We woke to a gloomy, foggy morning, and were bummed, since we've so enjoyed these last few days of sun and summerlike weather! We all got ready for church, and headed out. On the way out of church, instead of leaving with the 3 kids we came with, we went home with 2 boys, and 4 girls!!
The sun had come out, and it was a beautiful afternoon. We had a quick lunch of macaroni & cheese, and then Bill & I caught a quick nap. Alyona woke us at 2 as we requested and I was surprised that she had tidied up the entire kitchen. What a great gal!!
The three younger girls played dress up and put on plays all afternoon. They always had a good princess, a good fairy, and of course you have to have someone evil...and that was a witch! The put lots of thought into their plays and I caught several pictures.
Alyona worked on some cross stitch, after I dug out a box of stuff I haven't touched in years. She sorted through excitedly as I offered that she take some adia cloth, pick a patter, and find some colors to go with it.
After a bit of stitching, Alyona decided that she wanted to make a Father's Day dessert. She pulled out my cookbooks, and chose a few recipes, of course I did not have all the ingredients, so we finally found one that looked great and after a quick check of ingredients, we were giving each other high fives. A quick overview of the recipe however, turned our high fives into frowns, as the recipe had to sit overnight...bummer. SO, we became creative, and made up our own recipe...it was yummy too. We took cream cheese (how can you go wrong there??), a cup of sugar (this was to double a recipe)a container of whipped topping, a can of cherry pie filling, and whipped that all together. We then baked two pie shells, and put this filling almost all the way to the top of the shells, then used another can of cherry pie filling for the topping. Alyona then decorated them with whipped topping, and they looked great.
We then were joined by the rest of the O'Hara's, and all had supper together. We visited awhile, and the we put two candles in the pies, and sang Happy Birthday to Bill & Tracey, since neither of them had a cake on their birthdays. We then acknowledged the guys for Fathers Day, and everyone dug in. The pie was GREAT!
Everyone rounded up and headed either home or to bed....it was a fun day....Happy Father's Day!
Just a few tidbits:
Here's the new sticker I just got for the back of the Suburban....fitting how I like frogs!!
Here is Bill's new shirt....we thought it was so funny! If you can't see it, it says "I am the wretch the song refers to"!!!!
Our friend Tony works for Springfield Police Department and is a K-9 Officer. He just started working with a new dog 6 months ago after Perry, his previous partner of many years retired. Creck is a beautiful black German Shepherd. He is 4 years old an was born in Czechoslovakia.
While this was our first K9 Competition, I'm sure it will not be our last. It was a great eye opener. These dogs are incredible!! We enjoyed watching the Area Search, where they put a bad guy in a container, and then the dogs have four to choose from. The dog sniffs them out, and the officer has to tap the box, to acknowledge that his dog has found the bad guy. The dog & officer team who gets the bad guy in the shortest amount of time, wins that portion of the competition.
The next part was my favorite....the agility course. There were a series of gates, ramps, windows a culvert tube, and box that both officer & dog had to go through. The box that both had to go through, was almost playtime for the dogs..they thought that was great!!
There was also fastest dog competition and handler protection, where the dog was in the car, and the officer would approach a suspect, and if the suspect tried to hurt the officer, the officer could "pop" the door, and the dog would come to his rescue.
It was an incredible afternoon, and we enjoyed it tremendously. We also enjoyed getting to officially meet Creck. We were sad that we never got to see Perry compete...as he retired this past January. I will say this...these dogs don't get the credit they deserve. There is no way a person can outrun a dog. They are loyal, fearless, and love what they do.
I put photos of all 11 dogs in the competition. I tried to get the names straight, but I was confused on two of the four Springfield dogs....maybe someone can help me out??!! I will correct them when I can chat with Tony or another officer that might be able to help me out!
Friday was the last day of school for the O'Hara three that attend public school. Declan finished his home school program through Connections Academy this week as well. We here at the Richards' household, also considered this week our ending of regular school. Test results were returned to us, and we found that both kids are at, or above their grade levels they completed this year(both exceptionally high in reading and comprehension!!), so we will slow for the summer, and just do some grammar, reading & keep a slow pace on math. SO...it was a day to celebrate.
Ryan & I put the new seat in the back of the Suburban....(Bill put my new mirror on a few nights ago after my hawk incident) and we were ready to seat 9 people!! It would be like a dry run for our Canada trip coming up in about 3 weeks
We picked up Tracey, Declan & Kim at 11:15, headed to the JR high to get Alyona, then headed to the Elementary school to pick up Tanya & Alexis . Once we were all in the car, we headed off to AC Gilbert House in Salem. It's a great Children's Science Center, with an awesome outdoor play structure. We arrived around 1:00, and the kids piled out of the car, and our first destination was the play structure. It is huge, with many slides, lots of bridges, a maze, and so many fun things it's hard to explain without seeing it. It's every kids dream of a play structure.
