Rush Ranch

Today I got to go on my favorite field trip of all time...for the last time. 3rd Graders in California all study the history of their county, and Solano County is really fun to learn about! Today we went to Rush Ranch in the Suisun Marsh and learned all about the lives of the Patwin Indians.

We learned how they made baskets

for a variety of uses...

some fun games the 4 year old boys played

to teach them hunting skills...
and what it would be like if your WHOLE FAMILY
lived in a little tule hut! {Yikes!}
Everyone got a chance to grind their own acorns
into a delicious {NOT!!} bowl of acorn mush.
Camille thought it was so fun -
{Of course, grinding three acorns isn't too bad...
she probably wouldn't enjoy
grinding 300 pounds of acorns so much!}
They learned all about the Native American's
system of bartering,

and then they drilled their own bartering shells

to hang on a string about their necks.

My favorite docent {who's been there for all my kids!}

is Little Bear - full blooded Apache!

Since I wasn't an official chaperone, I took some time

to wander around the property.

I love the country

{well... I love to VISIT the country}

and all it's unique images.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Got wheels?

The one that got away.

King of the mountain anyone?

It was such a glorious day! Hope you're enjoying spring as much as I am!

How We Really Live...

We haven't

been able

to eat dinner

around the kitchen table

since Sunday afternoon.

We've eaten outside,

at the ballpark,

at a friend's house -

just about everywhere

but the kitchen table.

I know...

family dinner is important,

BUT

we do have

our priorities around here.

Tell me...

How?

How?

How???

can we interrupt this...

Tomorrow night

we'll eat dinner together.

Congratulations on your first big win Adam!

A Memorable Day

Congratulations, Adam,

on a great decision -

we're so proud of you, son!

Thanks Uncle John, Grandpa, Uncle Val, Uncle Paul

& Dave Barnholt (Brad's friend and Adam's primary teacher)

for being there for Adam today.

It means so much to us!

Happy Birthday, Adam!

We celebrated Adam's 12th birthday with a quiet family day

(his choice!).

He woke up to the traditional

door full of streamers and room full of balloons...

then spent the afternoon playing with his new toy

(which he had to help pay for

with all of his birthday $$$$ -

thanks everyone!)

{want to see Brad try to ride this thing?

See the post below!!}

and going with Brad and Matthew to
one of their favorite spots -
Rocknasium in Davis
(a GIANT indoor rock wall joint).

Happy Birthday, Adam!
We admire your loving nature and
the way you enjoy being with your family!
We hope this is a great year for you!

Farewell to Youth

Once in a while Brad and I like to imagine that we are young. After attempting to ride Adam's ripstick, we can no longer have such illusions. Here's a quick picture summary of Brad's attempt: (Hee, Hee!)

Okay, he's upright...

or maybe not!
Hanging on for dear life!

Baby steps...

getting braver...

HELLLLLPPP!

Well, it was a nice try anyway sweetie!

Oh, to be 12 again...

Everyone's an Artist!

I was struggling to come up with a great idea for my mom's birthday when I found this idea online. While we were at their house for dinner {she cooked her own birthday dinner - how pitiful is that!}, we secretly engaged in a little artistic creativity. I purchased 8x10 canvases and the granchildren each painted their own self-portraits. They turned out great!



The kids have a room at Grandma & Grandpa's house that they have overtaken, and we'll use these portraits to spruce up the space. Just one more grandchild to go and we'll have a complete set!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom was a Valentine's Baby. I think it's quite appropriate because she is one of the most loving people I know. She seems to have a boundless supply of energy and she uses 99% of it on others, including us. I feel so blessed to have a such a great lady as my mom. I definitely won the parent lottery!

Two More Love Notes

It's been a quiet, but lovely, Valentine's Day. Brad and I took Camille to see one of her friends get baptized, and then we went to dinner with some friends. This evening Matt took off for the dance, and the rest of us watched a couple Charlie Brown specials and played Wii Ski. I love our little family, and I'm always happy when we just spend a quiet evening at home.

In honor of the holiday, I'd like to share two more love notes...

Dear Matt,
I love you becuase you are fun to wrestle and tackle.
You are cool and fun to play with.
You are smart and nice to others.
I love you!
Love, Camille


Dear Camille,
You are really crazy {NOT weird}.
You laugh so much that it makes everybody else around you laugh too, like a laughing virus.
You're always so playful and funny.
You're really creative with everything!!!!
Love, Adam

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day as well!

What a guy!

So, this is for you Natalie

{yes, you - the one who said we all had to

keep our blogs updated with happy news,

even though you haven't!}...

I have an A to report!!

As many of you know, Brad has just started working

on his M.B.A at a little place called University of Pheonix.

He just got his first paper back,

and he got an A!

And not just any A,

a 50 points out of a possible 50 points

kind of A!

That would be A for awesome, amazing and A job well done!

Yea, Brad!

Plus, he wrote me this great "love note"...

I love you because

you're stable,

you laugh a lot,

you're smart,

you do my laundry {smile included},

you keep me grounded

and I can talk to you.

Love,

Brad

How did I end up with such a great guy?

I Did, I Did, I Did Remember....

So, I was supposed to rememer to make time

to read a few good books in January...

and I did!

A little read-aloud,

something for my middle one,

and the continuation of a little girl's favorite series.

Plus, a favorite movie who's text I had never read,

a fascinating glimpse into one man's life,

and a really fun read of a storyline I knew NOTHING about

{and totally loved!}

So...

it's a new month...

and that means a new goal.

Being the month that it is,

we have a family goal...

remembering to love.

And just to make sure we remember,

we're writing love notes.

In my attempt to help

"circle the wagons,"

I thought I'd share one --

"Dear Adam,
Muahahahahahahahahaha!
{trademark evil laugh}
Thank you for all the

things you do for me.
I know we fight sometimes,
but it's all over in the end.
Thanks for the laughter

we've shared.
I've had a great time

living with you!
Love, Matt"