Jedediah Smith

We had so much fun on our camping trip to Jedediah. It is fun to camp, but it is really fun with other people. We tagged along with the Pedersen's, Whitney's and Shumway's. All the kids had someone to play with and the adult's did too. Highlights were hiking through the Redwoods, kids cliff jumping into the river, Evan's natural playpens (a rock one in the river, and a sand pit at the beach), setting up the Pedersen's ultra-lame canopy in the pouring rain, speedo boy or man or boy?, and who isn't saying bazooka, zooka bubblegum in their sleep? I wish I had more pics but my camera was never handy. Lots of laughing, playing, sand and smore's to be had! Thanks for the invite...we're ON for next year!!

We successfully pooped them out! Now if I could just get all my laundry done!

Hubba, Hubba Bubba

I just loved this picture of Justin.

Laura turns two

Happy second birthday to Laura. We were lucky enough to share her birthday with Papa John, Grandma Jeanne and Uncle Jordan.

Niner

While Jecque and Shane were celebrating their 15 year of bliss Justin and I were totally oblivious to the day. It was 9:30 at night and Justin was watching the Olympics on the floor and I was crocheting on the couch when the light went one. I nudged him with my foot and said, "Hey you, happy anniversary." We laughed because we both totally forgot, which is much safer than one of us forgetting and the other one holding a grudge. We had a niner of a 9th anniversary. Can you say "Hello Hawaii!" for our tenth? I sure can.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Has it really been 15 years? It feels like we have known each other our whole lives and yet I don't feel any older, although from this picture it looks like we were 12 when we got married. Here are 15 great memories from the lives of Shane and Jacque...aside from the obvious children being born etc..(that would eat up 5 of my top 15).
1. Honeymoon in Disney World. For those of you who don't know I have loved Disney all my life. I went to Disneyland a lot as a kid because we lived down there and when friends came from out of town we took them to Disneyland. I always thought I would go camping on my honeymoon. Silver Falls was the location I imagined but that was only because Mormons didn't go on extravagant honeymoons. They go to the coast.
2. Seattle. I loved the month that we had together with no job and lots of free time. The drives we took to Enumclaw, Snowqualmie Falls, Fall City, and Canada.
3. Pedersen Ski and Sports. Though it wasn't my favorite job it was a cool job. Our shop looked cool and we sold cool stuff. I loved when the new skis and boards got shipped to us because it was like Christmas seeing all our new equipment.
4. Nursing school. Man that was some hard times but it was exciting to know that it was the poorest we would ever get...hopefully!
5. Shopping for our first home. Can you believe we got it for $93,000? We put so much of ourselves into that home, it is hard for any home to compare...600 square foot addition (I miss our fireplace), new kitchen, sprinkler system, new lawns, back patio, covered carport (boat port).
6. Trips to Alaska. I feel like those were the ultimate field trip. The Last Frontier. It is a vacation like no other. Our family got to experience things unimaginable...kayaking, salmon fishing in a river near a black bear, humpback whale spotting, boating near icebergs with sea lions, railroad trip from Skagway over scary bridge, small plane trip over Alaska wilderness.
7. Trip to Disney World with Doobie. We hated to share a getaway with him but it ended up being fun side conversation.
8. Trip to Disney World and the Florida Keys with Naoki and Jenny. At first I felt guilty going back without kids but I soon recovered. How fun to go with others that we like. Florida Keys were fun...loved Key West.
9. Greatest gift giver in the world. It is not just what you would give, it was the way you would give it to me. You are so thoughtful as to what I would really like and the presentation has always been part of the gift.
10. Fun trips with friends. I have loved all of our goofy adventures with the many wonderful friends we have made over the years. Horseback riding with the Deane's; Billy Joel with the Bryant's; Sun River, Huckleberry picking, Mill Creek Falls, and Gooseneck Cove with the Dunn's.
11. Cooking for you. You have been so easy to cook for. You have never complained and only occasionally teased. I have never stressed because you will eat anything and will act just as happy if I say it is sandwich night because I can't face dinner.
12. Mutual understanding for hobbies. You have been supportive of all the hobbies I have pursued over the years: card making, scrap booking, woodcutting crafts, and singing. I have tried to be equally supportive of hunting, scuba diving and travel...
13. Speaking of singing, traveling and amazing gifts...Singing through Switzerland was a definite highlight. Touring through Lucerne, riding the cable car up Mt. Pilatus and swishing down on a luge.
14. Singing in Germany. Touring castles, and cathedrals and Olympic stadiums from Hitlers day was unsurpassed. How about YMCA with the town Oompa pah band. Classic!!
15. Singing in Austria. What an honor to sing in Mozart's hometown for his 250th birthday celebration. To see the sights of Sound of Music, and castles of past royalty. I will never forget climbing the heights of the Alps to see Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany all at once.
What a marvelous 15 it has been and I look forward to another 15. Happy Anniversary to those we share it with: Justin and Jennie; Savannah and Adam; The Cobains; and Happy Birthday Naoki

Recovery

Alice has said adios to her tonsils and adenoids this last week. She has been a steller patient and recovery has been fairly easy. Good bye to sleep apnea, snoring and small appetite...hopefully.

