What I'll remember most...

Sarah, who got filthy at every opportunity possible. 

(Sand on her face on the Oregon Coast)

Shoulder rides from Daddy (and Mommy, too)

Those faces...just look at how happy they are.

Freshly picked carrots from the garden for breakfast, lunch, snacks...

Their laughter that rang out through the park

when the tire was spun.

Her nose turning yellow from smelling the flowers.

The butterfly that adored people...

..it went on to land on the girls head in the background...

..then me, then Anita!

Sarah's horse: Pumpkin

Jeremiah's horse: Spice

Caleb's horse: Plum

This little bee just had to have his photo taken here.

My little boy growing up and getting so strong!

Mastering the 'tightrope'

These two sitting so rapt and attentive while watching

a violinist and cellist play at the Redmond Farmer's Market

Attacking Papa with the hose

And all too soon...

the sad goodbyes...

Washington is a very special, beautiful place.  I love visiting and I dread coming home and always end up in a funk for awhile afterwards.  It was even harder leaving because we were able to spend so much time with our nephew, Caleb.   It was a special, sweet, beautiful trip.  

Trip to Washington so far...

Our seasoned travelers ready to go...

We got to Washington Thursday night, went to bed and left straight away in the morning for the Oregon coast. 

Bonus!  We got to see Brittany and the family in Portland. 

The kids loved hanging out again. 

next stop - Neskowin, Oregon!

It was chilly in the morning so Shawn built us a fire.

Then we climbed that huge sand dune you see in the background.  Oregon people are crazy - seriously this thing was so big.

Taking a rest.  I needed it!

Shawn stayed at the bottom with Sarah and took this photo of Anita, Jeremiah, me and Caleb.  This is almost the top, but I couldn't climb anymore. 

We stayed with Shawn's Grandpa Ralph and Miss Margaret - they were incredibly generous and lovely to stay with!

Then...back home and Brittany again!!  YAY!  (Thank you guys, we love you!!)

The kids got right in the dirt to help Papa pick potatoes. 

To the park!  They were having so much fun and laughing so hard. 

Funny tree.  :)

We're in Washington!!

It's a beautiful, cool, cloudy morning here in Washington.  We're preparing to take a weekend trip to visit Shawn's Grandpa on the Oregon coast....we got in late last night so the kids went to bed late.  

Jeremiah and his cousin Caleb shared a room, and slept pretty good.  Sarah, my tired baby, is still sleeping at 7am (late for her, but she was in bed at 10pm). 

No photos so far, it's been a crazy 12 hours (we landed at 720pm last night)...but stay tuned for lots of photos and recaps from our adventures. 

NOT only are we going to the coast today, but we'll be stopping by Brittany's house in Portland - she moved here in March and I can't wait to see her (and the kids, of course.)   We'll be able to hang out and let the kids run around for a little while before continuing our journey. 

The first day of preschool...

Yesterday was Jeremiah's first day of school.  PRESCHOOL, of course (as he insists it be called).  He goes three days a week for about 3 hours at a time.  He was more than ready to go - so excited, and not nervous or anxious one bit.  Of course, I worried if he'd be afraid, not knowing anyone, but at his age everyone is a potential friend.  I wish I was more like that! 

We all had to take photos with Jeremiah, now preschooler Jeremiah!

All morning I couldn't stop thinking about what he looked like when he was a baby, and of course it made me cry.  It's gone by so fast!

Sarah had to take a photo with her big brother!

This is his main teacher, Miss Merkle.  She's very sweet!  (And cool - she has her nose pierced!)

When I went to pick him up, he was listening to a book being read. Instead of running to me, like I thought he would, he stayed in his spot and listened to the rest of the story.  He also told me he got stickers for helping clean up and 'doing the right thing.'  He said he was a 'five star listener' but then later said that he wasn't told that.  Other than that, he enjoyed preschool - he did make one friend, who looks like his friend Seth, but didn't know his new friend's name.  I'm really, really proud of him!  Pretty soon, Cubbies will start (and Sarah will be in Puggles!) and then we'll have MOPs starting, too!