Noah's Turn!

Noah started Preschool today! He was so excited he could hardly contain himself!

I had an hour and a half all to myself today, it was the strangest thing. Today I totally cleaned and detailed the house but I am looking forward to possibly using this time to work from home...if all works out as planned! It was so weird to leave him and drive home ALONE!!!! But of course he didn't miss me one little bit.

First Day 2009

Both girls started school today...both with the BEST teachers, I am so excited for what the year holds for them both. Noah felt a little left out since he doesn't start preschool until the 10th, but I am glad. It was weird just having one at home!

Summers almost over!

What a busy summer it has been. I have been so bad at keeping this up to date so in an effort to get this caught up (at least a little) before school starts I am power posting tonight, clearing my camera and moving forward!

Soccer for us is in the summer and consumed four nights a week... while I love it, I am so glad it is over! Audrey was so excited, it was the first competitive sport she has been able to play. She has been watching Elly for so long and waiting for her turn, it FINALLY arrived! And I didn't manage to take any good shots of her actually playing!

And I don't think I took any pictures of Elly playing...I have become such a slacker lately! My parents were here for most of the month of July. It was so nice having them around and able to watch the girls play as well as give Carter and I some much needed time away!

Some pictures my parents took out at their property in Cove of Noah...I think it is so funny how he was just running back and forth for the cameraAnd just some fun in the back yard

Elly-

Elly was so busy this summer. She is starting 6th grade this fall! She went to Camp Morrow again...it is such a wonderful camp! The poor girl got so sick this year and ended up with bronchitis, ugh! But despite ending up sick, she had so much fun!

And then on to basketball camp. Once again, a great camp and at the end they had a Globetrotter that came and spoke and did some fun tricks with them it was so positive and fun!

The girls with their awards...Elly's was for most improved.

And a little 3 on 3 in Hermiston with her old teammates.

Fun on the Snake

In July we took a little weekend trip to the Snake with some friends. Lots of jet skiing, lots of sun, lots of fun, lots of food and a GREAT time with friends!

Noah going for a ride with Miss Shari

Ballet

Audrey wrapped up her year in ballet with a recital (in June)...they were little birds that danced with Cinderella. I can't believe how bad I have been about getting these pictures off of my camera! She is such a sweet little dancer although she has decided she would rather do soccer etc. So, at least for now, this ends our dancing season!

Ice Lake

Last summer Carter and I flew by this (the Matterhorn):

and ever since I have had a friendly obsession to stand on top of it. So last week, that is what we did! I think this trail is one of my favorites. It was pouring down rain when we hit the trail and rained for the first almost three miles and then it hailed! But it was oh so fun. The weather cleared about 1.5 miles before we reached the lake and was amazing the next two days. Our Matterhorn climb was the clearest, most beautiful day!

The waterfall way up at the top of this picture is where we are headed.

the HAIL-ouch!

Along the trail

The lakethe view from where we laid our heads

A small scramble on our way to the top

The summit!

Sliding back down-this part was much more fun to go down

Once again we had a great time. This is my absolute favorite thing we do together...I wonder if it is because he does all the cooking?!

Weekend Away

We headed to the coast last weekend for a short mini vacation after the state softball/baseball championship games. It was very, very wet...but of course it is always fun regardless of the weather. We stayed in a Yurt-my favorite way to "camp" on the coast, especially when it is wet!

We had such a great time, stopping at Tillamook Cheese Factory for some ice cream and hiking up Multonomah Falls- things we have done many times but with no time constraints and no rush to get home, what a difference that makes!

We made Suckers...Yum!

Eeny Meeny

Miny

MOE!

Random Catching up

Today was Elly's last day of 5th grade! Where has time gone? I have been very poor at keeping this blog updated, but this year has really been full. Elly had a great year with the best teacher, Audrey "graduated" from preschool and has lost 3 teeth, we have a house that is a constant work in progress, Noah has gotten very independent, and Carter is almost finished with his first year in a new district!

We celebrated Ellys 11th birthday on the 20th. What a precious girl she is. She has adapted so well here and has made some great friends and to my dismay, can now wear my shoes!

Audrey and her gal pals at her preschool party-she loved preschool and Noah cannot wait to start in the fall! Teacher Lisa was amazing!
And just some random pics from the past few months.

This is Audrey (a few months ago) with her little buddy Jake. She is going to miss him when he goes to the stockshow next week:(

When my parents were here in March they went a little crazy helping us pull out all of the over grown shrubs surrounding our house. I think my dad was just looking for reasons to use his chainsaw!

And the BOSS lady was patiently waiting as my dad tied bushes to the truck for her to tear out...I am pretty sure she was enjoying herself!

Gramps with the little ones

Thanks mom and dad for all the help!

Noah has to be apart of everything, if Carter is doing any sort of work inside or out he runs to get his own "tools"


Carter burning all the junk we pulled out from around the house. I think he might have enjoyed this a little to much!