Horse Camp at the Beach, Part 1

Since I've been gone, we've been to the beach for a family vacation, a family reunion, a MOPS Planning Retreat, more remodeling and catching up on the house and garden during the week. 

So first things first, I'll start with our mini-vacation to the beach. Since I was a teenager, we've gone to Nehalem Bay with my dad and step-mom. They take their big horses and minis and ride on the beach. Now that all us kids have children, it is even more fun. This first picture is of Hailey seeing the ocean for the first time. She was literally screaming for joy when she saw it. She absolutely loves water, and she was in heaven. I love seeing the world afresh through a child's eyes.The cousins found a driftwood fort that they thought was great fun.I thought Hailey was never going to get tired of playing in the ocean (or the sand). Playing with brother - jumping waves.My twin sis, Stacie, and I hangin' out on the beach. It was nice weather most of the time. My step-mom made me that shirt when I was in high school. I always bring it with me when I go camping. She even made me a new one, but I just can't bear to give my old one up yet.Michael has so much patience with the kids. He helped Hailey build a rockin' sand castle.This little cutie is my brother's son, Noah. Couldn't you just eat him up? Love those cheeks! He was enthralled with the ocean as well.Last beach picture of Hailey Baby and the sunglasses she picked out. Talk about "Rose Colored Glasses", LOL!

Stay tuned, my next post will be about the horses.

BTW, Hailey's 3rd birthday is tomorrow. Can't wait for the Luau Party! I totally dig themed parties.

Blessings,

Jackie  

Fourth of July Weekend

After being sick for part of last week, the primary goal for the long 4th of July weekend was to not only celebrate the birth of this great country, but to lay down the rest of our wood floor and even do a few fun things in between. My parents blessed us by taking the kids to their house for Friday and Saturday. This really helped speed up the wood flooring process. So Friday night Michael and I prepped the floor. Saturday morning we went yard saling for a couple of hours. Not a good weekend for it. I came away with one awesome item though that made wading through the other junky yard sales worth it. A genuine vintage 1950's "James Dean style" leather jacket (just my size), in good condition, for only $30! I bought it from the original owner who was very sad to see it go, but happy that it went to a good home. I love this baby! It is already broken in. Unlike my other motorcycle jacket, I've got room to layer up when it is cold. So now, I've got a cold weather jacket and a warm leather jacket.Look at the awesome detail on this jacket! There is even a cigarette pouch in the front which will be perfect for my cellphone. Sunday afternoon, Michael and I went for a ride so I could try out my new jacket (and just relax) and I loved it.Nothing like a small town 4th of July Parade. We met up with some friends, my grandma and parents (who had the kids) and watched the parade together, in a small near-by town.Sunday afternoon, we bbq'd with friends and family. We used the bbq hamburger recipe from my sweet bloggy friend, Camille. Click on here for the link that will take you to her fantastic blog and best-ever hamburger recipe.  After we stuffed ourselves silly, we started lighting small fireworks (couldn't wait until it was dark, good thing because Hailey was passed out on the couch by 6:30pm). This is my step-dad, Larry and my mom (Queen of the Fireworks) with Josiah, who is showing off his tank fireworks. Later than night, Mom, Michael, Josiah and I, drover across town to get a better view of the big fireworks. They were great as usual.Michael couldn't help himself, and got out some firecrackers he'd been saving since he was a kid and set up a "battle" with Josiah's firework tanks and army men. I laughed as I saw the boyish delight of these men as they took pleasure in trying to blow up the toy soldiers and tanks. Even men can be boys sometimes, ha ha. They were so cute!Michael planted some small fruit trees in my designated "orchard" in the backyard. We've planted a cherry, peach and nectarine so far. We want to get about 5 more trees, but it is a good start. Hopefully they survive :)This is how we've been living. We've got everything from the living room piled into the new dining room/office area while we worked to install the wood floor in the living room. Hoping things will be back to normal soon.  Here is the fruit of all our hard work (Saturday we did this). A new hardwood floor in the living area. I can't wait to cover it with a beautiful rug that Michael brought back from Iraq, but we have to wait until the finish dries (three days). Why do we work so hard on something like this and then want to cover it up? LOL. I've been waiting 5 years to use that rug. We just have to put the oak window trim around the windows, trim around the bead board on the ceiling and around the floor. I feel like we are on the downward slope with this remodel project and that we may get done by the end of the month. It'll be so nice to have it all done. It has been a long 5 months.

Other than that, the garden is doing great. Peas are coming on and the kids are addicted to them. I don't think I'll be getting any in the freezer this go around. Good thing I planted more! Soccer is keep us busy, too.

I'm going to take a blogging break for a couple of weeks, but as always, leave a comment and I'll be sure to visit your blog when I get back. Hope you all had a wonderful 4th and that you took time to reflect on our forefathers who sacrificed (and risked) so much so that we could be living in this great country. Despite all of it's problems, there is no other country on earth I'd rather live in.

Love and Blessings,

Jackie