Silver Creek Falls..

Kevin had odd days off this week (Tues, Wed & Thurs.) so we got alot of stuff done around the house, mostly in the yard and garden, and then yesterday we went up to Silver Creek Falls. We had not been there yet this year and it is one of our favorite spots. We are not able to walk very far right now with both of the boys but we walked down to the South Falls and on the trail behind it and then back up and then we went to the Lodge for hot chocolate and to sit by the fire.. That was really nice. Then we drove to the North falls and hiked to see it and the Upper North Falls. It was a really fun day and the boys were both wore out from the walk (Gavin got carried some of the way, but he did really good).

Gavin turns 2 next week! We are going to go to the zoo on his birthday and then maybe check out the Rose Festival stuff going on downtown. There are some really cool ships that I think they would love to see, one that was in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Carter is 4!

Carter turned 4 last Saturday.. I can't believe he is is already 4, nonethless he had a great birthday with a little party at Chuck-E-Cheese, and then family over for cake and the unveiling of his big present. All the grandparents and us went in on this little truck for him. He was soo excited to open up the shed and see it there. He said "oh, there is one of those little trucks in here" and kept asking whose it was. Gavin loves to ride along and the truck has a little radio which they turn on and Gavin bobs his head to the music. Too funny!

Vegas baby...

Kevin and I went to Las Vegas last weekend. It was for his sister's husband's 30th birthday. It was a total surprise to him that we were coming as well as 3 of his other friends. We had a GREAT time. The weather was hot of course so we laid around by the pool in the mornings (we got there at 10:30 on Friday a.m. so we had 3 mornings.. yay!!) Then we would get ready and go out walking around and seeing the sights in the evenings. We went to see Blue Man Group on Saturday night. We didn't do alot of gambling, I played a few nickel slots and lost some and then won some and Kevin ended up winning some on blackjack so that was fun! We stayed at Hooters Hotel and Casino which anyone who knows us may think is hysterical, also considering the fact that I booked it. Ha Ha. We actually got a great deal and it was right next to the Monte Carlo which is where Kevin's sister was staying. But, our room was like 100 cheaper a night. Anyhow, when I told people where we were staying they were mortified.. but I can report back that the girls at our hotel and their little outfits were tame compared to some of them at the other places, and they are EVERYWHERE. Come on people this is the world we live in right. Anyhow, we had fun, glad to be back home and out of the sky (terrified of flying). Especially glad to see my babies.

Dirt Baby...

We went to the Ag Festival here in Salem two weeks or so ago and Carter made this dirt baby. We came home and read the directions and put it on top of a cup of water, etc. I wasn't entirely sure I was doing it right.. so we waited and waited and just finally the other day (Tuesday I think) we noticed he has sprouted his hair! I think I was more excited than Carter. He loves it though but I think it is soo cute for some reason. My brother and his wife were over here the other night and I was showing them and they were looking at me like I was soo weird. I think she said "that is the strangest thing I have ever seen". Maybe I have lost it a little bit - being a stay at home Mom does that to you I think. :)

Garden update ----

This is a photo of our peas sprouting in our garden. The boys and I have been pulling weeds and getting the garden ready to plant all of our other stuff. I think it is almost warm enough to plant everything now. I usually try to have it all planted by Mother's day. We are going to plant beans, zucchini, tomatoes, lettuce, basil, maybe carrots, and then sunflowers around the outside edge. Soo fun!

Party..

We had a Birthday Party for my Mom here on Saturday. It was really nice. I had set the table in everything pink I could find (pink fabric, candles, etc.). Then I made a cute pink cake with flower cookies on it. Of course the picture of the cake I took somehow got deleted - it was cute though and yummy. We had about 12 relatives over and our house was pretty full. I had planned on having it somewhat outside but the weather did not cooperate. We had babysitting co-op at the church on Friday night, so we went out to dinner then came home so I could start making all my side dishes, I made potato salad, pasta salad, a layered green salad thing and then a strawberry jello/pretzel salad. Then the cake of course I made on Saturday a.m. It was a fun party and most of all, my Mom loved everything so that was great!

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Fire Pit

My Mom got us this super fun fire pit for watching her dog while she was on vacation. We told her not to get us anything but she insisted so we are not complaining about getting this. Last night we broke it in and the kids roasted marshmellows and everything. It felt like camping but then I got to come inside and sleep in my own bed. Much better. The boys absolutely loved it, Carter was soo excited to be outside that late at night - it was dark by the time we came in and put them to bed at 9:15. I told him that the bats come out about that time (Kevin and I have seen one a bunch of times when we are sitting in the hot tub after the kids are in bed; monitor on of course). Anyhow, he really wanted to see a bat fly by but no luck. Hopefully one of these nights.