Summer Vacation Part 2 (Good Times in Parma)

You cant visit my family or Parma without doing a certain things while you are there, the Parma Drive-In being one of them
While we were in Parma we attended a Farmers dinner with very yummy food.  The Nielsen Clan took up 2 whole tables.

A trip to Parma is not complete without a trip to the Parma Drive-In.  The kids had a blast.

While we were in Parma Seths family was able to come and visit us.  We took them for a picnic on the River and then swimming at the Nielsen Pool.

The Nielsen Family gathered for Dinner and I was able to see alot of my extended family. 

At first Kade was fine riding around on the play tractor but then he noticed the big one.

 Tanner and My Grandma Nielsen.

 Nielsen Family Vineyard grapes.

We enjoyed are time spent on the farm.  While I am writing this and posting the pictures Im getting homesick.  Theres nothing better than growing up in a small town on a farm!

Summer Vacation Part 1 (The Oregon Coast)

So I have been totally slacking in my updates and have resolved to be better about keeping my blog updated as I also use this as a journal of sorts.  This August we were able to take a very much needed vacation.  The first part of our journey took us to the beautiful but cold Oregon Coast.   We stayed in Lincoln City, Oregon in a beach house directly above the beach for one whole week.  During that time we played games, ate great food, and took many little day trips.

One of our first little trips took us to Cow Country and the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Look at how excited I am to be there!

The most enjoyable part about the Cheese factory was the Squeaky Cheese and Icecream, Yum!  After  the Cheese factory we made our way to the Cape Meares Lighthouse where we enjoyed a nature walk and beautiful views.

After the lighthouse we found a great little beach by Pacific City, Oregon.  There we found a dark tunnel/cave and had some fun playing in the sand and waves.

The next day we made are way South to Depoe bay where we stopped at the Visitors Center learned a few things, hit the tourist shops and of course couldnt pass up the lure of Salt Water Taffy.  For lunch we headed to the Devils Punch Bowl, where we had a very cold picnic and watched the crazy people surf.  BRRRR!  After the Punch bowl we then headed to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  The kids had a great time watching the sea lions play around and also enjoyed walking through the tunnel of sharks.  For dinner we made the requisite trip to Mos for some fish and chips and chowder.  A trip to the Oregon Coast is not complete without a trip to Mos.

 Day 3 the girls headed to the Outlet malls while everyone else relaxed and napped.  After the Mall we made our way to Moolack beach where we found lots of interesting agates and rocks.  The boys decided to be brave and do a polar bear swim while Mckenzie and I were content to stay on the beach.

The final day on the Oregon Coast we relaxed, played volleyball on the beach, and had a bonfire on the beach. 

After a week of good times on the Oregon coast we headed back to Parma for a break before we we left for the next chapter of our vacation.

Update

Its been a busy couple of months for us and its most likely going to stay busy.  When we first moved into our home the back yard was a jungle so we have been busy  rota tilling, raking, and planting grass seed.  Ive been busy trying to get the house in order, running kids around, and trying to make it to the gym.  In between that we had Seths grandmother and parents come visit us for over a week.  I think I wore them out with a trip to the beach, a day at the Riverwalk and Alamo, a trip to Austin and the outlet mall, a trip to the zoo, and Seths work party with many other things in between.  It was nice to visit with them and give them a tour of Texas.

Ive signed Mckenzie up for swim lessons and Kade for t-ball this summer so that should keep them a little busy. Im sure I could go into more details but the missionaries just called and want us to feed them, so its off to the grocery store for me. I know Ive said this before, but I will try to get my pictures up maybe this weekend.

Busy Busy Busy

We have finally moved into a house and are enjoying the joys of homeownership.  After 2 weeks I find myself congratulating myself on a great pick.  The community is very quiet with the pool and tennis courts not even a whole block away.  We are up the road from a huge library and a really great playground.  We havent been to our new ward yet as this weeks General Conferance but Ive heard very good things about it and I already know several women in the ward, so I think it will be an easy transition.  I have been busy painting, organizing, and pulling weeds and Im sure we will be kept busy the whole summer.  For the first time in my life Im having a blast being able to paint and decorate exactly how I want.  Being busy is our middle name, as soon as we have finished I will post some pictures of the final product.  We are replacing carpet with new carpet and wood flooring so it may take awhile, so be patient with me.

Saturday Fun

This weekend Seth and I took the kids to the Texas Trasportation Musuem.  They had some neat passenger trains that were a hundred years old and they also had a full size train that you could catch a ride on.  Kades favorite part was the garden train area where they had a Thomas and Percy train running around an extensive track.  However, he was not very happy when he found out he couldnt play with them.  After the Musuem we headed over to Chick Fil A for some lunch. (Seth and I had won a bunch of  free food at the Hockey game earlier this week.)  After lunch we took the kids to do crafts and play at Lakeshore learning and then headed off to run errands and hit the dollar theater.  A very busy day for us!  (pictures to come soon)

Happy Birthday Kade

Kade celebrated his 4th birthday today.  We decided to keep it simple with just family this time around.  I tried my hand at making a homemade Thomas cake and while it didnt turn out too bad it was not picture worthy.  As much as it cost for stuff to decorate the cake I could have bought a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. So from now on its ice cream cakes for us!  As birthdays go this one was pretty traditional.  We sang Happy Birthday, he blew out candles, we ate the cake and icecream and then he opened his presents.  This year Kade received a James engine and also a remote control car.  I think he liked the gifts and hopefully it will give me some mom free time while he plays with them.  :)  Kades my stubborn, crazy, lover boy, all wrapped up into one cute little guy.  Happy Birthday Kade!  (Pics will be added later as Im being kind of lazy today.)

Speech Therapy

Kade made it into Speech Therapy program at Mead Elementary.  I am realived because I know that he needs some help with sentences and sounds.    Anyways he starts today and I will update on his progress.  I think it will be good for him to be in a little more structured environment and next fall  I will enroll him in preschool.  I have been putting it off because of the expense.  (Texas has a income limit to enroll kids in there pre-k programs so I have to enroll him in a private school.)  So far trying to teach him at home has been frustrating for both of us.  I have considered getting a tutor for him but will probably wait and see how he does in preschool and if he makes any progress there.