Cub Scout Camp

Last week the boys headed off to Cub Scout camp!  Because I am so pregnant, Gordon made the trip this year.  It was awesome.  Both boys did really well at the favorites this year (BB Guns and Archery) getting several bulls eyes each and earning their pins.

 Lots of fun and games!

 hiking

 Archery

 And of course building all kinds of things to come home.  I think we've got new treasure boxes, space shuttles, birdhouses, and of course boards with nails in them.  

Thanks so much Gordon for taking two days off to attend this!  The boys had the time of their lives!

8.75

2 weeks to go!  Will I make it?  Will I go over?  Emilee was 10 days early.  (that's next Monday!)  Chandler was 6 days late (that's 3 weeks from now!).  I love the anticipation of not knowing when things will start to happen.  There's something on the level of  "Christmas Morning" waiting for that first real contraction to hit, and I love the element of surprise in the whole affair.  That being said, if you have a fork handy, stick it in me, because I'm pretty sure I am well done.

I am ready to hold my baby, to start healing, and stop waddling.  I'm ready to burn my socks, wear flip flops, and hold the baby, and hold the baby, and hold the baby.  Can't wait!

Here are some photos that my Sister in Law Laura took for me when she was here about a month ago.  She is a fabulous photographer, is she not?  Thanks again Laura, I will always treasure these images and be able to remember just a little bit of what it felt like to have another person inhabiting my person.

 Sisters. . .

And here is what the belly looks like today.  She's getting big!

We've been swimming. . .

We just completed a round of swimming lessons at the Wilson pool.  It's a great pool, located at one of Portland's public high schools, but it's been transformed by the parks and rec department.  After pulling up to the school I wondered what we would find there (as the school seems to be in a state of disrepair) but the pool is incredible.  Here are some photo highlights. . .

 This is the shallow area.  There is also a lazy river, a "toilet whirlpool" and fountains and buckets dropping water during free swim.  they have all of that turned off for lessons.

 On the last day of class you get to try the water slide!  A definite bonus!

 Ethan and Aidan's class did laps, laps, laps!  This set of lessons was just what they needed to take them from semi-safe swimmers to full fledged fish.  It was great!

 Aidan on the slide . . .

The kids are hoping to go back for a day of fun swimming and no lessons soon.  I think we'll wait for sunnier weather though!

Front Yard Football

Touchdown!  And may I just say, hurray for Daddies!

a very grand adventure

One of the things that the big boys (Gordon, Ethan, and Aidan) have been looking forward to this summer, is trying their hand at real backpacking together.  This is something Gordon loves, and he has been very excited that the boys are big enough to give it a go.  They headed up to the Mt. Hood National Forrest, and did almost 20 miles over 3 days, 2 nights on a trail near Rhododendron.  He took so many great pictures!  Here is the condensed version. . .

 The boys were fantastic hikers, never complaining, and carrying their packs like champs.  They each carried all of their own clothes, their bags and pads, and water.  (their packs weighed in at 11 lbs, and 13 lbs)  Gordon was surprised by their speed and their happy attitudes.  Gordon carried EVERYTHING else.  The tent, the food, and had his heaviest pack EVER, at over 45 lbs.

 Getting ready for dinner at camp.  This beautiful meadow would come to be forever known in my boys hearts as "Pudding Bluff."  But, I have been told that if I disclose more than that I might have my keyboard taken away.  :)  Suffice it to say that they'll all have some good laughs about that one.

 We think they discovered why the town near by is called Rhododendron.

 Gordon has been trying to get the boys to read "Where the Red Fern Grows" forever!  They always say, "boring!" and read something with a dragon or a viking in it instead.  This trip it was the only book they had along and they read it aloud.  They are really enjoying it.

 Double Gulps??? on the way home?  Sugar Soda???  They must have earned it!

I'm so glad the boys got to do this!  I know they are already looking forward to more trips in the near future.

a Decade!

It's rather hard to believe that I have been a mother for a whole DECADE!  That's because our Ethan turned 10 on Saturday.  He had a great birthday!  It was a "family year" for him, so we didn't have a friend party.  But, we did celebrate with family and had a wonderful time.  We spent the afternoon at the swim park, where the boys swam their little hearts out.  Ethan also passed the daunting "swim test" allowing him to go into all the pools and off the diving board.  Way to go!

Afterwards, we headed home for presents and festivities.  We ordered pizza, ate it outside, and then opened gifts.

Among other fun, Ethan got a sleeping bag for his upcoming backpacking adventures with Daddy.  It was deemed warm and wonderful by all who snuggled in it.

 And look how little it gets!  I think daddy is a big jealous.

 Then we had a cake, with enough candles on it to create a fire hazard!

 Happy Birthday Ethan!  We love you so much!

 After the party the boys left to get food with Dad for backpacking.  While I took a cold bath  (one gets VERY hot at the swim park when one doesn't swim. . .), the little ones entertained themselves with a movie, and wrapping paper!

 and fell asleep on the floor.  We must have celebrated well, because they were all tuckered out.

 Happy Birthday Ethan!