Crater Lake

We were very pleased to see that Crater Lake was still as beautiful as we had remembered!





We did however find that our favorite campsite was full. We like Lost Creek campsite. It only has 16 sites but it is so quiet and secluded. We usually wait to go to Crater Lake until the season is closed. This year due to Daniel's new job we had to go earlier, meaning more crowded. We went up to Mazama Village which houses tents and RV's. Daniel and I were irritated because we were both looking forward to our campsite.

We even had traffic this year getting around Crater Lake!

We vacationed this year with my little sister Monica and her hubby Daniel. They just got married in May. Daniel (Monica's husband), is such a ham and makes me laugh all the time, so does Daniel (my husband:). Monica and I have resorted to just saying my husband or your husband, or my Dan or your Dan.

Isaiah was super excited to use his new pocket knife. He started sharpening sticks as soon as we got there.

He's so proud of his sharpened stick.

I like to go hiking. Daniel does as well but never on the marked paths. The first year we went to Crater Lake we all went hiking down the side of the mountain. Daniel and Isaiah went again this year. I opted out. The first year was enough for me!

I was happy when they were back. I'm a worrier:)

The view behind our campsite.

We knew some people were leaving Lost Creek the next day so we convinced Monica and Daniel to get up the next day and move. We were able to get our same spot that we loved last year so it was worth it.

After breakfast we headed down to the Lake to fish. Daniel saw all the cars in the parking lot and was convinced our secret spot was taken.

Pictures on our way down.

Daniel and Isaiah were both in a hurry to start fishing so they don't look too thrilled here:)

Just a few more yards to go.

Our spot wasn't taken! I always tease Daniel that he is the only one that ever catches fish because he hogs the best spot every year.

Monica fishing.

Her Daniel fishing.

Isaiah fishing.

Stephanie fishing.

Guess who caught the fish? Yep, my Daniel:)

After a long day of fishing we got cleaned up and warmed up and ate some yummy fish.

Isaiah all tucked in.

He was so tired every night he was asking to go in the tent so he could go to sleep! He never would do that at home.

A Little Reminder

I'm sure I am not the only mom that can say that I sometimes get so caught up in the every day tasks that I forget we are supposed to "enjoy the journey." There are many dreaded mornings of the daily rush off to school. Waking up, showering if needed (for the kid:), getting dressed, getting breakfast, packing lunch, brushing teeth, and doing this all in a timely matter. Sometimes my timeline does not always work for Isaiah. He has become so much more responsible this year but I still find myself saying, "you need to hurry," or "you're going to be late." This morning was a good example of that. Isaiah woke up and it was a shower morning. He did not want to shower. He had scraped his back the day before and he was afraid it was going to sting when hit by the water. I assured him it may sting for a moment but then it would be fine, "and regardless of how it feels, your taking a shower!" (what a mean mom huh?) After a very short shower, that I am sure didn't wash away a single germ, Isaiah proceeded to his room to dress while I made breakfast. By this time I was beginning to get frustrated. Five minutes later, "Isaiah you need to hurry up." Seven minutes later, "Isaiah your breakfast is ready." Ten minutes later, "Isaiah you have had enough time to get dressed now get in here and eat your breakfast!" Very shortly after that in walks Isaiah looking like this.

He said, "It looks like there is a chance of rain and this is my rain cap!"

My heart instantly melted and I had to smile/laugh. This little moment in our day reminded me that I need to take joy in the fun things kids bring into our lives. Their imaginations, their ability to slow down and enjoy the little things. When all was said and done Isaiah was ready for school with time to spare. He may have done things slower than I would want them done but sometimes when we slow down we don't miss the important things in our lives. I just needed this little reminder to slow down and I thought I would put this post out there just by chance that someone else may as well.

I went through my pictures and found some of my favorites that each tell a different story. Isaiah is usually very good at bringing a smile to my face. He makes me laugh and I love him so much for that.

I can't look at this picture and not laugh. I think of Napoleon Dynamite every time. We were just getting ready to do a service project at church and Isaiah chose to strike this pose for the camera.

He loves his cross eyes....it gives me a headache just looking at them.

