Girls Day

My Aunt is visiting us from the beautiful state of Indiana and I wanted to treat her to something that was indicative of the area that we live in. So of course we headed up into the Dundee Hills and had a picnic lunch at a local winery/lavender farm. We made it a girls day as my mother and my sweet little girl joined us. Red Ridge Farms welcomed us with open arms and smells that were heavenly.

We explored the gift shop, sampled olive oil made right there from olives grown on the farm, sipped lavender tea and placed our order for two picnic platters.

Oh the picnic platters! Cheese from France, Almonds from somewhere else far away, local fruit, and crisp crackers. Definitely a girly treat:)

We were very lady like:)

And I can't forget dessert! Truffles and lavender shortbread cookies. Oh my!

After our lunch, we found ourselves in the lavender field surrounded by a garden in full bloom. The bees were humming and the scent was divine!

Kyla found the perfect lavender plant to bring home with us as a reminder of our fun afternoon. Now were to plant it???

What a marvelous treat for the special ladies in my life. Anyone want to join me for a second trip?:)

Mama Needs a New Dress

A while ago while scrounging through New To You (a local resale shop) I found this dress that had the softest knit fabric and a pretty print. Now the dress itself was a disaster, but I had high hopes for the fabric. I was thinking I could chop it up and make a nice light skirt for summer but then I found this blog, A New Dress A Day and was inspired to get a bit more creative and daring and make a new and improved dress out of the monstrous mess. Less frump and more Za Za Zoo:)

So I did:) I can't say that it was quick or pretty during the bloody stages of reconstruction but it went from an ugly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly of a dress:)

The reason behind my need for a new dress was The Blue Hour, a Fancy french restaurant in Portland. We had a gift certificate that needed using and a babysitter ready to hang with kids.

Mix together a new dress, a fancy multi-course dinner, time with my wonderful Hubby, worry free childcare and you get a nice relaxing evening.

Camp Out

Chad came home from work today giddy with excitement, okay, maybe not giddy, but excited no less about camping out back with the kiddos. We haven't gotten around to camping yet this summer and the kids have been asking about it lately. So Wa La! Set up the tent, drag over the fire pit, and grab the marshmallows. We are ready to roll:)

I, of course, will be sleeping inside tonight on my nice, comfy bed. I'm not much of a camper. Now I don't mind camping in a motor home, nor a camper...but in a tent on the ground? I've come to the realization that I can camp once a year in a tent on the cold, hard ground. Chad gets to choose when that is:) Tonight was not it, Can I get an Amen?!

Our marvelous fire pit was my birthday present this year and due to the flood like rain we've had up until now, it's usage was pretty low. But, yummmmy, it makes a mean smore. Just look at this amazing pig smore it made...Yep, I said pig. Really, take a look.

We watched the stars come out and sang to welcome the moon. We gasped with delight as the bats flew overhead and we cuddled close to keep warm. Then I walked inside to let those crazy family members of mine sleep out in the cold, on the hard ground, with all the bugs.

Summer Clothes

Kyla is a dress girl. Or a skirt girl. That's just who she is. In an effort to keep her special (read Sunday) dresses stain free, I've started making her some "dresses" out of my old t-shirts. She gets the thrill of being dressed up day in and day out and I get to release the worry about nasty stains and favorite dresses.

I had a t-shirt that was gifted to me many years ago and is now too large and not public worthy. I snapped up my favorite scissors and went to town:)

I added a bit of ruffle to the bottom to girly it up a bit and added a simple tie the for straps.

She enjoys her dress and I enjoy her ability to play in the dirt in it:) We did learn that once wet, it gets a bit stretched out making it more of a muscle shirt than little girl dress. Ahhh, lesson learned.

Heat Wave!

We've had a very cold and dreary spring and early summer this year in Oregon and a couple of weeks ago we got our first week of heat! It only lasted a couple of days, but it was fun while it was here! Pools were filled, air conditioners were dragged out of storage, sunblock was purchased in mass, and sweet popsicles were consumed in record numbers...at least at our house:)

While the kiddos kept cool in the pool...

I enjoyed the shade of our apple tree. The breeze was refreshing, the kids' laughter delightful, and the tea in my hand freshly made and cool. Ahhh.

Here's to Summer!

Honey, We're Home!

We made it back from our whirlwind trip to the mid-west and in all the craziness of school ending for the year, unpacking, and creating new schedules, I took a short, unplanned hiatus from blogging. I took a good hard look at blogging in general and at my feelings towards my blog. To be honest, I love blogging. I love sharing my experiences with my family and friends. That's what this whole thing started as, a way to share with those far away. It is a bit of work, but I think it's worth it. So for all of you who enjoy a little peek into our life, here we go again:)

We've been lots of places, and have done lots of things since I posted last so I have a bit of catch up to do. As I wade through the mountains of pictures and stories, I find it easiest to start back at where we left off, on our way to Indiana...

Kyla and I were there for 6 days, which included the two full days of travel. Gav and my parents were there a bit longer as were my brother and his little family. We spent a little time with my mom's side of the family and a little time with my dad's side of the family. The bulk of the time seemed to be in the car in between these two amazing groups of people.

Snapshots of going, doing, and enjoying...

Gav and Uncle JD

My cousin Cj and I

Randi and Mom Swinging Away

My most fabulous Dad and I

Mom and Gav


The kids at the historic carousel that my
brother and I always took a spin on as kids.

The Trapp Clan

My dad with my kiddos in the exact same place that I have pics with my grandfather. Ah, family tradition:)

My brother and Gav

My sweet nephew Gabe

The Bonnell/Riddle kids on the famous one eared/antlered deer.

My fingers are a bit rusty from the lack of typing so I'll bid you goodbye for now. More to come later, I promise:)