Some of our recent photos

One Saturday , THREE Lakes!!

Jon took Jacob, Ella and Molly out fishing on THREE different lakes in one afternoon while Aidan and I were in Salem today! They went to Lava Lake, Elk Lake and South Twin Lake. I can't believe how easy it is to get to all these unspoiled natural havens around here! It is amazing!

Jacob and Ella caught some trout! I guess Ella wasn't too happy about the killing and eating of the fish, and here's the hysterical evidence. I guess she'll be a catch and release fisherwoman!

What a Wonderful World

The view from the pumpkin patch. Incredible!
B&W of the back side of Smith Rock and Crooked River
Kids at Suttle Lake


I feel very blessed right now to live in a place with so much natural beauty. Every day is a new adventure. We can go to lakes, lava fields, rivers, huge rock cliffs or snow covered mountains all within a few minutes drive from home. Here are some photos from our outing yesterday. We went to Pilot Butte, Smith Rock, Central Oregon Pumpkin Co., had lunch in Sisters and then went to Suttle Lake and Tumalo State Park. We didn't leave until 10 am and were home by 5 pm! What an eventful, beautiful day.

House Pictures!

So, this is our new house. It is pretty cozy, but I really like it. Our furniture even looks like it belongs here! In every other house we've rented, I felt like our home looked so disorganized and haphazard. Everyone knows that decorating is one of my passions. Unfortunately, it usually takes more cash and more home ownership than I possess to make it look just right. This house though, is so easy to make look the way I want! The walls are not WHITE! They are a lovely warm pale yellow, which I never would have chosen, but wholeheartedly love. It really goes well with our things and brightens the house.

The kitchen is pretty small, but not uncomfortably so. It was hard to get a photo that looked right, but you can see the cabinet color in this one.


Here is our living room...
The dining room. Jon hung all my favorite photos of the kids up while I was working in Portland last week. I love it! And our table fits! What more could I ask for??

Well, I can't take photos of bedrooms today, because, well...they are disastrous. I wouldn't hold my breath for those if I were you. :) We miss you all!

Starting Over

So, we moved last Saturday and Sunday. The house does exist! And I LOVE it! It is super cute and roomy for the square footage. The kitchen is small, but very nice with newer stainless and black appliances, wood laminate floors and maple cabinets. The great room has this great vaulted ceiling with a beam across the top that opens everything up. There is a sliding glass door and a large picture window on the south side of the house facing into the backyard so that we can easily watch the kiddos and dogs from inside. The layout of the bedrooms is perfect and there is a second sliding door to the yard off the master. The yard is private and fenced and has some good size trees. There is a large red painted patio off the house that is big enough for Ella to ride her bike on and for all of our outdoor furniture. It will be great to be able to leave the chairs and loveseat outside for most of the year!



The kids seem to really like the house and have settled nicely into their new rooms. Jacob still has his own room and Aidan and Ella will be sharing. So far, it is working out wonderfully! I went in to kiss them goodnight on Monday and they were all tucked in bed together and Aidan was reading Ella a bedtime story. I love it when they get along and take care of each other! :)



The boys started school on Tuesday with fresh haircuts and specially selected outfits. The school is only about a 1/4 mile from our house, so there is no bus service. It will definitely be different to be REQUIRED to drive/walk/bike them to school, but it will be nice to get out and enjoy all of the dry autumn days ahead. They are making friends and working hard on homework already. We're still looking for a preschool for Ella though. Wish me luck.