Pacific City

This beach is such fun! View from the top of the sand dune. So pretty!

At the top.

Duane spent most of the day in these tide pools, finding various creatures.

Grandma with Ella & Kate.

Claire & Annaka.

Diana & her girls.

Ella-a speck in the sand.

Climbing up.

Rolling down. That just doesn't even look right, Tavin. haha

My little monkey.

Beach bums.

Hailey.

Ella-just a bit sandy.

Tillamook Cheese Factory

We stopped at the cheese factory on our way to Pacific City. My kids have never been, and I haven't been in years. It was fun!

Driving the cheese loaf van.

Milking a cow.

And of course, watching the cheese be made.

Pig roast

My hubby roasted up a pig. We decided to have some fun, and do a Luau theme. Here's a few snapshots.

Read more about this here.

Spring

Our cat had three kittens. The kids have been loving it. We're keeping the two boys kittens, but want to find a home for the mama cat & the girl kitten (she's really cute!) anyone interested?:)

Washing daddy's truck.

At the Parade of Bands in Hazel Dell.

Free Popsicles!

Ella with all her loot.

Watching for Cambree.

Here she is. She had to do this for about 3 hrs. They marched 3 miles, I think she was pretty wore out. Cambree was also in the Portland Junior Rose Festival Parade, I didn't make it to that one though, so no pics.

Blue mouth.

...and she's out...

this n' that

The kids blowing bubbles on one of our rare nice days.

They hauled out all my kitchen gadgets.

Ella is always bringing me flowers:)

Haha..that is supposed to say 5/8/11..

..and this is supposed to say4/23/11//oops:)

You can tell Matt is outside a lot more then me. Man, am I white. Summer where are you? I guess it is still Spring.

Hiking at Moulton Falls.

Out my kitchen window. These two sat like this forever. So funny.

1. "I hungry, Mom!"

2. Cambree says, " The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, hey, Mom?!"

3. Ella & Cambree (my oldest & youngest:) Cam has her rag curlers in:)

4. This is what happens when daddy comes home. Needless to say, I took most of it away from her.

party food

Our Favorite Cake~

1 pkge. white cake mix

1-3.4 oz. pkge. instant vanilla pudding

1-8 oz. pkge. cream cheese softened

1 pt. strawberries sliced & divided

1-12 oz. carton Cool Whip

Bake cake according to instructions in two round cake pans. Cool. Make pudding according to directions, Chill until set. Beat in cream cheese. Place one cake on plate. Spoon cream cheese/pudding mixture over cake. Layer strawberries over pudding mixture. Place second cake on top. Frost with Cool Whip. Decorate with any leftover strawberries. Chill until ready to serve.

ENJOY! So yummy! (This cake always reminds me of you, Amanda:)



I made Dirt Cups for Claire's party.

I made a Dirt Bowl for Easter.

Dirt Bucket~ ( or cup, or bowl, or whatever you want to call it:)

1 stick butter softened

1 C. powdered sugar

1 -8 oz. pkge. cream cheese softened

2 -3 oz. pkgs. instant vanilla pudding

3 1/2 C. milk

12 oz. Cool Whip

1 pkg. Oreos

1 pkg. (or more:) gummy worms

Mix butter, powdered sugar and cream cheese in one bowl. In another bowl, mix pudding and milk. Fold in Cool Whip. Mix both mixtures together. Crush oreos. Layer oreos & pudding mixture. Place gummy worms in and on top.

This recipe is a HUGE hit with the kids. Last time I made it, it was gone before it even hit the counter.