These pictures were taken at a park next to the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria. It was a beautiful day and we just enjoyed walking around looking at boats. I love those easy outings that everyone can enjoy...they're usually free and family friendly. Next time we're bringing a picknick lunch, for sure. I hope everyone enjoys that last few days and weeks of summer before school starts. We're living up the lazy life before the rigors of kindergarten start in. (Because we all know how rough kindergarten can be, right;) )

Olympic Trivia

Disregard our very dated attire and try and name this crush of mine. I was at my cousins wedding and apparently she married his cousin. Unfortunately our love was not meant to be because we were somewhat related. But this event did elevate my status in seminary where I was constantly tormented by "two who shall remain nameless". Not that I cared to be liked by them, I just loved being envied by them. Who is this hunk of burnin' love?

A Few Thoughts

What a weekend this has shaped up to be. All the hype and anticipation has paid off so far. The opening ceremonies was unforgettable. It was visually, artistically, and technically unsurpassed. Favorite moments had to be the human painters, the electric drummers, the entrance of the Chinese team with that stirring story of the young hero, and the lighting of the torch. I have enjoyed every minute of this weekend (except for boxing) that was filled with cycling, gymnastics, swimming, fencing (what was up with those screamin' girls?), and rowing. The highlight though has to be the race that kept me up until past midnight last night. Missed it? Click http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0811_hd_swb_hl_l0194 to see the event that only happens in the Olympics.

It's Official...I am my Mother

As a kid, I can remember this time of year very clearly. Harvest Time. The time of year when we would can and preserve everything under the sun. I remember standing at the sink with my Mom endlessly peeling pears, and slipping the skins of peaches and tomatoes for canning. I think she called it slipping the skins to make it sound easier. I remember the kitchen feeling very humid all throughout August because the juicer or canner was going nonstop. She would bottle pears, peaches, tomatoes, and cherries. Turn grapes into grape juice..(I can still see the cheesecloth hanging from our cabinets), apples into applesauce, and dry fruit for amazing fruit leather (which we could have easily traded for Hostess but never wanted too...usually). She would make strawberry and raspberry jam, and freeze fruit of all sorts for pies and cobblers and milkshakes.
These past few weeks that same drive has been pushing me to fill my freezer and stock my shelves. This morning I had to pick up two of my children in Ashland because they had been camping with Grandpa and Grandma at Howard Prairie. I decided that we could pick a few blackberries because we were already near some good picking spots. We drove around for a while trying to find a place that was easy to park off the road and was safe for my kids to pick. Not an easy task. We tried several spots and nothing was working. Finally I found a little spot off a road that is off a road in Talent (not willing to divulge secret picking spot). Spencer soon realized that the best picking was to jump down a ravine into an orchard...probably belonging to Harry and David...serious trespassing. We begin to pick when two of my kids had to go potty. Trespassing and indecent exposure. Awesome! What we had was a gold mine. A fat, juicy, black gold mine. Spencer and I couldn't quit. When we had filled our buckets we dumped out Halley's to refill it with black, not red berries. Each car that drove past made us panic because we were clearly in a place we shouldn't be, but we couldn't help it. The berries were calling our names. We felt like Peter Cottontail trying to pick before Mr. McGregor saw us. We finished picking 22 pints, climbed up the ravine and sped away. Upon leaving we notice a man working in the orchard. Yikes, How did he not hear us? A: He is deaf, B: He was listening to his Ipod or C: He thought everything we were saying was hilarious and made his work less tedious. I choose C.
As I was driving home I had to smile thinking of the ways my mom used to bribe us to pick berries, usually with a 32oz root beer. No root beer bribing here, just pure rush of adrenaline kept this picking crew on the go.

Happy Birthday Bub

Wanted to let you know you are loved by many on this special day. One of my favorite memories is when I was really mad at him. He used to really frustrate me with his stubborn ways. Well on this occasion I punched him I was so mad. Realizing what I just did I took off running. I knew he couldn't beat the crap out of me if he couldn't catch me. I ran outside, across the lawn, over the rock driveway(barefoot), hopped the fence to the back pasture, ran all over the pasture(still barefoot), hopped the fence again, back to the lawn and collapsed. I was laying on my back and Justin was on top of me. Neither one of us could do anything we were huffing and puffing so hard. Finally we burst into laughter and stood up. After we finished laughing he shoved me and walked off. I realized I just had the luckiest day of my life because he could have (and would have), given me so much more.
I have always:
1. Loved your laugh
2. Loved the stories you tell of our childhood (Jaime Hudson demonstrating Juliet backing up into our car..classic)
3. Hated how photogenic you always were (never went through the awkward years)
4. Admired the Dad you have become
5. Been proud of your post high school grades
6. Been grateful you married Jenny

Happy Birthday Bubba! Wish you weren't so far away.