Camping!

This last weekend we went on our first real camping trip in three years. We were originally going to go to Nehalem Bay State Park, but the weather was going to be foul so we decided at the last minute to change our reservations and go to Cove Palisades instead. I am so glad that we did. On our trip we were joined by our good friends the Salters. We left Sunday morning and after an uneventful car trip (that is saying something considering there are 7 kids between us) we got to the campground at around 3:30 in the afternoon. The spots that we ended up with could not have been more perfect. Close enough to the restrooms and Playground, but far enough that we didn't have anyone traipsing through the campsite. Here are some photos of our setup.

Other then a small amount of rain on Monday (light showers from about 6am to 2pm) The weather was pretty great. All the kids got along swimmingly. We generally just had a great time playing in the dirt, riding bikes and swimming in the lake. I was surprised at how well all our kids slept. Especially with two babies I was worried it would make for some long nights. Interestingly enough it was not our children that kept us up, but rather the very loud snoring man across the way. I mean it was INSANE. The guy was so loud that he might as well have been IN the tent with us. Good stuff. We are planning to go to this same place next year and possibly stay for a week. I can't wait it was so fun! Here are some photos of all our activities.


Just after we arrived
Checking out the lake
There was lots of dirt.
.. And Rocks
Fun on bikes


Fun in the lakeSMORES! (there was a fire ban in effect so we used our Charcoal BBQ to make them, worked out pretty good.)




Well there you have it. Until next time....

I went to SkateWorld

That's right, I went to Skate World. Anyone who grew up in the Gresham area understands the significance of this statement. Many a weekend evening was spent in the red carpet oasis that is the local skating rink. I cannot honestly remember the last time I found myself on roller skates. It was probably in the 7th grade, that was 14 years ago, AAAK! My friend Christina and I decided that it would be a good "date" to go and burn up the rink, so, last Friday I found myself down at the local skating rink. It was petty dang fun. The place has not changed. Everything down to the carpet covered mushroom things that you sit on was the same. Skating was good. I thought I was going to die several times. I kept saying "oh my gosh I just almost died" and I would have to pull over to recoup my balance. I had a pretty spectacular crash which resulted in several bruises and a whole lot of laughter. According to Christina I looked a bit like superman as I landed face first on the rink. She would spontaneously laugh at me every few minutes thinking of the incident. I can't say I wouldn't do the same. It had to be dang funny. Awesome. I did however bounce right back up again and even felt good enough to give a little bow. I am so glad that we went and I am looking forward to going again. I may not be the "coolest" person at the skating rink but who cares it was dang fun.... So bring on the rental skates and licorice whips, I am going skating!

Ummm is it really August??? I'm not sure....

Okay, I would like to take a minute to complain about the ridiculous weather we are having. I am completely unimpressed. UGH! We should be spending our days in the pool splashing. Instead the kiddos keep asking me WHEN they can play in the pool again and I can't give them a firm answer. We have had our first "fruits" from the garden and that is all sorts of exiting. My lemon cucumbers are doing well and there seems to be a bazillion tomatoes just needing to ripen. I can't wait. The strawberries are incredible, we all ooh and ahhh over them as they ripen.

In other news life is pretty quiet as usual, we were able to see Eric's sister Amanda last week. She is in the Air Force and we are only able to see her a couple times a year. Well that's about it for now. Here's to hoping the sun will come out soon!

Its a busy life, but I love it!

The last several weeks have found us as busy as ever, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Last week Noah spent the week at VBS. He had such a great time! Everyday he came home with a new and exiting craft and life lesson. Friday night was the VBS farewell concert thing and the kids preformed the songs they had been singing all week. Noah was so happy, he loves that kind of thing! Reyna was pretty cute dancing in the aisles and generally having a good time. They are so cute together!



Last Saturday was Eric's company picnic which for the past several years has been at the Oregon Zoo. We had a great time this year. It was pretty great because we actually got there early in the AM and were able to see the animals while they were still up and about. We had a particularly cool experience with the orangutan. We were the only ones by the exhibit and the orangutan was kind of getting ready to hang out. He was collecting food and newspaper to set up a cozy little spot. As we were standing there he walked right up to the window and made eye contact with Noah and just looked at him for awhile. It was really neat. Eric was pretty bummed out that the camera wasn't completely ready so we missed the photo op.
Those are the two most interesting things recently, however there is always something going on. The kids are really enjoying the summer and having fun in the pool.
Last, Julia is now officially big enough to go in the saucer and I couldn't be happier. I love that I am able to get a little more done around here and that she is happy and entertained while I am doing it. Well that's all for now. Hopefully I can update this thing more often... Life is crazy, we'll see.

IT'S A PARADE!!!!!

Well here we are at the beginnings of my new blog. I was blogging on myspace but we have friends and family that don't use Myspace so we have moved here.

4th of July was a fun day. On the evening of the 3rd the kids and I went to the neighbors to decorate our stuff for the 4th of July parade in the neighbor hood. The kids had a blast!
Noah's Bike
Reyna's car

We spent most of the day on the 4th playing outside in the kiddie pool and weeding our garden (yeah, it's out of control)
At around 4 we went out to the cul da sac and got ready for the parade ( we happen to live at the beginning and the end of the parade route, nice) It was a really simple deal, a bunch of kids and a couple of dogs all dressed up and going around the neighborhood. Noah and Reyna loved it. Here are some pics of that.

All lined up

Yeah... My mom tied a balloon to my head.........
"How does this thing work??" (its a Kaleidoscope)


After all the parade excitement we had dinner with Noma in our backyard and then just hung out until firework time. Noah was so cute, he asked every 5 min if it was time yet. We then went and settled our selves in Noma's yard to light our fireworks (it is just a better location.) The people across the street really like their fireworks so we got quite a show. When we put the kiddos to bed we opened their blinds so they could watch as they fell asleep. They really liked that. Here are a few photos of fireworks time.




Julia was surprisingly quiet during all of the nighttime activity. I guess that she is used to loud chaos ha ha.




Well there is a ton more to write about but there is a ton to do around here too. So, until next time.....

Getting Started

This blog is an exciting new adventure of the days in the life of the Stiffler family!