Sun River 2012

Vacationing in Sun River --
Sweet Family....
 

These furry friends were in the backyard where they are vacationing. 

 

 

How-do-you do Horse -- Nice to meet you --  can I ride you????

 Last year Ruby was too afraid to ride a horse, but this year she was really looking forward to it.  In fact, as I hugged her good bye on Sunday night she whispered to me

"Grandma, I'm going to ride a horse!" 

 

Yikes!  He snorted at me!!!!!
 

Carson also rode a horse, but he is an old pro since he rode last year. 

Ahh, a climbing wall. 

Why people vacation in Sunriver, OR

More of Carson

I drove over to pick up the twins to spend the night at my house while their folks attended a wedding. On the way home Carson said "Grandpa Ray took us to some place really special and it was so fun!  We saw so many cool things." 
 So where did Grandpa Ray take you?   

"He took us to the DUMP!" 

Then Carson told me all about what he saw and how great it was to visit the dump.  (So why pay money to go to Disneyland when you can get such enjoyment out of the dump?????)

 

The next morning -- very early -- I was just getting back to sleep after getting up with Carson who had been coughing a lot all night.  He very quietly tippy toed into my room and got right up in my face and whispered "Grandma. Grandma!   Are you awake?" 
So I let him crawl in my bed and I snuggled him for a while.  Then I rolled over the other direction and he snuggled me.  He got right up to my ear, and very spontaneously whispered, 
 "Grandma Julee, I love you as big as the St. John's Bridge!" 
Oh my goodness -- my heart melted, even though I was so tired.  Who can resist that kind of love-talk. 

 

 My car  had to be towed to the dealer because it wasn't working (but as it turned out, it was just a loose cable and there was no-charge -- THANK YOU GOD!). When I told Carson -- who LOVES LOVES LOVES tow trucks -- that Grandma's car had to be towed, he asked me
"Did that make your car happy?" 

 



Engineer Carson

When Aunt Stephanie saw how much fun Carson was having with the blocks she gave them for their 4th birthdays, and how he made a "fire breathing dragon"  (see July 15th blog entry), she got Carson another block kit that makes dinosaurs.  Here is the first creation we made together.  He was quite proud of this dino. 

Of course Aunt Stephanie would never, ever think of getting something for one child, without getting for the other..... Ruby is showing her new Fancy Nancy doll the dino that Carson made. 

The next morning he decided to add to the dinosaur and made it into a dinosaur-ship.  He even gave it a name "The Orca-zan".  Little sister is being a "watch-bird", enjoying watching her brother at work. 

Carson had to check it out from all angles to make

sure it was just right!



The block set he got in June came with a little man.  Carson said "he can be the Captain of the ship."  I told him that Uncle Jimmy had been a real Captain of a ship.  To that Carson said

"this little man is Uncle Jimmy",

and he posed with a close up of his little Captain. 

 

When I told Aunt Stephanie what he had built she said to me "He's going to grow up to be an engineer."  I told that to Carson and he asked "What is an engineer?" 
"Well, he is someone who creatively designs and makes things." 
 I went on to explain that word can also mean the driver of a train.  To that Carson  said
 "I want to be an engineer on a train that drives me to a place where I can build things." 
 (In other words, he wants to be both kinds of engineers.) 

 



Emma & Lydia

I traveled to Bellevue this past weekend to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law's house to assist her in taking care of her two granddaughters for the weekend (as her husband was away fishing!)  Emma was a flower girl in a wedding, but Nana would need to pick her up in Seattle after the wedding, so I stayed home with Lydia.  Emma was lovely as a flower girl and did a fine job, too.  Here she is with her Mommy and Daddy (my niece Megan and husband Tom) who celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary on the same day. 



Little Lydia is 18 months old and runs circles around everyone in the room.  She is fast and hard to catch and hard to keep a hold of once you catch her.  She gives her Nana a run for her money -- hence me -- reinforcements for the weekend! 

Lydia is so full of personality, understands us, but doesn't talk, yet.  Who needs to talk when you have an almost 4 year old big sister that does it all for you.  The one thing that she said over the weekend was "mmmmm", which translates into "MILK PLEASE".  

It was such fun getting to know this little missy and helping out the family. 

