Richland Weekend

We started off our trip heading off on Thursday to Jen & Brady's. We arrived around dinner time, and left the kids together, and we adults headed out to dinner. Claim Jumpers....oh, my, incredible food...good company, and a nice evening out.

After dinner out....we headed out to do some shopping for Jason's birthday...which we celebrated this weekend. It was then home to the kids, and the hot tub. Always nice to relax and kick back...and visit. What a great evening. So thankful for older kids to watch younger ones to give us a nice evening out.



After hitting the hay, and sleeping in the trailer at Camp Noffsinger, we woke in the morning to overcast skies. Little did we know it would get so hot! We headed off toward Washington when Jen got off at 2pm, and reached Richland about 6pm. It was a nice drive, and thankfully a safe one.
We spent the evening hanging out, catching up, playing with kids. Kristin kept the kids entertained in the back and she & Jason found a little friend. I saw it at first and said "Its a slug" Jason quickly corrected me..."Aunt Shawnna, I saw it's eye poke out of it's shell, and look at me like this......" SO FUNNY!!
Saturday brought 75% of our group heading to the boat races. Bill & I stayed home, and headed to Art in the Park. I'm not sure how many vendors were there, but my guess would be more than 100. It was almost overwhelming. We had walked since to park would be almost as far as from home. We enjoyed a beautiful walk along the river, and some nice time looking at 'stuff'! We headed back to find it was now 100 and climbing! We enjoyed a great birthday supper, along with Evan's parents. Jason picked awesome stuff....Chicken on the Traeger, mashed potatoes, gravy & corn....afterwards of course presents, cake & ice cream!

Happy 6th Birthday Jason...


Not sure what tomorrow will bring...if we are staying another night, or heading down the road...as we have a few more nights before heading back to work. Thanks Tam & Ev for the hospitality...and the great hook-ups at your driveway campground.

Last Weekend & The Big Day Today

I'm a bit behind this week...I never got a chance to blog last week...busy with things around the house, and catching up with Dr. Joe's stuff.

Last weekend, we had big plans to go to the K-9 Dog trials in Springfield, and watch Tony & Creck--but things changed by the time I got home on Friday night. Bill was going to surprise me by doing a deep cleaning in the livingroom & kitchen....since the TV died--and we've decided it's not a 'have to' replace item right now....he was going to hang a Jennifer Lake I've had behind the dresser for some time...waiting for a place to hang. Needless to say....his idea came to halt when he pulled the couch away from the wall, and found a kitty puddle. It had been there for awhile, probably while we were on vacation the week prior...and of course, it was permeating the whole corner. The odor had 'vaporized' under the couch, and once he moved it, there was no mistaking that odor. He turned all the pieces of the sectional upside down and moved everything making sure that there were no more surprises. He found one more, and we headed out after work to pick up some kitty odor remover. As he was moving some furniture...the leg on his Grandfather's antique desk broke...leaving him holding it up, while the kids unloaded the drawers. Another "UGH" to deal with! I come home to the furniture upside down, and the desk on the back porch on saw horses....and all three large drawers on our bed, and all of the contents of the top part of the desk in a box. SO...Saturday plans are now changed!! Bill was very apologetic, and how can you be mad at a guy who was cleaning?!
Saturday, we woke and got busy. By 2ish, we were getting to a point where we could start putting things back together. By 6pm, we had a couch, all the desk had been gone through, and the floors had been washed & rewashed....and of course, we finished what he started, with cleaning, dusting and getting the winter wood stove cobwebs knocked out. The Nida clan was together in Albany...so we called to see if we could come crash their campfire. It was Lissa's baby shower--and everyone was down for the weekend. It was a nice visit that we didn't expect to get to...but enjoyed a nice visit with everyone.



Sunday we headed to church...you can check that day out here. It was a good day, followed by a nice nap, and a lazy day...we all need those once in awhile. Especially after a day like Saturday!

On Tuesday & Wednesday I was off, and Bill & I got some things done around the house...as well as some much needed errands. On Tuesday, we had some things to do in town, and the feed store in town had the greatest 'exactly what we needed' chicken coop. Kristin was dying all day on Wednesday, hoping to get it put together.....but it didn't happen...but on Thursday, as Kristin went to Fun in the Parks program...Ryan & Bill got started. She was thrilled when she got home, and they were almost done. By the time I got home from work, the chicks were in their new abode. Kristin was SO excited. Since there is not a door we can latch on the back side....we are still bringing them in at night...as they didn't seem to have enough sense to go inside...but tonight, they did, and I picked up snoozing chicks and took them to the garage where they've been since we've had them.






Bill & I headed to bible study, and when we got home...there was much scurrying in the house. I thought "OH boy, what are they up to..." but we were met with giggling kids, and the smell of a freshly baked cake. We were not allowed to look...but the finished product was priceless.



Today...we headed out to Linn County Search & Rescue Camp...also known as Posse Camp...that years ago we used for our Young Families Camp outs. Much has changed. There is running water, bunk houses for SAR recruits, the kitchen has been extended, there is a shower house, and WOW...it looked great.





The highlight of our trip was to see Alyona graduate the Search & Rescue program. She spent 11 days out there...and although it was tough for her...she did it. We are SO proud of her! Her folks were very proud as well....Sean, a former marine was beaming as Alyona was taking her oath. There were 34 recruits, and only 26 made it. Four dropped the first day, and four more through the week.

It's comparable to boot camp, with grueling tasks, huge obstacle courses, and tasks of teamwork, searching & rescuing, loading a patient, first aide, the list of what she did was endless. I know I'm not her Mom...but I was just as proud as if I were! I always laugh because she reminds me so much of myself at her age, all knowing, stubborn, I always feel she really could have been my kid...but today...she was all Sean's!

Hopefully, I can catch up today's blogging by Wednesday this week! We'll see. Watch for more...coming soon.