After about 45 minutes, the kids wanted to head into the building to do the exhibits. The bubble room is always a hit. You can tell by the pictures that it is great fun. We went through the "digestion" exhibit. You can enter the mouth, go over the tongue, hit the epiglottis, and head into the stomach.....lots of fun for the kids. They also had healthy & smoker lungs that the kids could inflate, and a fun guy that made almost every noise the human body makes. Ryan was disappointed that it did not pass gas!!
After the downstairs exhibits, we headed upstairs to the play room. The kids (all but Declan & Ryan) put on a play for us. Very fun and imaginative. We then headed to the "recycle" crafting room where the girls put together fun things from "junk". Alexis made a butterfly out of an old clothespin, some pieces of paper, some string and a straw. Alyona made a pump bottle out of a bunch of containers and a series of holes, and an old pump. Kristin made a neat container, Kim a kleenex box bottle holder, and Tanya a caterpillar out of an old egg carton. It was fun.
We also explored the undersea room, and a story room, before heading back out to the play structure to play for awhile before heading home.
Around 4:15, we decided it was time to load up, but not before taking some pictures in the big rocking chair and exploring a building I had never seen before, a gift shop with a Panda exhibit, as well as a water power exhibit. It was fun, and we were on the road to home by almost 5:00.
It was a beautiful sunny day...filled with lots of giggles, running, fun, and learning. Next week we will hit OMSI again before our Science passes expire at the end of this month.
As for the dry run...Tracey & I are pleading with Sean & Bill to install plexiglass between the drivers area and the back of the bus!! HAHA....just kidding. We will be sure to post a "NO ASKING 'HOW LONG' SIGN"!!
Enjoy the pictures!
FRIDAY
Tracey & I loaded up & hooked up our trailers, and took off towards Corvallis in the POURING rain to pick up Bill & Sean and head to the coast. The forecast for the weekend was wet, wet, wet! We decided to pack every pair of mud boots, rain coat and tarp that we owned, and make the best of it.
As we neared the coast, the rain dropped to a drizzle, and allowed us some time to set up camp, and then set up our fire tarps, so we could all gather under the tarps to enjoy a fire. We had two canopies, and a one big dining fly between the two...we're getting pretty good at this tarp stuff!!
We built a fire, and about that time, Jen & Brady showed up at camp. We played with the kids while they set up camp, and we enjoyed a nice fire and some great play time despite the drizzly showers every now & then. Brady & Sean played with the kids in the field behind our site....and Alyona learned how to swing a baseball bat. With Sean & Brady's help, Ryan learned that he could hit the ball more consistently with his right arm than with his left. He is right eye dominant, even though his is left handed. He hit the ball almost every time after he switched sides. He needs to work on the power, but the hitting is certainly there. He also shoots right handed due to the same fact. After the baseball fun, Declan & Jason were playing with a rope, and it turned into tug of war.....needless to say, Jason against Declan was a bit unfair, so Kim joined in to help Jason. Pretty soon, Kristin & Alexis joined in...Alexis quickly changing sides from the girls to the boys to help her brother. Ryan soon joined in, and then I decided it was time to help against Ryan. We were doing great, until Ryan let GO of the rope. Oh well, it was still lots of fun!
We enjoyed a fire after the kids went to bed, despite the quick shower Sean received when the tarp filled with water, and dumped down the back of Sean while he was sitting in the lawn chair. I'm not sure I've seen him move that fast before!! Everyone headed to bed around 11, and we still had fun despite the rain!
SATURDAY--
We woke to a break in the clouds, and a few small showers. That quickly dried off, and proved to be a beautiful day! The kids played more ball, and we went to the visitor center at the front of the park for a free lunch, as Oregon State parks were having a 'free night' celebration on Saturday. We enjoyed some great hot dogs, chips, and pop. After lunch, we had a nap, and then a walk to the beach. The kids had so much fun playing in the water....and Sean announced to them "Mom said to stay dry, but Shawnna said go ahead and get wet"....so get wet they did!! Who can go to the beach or a river and not get wet??!!!
We headed back to camp, and had great Hobo dinners for supper. Sean, Tracey, Declan & Alexis went to the night program on fossils, and the rest of us stayed at camp and hung around the fire. We skipped cobbler since we had dinner so late...and opted for a few marshmallows. The kids and some of the adults went to bed...Sean, Bill & I sat around the fire until 1am, and then we headed off to our warm trailers. No clouds to keep the heat in!
