwork. I had no intentions on working out there that long, but wow, I got alot accomplished! I still need a "planting" day, but everything is prepped. This made me thankful for our postage stamp lot. Its enough work in and of itself.
So, then we took the trailer back to my mom and dad's house, went back home and decided that we didn't want spaghetti for the millionth time in a row. So, we took off again, dropped Wyatt off at Babu and Papa's house and had burgers at the old Mickey Finn's (not as good as Mickey Finn's).
Sunday, we had church and then went over to Grammy's for lunch to celebrate Babu's birthday.
(are you sleeping yet? I'm getting bored just listing this all out, but I'm going to press on)
And after evening church services we went out to dinner at The RAM with everyone.
So....
Monday, we got up and enjoyed our morning. Ryan made breakfast and we relaxed.
After Wyatt's nap, we went over to Babu and Papa's house, they were knee deep already in unpacking their entire kitchen. This kitchen has never been unpacked in it's entirety. I mean never...They moved in the year I was born (1979). It was quite a job.
I'm so excited for them though. They are getting their cabinets re-faced this week, new countertops, new paint, new appliances, a totally new kitchen. I wish I would have taken a before picture, because the transformation is going to be incredible.
Well...that about does it for our weekend...
Hey!!
Wake up!!!
Stop sleeping in the middle of my speech!!! (Foster Farms Commercial)

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, and a party at our house. That is a post for another day though!

Hope you are all having a great week.
Please comment...it's my dessert for writing these little entries.
Ya, I'm not above begging.

Also, check out Pioneer Woman's blog...she's giving away 2 Zune's. (entries must be received by 7pm PST 5.28.08)

What I've Been Thinking About Today!

Caleb.
Caleb is a very close family friend.
He was my brother, Nate's, best friend when we were all growing up.
But today being Memorial Day, I've been thinking about Caleb.
Because Caleb is supposed to be coming home from Iraq (or Afganistan, one of them).
He might even already be safely home now.
This has been the prayers of many people.
So, thank you Lord for bringing him home safely.

Everyone has had this war touch them somehow, so think of your loved ones or friends that are involved. Say a prayer for them.

They are doing something that I don't think I could do.
They are all very special people.

We love you.



Sidenote: I dug this picture out of my old albums, its from 2000, at Nate's high school graduation.

Buffalo Chicken Chili

This is what we had for dinner tonight.
I love this soup.
Ryan loves this soup.
I make this soup all the time.
So, I'm sharing it with all of you.
I have tweaked the recipe quite a little bit for my taste.
So if you want the real recipe click here.


So here we go....

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 pounds all-white meat ground chicken breast
• 6 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 10 ribs celery, finely chopped
• 5 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (I use Frank's Hot Sauce)
  
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• Yellow corn chips
• Blue Cheese, Crumbled

---

Yields: 4 servings

---

Preparation

Place a large pot over medium-high heat, add 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon, and the butter. Once the butter has melted and the pot is hot, add the ground chicken. Brown it, using the back of a wooden spoon to break it up in to small pieces, about 5-6 minutes. Add the carrot, onion, celery, garlic, paprika, and some salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Add the hot sauce, tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes, and bring up to a bubble. Simmer for 8-10 minutes to let the flavors come together.

While the chili is simmering, spread the yellow corn chips out on a cookie sheet. Top with the crumbled blue cheese and transfer to the oven to melt the cheese 2-3 minutes should do the trick.

Top each serving of buffalo chicken chili with a few blue cheese-topped corn chips.

Enjoy!!!

Blowing Dandelions

When I saw this picture...I knew I loved it.
Such sweet innocence.
I don't have much today.
But this picture speaks for itself.

We Don't Rough It Any More!!!

We headed off to the Bend area with the trailer this weekend. We did one of those membership presentations, and got 2 nights free and a $50 gas card at the Bend/Sunriver Thousand Trails.
The whole reason for going this particular weekend was because Ryan's work sponsored 2 teams in the Pole, Pedal, Paddle relay race. He was actually on the Boise team and they came in 9th out of 52. Not too shabby considering the Portland team came in 27th.
They did a redneck theme, he said that some of the people in their team went to the extreme, he just wore an old straw cowboy hat, a "wife beater", and flip flops with black socks. Some of you might remember my old friend Ryan Rudge. He apparently did the redneck theme and was unrecognizable. I didn't recognize him, but was able to get a shot of him on the river based on my hubby's vivid description of his costume.
It was a very hot day. I've tried to figure out online just how hot...but put it this way...the temp in the car said 95 at noon. It only got hotter from there.
We found some reprieve from the heat when we got back to the campground. We have A/C in the trailer and they had a wonderful pool that we got to enjoy.
Wyatt especially loved swimming.
In fact, when I told him that we were going to go camping he looked at me and said, "Go Swim? Have a Campfire?"
I hate to tell him that once we get done with our tours of these fancy pants membership clubs...we're back to the non-pool boring old State Parks.
Oh well...there will always be the campfire.
Speaking of, we did end up having one on the last night. We roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. I just love camping. Even though the definition for 'camping' has changed for me over the last year, I have always loved to camp.


























