Camping at Nehalem

We kicked off summer with a camping trip to one of our favorite campgrounds on the Oregon Coast, Nehalem Bay. We had wonderful weather and awesome time together as a family.....went on a few bike rides, climbed the sand dunes behind our camp to the beach, and played around the campsite. The kids were SO in their element and just loved being outside. The boys spent a lot of time climbing the little coastal trees at our campsite. And, of course we did some clam diggin' in Seaside. The boys got really into it this time and Will even helped to spot a few clam holes! (above: showing off the clams, below: looking for holes with mom)

Our future "clammer" Anna, checking out our limit.

Ahhh....blue sky above, warm sand below. It was a truly beautiful day at the beach. Craig and the boys built some sand castles while I relaxed and let Anna climb and roll up and down the sand dunes getting her FILL (literally!) of sand.

First grade, here he comes!

There is just no way I have a 1st grader! But......I do. So I need to get used to the idea. I went and helped out with Will's field day and kindergarten graduation today. The kids had lots of fun and we are excited about summer! But, I did get a little teary thinking about how fast this year flew by and him being at school full days next year. Above is a picture of Will and Mrs. Travis. Will shared that his favorite thing about kindergarten was (of course) P.E.

Signs of Summer

Aaahhhh, raspberries. I always know summer is on it's way when we start picking those ripe juicy berries. I have yet to make any jam, since my kids have been raiding the bushes daily, popping them into their mouths as fast as they can pick them. But, it's okay. Still makes me happy to know that summer is almost here!

What are your favorite signs of summer??

everyday excitement

This pic is actually from last week, one of those HOT days, the kids had run through the sprinklers and we were enjoying popsicles on the back deck. When all of the sudden this baby blue-jay hops onto our deck, goes right through the french doors into my bedroom! It then gets freaked out and flies into our bathroom, knocking over a few picture frames. So, I decide to take the kids around and come in the front of the house and try and shoo it back out the way it came in. By the time we get inside it had already flown to our front room and is sitting here on the windowsil, trying to fly out. Let me just say, I really love birds, I love pictures of birds, I love to watch them, I feed them deluxe bird feed and everything. But the bird in my house thing was freaking me out. I just couldn't get up the nerve to grab it and take it outside, so we sat and watched it poop and flap all over the windowsil. Wyatt and Anna were especially interested and I had to hold Anna back from going up to it, she was shouting "ba-ba" (her word for everything she doesn't have a word for) and pointing. Finally after about 10 minutes, we decided to walk out the front door hoping it would get a clue and follow us. It did, and it was glad to be free again. Jut a little daily excitement in our lives....and the birds.

Celebrating 9 Years

Craig and I were married 9 years on May 30. My parents had given us a nights stay at the O'dysius Holtel in Lincoln Cirty for Christmas, so we redeemed it and they watched the kids while we went away overnight!

We had a great time, shopping, eating out, taking a walk and browsing an antique store for over an hour! Something we both love to do, but is so impossible to do, with kids! We didn't buy anything, but it's fun to look and get ideas......

We walked on the beach Saturday morning, a short walk since it was a little chilly, and we saw deer tracks in the sand. Craig kept saying, "those are buck tracks" (and he would know!) and I was like, "no way, it must be some sort of dog or pony, deer don't walk on the beach". Well sure enough on way back to the hotel after walking down the street for a while we see the deer. It's a small buck and it starts walking right towards us, getting really close and finally just trots across the road, (luckily there was a break in cars and it didn't get hit!) I, of course snapped a few pictures of it.

Anyway, how appropriate that my deer hunting husband and I should see a deer at the beach! I am so blessed to be married to this wonderful guy and to be starting now our 10th year of marriage together. We had a great time!

Shroomin'

Hunting morel mushrooms has been a long standing tradition for the Button family. Craig and I started coming along about 5 years ago, so it feels like tradition for us as well. Every Memorial Day weekend we head down south to Howard Prairie and camp near Hyatt Lake with Craig's parents, for our morel mushroom weekend. They are so fun to find! This year even Will and Wyatt were able to spot a few and they got really into the hunt and yelling "ba-da-bing" the key word when one is spotted! We had beautiful weather and the kids did so great camping, hiking through the woods (Anna in jogger stroller) and traveling in the truck, about 6 hours each way!

