{Enchanted}

A couple of weeks ago we capped off the summer by visiting Enchanted Forest. It was a summer incentive for Maisey as she worked through pages of "homework" each day. I like to keep her working and ahead rather than deal with the possibility of facing the "backward slide." She thought 4 pages was too much until she found out two of her cousins had to do 10 a day (they have a great reward system)! I have visited Enchanted Forest since I was a kid and I seriously love it- even more than Disneyland!
The grounds keepers do a great job, you would never know how old it is. Seeing these old rhymes made me feel a little guilty (or a lot) because I may read to my kids each day, but not enough of the classics. I don't even know how familiar these stories were to them. But I sure enjoyed it. Hansel and Gretel's house (my favorite).The witch and her slide (not pictured- but the kids loved it along with the other many slides throughout the park.

The 10 minute water show that plays to music (here's a snippet). A great place to sit down, eat lunch and cool off.

Now make sure you go and visit!

{Family 2}

Our niece and nephew came and stayed the night with us this past week.

The kids, as well as Chad and I, adore these well behaved little personalities. But seriously, Ryley was in heaven with Colby in the house. He was his shadow. It was so sweet to watch. Colby was so patient for having a two year old with him for every breath and move!

Ryley was right in the middle of everything. Here the kids are interested in a Wii game, and Ry planted himself right in the middle.

Playing at Wilson Pool.

Maisey and Peyton

The boys

{Family 1}

Last week we went to Eugene to visit with family from Southern California. We had a great time just visiting and celebrating the short time we have together every so often. Grandma Ryan is looking great at 94 although this may have been her last trip up since it's long and she refuses to fly.

Whenever we go to visit Ryley enjoys running around my parents house going up and down the stairs, and playing with their big dog Chloe. Ryley is the perfect height to get smacked in the face with her big black lab tale!

Hopefully, I can post a big family picture soon from someone else's camera.

{Ward Campout}

Friday night we went to the ward camp out. The kids were ecstatic.

Especially when they discovered the water (which we somehow missed last year, hence them swimming in their clothes).This is a great campground because it has an enormous play structure (this picture is from our tent).Maisey loved riding her bike with her friends. And Ryley enjoyed watching the horses at the other side of our tent.

Although it was about 100 degrees, the shade actually provided some relief on days when I thought it was inescapable!

{Morgans RUN}

The other day we took the kids to Mogans Run, aka "Pirate Ship Park." Ryley is in love with boats (okay, he's really in love with anything transportation), but on this day he could care less- all he did was RUN!!! Some dad was there with his remote control car, and my son chased it like a little dog for at least 40 minutes.
All Chad could do was have regret over the fact he once owned a $400 car and I made him sell it (so he says). Later in the day I saw Chad "shopping" for one on the computer. Someday I told him- like five years from now when Ryley is old enough to drive it!

Since Ry wasn't very interested, I took pictures of this park for keepsake since he really does love this park, and I really love this park! There is a lot more not pictured, but if you haven't been, and you have a boy who loves boats, this is the place!

The smaller ship for your smaller captains.

{Late Bloomers}

The other day we decided to go raspberry picking. The one problem we ran into, was raspberries aren't really in bloom anymore (we missed their prime time in June). We managed to pick some late bloomers, but were dismayed when we barely found enough for one milkshake, rather than the six we were picking for!

Ryley could have cared less. He was obsessed with a tractor, ATV, and chickens.

Ryley telling the chickens goodbye.

I guess we will know for next year! And, we will crave raspberry shakes since all the local stores are out as well!

{Everything}

It's hard to say what we've been up to lately, because you probably already know we are always up to "everything." Sure I love to enjoy the small things in life like the kisses, hugs, and snuggle time I get from my family each and every day, but we also like to be involved in just about everything possible. When I say "We," I truly mean all of us like to be busy going, going, going.

I feel a bit robbed of sunshine this year... It just hasn't been hot enough to spend hours basking in. The kids still enjoy swimming a couple times a week, but I can't say I'm as excited as them- although I usually love water!

Here are some random pictures of little things we've been up to:

We went boating and swimming with a couple families at the lake last Saturday. I also enjoyed discussing a wonderful book at book club that morning, followed by Saturday market and Maisey's Primary activity, (all before the lake).

I've been sewing some nights, mostly accessories and baby stuff. I think everyone is getting tired of it but me- and Ryley with his cars. Ryley just can't seem to keep his toys away from my machine. He also ventured out and got himself into trouble- something I'm thankful he doesn't do very often. I've learned not to leave my stuff out.Ryley also finds joy in the laundry basket- I mean his boat! He is also becoming quite fond of the camera, hence the cheesy grin.
We hope we have some warm summer days ahead while we catch up on a few neglect summer play dates!

