Raven

This last Saturday was a sad day for us. We had to say goodbye to our dog Raven. Raven was 90lb Black Lab. She was the sweetest, most gentle, loyal and loving big black dog. Most people would mistake her as a male because of her size. 

We adopted Raven the summer of 2008. She was first adopted by Russ's parents when she was 5 years old and then once we moved to a place where we could have a dog we took her. She's been with us through three homes and two babies. She was a great dog. In my opinion she was the best dog anyone could ask for. She was happy to be outside or even in the garage. She loved everyone she met. I never worried about her around the kids, she was always gentle with them. She LOVED food, she would eat her dinner in just about 15 seconds flat (she nearly inhaled it) I'm pretty sure meal times were her favorite time of the day and any chance she got she would look for crumbs on the floor to eat. Most of the time she snored while she slept. She wasn't the greatest on a leash, but she was always so good about staying right by us or by the house if we were out front. 

I'm going to miss looking out the window seeing her follow Russ around while he works in the yard. And the sound of her collar when she would shake and Lily saying "Ray-Ray". (Blake called her Re-Re before he could say Raven)

I never realized how hard it would be to say good-bye to her. Over the last 9 or so months, a tumor started growing on her back hip and it was growing rather quickly. In May, we had it looked at and the vet said it was most likely cancerous. The tumor could be removed, but that wasn't to guaranty that the cancer hadn't spread. With her age (she was 11) we couldn't see spending that kind of money, not knowing if it would save her life. So, we knew this day was coming. But in the time leading up to it, I never once thought it would be so hard. We will miss her so much!

 The first summer we had Raven 

Cody and Raven (my parents dog and Raven were the same age and always had so much fun together!)

 Meeting Blake

Kisses for Raven

She was happy to just be where we were

Waiting for Lily to share some food

 Sweet girl

Thats the tumor

 Saying good-bye

We love you sweet girl and will miss you so much!

Yurting 2014

A few weeks ago {almost a month ago by now} we went camping for the first time ever with both kids. We went to Fort Stevens State Park and camped in a yurt. We went with five families, {friends from college and when we lived in Portland} they all had yurts too. We all have two kids so there was 10 kids four and under!

Growing up, we camped all the time. That was our vacation, we would go for a week or longer at a time and we camped all over Oregon, from the coast to Eastern Oregon. All my memories of camping as a kid were great, fun memories. When we camped with my grandparents, my grandma would help my cousins and I put together a little program for my mom, dad, aunts and uncles. We were called the camping cousins, {that's something that needs a post of its own} we had a blast. 

But, let me be honest, the days leading up to us leaving for our first yurting adventure, left me a little um... unsure. Camping is a. lot. of. work. period. All the gear, the packing, the food preping and so on. I had decide before we left that if once we got there it wasn't worth the work, then we'd wait a few years more before the kids got older and then maybe try again. 

But.... we had SO MUCH FUN!! And I honestly wasn't ready to come home! The kids loved it! Blake loved being outside all the time, able to ride is bike, play in the sand/dirt whenever he wanted, having campfires, being with friends we don't see that often, food always tastes better camping, sitting around the campfire once the kids were in bed playing crazy games and laughing while eating s'mores, scaring away {or possibly trying to trap} a {very over weight almost too friendly} squirrel who the kids named Cakey, going for bike rides, playing at the beach and getting soaking wet and covered in sand, it was all, so fun! 

Our little home away from home

 Three families had yurts in a row and two families had them across the street.

We made a meeting spot in the middle and ate together

 Lily loving a s'more

We checked out the old bunkers

 We went for a bike ride

 We played on the beach!

The kids

The whole gang!

A Superhero Party {with a touch of OSU Beavers}

One afternoon, about a month before Blake's birthday, we were walking down the party isle in Target and I asked Blake what kind of birthday party he wanted. First he saw some Superhero plates and said "I want a Superhero Party!" Then we walked around a corner and he saw some orange and black balloons and said "And these Beaver balloons too!" I thought surely as it got closer to the party he would change his mind, I should have known he wouldn't! So, that's what we did! 

Since Blake's birthday fell on a Saturday we had his party on his birthday. In the morning he got to open his presents from us. 

He got a two wheel pedal bike and was so excited about it!

Then we went out for donuts and hot cocoa {I usually call it hot chocolate, but Blake insists it's hot cocoa and always corrects me}

Before the party started he had sometime to test out his new bike.

Tristan and Logan came early and he opened his present from them. {these three, never just sit nicely and smile for the camera, at the same time}

Then it was time for the party!

As the guests arrived Blake gave them a cape to put on. The boys had black capes with orange letters and the girls had pink. They could decorate a mask to wear if they wanted

We were so thankful for a sunny day! Russ set up a little obstacle course for the Superheros to go through.

We ate pizza and cake

And opened presents!

Most of the kids at the party!

It was a fun day celebrating Blake turning 4!