Our baskets full of tasty morels after one morning's "hunt". We like them best soaked in egg/milk mixture, coated with ritz cracker crumbs and fried in butter 'til golden brown...mmmmm.

We spotted a few of these birds nests on our walks through the woods. Whatever type of bird they are, they make their nest on the ground, usually camoflauged pretty well. This was the only one with hatched babies, and as you can see one egg still not hatched, so they were brand new. They boys loved getting to see the baby birds up close. We sat down nearby to have a snack and watched the mama bird fly in and out. I can't believe how big these little birds can open their mouths!

Taking a snack break during one of our hunts..... (l-r) Papa, Ama, Will, me, Wyatt, & Anna

Saying good-bye to our camp---until next year!

A little bit of Wyatt....

Wyatt had his last day of preschool today. I always get so sentimental at the end of the school year. Both boys got out their pre-school DVD's and were watching them this afternoon. My, how they've grown....makes me a little sad....and proud at the same time of how far we have traveled on the road of parenting. I read a quote recently that went something like, "the days will be long, but the years will be fast." How true it is, and as I look back on my many long days with Wyatt I sit here and realize, it's been three years since we deveolped the leash/dog run system for him. Three years since he pushed the window screen out (multiple times) and escaped three blocks down the street. Three years since he was constantly climbing in my sink and giving himself a bath, or hiding out in the dryer....(he actually taught Will that one!) That sure puts things into perspective and I can honestly say, it gets easier. He is still Wyatt, my tester, my social bug, my curious, climber, fearless, mind of his own little boy.....just last week he broke a full length mirror by trying to climb it after I had propped it up against the side of the couch as I was organizing. So, you know, we're not out of the woods yet. But, he really has come so far in just three years. Today after Anna woke up from her nap I caught the two of them in her room. Wyatt was "reading" to Anna and speaking to her in the sweetest of tones. She was bringing him book after book and I got a little choked up just seeing their interactions. Three years ago I couldn't look into the future and see what my little boy would be like today. But, God knew Wyatt was the perfect middle child for our family, and I am so grateful he's my son.

My latest project....

Here is a picture of my latest project. It is a rag quilt I made for my friend Jessie's baby girl who is due in September. She was "home" from Connecticut visiting her family and I went to her shower Saturday. I had fun catching up with a few old college friends who I hadn't seen in a long time. I love the nursery colors she picked out and I had so much fun making this quilt. It is so rewarding to get it out of the washer and dryer and see the finished fuzzy and frayed project. They are pretty simple (and very forgiving for a non-perfectionist like me!) and make the coziest quilts. My next project will be a twin size quilt for Anna's bed.....since, yes, she has climbed out a few other times this week. I'm draggin my feet ont his big girl bed thing. Partly because she is my last, partly because I think it will mean more work for me initially. But, it's gotta happen sometime, so I better get busy sewing!

words I love to hear

There is a bad tree in our back yard. That is to say, it is not a climbing tree. It has no lower branches, but in Wyatt's opinion it is the perfect tree to try and climb. Every time we go outside he is drawn to the tree. Every time he manages to get about 5 feet up, and every time he gets "stuck" and I have to rescue him. I had finally given up and just hoped he would learn soon not to try and climb that tree. So, the other day they were out playing and I was working in the bedroom. Wyatt comes in with a sad face and a scratched arm and says to me, "you were right mom, it IS a bad tree." Ahhhh.....words I love to hear. :)

A Mother's Day Pic....

Hope all you Mom's felt special and honored today! I had a fantastic Mother's Day, complete with treasured handmade gifts from the kids, a yummy breakfast that I didn't have to make or clean up, Dutch Bros. coffee, (they were FREE to mom's today--gotta love that!) and flowers for my planter box. My one goal for the day was to get a family pic, and this one on the timer didn't turn out too bad, so I was happy.

