Our Work Here is Done

After being on the west coast for 4 weeks, we are headed back to Maryland today. It has been a great trip, but not without some mishaps. While at my parents house we have killed my dad's truck battery, clogged up a toilet (with some unknown toy... requiring a plumber of course), melted crayon on the backseat of my parents' car, and last night I topped it all off by erasing my mom's entire list of recorded shoes on her DVR (I have no idea how that happened. I am always VERY careful about such things). Our work here is done... time to go make a mess of our own house.

Skamania Lodge

One of our favorite things to do while in Oregon is go to Skamania Lodge for their Sunday brunch. The food is amazing, but so is the location. After the meal we went and played outside on the lawn and rocks that overlook the Columbia River.

The kids and adults had lots of fun. Notice Annelise's umbilical hernia... looks better, huh? Not quite like it was here when she was a baby.

Danny the Builder

Danny felt quite manly helping his grandpa pull up the baseboards at a neighbor's house. We never quite know what Danny will be doing when visiting him in California. We do know that he'll have lots of fun, though!

Vintage Toys

Annelise had a lot of fun playing with these vintage (old) toys of mine. (Doesn't vintage sound so much better than old?) When Little People were truly little and everyone overlooked the potential choking hazard!

Changes Coming

We are still on vacation on the West Coast, so I haven't really posted much. I have some great pictures and stories to share, though. Soon!

This weekend I will be changing the address of this blog. I'm not sure whether I will get to it on Saturday or Sunday, but the new address will be: http://hazelnuteyes.blogspot.com. Those on my e-mail list will get a note, but those who just drop in or "lurk" should jot the new address down! And if you link to my blog, make sure you change that after this weekend!

Can't wait to share some things with you all!

Anniversary

Hard to believe that TEN years ago today we were getting married (and being skinny). Randy just arrived in Oregon late last night (after his last summer school class) and we plan on spending the day together. We have a special weekend trip planned in the fall, too!

Happy Fourth of July

Have a fun day filled with yummy food and good entertainment! We are actually in Hood River enjoying their small-town parade and an awesome fireworks show (over the Columbia River) tonight! Danny slept through the fireworks in Maryland last year, so we'll see how he does tonight (especially with the time-travel and all)! Some year when the kids are older, we are definitely going to see the show on the National Mall. That would be fun!

Vacation

Today I am flying with the kids from BWI to PDX. I'm really excited to get back to Oregon since we haven't been there all year! I do have some posts scheduled (I love that new feature of blogger), and I will try to post photos every once in a while. The kids and I will be out here for most of the month, Randy will join us for a little more than two weeks, and we will also visit the East Bay area to see Randy's family for about a week in there. It will be busy, but a nice change of pace.

If you think to, pray to the travel gods for me today! I haven't traveled alone with BOTH kids in a year (although I did it enough times in the year before that to last a few years!). I think Danny will be fine, but Annelise still needs to use the car seat on the plane. I don't think she'll like that much!

Good Snack

My kids love yogurt, and this is the best (healthiest) way I have found to prepare it.

Organic Plain Whole Yogurt
Fresh Fruit (during summer)
Frozen fruit (usually cherries, during winter)
Agave Nectar (just a tiny little squeeze)
Granola (optional)

They LOVE this! I think Annelise would actually eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I would let her. I try not to make it more than 3x a week, but it is always an easy go-to snack or lunch.

If I am making it for myself, I use organic nonfat plain yogurt and stevia (and usually no granola). Yummy!