On The Road:: Day Seven

Well, we are now in Kenmore, Washington (right outside of downtown Seattle). We are staying at my college roommate's home. We had a wonderful, long weekend in Portland and did so many fun things. We are here for one night and then head up to Blaine, Washington for a few days of fun with the Fundaks!!

We will check in later!!

On The Road:: Portland

This is an over view of our weekend in Portland!

Friday 7/23: We arrived by mid afternoon and settled in to Dave and Sandy's house. The boys were busy being curious- looking at everything. The boys dug up a bucketful of potatoes! A yummy spaghetti dinner was enjoyed by all.

Saturday 7/24: We went to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) near downtown Portland. We got in for free with my Discovery Science Center membership (sweet). We arrived at 9:30am and didn't leave till 3:30pm. We could have stayed longer- the boys loved it!! We then walked over the Hawthorne Bridge and went over and played in a fountain. Yummy dinner out at Old Wives Tale (a child friendly place).

Sunday 7/25: Today Dave and I got up and went on a nice, long bike ride all over Portland. The boys stayed home with Aunt Sandy. When we got home we got ready and went to Multnomah Falls. We walked up to the middle of the falls and enjoyed the water spray. We had a picnic afterwards! We came home, I napped and the boys watched a movie. We were all wiped!
Monday 7/26: We had a slow start to our day and headed downtown on the #12 bus. Today as a day of traveling on different modes of transportation. After the bus we hopped on a light rail train, walked to the bike stand and rented a Surrey Bike for 4. We pedaled along the water front and esplanade. The weather has been lovely in Portland this weekend (too warm for locals, but nice for me). We took a train up to Pioneer Square, had lunch and soaked in the local color. We then caught a bus too the hospital and road the ariel tram down to the water. We finally got home by 5pm and went dinner. Jason fell asleep before dinner ever started and stayed asleep till the morning (he was pooped).
Our weekend was busy, fun and so memorable!! We love Portland and can't wait to come back in two weeks for more fun!!

On The Road::Day Three

We left Ashland at 8:30am much to the boys chagrin. The Inn had cable and they didn't want to leave the Disney Channel (too bad- so sad). We were headed to Portland today to stay with Dan's brother and his wife. We only had a few stops for bathroom breaks (including a quick lunch stop) qne made it here by 2:50pm.

The boys had another super day in the car. Although the driving is tough on me, they make it worth the effort.

Upon arrival and a tour of the house (and basement- very cool) the boys played in the backyard garden and even got to help Uncle Dave harvest his potatoes- wow, they are in heaven. Nathan said, "Icould do this all day." That says a lot fot the boys who usually isn't into dirt.

Sandy and I took a nice wlak after dinner around the public golf course and park (Rose City Park)- I love the houses and landscaping here. People really love to garden and it is eveident everywhere. It helps that they get so much rain too!

We will be here until Tuesday morning when we drive to Seattle. I will recap the weekend later!

On the Road::Day Two

Today we left Rocklin at 8:30am and headed north to Ashland, Oregon. We stopped and had lunch early and then stopped again in Weed, CA before crossing the border. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera out and failed to take pictures of the beautiful scenery. Mt. Shasta and Lake Shasta were awesome as is Oregon.

I am in love!! I love Ashland, Oregon. The town is so quaint and green and everyone is walking around outside. Granted, there are many hippie or granola type people here, but I love them too. We arrived after 2pm and jumped into the two pools at the Cedarwood Inn- it is warm up here and the water felt nice!!

You would have thought the boys and I hadn't eaten for days. We devoured our dinner. We ate at The Standing Stone Brewing Co. The food was to die for and the water from the local springs was so tasty too. After dinner we headed to Lithia Park where the boys climbed at the park and then played in the creek. On the way back to our inn we stopped by an organic kettle corn shop and bought a few bags- yummy stuff!!

I am so glad my mom and I will be coming back through the town in 2 weeks so I can share all the fun things we discovered and eat the great food again!!

Time for bed- we are exhausted!! Who knew driving could be so tiring?

On The Road :: Day One

The boys and I (Dan too) hit the road today at 5:30am. We drove to Valencia for a caffine fix adn then headed back on the road until we got to Stockton. We had a picnic lunch by the marina and took a nice walk before dropping Dan off at the train station. He is headed to San Francisco for the weekend to hang out with his cousins.

The boys and I continued North to Rocklin. We stayed with my buddy, Paula, from high school and her family. WE had the whole afternoon to catch up and hang out.

The boys were great travelers today and I am looking forward to more good days (I pray).

Good Night- Melissa

Happy 5th Birthday Jason

Today is my baby's birthday. I can't believe it has been 5 years since he joined our family!! Jason has been a joy and a ball of energy. He is getting bigger and brighter as he grows up. I love him dearly and am so glad to be a part of his life- thank you Lord!!
Jason's birthday has been celebrated many times and with many different people. Saturday we did Farrell's with Dan's family (see 7-17 post), last night we went to Boomer's to play Minature Golf (sorry, no pictures). We went to Chili's afterward for dessert. Today we went to the pool with the Poissonnier family for lunch and cupcakes.
I was trying to find pictures of Jason when he was a baby and I can't find the disc they were on. I am a bit concerned and will be looking for them.

