My hubby rocks!

Monday, August 31

Actually, he rides, a lot. Congratulations to Kevin (aka Dr. C) for reaching your goal of 1000 miles on your bicycle this summer. This photo was taken last Thursday night, which was his last chance to go riding before our weekend camping trip with my family and before the first day of school starting at the university where he teaches.
We're proud of you honey - you are awesome! I'll never catch up to that, but I'm encouraged to start getting in shape too.

You Capture - Food

Wednesday, August 26

I almost didn't get anything for this food challenge. I'm really not much of a cook, I can't even remember what we've been eating this week. I meant to take some photos of my birthday dinner, but I was so hungry that I ate it before I remembered the camera. So here is my hard cider, mmmmm.
Here is my friend's burger and sweet potato fries. I like the Dungeon Burger with swiss cheese and mushrooms best. This one has an egg and bacon and I can't remember the name of it, but I really love sweet potato fries!! I'm getting hungry right now just looking at these again.

Here is the zucchini that hid in our garden. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with it. Anyone got a pig to feed? Maybe she can just keep using it to lift weights!

Click here for more food photos.

This birthday is a pain in my . . .

Tuesday, August 25

you guessed it, my back side - literally. I stayed up past midnight last night, even received a few birthday greetings - thanks friends! - and I had this pain going down my right buttock - ouch! Well today I was a little sore and moving a little slow - getting old is no fun! I've been having a little back pain lately, but I made it to the chiropracter (shhhh, don't tell the PT folks) and now I'm feeling better. I got lots of electronic wishes via email and facebook. After stopping by Burgerville for a fresh blackberry shake I went to McMenamin's Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. A few of the gang met me there to listen to my friend's church band and we enjoyed burgers, sweet potato fries and hard cider. Mmmmmm. The day ended very well. Thank you friends and family.

This is my first year of being 39! Mark it on your calenders, because after a few years you might notice that I'm still 39 and you won't know for sure unless you take notes here. I have big plans this year. With the girls both in school all day, I'm hoping to have time to get this body back in shape, have more time for sewing and photography and maybe have some time left over to do some organizing around the house that has been neglected for the last 8 years. Wish me luck. Oh, I probably still won't have much time for cooking and cleaning though. Hee hee. (Sorry, that was the cider talking.)

You Capture - Peace

Saturday, August 22

I'm pretty late for this weeks photo challenge, there was no internet or even cell phone reception where we went camping last week at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. I usually have a hard time find, but we actually had a pretty peaceful trip with the kids. I'll have more camping pics tomorrow. Here is Sydney having a moment of peace with her smore.

Peaceful sisters after swimming in the lake.

Peaceful moss in the forest on the way to the South Falls.

Covered bridge over the Silver Creek in our campground.

We can't wait to go camping with the cousins next weekend.

Click here to see the other peace photos.

Holy Hidden Zucchini Batman!

Tuesday, August 18

We have been pretty good about harvesting our zucchini so they don't get too big, but here's the one that got away.
I kept checking the side by the compost bin, but not until I had long sleeves and gloves did I really wrestle those prickly leaves and find this guy.

OK, no time to talk. We're packing up and heading out for our first camping trip of the summer. We haven't been for two years and the girls are very excited. Silver Falls here we come. We'll be back on Friday.

Happy Birthday Papa Don!! (a little early)

You Capture - Motion

Wednesday, August 12

This weeks photo challenge was motion and I really had a lot of fun with it. First of all, there is this 5 yo girl I know who is in constant motion, so I always had something to work with. I even explored the shutter speed setting on my camera. I think a tripod would have improved a few of these shots, but they're were still fun.

Click here to see all the other You Capture - Motion shots.

Veggies & Snapfish

Tuesday, August 11

Our garden is going crazy! We only have 1 zucchini, 1 cucumber, 2 green peppers and 4 tomato plants. Last week we picked at least one zuc and cuc everyday, then on Saturday we pick 5 zucs, 2 cucs and the only 3 peppers we will probably get, plus a bunch of tomatoes.
Here is the sad part. I'm dying to make some gazpacho soup, but I have this stomach bug that just won't go away. In fact today I'm on the BRATT diet, which means I really can't eat much and I'm so hungry for some veggies!

So far we've all been enjoying having a little garden this summer, which leads me to my next point. There is this Snapfish giveaway and all you have to do is tell about one of your favorite summer moments. We're looking forward to having some great summer moments next week when we go camping. Not sure where yet, but we're going.

Swimming Videos

Sunday, August 9

The girls just finished four weeks (not consecutive) of swimming lessons last Friday. They both moved up 2 levels this summer - really great progress! The teachers always try to let you know if your kid is going to pass several days before the end so you can get them registered for the right class. At one point, Sydney asked me if she had "leveled up" yet. For those of you who don't know, that's the term used for certain role playing games. The poor girl is a geek and doesn't even know it! I guess that's how geeks are, but what if you're a geek and you know it? Does that make you a smart geek? Oh wait, we were talking about swimming!

Sydney cried for 10 minutes during her second lesson complaining that is was too hard and she couldn't put her whole head in the water. Kyla and I convinced her not to give up. Here she is 2 weeks later showing her crawl stroke.


Sydney diving in the deep end for a ring.


Sydney jumps into the deep end.


Kyla in a relay where she has to jump in, swim and dive for a ring.

You Capture - You

Thursday, August 6
Yes, this weeks photo challenge was to take a picture of yourself, not an easy thing to do! I'm not crazy about having my picture taken, but it's even harder when you have to be the one in charge of the camera. I didn't have a lot of luck with reflections, yes that is me - the tall one.

Here, I couldn't decide, smile or no smile?


I finally convinced my kids to help me out with the tripod and I'm pretty happy with the results.

Click here for more You Capture photos.