We Had a Blast at Mt. St. Helens

This month we took our family vacation to Mt. St. Helens. Ezra has been very interested in volcanoes and it seemed like the perfect short trip. I went to one of the visitor centers when I was really young, and Corey had never been there, so it was new for all of us. Claire did pretty well in the car, there was some crying, but she slept for most of the trip.

There was a two hour construction delay the route we were planning on taking, so this guy is smiling because we got to take "the scenic route." Doesn't he look smug? Although it added a few hours, it was a fun drive. We went over Chinook Pass and this place was just before the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. I fed Claire while these guys scampered around. I think my favorite part of a trip is the beginning where everyone is well rested and excited. We arrived at Guesthouse Inn at Kelso around 5 pm. After checking in and unpacking we walked to Azteca and enjoyed a good dinner. After that we went swimming in the motel which was probably the kids' favorite part. The next morning we headed to Johnston Observatory, only 5 miles from the mountain. Corey thought Mt. St. Helens was more impressive in person than in any pictures he had seen. The explosion caused the largest landslide in recorded history when she blew. Corey was 5 years old when it blew, I was born 2 years and 1 day after. There was a sensor you could jump on that made the needle on a seismograph move, the kids really liked that. We listened in on part a Junior Ranger activity where the kids made a handshake that demonstrated how tectonic plates grind, slide, and divide. Or something like that. I forgot to post the picture, but wildlife has returned to the area. There was a squirrel (that is a hard word to spell!) that ran really close to Ezra, like a few inches from his foot. Ezra loved seeing it up close, but it makes me nervous when they get that close. I always wonder what they'll do when they figure out we don't have any food. That night we put the kids to bed before 8 pm because they were really tired and it took them an hour to wind down. In the morning we had a last swim and took the short way home. It was great- fun and short. Vacationing with three young ones isn't very relaxing, but it was worth it. The next day we went to church and then it was back to work for Corey. I'm glad we had a fun ending to Corey's week off since it began with Audrey's tooth accident and then the garden project. Staying in a motel was a nice change of pace since camping is more our style (or budget-level.)

More Backyard Stuff

A few weeks ago the plants at Farm and Home went on sale 40% off and I figured it was about time to finish the border in the backyard. My dad and stepmom generously gave me money for my birthday and I had been saving it for...

buying these beauties!

And the best part is I could buy almost twice as many plants because of the sale. After picking up the plants, the real fun began.

First, we weeded because a lot of weeds came up since we rototilled when we put in the lawn.

Corey thought he was pulling out a tree root. Nope, just an old rug.

Then Corey leveled the dirt.

We all helped rolling the landscape fabric- goodbye weeds!

And then the perplexing part: where to put the plants?

My stepmom is an amazing gardener, their house was featured on a garden tour earlier this month. I've tried to pick up a few things from her, but Kathy just makes it look easy. She's coming over next spring to help me with the front yard, thank goodness.

Corey moved the swing outside and Claire napped very cooperatively. I'm trying to enjoy this time where my body has healed and feels good for the most part (except for that darn tailbone!) and she's still napping for most of the day.

Once the plants were in, it was time for the beauty bark.

I've been watering the plants and the dried out lawn next to the border.

Fabric, flowers, and photography are the things that ring my bell.

A Different Smile

(Last BEFORE picture of Audrey)

A week ago Sunday we were invited to dinner by some friends from church. The kids were outside playing when Audrey started crying. Corey brought her in with a bloody mouth and told me that her tooth was cracked. Just writing about it gets my stomach hurting. I called the urgent care, hospital, and three dentists in the area. Finally a dentist in town called back and said he could see her in the morning. We gave Audrey some children's Tylenol and braced ourselves for a long night. Audrey was a trooper and didn't act like she was in much pain. The next morning the dentist referred us to a pediatric dental office in Wenatchee.

(Just for the record, it was Corey who wanted to take this picture to explain to Audrey someday why she is missing a front tooth.)

Corey was the brave one and held Audrey while the pediatric dentist extracted the tooth. It came out in about five or 6 pieces, it had shattered so badly. Audrey was a very, very brave girl. This was my first experience seeing one of our children seriously hurt. After we realized that her tooth wasn't giving her too much pain, the heartache kicked in. What parent doesn't treasure their child's smile? It was hard seeing that poor, broken tooth.

I told myself that Audrey was okay- and that was what really mattered. So now, Audrey has a different smile. And a new nickname: our gap-toothed girl.

Thank goodness for baby teeth!

Garden Fun

The kids have really enjoyed having a garden. Here's Audrey with the lettuces.

Baby pumpkin

Why do boys get the best eyelashes?

Ezra's latest obsession: grasshoppers.

What a dirty face!

This is what Audrey looks like after a hard day's play in the backyard.

Straight into the bathtub with you!

Claire's Blessing

Last Sunday was Claire's blessing. My mother and father-in-law and two of Corey's brothers and their families came which made the day even more special for us. It's not easy traveling with little ones and camping in a crowded house, so I really appreciate everyone who was able to make it.

Tabetha, Travis, Isaac, Audrey, Katelyn, Ezra

Sarah, Claire, Corey, Dean, Joyce, Justin, Sophie, DeAnne, Alaina

Audrey and Isaac

Ezra and Isaac

The kiddos, minus Sophie. Poor Sophie, they just came from a huge family reunion and I think she had had enough family time.

Snuggling with Grandpa

Sophie and Isaac finished their ice cream cones before I could take a picture.

It was a full house, but it was fun!

Our New Babysitter

Last week I brought Claire outside while I did some much needed weeding in the garden. When I came back to check on her, I saw that she was in good hands. Later that afternoon, he spent time with his other kiddos. Does this make up for all the other mischief this dog has done?

The trash, usually dragged into the living room. We bought a carpet scrubber this week to clean up the poopy newborn diapers he rubbed into the carpet. The reason why I never posted about our new pet- I wasn't sure if he was going to stick around or not. A month after we adopted him from the humane society, he tore up our couch. We were gone for only an hour... If it was up to me... he wouldn't be here. Fortunately for him, he has several defenders. Right now, he is an outside dog. That poopy diaper trick was the last straw for me. Getting a dog was Corey's idea but I pretty much picked Wyatt. He is housebroken and really good with the kids which were my two requirements. Love those lips!

Busy hands Corey found a tree frog on our patio table (way to go, Fish and Wildlife guy!) and Ezra was so excited. He still talks about how Chloe, his friend from Forks, had frogs in the pond at her house. He wants to turn the turtle sandbox into a pond for frogs. Count your lucky stars, frog, you were released back into the wild!