All Boy...Using his new Crocs as a shovel!!

The Dog Days...

...of Spring???
Well, whatever season we're in the weather was gorgeous this week.

We were out of town this weekend with the trailer.
This picture was snapped from the window of the car....not great, but a hint of where we headed.

I'll write more about this trip next, but for now, we're home and just getting ready for our week.







I don't talk about our dogs very much, but they love to go along for the ride.
It was very hot for them though!!! Thank goodness for A/C.









This one suffered some sort of heat exhaustion spell.
My poor Princess!!

"Wyatt Says"

"Hi dead bee,
you need a new diaper?
I'm Sorry
I Forgive you.
Hi dead bee."

A Quick Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers in my life.
Hope wherever you are, you have a wonderful day!

Just Photos...I've Been Busy!

Sarah and Adam Cavenaugh












































Austin David Lyons















































LilyJane Rainbow Rathman-Cain

A Very Busy Weekend....

I have a very busy week planned for myself, so I'm going to try to get this post ready in pockets throughout the day.
Friday, Wyatt and I met Grandma Kris (my mom) at the Troutdale Outlets. I had to replace the movies that I had borrowed from Jackie on our trip to Boise.
Mom chased Wyatt around the toy store and gave me the chance to walk around Gap all by myself.
Heaven? I think so!
Mom and dad have a standing date on Friday evenings to go out for dinner with my grandma and grandpa...(Wyatt calls them, Papa 'Ford and Great Great Great Grandma 'Ford)
So we joined them for dinner at Giuseppe's.
Saturday Ryan hung up an airplane in Wyatt's room that Grandma Kris bought him at the toy store. He was mesmerized, he really loves airplanes right now. Then we cleaned the house, and Ryan went on a spontaneous golfing escapade with my dad.
We had "the gang" over for Mexican Tortilla Soup. "the gang" consists of, Doug, Lynnann, Cresslynn, Jenna, Asher, and Carson. (the gang is much easier to say)
Carson and Wyatt are only 6 months apart, and the older they get the age gap doesn't seem so far. These 2 can fight with the best of them, but they always end up together. I think they are going to be great friends as they grow up.
Sunday, of course, we had church and then lunch at Babu and Papa's (Ryan's parents).
It was such a beautiful day, I seriously felt like skipping or something. It made me miss California. Every day in spring there is like it was on Sunday.
Anyhow...
Sunday we celebrated my Grandpa LaFord's 92nd birthday. Today is his actual birthday. We took the opportunity on Sunday and snapped some pictures of grandma and grandpa and all the great grandkids. Sadly, there were a few missing, but there was still quite the brood.
92 is quite an accomplishment, don't you agree.
It was a great birthday party, hosted by my cousin Michelle at her house. She has the perfect backyard for the beautiful day we had Sunday. Wyatt immediately honed in on the sandbox, and parked himself there for most of the party.
So, it was a great weekend, and now today, we're back to overcast with the chance of rain.
I don't know why I expect more from
Oregon.





Right to Left:
Kennedy, Hadley, Skylar, Spencer, Max, Calvin, Grandma, Grandpa and Wyatt







Ok...I'm having a hard time attaching captions on here so I'll just go chronologically.
Grandma and Grandpa were laughing because the wind kept blowing out his candles!

Ryan threw Wyatt high in the air...I want to photoshop in a cape, it looks like he's flying to me.

Grandma Kris and Wyatt are attached at the hip most always.

The happy birthday boy!

My cousin, Christine and Calvin, her son. So cute, Calvin is such a good young man. (I used to babysit him)

Play Day

Yay...we had playgroup today!!
Ok, Wyatt and I really needed this today. Yesterday was horrible. I don't even want to recount it on here. It was just generally not a great day.
BUT...as usual, after a bad day...God gave us a good one!
Jackie opened her home and we had lunch and watched the boys play.
Speaking of boys, there were 5 of them in our group today, there are 7 total and 1 girl.
Well, Claire, watch out, because Jackie just found out that she is having a girl!!!
They will still be grossly outnumbered, but at least they'll have each other!!! I was all smiles when I got the text from Jackie yesterday after her dr. appointment.
So, back to the play day...
It was a fun time with friends, like I said I really needed it.
I have pictures...
The picture above is April's boys, Sean (outside) and Maddox (Inside)



This is Jackie's son, Luke, they are watching Boz. Serious stuff!!!













This is Savannah and London















This is sweet London!

























This is Sean....doesn't he have the most gorgeous ice blue eyes!!??


"What are you looking at?"




















Anyway, like I said, it was a good day.