Ahhh, the beach

This past weekend we spent the day at the beach. After the beach clean up, it was play time! We packed a picnic and strolled over to the base of the huge sand hill in Pacific City. After lunch the kids asked if they could climb it. Thinking that they would make it about 1/3 of the way up then peter out, I said sure and let them trudge, walk, crawl up the hill. Once they made it half way up, I was reconsidering the whole plan. Holy cow, they were going to make it all the way, without a parent there to help them down. I was going to have to climb that huge sand mountain myself, all for the well being of my children.

So I started the climb. About half way up I needed a break and took a seat and enjoyed the view. Then I looked up. There were my young children frolicking at the top of this huge mountain of sand. Oh how demoralizing!

So I made the final push to get up the hill with my kiddos and oh the view on the other side was worth the light headedness, the sweat dripping down my back and the burning in my legs:)

Little did I know that they top of this mountain was not a rounded summit as I had thought. Nope it was a cliff. Shesh, a cliff! I sent my babies to play on a cliff. Nice.

After a while, I noticed that Chad had decided to make the trek up the hill. All I can say is that he did make it:) I will not comment on his physical well being once he reached the top:)

Once we all made it to the top, we sat in silence, some out of necessity, others by choice:) As we sat there absorbing the beauty that God had created, we were constantly surrounded by dragonflies. It must be migration or baby making season for them, they were everywhere. I was able to just stand at the top and video them, amazing!

Enjoy!

Out of Necessity

Some of my sewing I do for fun and some is a plain old challenge to my self. And then there are some projects that are born out of necessity...repairing clothes, hemming pants, making signs.

I struggle with organization. Hey, I hear those snorts out there:) I do have one thing organized though, my dirty laundry! I've gotten it down to a system that unfortunately no one else in my household could figure out. It seemed easy enough to me, darks here, towels there, whites there. After months of frustration and resorting, I came up with a plan. Kyla can read. Chad can read. I'll make signs:)

I had a bit of left over muslin from another project (thanks Jennifer!) and extra dark thread from the very same project. I traced some letters with a washable pen and then got to sewing. In between snacks and homework and assisting in Lego building, I was able to make three signs that I pinned with my handy dandy diaper pins to my sorting system.

Wala! Organization here we come!

His creation

Gav loves to build. He builds out of legos, books, couch cushions, pretty much anything that he can think of. Here he is describing just one of his latest creations:) Enjoy.

Solv Beach Cleanup 2010

We joined the Solve Fall Beach Cleanup efforts this weekend at Pacific City. We made the drive out, picked up our bags and gloves and scoured the beach for garbage.

The kids made it about 40 minutes, I was so proud of them! Chad and I worked for about an hour more as the kids played in the sand and sun near us.

I had packed for a normal fall day at the coast...with rain boots and jackets:) Yeah, we really needed sun screen and shorts:) The weather was grand and the reason for being there very worthy. We hope to make this a year tradition for the Riddle Fam:) Want to join us next year?

Red, Rich and Delicious!

Twenty pounds of fresh picked tomatoes and lots of time equals yummy Ketchup!


Now we just need some fries to dip:)

Just Cus'

Handsome boy!

Makin' Soup

The growing season is coming to an end and that means my garden is full of yummy vegetables begging to be eaten. Unfortunately, the four of us can only eat so much at one time:) The canning has begun! This is my second year of making veggie soup and make soup I did.

This year I only had to purchase two ingredients for my soup, the rest is from our little garden, hurray!

I threw in some chopped purple carrots and green beans

Diced cherry tomatoes

Onions and Potatoes

A bit of Thyme and some frozen corn

I wanted to throw him in the pot as well, but he just wouldn't fit:)

I let it all simmer for a while and then canned it. The soup turns a pretty purple hue (thanks to our special purple carrots) and is perfect for a winter afternoon.


Hungry yet?

A little dirt never hurt

Yeah, well who ever said that didn't have to wash up my kids after they decided to play pigs in the backyard with the hose:)

All I can say is, "OH MY!"

Kyla is not holding some strange and foreign type of whistle or flute. She is eating a carrot, a very dirty carrot straight from the garden.

This was in the bath...after being squirted down with the hose. Again, "OH MY!"

You should have seen the ring around the tub. My beautiful antique tub may never recover. Go ahead and laugh, I'll save the bathtub sanitizing efforts until you get here to assist:)

A New School Dress

I've been meaning to try this tutorial that I found at Make it and Love it, a new dress for me being the goal. I was searching for knit fabric that matched a t-shirt that I purchased just for this project and wouldn't you know it, I found the perfect fabric for a dress for Kyla:) Having no luck finding material for myself...I sighed and resigned myself to sewing a cute new dress for Kyla today.

I took a new t-shirt that I found on clearance and my new owl fabric (so cute!!)

and spent an hour or two of quality time with my sewing machine and came up with this!

A soft and cozy dress for my second grader. She loves it, I love it and I'm sure others will love it:) Now if only I can find some fabric for my dress:)

Mt. St. Helens

In early September, we ventured up to Mt. St. Helens to explore and learn more about this active volcano that we have in our backyard. We camped near the base of the mountain and made the drive up to Windy Ridge. The clouds decided to roll on in while we were driving so we were unable to see the crater fully, but we got glimpses of it through out the morning.

Then the sun peaked out and oh the beauty that was revealed!

We will definitely go back with hopes of a clear day and some easy hiking trails.