More swim cap humor.

And my sweet sisters would say, "He gets those from his momma!" :)

This is what Optimus Prime looks like in his underwear.

This one brings me back to my childhood. My sisters and I loved putting olives on our fingers and pretending we were witches.

He seriously thought he could roast this marshmallow in front of a gas fireplace. Too cute!

More cross eyes but now with the tight lips and hands on the hips.

Dad's hat, mom's glasses, apple in the hand, and sucker in the mouth, and....awesome speedos kiddo!

WAR!

The other day Isaiah and is friend were outside playing. I was inside and heard a whole lot of, "you have bigger stuff," and "you have more bombs," so I decided to go out and take a look. I was instantly brought back to my childhood. My sisters and cousins and I loved playing make believe of any kind. It was mostly cops an robbers but we occasionally set up for war. The fun part was the setting up of our barricades. We usually never got around to the actual 'war' part of it. I found this same thing to be true for Isaiah and his friend. They spent at least an hour setting up and going over the rules and when all was said and done, they moved on to something new.

Isaiah thought he had a pretty good set up.





The next night I pulled out some of my fall decorations. I wasn't planning on decorating for Halloween yet since it is over a month away but all of a sudden all the neighbor kids were at my door asking if they could help decorate for Halloween. I figured the more help the merrier so why not. We are just going to look like a family that really looks forward to Halloween.

I was really hoping they wouldn't find the webs because they make such a mess when it rains. I'm pretty sure those are going to mysteriously disappear in the next few days.


Isaiah got some glow in the dark planets for his birthday and he has been dying to hang them up. This is how the whole decorating thing got started.

The kids originally came in stating they wanted to help but very quickly were distracted by playing.

On another note Daniel turned 33 on Sunday! We had a quiet little celebration for him.

Always goofing around!

He only wanted one candle.

After church Daniel wanted to go hiking up at Chip Ross Park. I was so bummed that I forgot my camera on the hike because the views from the top are gorgeous!

Isaiah's gift to Daniel. He was so excited because he went to the bank and took out his own money from his account to buy Daniel his gift.

Isaiahs's 7th Birthday

I can't believe Isaiah is 7! He has grown in so many ways this year. It has been a great year!

Isaiah's birthday was last Tuesday. We celebrated on Monday because it was Labor Day and Daniel had the day off. We invited our friends the Hales over for Family Home Evening and cake and ice cream.

Isaiah always gets a little shy when he is the center of attention. Unfortunately he inherited that from his mother.

All smiles here though!

I think his face says it all! He was so excited to get a pocket knife. We were leaving to go to Crater Lake that week and he couldn't wait to put it to good use!

He listened very intently as he got his safety instructions from dad.

And then repeated them back to dad. (something we have to have him do a lot lately to make sure he is really listening:)




Another cool tool from dad, a monocular.

Daniel got Isaiah the book "The Call of the Wild," by Jack London, from the Book Bin. It was fun for them to read it in the tent at night while camping.

Tuesday was Isaiah's actual birthday. He got to eat Lucky Charms while watcing cartoons. He was very happy about that!



Isaiah is such a good boy with a kind heart. I feel so blessed to be his mother and to help and watch him grow.



Happy Birthday!

A Fruitful Day

My sister Monica, Isaiah and I went to Jossy Farms to pick peaches for canning. I love this farm! The scenery is beautiful and the fruit is Delicious.

Our empty carts and wagons...but not for long.
Isaiah loves when we go pick fruit of any kind. He is always so helpful and usually wants to pick longer than I do. This year he had a little problem with the bees and spent more time fretting about them than actually picking peaches.

We still managed to get 60lbs of peaches in about a half hour though!

He is my little cheezer!

We just couldn't wait to dig in!

I had one of these tires in my Kindergarten class and I loved hiding on the inside.

Of course Monica told him to kiss his muscles. She's the silly aunt.

I wanted a picture of the beautiful garden and Isaiah decided to jump in.



Later that day we went to another farm to pick Italian prunes. These were for free though so that was an added bonus. I had to snap these pictures because this is the dream home I want. A modest home on a nice piece of land.

A perfect place for kids to run free.