Anna also reached an exciting milestone this Mother's Day: the skill of crib climbing. This morning when she woke up the boys went in her room to play with her. Well, I guess she was trying to crawl out of her crib and Will "helped" her out. I figured he did a lot more of the helping than she did crawling. Later this afternoon when I put her down for her nap, she really wasn't all the tired cause she snoozed during chuch, so we heard her for a while playing in her crib. I remember hearing a "thunk", but she will often lay and kick her crib which bangs against the wall so that's what I thought I was hearing. When it got to be time to get her up I peeked in her room. She was not in her crib. I pushed the door open and it hit something. Then I saw her laying face down on the floor right in front of her door. At first I kind of freaked out cause I thought she might be hurt, but then I realized she was sleeping! I woke her up and noticed there were things scattered around her room and she also had put one shoe on her foot. She had total rug marks on her face, leg and arm from sleeping on the carpet.

So, none of my kids may reach the 2 year mark in the crib. Will had to exit his crib cause Wyatt needed it. Wyatt is also part monkey and crawled out at about 16 month. I'm kinda hopin' it was just a fluke, because my plan was to kep her in her crib as long as possible. We shall see....... :)

Figure of Speech

It's such an amazing exprience watching your kids grow up, and become more independent. I tend to think of them ALL still as my "babies" but this kindergarten year has really been the turning point for Will. I have been reminded again and again that he is now needing me less and less, and wanting to do thing on his own, more and more. It's all how it's suppose to be, but it just takes a little getting used to for a mom. And, I admit, I am still getting used to it.

So we are all sitting around the table eating lunch, my three, the two day care kids and myself. My sister Paige coined the term "brains turning to mush and oozing out your ears" to refer to kids who spent too much time watching TV or playing vidoe games. I use this with my kids as well, and with today being so beautiful outside, I mentioned to the kids that we better not watch too much TV today or else our brains will turn to mush and ooze out our ears. All the kids were giggling when Will turns to them and boldy states, "That's just a figure of speech."

How in the world he knew that phrase.....I don't know, but it cracked me up and it was yet another reminder that my baby is now 6.

There once was a girl...

There once was a girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good she was very, very good, but when she was bad she was horrid!

Ok, so does anyone else remember that rhyme from childhood? I don't know what it's from but it came back to me after seeing this picture of Anna with her "curl". I would never call her horrid, but she can throw a pretty good fit. Her latest thing is taking her ever beloved pacifier out of her mouth and pitching it across the room when she's mad. Then she preceeds to cry becasue she wants it back.

She is officially 17 months and just recently she seems to be catching on to more and more words and immitating us. Her papa taught her the phrase, "help me" over the weekend, but she only says it selectively, usually Will is the only one who can coax it out of her. It is so fun to see her expressions as she's learning and to realize her little mind is going a mile a minute with all it's taking in. She loves books and looking out our front window at the birdies, she points and makes a big serious "o" shape with her mouth when she sees one. It's very exciting stuff!

blackmail

Wyatt came out of Anna's room the other day looking like this. I only took the picture so I'd have it to show his wife someday :)

I remember dressing my brother up like this and painting his nails. Maybe it's just what happens when you have a sister.

A fun weekend for all

While I was in Sunriver scrapbooking with some friends this weekend, Craig and the kiddos went to GP for some fun and fishing with Ama and Papa. Here are some pictures from their trip! When they got in the van to head home, Will sits back, sighs, and said, "Dad, that was fun!"

Asparagus, radishes and carrots

Wyatt had his end of the year pre-school program last night. The kids sang three songs and then had their names read as they walked across the stage and got their "diploma". They also received a little memory book in which each student was asked 4 questions and their answers were recorded. Here are Wyatt's:

What would I like to be when I grow up? (keep in mind the most popular anawers were fire men, teachers, doctors.....)
Wyatt: a cooker that makes soup with asparagus, and maybe radishes and carrots.

What is my favorite thing about summer?
Wyatt: I like to plant flowers.

What makes me happy?
Wyatt: when it's snowing

What is my favorite thing to do at school? (again, lots of play with trucks, etc.)
Wyatt: pray to God

We got a good laugh out of his answers!

Birthday Boy!

My mom and dad came for lunch and gave Wyatt his very own ukelele, as well as a drum full of other musical instruments. He has really taken to the harmonica. He even pats it while he's playing to create a "vibrato" type sound. Too funny.

