{Back to School Skate Party}

Dance-girl style!

 

We only had 6 of the 12 dance girls on the old Stardust team, but that is to be expected when the girls flee town after committing to dancing all summer long! The 13 hours a week Maisey was dancing multiplied when she attended mandatory dance camp last week. She arrived at 7 AM and was picked up at 8:30 PM each night. The girls were beat after the studio sleepover on Friday, but they had a wonderful time!

 

 The games- and music are still the same at Skate World! As well as the look and smell for those of you who aren't regulars.

Red Light/Green Light

 

A summer of memories, that's for sure!

And we have another couple more coming! Stay tuned...

 

{Baby Shower}

It's no secret I love parties and having a baby is certainly a reason to party!

My beautiful cousin is having her first child- a little boy.

As usual, I always fail to take lots of pictures but I did get a couple.

The food was so fun. With all the parties I do, I always skip appetizers. I think I am so busy doing the decorations and main food, and massive quantities, that I skip them. However, I had fun with these ones and so I may give them a chance in the future!

Appetizers:

Greek Salad Bites (cubed feta, kalamata olives, English cucumbers, tomatoes)

Chicken Caesar Salad Bites (Parmesan rounds, chicken, Caesar dressing, arugula)

Herbed Cucumbers (cream cheese, fresh: sage, rosemary, thyme, basil)

Fruit platter (with strawberry and marshmallow cream cheese dip)

My aunt made: yummy bruschetta and pita sandwiches

Happy nesting cousin!

{Sun River}

We went to Sun River to the family cabin this past week. It was a wonderful 5 days filled of swimming, biking, hiking in caves, more swimming, and TONS of boating.

This old cabin was built over  50 years ago by Chad grandfather and it is a treasured family possession. It sits on an icy cove on the Deschuttes river which is why we enjoy the boating. They have a kayak, paddle boat, row boat, and inflatable raft.

Juniper Swim Center in Bend

the coolest part... the rubber lined pool

View from the deck. I brought a pool to set up (I envisioned reading while the kids played in the evening), but instead they wanted big pools and wouldn't touch the small one so I soaked my feet. The cove is really close, but I am a much higher elevation.

Back of the cabin from the water (again it's close but this angle is from a lower elevation)
Cabin upgrades

New bathroom

New kitchen floor

Chad and my brother in-laws, as well as their cousins made these plates every year when they were kids. Chad decorated his portions when was two and three.   

Blinded by the camera flash in the Lava Caves.

This is Ryley's new pose- He says he's a "Rock star."

Smores

 Ryley hated this deer on the wall.

 Maisey trying out her skills in the double kayak.

 Girl night. Make-up, nails, masks, and chick flicks

We have missed this old family tradition for 5 years now! Yes, we use to go every summer (like all the other family members do, some multiple times), but we skipped the year we moved to Beaverton, and so that makes 5 summers. NEVER again however, we loved all the peace and quiet!

{Friday}

The day started with Sky High.

Maisey and Ellie using my camera while I drove. Good one girls!

 Next, it was onto the fair to watch Maisey (and Ellie) dance.

 Ryley had a GREAT time touring the campers, trailers, reptiles, and construction equipment!

 Chad enjoyed his enormous $9 corn dog- yuck. I won't lie, I tried it but I wouldn't dare order one.

Next, Maisey attended the Miranda Cosgrove (ICarly) concert with Lexie! Thanks to the Satters for inviting her!
Pics to come when I figure out what to do with this blog. I want to ask Blogger or Picasa a question but I cannot get a contact number no matter where I look!

{This Weekend}

Friday Chad took the kids to the Father/Child Camp out. I worked for several hours, and then Maisey's a friend and her daughter (Maisey's BF) came over to make hair clips. I wanted to make some for my new, all girl primary class. I was called to teach CTR 4 and I was elated when I found out I have 6 girls on my roster (although I just realized one stayed in the Quatama Ward during the switch). In the  morning I enjoyed finding some garage sales wit Lisa (I finally found an old window) and then lunch. My family called me home a couple hours early which gave us time to head to Sand in the City. We LOVE going each year and enjoyed it even more this time because it wasn't as crowded. I forgot my camera or else I would have more to show... If you haven't been, you should try for next year- it's really neat!

 

{Busy Bees}

This summer is flying by! We have enjoyed swimming, bike riding, trips to parks and fountains, school (okay, that isn't enjoyable for Chad and I in the summer), and many little jaunts (2 trips to Eugene and 1 coming, Hood River for the 4th of July, the coast for our anniversary, the father/child camp out-pics coming). We have Sunriver in a couple weeks, Maisey has dance camp the day after we get home, and all the daily things like work, dance, play dates, and weekly gymnastics (Ry). 

To get the girls ready for the school year and competitions, they dance in the community at many things. This was Maisey's first time with the new group at a concert in the village. Several girls were missing with summer plans and all, but the ones who were there enjoyed it. It is a nice primer for the real thing, fake eye lashes and all (Maisey is ecstatic about wearing the garb of make-up)!

 Ry and his dance buddy. He and this guy were friends before we changed companies because his big sister has danced competitively for 5 years.

Ry in front of the big dance bus.