SUNDAY--
Happy Birthday Bill!! The kids gave Bill his gifts shortly after we got a fire going. He had a nice birthday, with some fun cards from Tanya & Alyona.
The sun was shining beautifully, and we headed off to the Tide Pool Talk at Seal Rock wayside park. It was a great beach with tons of tide pools. We learned lots, saw lots, and had fun exploring on our own, as well as with the ranger. We spent well over an hour there and as the wind picked up, we headed back to camp for lunch.
We were supposed to pack up and go home, but it was SO nice, and SO hard to pack, that we decided to hang out with Jen & Brady one more day. Since Bill's truck was already at HP, we figured we'd get up early enough to get him to work by 8am, and the head home to unpack & get things done while Bill was at work. SO, we decided to stay. Sean & Tracey headed home about 1:30, leaving Declan & Kim to spend the last night with us, as everyone else had a night over in our trailer. They had so much fun. We had a nice nap, while Jen & Brady took the kids to the park. Afterward, we cleaned up camp a bit, had a nice fire and pizza pies for supper. Afterward, we made ice cream in the ice cream balls, and hot apple pies over the fire. It was lots of fun as the boys "bowled", as well as played soccer with the ice cream balls!!
At 10 we headed back to camp, to get ready for bed, and knowing we would have an early morning.
We woke a bit before 6, woke our kids (the O'Hara kids were almost impossible to wake!), tore down camp, and headed to Corvallis. We were almost out of town after dropping Bill off when he called and we realized we had his keys. That was close!
We headed home, tried to back the trailer in (it just wasn't my day)--so hopefully Bill will finish up when he gets home.
Overall, a great weekend, good company, and great fun!
Today was to be an unusually long day for me. My day's goal was to head to Salem to meet Brady to pick up the kids, head to Lazy-Boy in Salem to pick up our recliner piece for our couch, then head home to drop off the kids and recliner and then head to work to work, as well as join the girls for a sending off party after work for Wendy, who's last day was today. Needless to say, God had other plans!
I woke with a heavy heart about 4:00AM. It was just beginning to get light, and for some reason, I had a nagging feeling about today, maybe it was just the length of the day, and the driving involved. Regardless, I sent up a prayer, and knew I had another 90 minutes of sleep, and rolled over. When the alarm went off, the nagging was still there--so again, I talked to the main man, and went about getting ready for the day.
I left at 7am, and headed up I-5--traffic was traveling well, and when the lanes opened from 3 to 2, I took the outer left lane to pass a large semi. Now, for those of you that know me, know that between a cement wall and a semi truck is not my favorite place to be, but the road was dry, traffic was moving well, and off I went, traveling somewhere between 72 and 75 mph. Just as I was passing the cab of the truck next to me, my eye caught a HUGE red tailed hawk coming up from the other side of the road, and as he cleared the cement median strip I had enough time to think "There is no way he's going to clear me, and I'm going to hit him", before I shielded the side of my face, and he hit the truck. I was sure the force that I hit him with, and the way he was flying, that he would end up in my lap. He did hit the driver side window, but not before hitting the side mirror.....which was a blessing, as it took the impact, glass shattered everywhere as well as the mirror casement breaking off the side of the truck. They are supposed to be "breakaway mirrors" , but this was a bit excessive!! He did hit the window, and then was thrown off the side of the truck. My main focus at that time was "Stay in your lane, regardless of what happens" and only after I finished passing the truck did I realize that he did not come in the window as I thought, but man, was it loud! I can't even imagine the sound of being inside a car when there is a big accident. Not something I ever want to hear! I did attempt to get over three lanes to pull over, which at almost 8am just outside of Salem was an impossible task....so I cried in the fast lane, all the way to my exit! There was no where to pull off to check the damage to the truck, or to check on the bird. I'm pretty confident with as hard as he hit, that he was instantly killed. Thankfully, I was only one exit from my destination, where Brady rescued me with a pair of wire cutters, and a large knife to cut away what was left of the mirror casement, which was only hanging on by wires. There are a few "claw mark scratches " on the side of the truck, where he made his last attempt to grab or push, but other than the mirror, and a very shaken Mom, I am praising God for my safety, as the things that "could" have happened became very vivid, very quickly. The glass washed away from the side of the truck (I'm not sure if you've seen a automotive mirror shatter, but it's in one million little sticky flecks) as it rained, as well as the last "dropping" from the bird....and by the time I got home, my only evidence of my event were some scratches, a broken mirror, and a very upset stomach. Needless to say, I called work, and told them I was heading home, as I'd had enough excitement for one day!
The Mirrorless Truck!