Wyatt decided he wanted to go to the beach and have clam chowder for his bday dinner. To make along story a little shorter our dinner at Kyllos began with a crabby Anna poking a hole in her styrofoam cup and soaking herself. Between bites of our appetizer and chowder we continued to fight Anna throwing food on the ground and screaming when we then took her plate away from her. (Oh the joys of the "testing" phase). I decided it wasn't worth it so I took the kids to the van, Craig paid and brought our entree's out in to-go boxes. He jokingly commented on how in a few years we can tell Anna how she ruined Wyatt's 4th bday. Actually, it wasn't ruined though. They all behaved quite nicely once strapped in their car seats while Craig and I ate our dinner and passed chicken strips and fries to the back seats. They thought it was the greatest thing. We then hit the toy store at the outlet mall and Wyatt picked out a camping food set (yes, we did have to deter him from the tea set, that was his first choice!) and an electronic beat box drum. The rain had stopped so we went down to the beach for a few minutes. The sun was setting and it was beautiful.

Wyatt is four and is such a light in my life. He is such a joy to be around becasue he always makes me laugh. He loves to entertain us and is so loving and sweet. Just the other day he was pulling his pants up to his armpits and walking around the house saying (in a really funny voice) "I'm Mr. Up Pants". Maybe it's not as funny over the internet, but I got it on video and if I ever need to laugh I know where to look. I'm so excited to see how God uses Wyatt to serve Him.

4 years ago today.....

We woke up, got ready and took Will to Aunt Paige's house. Surgery was scheduled for 11:45 and it took us til about 10:15 to be admitted to a room. I was hooked up to a monitor, had an IV started and waited to be taken to the OR. Once in the OR I sat on the side of the table, and was given my epidural. It took a little longer this time, but once it was in I felt great and started to relax a little. They got me all prepped and your Daddy came in. We waited for you to be born. Daddy held my hand and was not as nervous this time around. I could feel the doctors pushing around and it took a little longer for them to get you out. When they spotted your head one of the nurses announced, "it's a blondie". You were born at 12:13pm and the doctor said, "it's a boy!" I said, "It is?!?!?!" Me and daddy both started laughing and crying. They let us peek at you and then they weighed you (7lbs. 8 oz.) and wrapped you up and we got to hold you. I remeber thinking you looked different from Will and you were so cute and not crying at all. We named you Wyatt Samuel, because we both loved the name.

(an except from Waytt scrapbook as I'm refelcting on the day he was born!)

More bday pictures from today to come :)

Happy Easter!

My attempt at an Easter picture of the kids. I seriously took over 20 pictures and these were the best two. You should have seen the ones I deleted! Gotta love digital cameras with kids.

The smell of sunscreen

Friday was the first day this year I lathered my fair skin kiddos with sunscreen before heading outside. Man, after popping open the pink coppertone bottle and rubbing them down, I was immediately brought back to swimming lessons, drippy sticky popsicles, flip flops, picking warm tomatoes and raspberries, feeling the warmth of the sun in my bones, and squinting in it's brightness. All things I love about summer. Amazing how a smell can evoke all sorts of memories. For me, the "looking forward to" part is just about as good as getting there. I love anticipation. I think that is why spring is my most favorite season, (summer being a CLOSE second).

Today the showers are back, but in these hit and miss days of spring, I still have all the memories from the smell of sunscreen.

How did you spend your sunshiney day?

My blonde moment

So, I finally decided to get serious and really figure out the blog thing. Up to now I have just done the bare minimum, learning how to post pictures was my first big accomplishment and I didn't venture much past that point. I like computer stuff, it just frustrates me and makes me feel old when I don't know how to do anything. I figured out how to give my blog a more personal look and add links. Yay! I am learning, I know. The best thing though, was that when I started working on this I was looking though some sites that offered free blog templates. Some of the sites were referring to weblogs. I just kept reading and thinking, "so what's the difference between a blog and a weblog, they kind of sound like the same thing." Then........it hit me, they are the same thing. I had always wondered why it was called a blog. Now I know.