Deana and Mark

Our trip to Oregon was full of adventure, and as I recover from the horrifying drive, I figure that I should start documenting it to keep it from all blurring in my mind. The who, the where, the why, and all those little details sometimes get mixed up in my head. I blame my children for that. Just like I blame them for everything I don't like about myself, like my butt, my waistline, boobs, and obviously my ability to be a total scatterbrain. That will probably be somewhere around 894 on their list of things to hash out with their therapists in the future.

Sometime around day, well hmm...maybe three (?) of our trip we made it to Grandma Deana and Grandpa Mark's houseboat to visit.

Mark decided that my children needed to learn how to chop wood with what? Oh, an axe!!! Yep, they were learning the finer art of axe handling, and I'm not sure how the pictures turned out so well since I was busy hyperventilating while I tried to figure out the worst thing that could happen in the situation. I decided that there wasn't a piece of them that I could do without, so it was a short lesson.

Fortunately for us, their retired neighbor lady had an extensive selection of life jackets and loaned some to us so that we could go out on the river on their boat! It was so fun! The weather was perfect and the scenery breathtaking! All the kids got turns driving. The crazy axe instructor taught that lesson too. I was better with this lesson because it didn't involve probable amputation or possible death. Well, that's what I thought anyway, but Punkin is a bit accident prone, so I fretted maybe a bit.
WARNING: Boating sometimes leads to forced picture opportunities. Wait... I see Jack, but what do I not see? Did he actually forget to have one of his middle fingers sticking out somewhere in an attempt to aggravate me (and Heather, should she ever see the photo) and distract from the overall purity and wonderment of the moment? Miracles are everywhere!

Oh! Here we are! Jack in his own true, best form! So much for miracles.

"I am dead sexy baby! Rar!"

The Fourth!

So after a nightmare drive, we chilled down by the pool and BBQ'd. Lisa was super on her game as usual, and had the stuff for s'mores for the kids. Sydney threw away every one she burned which meant that she threw out every one. Fire = burnt marshmallows. Life lesson for Syd.

Pssst...Hey, Punkin, your marshmallow is on fire!

When it got dark we headed up to the park that's just up the hill from the house to watch fireworks. We got there a bit early so that we could get a decent spot. The pre-show looked more like it should be opening for some UFC match or something. I think that Uncle Neal was wishing that we had stayed in Arizona at this point. He was getting his butt whooped!

Here Punkin was getting in on the action after Syd got him down!

Then there's Mel just hangin' with Aunt Lisa being all sweet and innocent.

It was a great show and the fireworks were awesome!

I think after the heinous drive and all the activities, that the kids were a bit tired! They may also have been glad to see Aunt Elaine!

Travel Is Tiring...

Well, we survived the heinous road trip that we swear every time that we will NEVER do again. Then we always do it again. I think that may be the very definition of retardation. Anyway, the girls were a little tired. I love this picture and will for sure bring it out later for blackmail purposes.

So Jack's version of how things should go involved me having everything packed and picking him up from work at noon and heading straight for Oregon from there, making record time. His plan also involved me alternating with him in the driver's seat.

Here's what really happened:

3:30- Pick Jack up from work (only 3 1/2 hours late)

12:00 am- I take over for my turn at the wheel.

12:45 am- I have narcolepsy and pull over to rest stop for nap.

2:45 am- Wake up with butt cramp and start driving again.

3:45 am- Can't do it anymore and make Jack drive the rest of the way.

Not exactly how he had planned things, but we made it here alive. He will hold this against me forever I think...

The Girls at Dos Gringos

I have been neglectful in reporting on my social life. As if... So the one time in the last umpteen or so months that I actually go out with grownups on a Saturday night and have a great time, I can't seem to find the time to represent it on my blog. Maybe it's because I've been so busy chasing the midgets, cleaning up after them, and mopping urine off the floor thanks to my newest fuzzy son. How quickly the glow from a fun night with the girls, and oh, Jack, disappears when faced with the realities of daily life. Yep, it was another girl's night out as usual for us, and of course we had the token guy. It was a great role for Jack since he's used to floundering in a sea of estrogen. We went to pick up Lisa and Danielle who weren't ready yet, and he displayed Herculean patience while waiting and listening to the usual gossip about men, work, which shoes to wear, bras, and the purse switching. I'm so glad that my training has culminated into such a great guy!

We took this picture before we left. That would be me standing between the twin towers Lisa (left) and Danielle (right). Can I mention that I was even wearing heels? Everyone was sober here.

Everyone was not sober here. Can you guess who was drowning out her man problems with a wee bit too much sauce? It couldn't be Lisa, since she always gropes me, so that wouldn't be odd at all. Gail and Danielle were real sober which really is odd. Oh, and me the gropee would never get too sauced. All in all, we had a great time just laughing and catching up! Love the girls!