park days.

I have so much to catch up on.

Birthdays, dance recitals, piano recital and more.

But first, some fun park day pictures.

We had some pretty bad weather in April and so it was nice to finally get out,

ride bikes and stretch our legs.

Ryan is really good about taking the kids to the park to play.

He's a pretty awesome dad, and this here is a pretty awesome kid who is starting to look so old and grown up :(

I love how serious he is about pulling Scarlet home. He is so good to her and she definitely loves him the most.

And I couldn't resist posting this picture, albeit a blurry one. I love that cute face.

the boy.

I seriously wish I could take Finn and bottle him up. I want so bad to remember everything about this age. He is hilarious, helpful, kind, determined. He makes me laugh everyday. I have list of funny things he says that I keep on my phone. When I'm having a bad a day, I take out his list and read it. It always puts me in a better mood. Oh funny Finn, we sure do love you.. backwards shirt, long scruffy hair and all.

saturday in pictures.

Morning hike up to the compass, it was windy and a little cold, but beautiful, and the company was worth the cold and wind.

Lily's early morning soccer game. Man!! did I mention it was cold and windy? She played hard. It is crazy to me how physical she is and how well she uses her body to beat other girls to the ball.

Definitely warmed up in time for Stella's game.

Where she entertained the other players with her rubber band tricks from the sidelines.

Lunch at Crave after soccer games. Yes.. those are donuts as the bun.

Playing outside.

A friends birthday/hotdog eating contest.

The coveted hotdog trophy. Ryan was not the winner, he opted to photograph this year rather than participate. The winner ate 8.5 hotdogs in 5 minutes. CRAZY!!

It was a fun Saturday.

easter egg hunt.

When we lived in Washington, my mom would host a giant Easter Egg Hunt.

We were excited we would be there over Easter this year and that she would once again host.

1,000 eggs, 50 or so kiddos, and lots of friends we haven't seen in a long time.

Ryan was busier living in the moment than capturing the moment, so pictures are scarce, but he was able to catch up with quite a few old friends so we will forgive him.

Finn was really excited! This was the first year he attended the hunt and was able to participate.

Stella and her cousin MaryLeigh. Two cute little hunters.

Lily and her cousin Annabelle. She was really excited her cousins from Ryan's side were coming too!

The amazing host and Scarlybug.. who wasn't all that in to the hunt. Maybe next year Scarlet?

The 'Couv.

If you were thinking the beach is the only fun part of our visits to the 'Couv, allow me to show you otherwise.

Tractor rides through grandpa's backyard are a favorite of all the kiddos.

Dinner at Arawan.. Ryan's favorite.

Dying Easter eggs with grandma and Aunt Cami.

Breakfast at Seize the Bagel with some of our cousins.

Golfing.

Feeding the horse and watching it "talk like Mr. Ed" with Grandma Debbie.

Trying on and modeling grandma's jewelry with cousins.

Feeding popcorn.. errr... eating the popcorn and feeding it to the chickens with Grandma's prompting.

Climbing giant evergreen trees at the park with friends and cousins.. can you find Lily?

Bowling at Big Al's for Grandpa's birthday.

and finally an early flight home with daddy for Scarlet.

The last thing I have to blog about is the big Easter Egg hunt. Overall a fun trip to the 'Couv. We always love to see family and friends.

conference sunday.

Every six months the LDS church has General Conference. We have come to love Conference weekends. It is a great way to be spiritually fed in the comfort of our own home. 

Ryan was concerned when we were invited to a baby blessing between sessions that he would miss out on our cinnamon roll tradition. I would not let that happen. I am all about traditions.

The kids swinging in pajamas, trying to get all the energy out before two hours of TV.

The fruits of our labors. We delivered some of our extras to friends and neighbors.

"Daddy... Take a picture of this"

I am so in love with this boy.

A hike for daddy and this grumpy baby. She loves him the best.

Trampoline jumping.. more energy to burn before session two.

Some of my favorite quotes from today..

"Marriage is a gift from God to us, the quality of our marriage is our gift from us to him"

-L. Whitney Clayton

Good to think about.

"A child who sings, is a happy child"

-Enrique R. Falabella

Perhaps I am doing something right, since they all sing :)

"I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have"

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Love him!

Overall a hopeful and inspiring day. I'm so thankful for this wonderful family of mine. The days are hard and crazy, and with each child comes challenges, but I'll take them, any day!

the beach.

My dads 60th birthday fell in the middle of our spring break. (Happy Birthday Dad!)

We headed out to spend his big day with him. I flew all four kids by myself.. what was I thinking? Scarlet was a nightmare and I was in a full blown dripping sweat for the entire flight, not to mention the fact that the gentleman sitting next to Finn pretty much took care of my son the entire flight. Helping with seat buckles, snacks and Finn's backpack. Finn wasted no time laying on him and rubbing his leg... awesome, nothing like teaching your child about stranger danger. But in all seriousness, the man, although a stranger, was an angel. It took me a good 45 minutes into the flight before I could turn and thank him without bursting into tears.

We arrived on Tuesday. Grandpa's big day was Wednesday, we were having a Bowling party with all the cousins and grandpa Friday night and we had an Easter Egg hunt planned for Saturday which made getting to the beach somewhat of a logistical nightmare, but I was determined, no matter how inconvenient, to make it there.

We celebrated Grandpa Ron wednesday night, Ryan headed out to drive to Boardman Oregon for work first thing Thursday morning, and I started packing the kids and the car. We made it there before noon. Seriously, just pulling into town, my heartbeat slows down, everything is ok in the world when I am there.

We happened to show up on the most perfect weather day I can ever remember. 70 degrees and NO WIND! It's practically unheard of on the Oregon Coast. 

The kids played for hours.. well except for Scarlet, who HATED the beach. If any speck of sand touched any part of her she was in near hysterics. She ended up back at the house with her aunt for some quality bonding time.

The rest of us ran from the waves, dug in the sound and climbed the rocks over and over. 

I'm pretty sure there is nothing in life that makes me happier than watching my kids play on the beach.

But really, could he be any cuter?

Grandma made a trip to the local bookstore. The kids curled up reading new books in the window seat.

We went to Pig N' Pancake the next morning. Sourdough pancakes and marionberry syrup were calling our names. I could not believe that Finn remembered Pig N' Pancake (the name and everything) considering how young he is and the lack of time he has spent there.

This picture melts my heart.. and breaks it a little too. My whole life I've dreamed of watching my kids spend summers on the beach, it's harder living so far away, but I'm so glad when we get to go, they love it like I do.

Proof Scarlybug was there with us.

Until next time Cannon Beach..  you did not disappoint.