Birthday at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor

Mary 7-16, Jason 7-20, Melissa 7-17

Every year I have the honor of sharing my birthday celebration with my Mother-in-Love and my youngest, Jason. Some years we celebrate it on Mary's birthday or Jason's, but this year it landed on my actual birthday.
Mary took us all to Farrell's for a yummy lunch, lots of noise & singing and yummy ice cream sundaes.

Jason is LOVING his sundae!

Ryan and Nathan

Besides a joint birthday party, today was also a farewell party for my brother in law Steve (pictured above). He is leaving tomorrow to go to Bisbee, Arizona to teach at some colleges there. We will miss him dearly and will look forward to seeing him in December!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Today I am 39 years old. Really? did I just type 39? I honestly don't know where the time has gone. I have had such a rich, full, fun and blessed life -doing amazing things, in amazing places with amazing people. God has showered me with so much love and blessings over my life time- I am so thankful!!

I had my friend JW take these pics of me at the beach the other day- I wanted to have a picture showing what I look like now and to say to myself, "gosh darn it, you look good girlfriend for 39".

I will be joining my family at Farrell's for some birthday fun at lunch today and then am going to a dear friend's 60th birthday party. She and I share the same birthday and I am excited to share her special day with her!!

Summer is here!!

When I woke up on Monday- it was sunny (at 7am)! It has been so overcast, gloomy and wet the last week that the sun was a welcome break. Of course, now it is actually HOT. We had to turn the air on and have the fans going all the time.

Nathan has been in a music camp all week and Jason and I have been hanging out together and having fun. On Tuesday we got to go to one of my favorite places- Emerald Bay Beach. My dear friend Janice and her daughter, Alexa, joined Jason and I for a fun, sun-filled day---check out the bathing beauties below!!


Yesterday we joined friends (plus my mom and niece) at Woodbridge's North Lagoon. After two days in the sun we are tuckered out. I am so glad that summer is here- even if it is so hot!!

Girl's Night Out

Jen, Talat, Janice & Tricia

Tonight I joined some dear friends at the local Color Me Mine- for some Happy Hour fun and painting. I didn't eat or drink, but I did paint- and boy did I have fun!!
After painting a great bowl (an early birthday present for me), Tricia and I picked up some yummy Yogurtland and then headed back to her place to play Bananagrams (my new, favorite game). It was so nice to get out of the house and have some ME time after a long day with the kiddos. Dan was so sweet- he was invited to watch the All Star game with some friends, but wanted me to have time with my girlfriends more (He knows I will be with the kids for 3 weeks straight on our trip).

We Love Cards

Today Dan and his mom took Nathan and Jason to Catalina for the first time. I opted not to go and am enjoying a day in quiet bliss. The house is clean, laundry done, dishes washed- now I am waiting for my mom to come. She and I will be hanging out today- and playing cards!!

Our favorite game is called Hand and Foot. We have modified the game and made it more challenging for us- we have been playing this for 7 years now. I breastfed my babies while playing this game and the kids have learned that when Grammy comes over, we will play cards. Of course, we play with them too ( a little bit)!!
Playing cards has saved us lots of money!! Instead of going out to shop or do other things that cost money- we play cards!!

I love my mom and WE love cards!!

Nathan's "Guys"

I just had to post about my boy's special "guys" (as he calls them). He is seriously attached to them and has to have them to sleep at night. He had a sleep over at my mom's the other night and I forgot to pack one of the guys. Now, I consider it to be one of the lesser guys, but I was mistaken. I got a call from Nathan (a message) saying that I had forgotten him and Nathan was worried that he would be all alone. He asked me to bring him into bed with me and sleep with him so he wouldn't be lonely- so cute!!
The "guys" are made up of Elly-poo, Teeny Tiny and blanket. Elly-poo was a gift from my mom and Nathan has had him since he was born. Blanket was a gift from a friend of mine in Colorado. Teeny Tiny (a smaller version of Elly-poo) was given to Jason (when he was first born) so he could have a buddy like Nathan, but Nathan quickly claimed him as his own (Jason has never known).

He sleeps with them all around him and when he carries them he wraps them all up in blanket and totes them with him. Last summer we thought we had lost Elly-poo. I was just as upset as Nathan and couldn't imagine not having him. Dan wanted him to get over it and deal, but we searched high and low and found him (the next day).

I remember my own special guys- I had stuffed animals covered in real rabbit fur (kind of gross now that I think about it). My mom even had to replace it once or twice because they tore open. I think it is just precious that he still has these soft creatures that he rubs on his face and loves dearly- he is growing up so fast and yet there is still the little boy in him!!

VBS 2010- Under the Big Top

This past week the boys enjoyed Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Voyagers Church in Irvine. The theme was Under the Big Top and the church was decorated so great and the characters were really memorable. The boys learned a lot and had a super time with old friends and making new ones.

Nathan as a "Strong Man"

Jason as a "Magician"

Yesterday was dress up day. The kids were so excited to dress as their favorite characters. Nathan chose the strongman and had so much fun showing off his BIG muscles!! Jason was a cross between a magician and the ring leader- he just needed a top hat!!

Blue vs. Red

Today was team color day. As you can see, Nathan was on the blue team and Jason the red team. The teams were racing to see who could raise the most money for the mission focus this week. The ministry they gave money to is called Free Wheelchair Mission. It is an awesome ministry that provides wheelchairs all over the world. The goal was to raise enough money for 80 chairs (at $60 per chair). The kids and helpers raised enough for 94 chairs total- Praise the Lord!!

We can't wait to go back next year!!