Disneyland and Birthday Fun!

For my birthday this year, I received a free pass to Disneyland, (a special they are running for CA residents). So I made Ken take me, and I got to do everything that I wanted. We had incredible luck in the rides we chose (some fastpasses) and the park was CROWDED! They also gave you a button that said it was your birthday and so everywhere you went their employees said, "Happy Birthday Helen". I was surprised at all the birthday people there, and I always thought it was MY special day?!

So here are a few shots, Enjoy...

I'm wearing him out.....it was an unusually hot humid August day.

Ken was the best, we went outside the park to eat at the "Storyteller Cafe" which is at the Grand Californian Hotel, and he got me a t-shirt and pin. Both have "Disneyland - The Original 1955" which is when it opened and surprisingly when I was born.

A few more faces / places from Oregon

Stroller time with Grandma gets me kickin'
Grandpa and Grandma are my deck mates - backyard deck

Mom always seems to have the right stuff

Breakfast after fishing

25 sq. miles of volcanic rock throughout the Mckenzie Pass - amazing sky

Leaving Sisters headed to Mckenzie Pass

Playing in the lodge with Mom & Grandma

First casting lesson - 10 & 2 Abner , 10 & 2

The Metolius is so clear and cold - and turns the color of the sky as soon as the sun hits it

I'm clean but not ready for bed just yet

P&V front yard tree

Just a few more books and he's a goner

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round

As many of you know better than I, part of being a parent and grandparent is leaving the kids after a fun time and coming home. The nursery song says it best - "the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round". A special dose of pleasure-pain indeed as the memories soak in and we get back to the business of business.

Just a few to share:

- darting out the front door with Abner as we hear the trash truck coming. The driver notes our interest (yes, both of us) and gives each dumpster an exta shake or two on the lifting forks for several houses in a row - and we obtain maximum eyebrow lift. Even did some trash talkin', waving back to the trashman.

- Carrying Abner through a candy store of candy stores in Bend. The twilight bouncing through the store front and putting a glaze on us all. Knowing the little guy was taken by the store but for his reasons rather the ones commonly shared by the candy loving world

- Fishing with Parker on the Metolius River at daybreak. One of the most pristine watersheds in the lower 48

Helen and others have asked that I post some writings in the past - and tonight I'm just of a mind to.

Candy Store - Bend OR

Holding little one and weaving through

candies. The sweet products did not

hold him

As did colors and their edges.

The dangling object.

All these amoung the careful treats,

seen and never tasted.

Later visits will be a consumption

spurred by a layered foreknowledge.

A learned, able rush to gobble.

Let us watch your hands.

May we waiver in our march.

And thank heaven for your pause,

and again for your leap.

Bike Ride and Sisters

I have control!!

We just arrived back at P & V's from a trip to Sisters, OR. The weekend started with the Bridge Pedal which P and Ken did that crossed 6 of the bridges going into Portland. It was 10+ miles and they did well, except for the kid that cut across in front of Ken. No harm! Then they came back and we loaded up and went to Sisters, arriving at the Five Pine lodge and cabins around 4pm. We stayed for 2 nights, with Ken & P getting to fish on the Metolius River, (More Ken's idea than P's) and a short drive up to Bend for dinner on Sunday night. Enjoy our pics, and we'll post more later. Ken leaves in the morning and I follow on Friday.

Oregon-Times

We arrived in Portland Thursday evening - having fun. A few shots from a busy Saturday with swimming time and blackberry picking. Sunday is full as well with P and I joining in a city sponsored bike ride (we're doing the shortest version that covers six of the bridges leading into Portland) and H,V & 'lil A going to the zoo. We'll meet up in the afternoon to head to the eastern Cascades town of Sisters and a couple of days at Five Pines Lodge (check the site - looks good).

Aaron and Stephen only you guys can appreciate the special time Parker has had in asking for my help with projects around the house (ouch).

New Curtains

As you all know we had new windows put into our home almost 2 years ago. We had before then wooden window blinds throughout the house. I have slowly made my way around with curtains, but our living room only had sheers. So, about 3 or 4 months ago, we went to the fabric store and picked out some material. (You should have seen the looks we got, discussing what we liked, we were there for at least an hour.) I think some women thought " What a lucky lady to have a husband that cares", and some thought "Poor lady she doesn't even get to pick out her own material". But I feel fortunate that Ken cares about our home and what it looks like inside besides out.

Anyway, here are some pics of our new curtains, I have been working on the past 2 weeks. I was wanting them done before we leave to play with our kids, big and little. I have also included a picture that my sister gave me, that our mother painted. It looks perfect above the fireplace.