{Pool Party}

Over the weekend we enjoyed the annual "Guenther Pool Party" hosted by Adam and Carey. It's fun to look at pictures of the kids each summer and observe their growth. It is also a ton of fun to watch the men in the family act like big boys. They always provide the entertainment. Ruby, Peyton, and Maisey

I don't know how many drinks had been consumed by this point... And, although we don't drink, Chad's goofiness is the product of a fun-loving personality!

If only I hadn't erased the picture of Adam jumping off the ladder onto the pool toys!

Boys will be boys in this family.

{saturday}

This weekend we went to the annual stake fair at church. It wasn't as hot as last year, but it was still pretty warm at 96! We only stayed for an hour and a half- just long enough to take it all in (performers, face painting, cotton candy, snow cones, and games). Ryley got soaked just standing next to the squirt gun games and from standing under the misters!

Chad took Maisey swimming while Ryley napped and I worked on some things at home.

I've been busy sewing away on some baby accessories every chance I get (many not pictured).

{Sand in the City}

We were excited for another year of Sand in the City (click to see pictures of last years sculptures), especially Maisey since she's old enough to remember the past three years we've gone. The themes varied but we liked the featured Toy Story and Alice and Wonderland. There weren't as many sculptures this year, which was kind of nice because it was easier to walk through. While Maisey got her face painted and played in the sand, Ryley tip toed around (he wasn't keen on the crowd or the wet sand. I think he was hung up on how it got in the middle of Pioneer Place. Chad noticed the reptiles immediately and wanted to see if Ryley was as crazy about them as he is. The answer was NO! And, if I could have only caught the other faces of terror he made...

It was very crowded, so we were quite surprised when we ran into our ward missionaries (in suits), in the heart of down town!
We love this annual tradition, and if you haven't been, you should check it out next year. Along with face painting, sand playing, sculpture viewing, reptile petting, and eating, there are also other educational kid friendly booths.

Within the last couple days I've been down town and discovered (thanks to friends)

and

.

Since having children we've really just been hanging in the burbs. I have to say, Portland is weird (you know the saying, "keep Portland weird," but it's also a little fun when you take away the traffic)! I seriously planned out places I want to go with only Chad for the next five years... If only we dated more than 1 x a year!!!

{Summer Days}

The summer weeks are flying by! We've been enjoying our days swimming, playing in fountains, playing with friends, sewing baby stuff for my friends new store, and keeping up with the important things.

Video games at the Family Fun Center in Wilsonville (is he a boy or what? Just wait until he finds out my opinion of boys who play video games! We do have a Wii, but I really dislike this time waster. And, I hate TV too!!!

We are lucky to have so many awesome fountains all around us!

Boating, before my camera got wet and quit working for 4 days!
I think we have managed to "mold" Maisey a bit this summer... I couldn't be prouder of her! Since Chad and I are both neat freaks, we clean up the kids' messes before they even notice them. I made it a vow that I would put a stop to this before she got even bigger- and Chad is actually trying to let her "stand" on her own too (he's a big softy)!

This is how her day goes:

Wake

Make Bed

Eat Breakfast

Do 4 pages of school work- she's still about a year ahead and I don't want her to be part of the "summer slide!"

Spend up to an hour with media (although she's too busy to care)

Practice Piano

Eat lunch

PLAY, PLAY, PLAY (she really does a lot of this)!

I won't say EVERYDAY goes according to planned; however, she is almost completely on target at sticking to her routine!

I loved having a bit of cool weather early this week and I hope it's not too hot on Friday when I plan to be indoors sewing, and baking for Saturday's Garden Brunch!

{4th}

We spent the 4th in Eugene this year. The weather was the perfect temperature. Sometimes it is wonderful to get away from all the hustle of our everyday lives up here in the city; but I will say right now, it can be a catch 22! My kids are so use to running from one thing to the next, that they can't enjoy the down time. We (or shall I say Chad) spent TONS of time (and gas) driving Ryley around. He always wanted to go somewhere, and he wouldn't sleep until at least 11 PM every night (which led to our coming home on Sun. night- well, it was 12:30 AM) rather than MonDAY. While we were there we roasted marshmallows. *Tip: DO NOT use the BIG marshmallows for consumption. They are just too big and messy!We spent most of the 4 TH with family at a friends home (or their yard rather), before returning back to my grandparents for fire works. During fire works Maisey managed to lose a tooth and she was very excited (as usual) to cash in. However, the tooth fairy that visits this house isn't very good at tracking the rate of lost teeth. And, Maisey reminded me this morning the tooth fairy has paid less for her teeth since the first initial loss. Maisey is sharp, and now I make a vow to find out the going rate and stick with it!

What do you think is fair?We were exhausted upon coming home but we had a great time! Isn't that funny- you can be MORE tired the less you do!!!

It was great seeing the family we were able to.