Nana gave Emma a new princess doll on the day of the wedding. Emma was enchanted and said "I've been dreaming of this doll.  You made my dreams come true!"  (a bit dramatic, but she really was thrilled beyond words to have this new dolly and even slept with her tucked under her arm that evening after the wedding). 



Lydia loves her little car and steers the wheel and honks the horn the entire time. It's the one time we can keep her in one place (seat belt on of course) and not worry about what she is climbing on.  We took several walks and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! 

On Sunday morning after the big wedding night, Emma was tuckered out.  She found a comfy spot on her Nana, while watching Pollyanna on TV. Of course Lydia had to get up too -- but then she got down, then she got up  (you know..............up/down/up/down/up/down) 

We kept saying Lydia was going to grow up to be an interior decorator because she kept rearranging the furniture.  These are their "TV chairs" and Lydia was pushing hers all over the kitchen on the floor.  When she hit the carpet the chair tipped over with her on top.  She didn't cry -- so I grabbed my camera to capture the moment.  By time I got the picture she was frustrated because she couldn't get upright and began to fuss -- more angry than upset! 

102 Today In Portland!

This is how the wee ones stayed cool today.  Yikes -- 102.  That's too hot for us....

Oh Ru -- You Are Your Mommy's Girl!

"Mommy, I just have to wash my hands with these shoes on!"

Preschool Picnic

Today was the picnic for the preschool where the children attend.  Didn't get many photos, but a few cute ones.  Nanny Rach was down for the weekend and joined us -- the kids were thrilled to see her. 

Isn't little Miles above darling with his golden curls? 
Lots of great food and so healthy!  Never seen so many quinoa salads! 

Not quite sure what Carson was doing with his Nanny Rach ----

Water Fun

Last evening after work Kristin took Ruby and Carson down to the waterfront in Portland to watch some friends practicing swimming for an upcoming triathlon.  Ruby asked some great questions, considering the Olympics have been on for the past week......

"Will the Chinese be there?" 
"Is Michael Phelps going to be swimming too?" 

The preschool where the kids attend offers swimming lessons at the local high school that is within walking distance from the preschool.  Carson and Ruby have been taking lessons and on Thurs. Kristin was able to go see Carson for the first time (Ruby's lessons are on Monday).  Carson has taken to the water like Kristin did at this age -- a little fish.  He puts his head right into the water and does everything the sweet instructor asks of him.  He was even going under for rings at the bottom of the pool.   Kristin was so thrilled to see him enjoying water that much.  As she was leaving Carson said to her......

"Thank you Mommy for coming to my swim lesson.  Did I freak you out by putting my head under the water?"   

(Kristin has never heard him say that phrase before!) 

That is Carson in the middle with his instructor.  Kristin was very impressed with how well the young instructor was working with Carson and the 3 other little boys from his class.

This high school is so close to Kristin and Casey's house that the next morning before work Kristin decided to run over to the pool, swim, and run home at 6:00 AM. 



Saturday was a day on the water with Grandpa Ray in his boat.  They boated to an island where they got out and enjoyed the beach.   

And this was the end of the day.  Little Ru had had it!  I can count on one hand the times she (and Carson) have fallen asleep in the car.  Yes, she had a BIG day and is so ready for bed! 

(next day) -- Kristin and I were talking today about how much fun they had on their boating day and how Carson was go-go-go-go all day long.  On their way home when Ruby fell  fast asleep in the car  -- photo above -- Carson was bugging her and asking his Momma,  "why is her mouth open?"   

"Leave her alone, Buddy.  That's the face of exhaustion!" 

Super Hero Carson

Whether he is helping Grandma Carrie wash the sink or being a SUPER HERO, Carson is our Super Kid!  He got up to the sink and told his Grandma Carrie he was going to wash the sink for her, without being asked to.  Hope this trend keeps up! 

Olympics

Hey Ruby.  What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch? 

"I like diving!  The Chinese always win!" 

(Where did she learn that?  She's right, you know!)
Carson, what is your favorite Olympic sport? 
"I like bollyball!" 
(oh yah -- bollyball -- your mom used to play bollyball) 



Kite Flying

The JOYS of flying your very first kite!  

Silly Kids

This week while Grandma Carrie was watching the twins --

I guess Carson was being VERY SILLY. 

Carrie overheard Ruby say. . . .  

"Carson, you are sillier than having a pet cow!"