The few scratches from talons
The only damage from the mirror to the door
Close up of talon scratch
The poor Mirror
On the humorous side of things--we found a mouse in the trailer yesterday (or should I say evidence--the stinker ate my chocolate kisses!!). I set a trap last night, and this morning, he was a victim of the peanut butter mouse trap! This led to a full cleaning of the cupboards, rewashing dishes, and washing linens. I found it hilarious when I found his stash--in the coffee pot!!
Every mouse needs a bunch of chocolate, two pistachios and a piece of cracker!
I'm not sure how he got back out of there after depositing his goodies, but he made more than one trip, and I'm still baffled how he broke the Hershey bar for transportation??!!
My Aunt Cecelia is an OB nurse at Salem Hospital in Salem Ohio. She has been there since I was little(so you know how long that is!!) She is a great nurse, has made many accomplishments during her time in Nursing, including becoming a Doula, as well as teaching birthing classes. I am very proud of her for making the cover of this magazine, as well as for being a great aunt!! Love you Cec!
Right after church, we headed to Canby. Ryan & Kristin could hardly wait, since they are spending a few days with Jen, Brad, Jason & Brooklyn.
It was a cloudy day, although not much rain, so the kids got a chance to play outside, while Jen & I hit the grocery store, then Bill & Brady did some checking of the shed...as that is an upcoming project and it will move across the yard. No small task, as this is no small shed!
We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting, enjoying supper together, and then Jason started asking how soon Bill & I were leaving. His goal was #1, to make sure that I wasn't taking Kristin & Ryan home, and #2, to get in the hot tub! The kids piled in the hot tub, and we headed for home.
It's going to be so quiet this week!
Today was Alexis' big Science Fair night! We all had supper together at the O'Hara's--the guys headed off to the shooting range, and the gals headed to the school for Science Fair. Alexis did a project on germs and how far they go when you sneeze. It was pretty cool. She had a can of compressed air, and a "nose" for it to blow through, and pepper to shoot across the room. Very neat! We were proud of her. There were lots of other fun experiments too...many volcanoes, as the boys liked things that blew up! The girls had a great time at a generator, where they put the power through them once they connected the circuit. They loved the tingling feeling, and they boys seemed to not tolerate the voltage as well as the girls. (One more reason God had women do the tough child bearing!)
After the Science Fair, we headed to Wal-Mart to pick up some items. We arrived home at the same time as the guys. We enjoyed Root Beer Floats, and a few rounds of cribbage. Lets just say the girls didn't suffer as much as last time!
The younger girls had fun dressing up and taking pictures of each other for their scrap books. Alyona, Ryan & Declan had their own round of cribbage in the living room. Another fun (and late) night!
Today was a big day for three of us gals. Tanya, Kristin & Myself all went to my girlfriend Kellie to donate our hair to Locks of Love. The girls waited until I had enough hair (the minimum was 8 inches) and I managed 9.5 and still had shoulder length left.
Tanya went first...and cut off 10.5 or 11 inches of hair. Her new style is SO very cute!!
Kristin went next...and is sporting such a cute haircut, it makes those of us with straight hair sick. It is very attractive!
I went last, and let Kellie give me the style she thought would look good. She did great, although it has been a long time since I've had bangs on my face, that I am having a difficult time not brushing them off.
We had a fun afternoon, and even Ryan & Bill's barber Shane (who works next door) came over for some entertainment.
Oh yeah, and Declan...you left your coon skin hat again!!
Declan's coon skin hat, modified Kristin Style with a crown!
Tonight we got together with the O'Hara's on an impromptu visit.....the guys decided to have bible study after all. SO, after supper, we all met up at our house, and the guys headed to Bible Study. Tracey & Alexis worked on her Science Project for her Science Fair, Alyona watched a movie, the other girls played dress up, and the boys of course played a computer game.
The guys came home, and the kids were playing so nicely, that we got in another game of cribbage. Sadly, the girls were skunked...but, let it be known...this is what you end up looking like after a skunking!
In all seriousness--we are thankful this is all Sean got! He was helping a friend yesterday to raise a large post over their drive, and Sean was on top of the beam, 18 ft in the air. The chain binder jumped or let go, and it came back to hit Sean in the hand, lip & face, causing him to have several stitches in his hand & cheek. The picture of the laceration doesn't really do the cut justice, as I saw how ucky it looked just after he did it, and the picture does not give the dimensional look! We shudder to think of how serious (or fatal) this could have been, and Praise God for his watchful eye over Sean.
Now, for more silliness--Declan, you forgot your coonskin hat here at the house! You'll have to pay to get it back now!! (Just kidding...we're just funnin' with ya!)
Here's the new sticker I just got for the back of the Suburban....fitting how I like frogs!!
Here is Bill's new shirt....we thought it was so funny! If you can't see it, it says "I am the wretch the song refers to"!!!!
