Oregon's wild and scenic Rogue River

David and I just got back from an amazing trip to Gold Beach. David planned it last fall as a surprise for our anniversary. We took the jet boat on the Rogue River. We spent seven hours on the river had so much fun as we toured one of the prettiest rivers in Oregon. We saw all kinds of birds and other wildlife. The only thing we didn't see was a bear - I was kind of grateful but David of course would have been thrilled to see a bear. The weather was perfect! It could not have been a nicer day on the river.

David looks good here - I on the other hand had been splashed and with wet windblown hair decided that I did not care if I took our picture. This is definitely one of my favorite trips we have taken. We ate dinner at a cute restaurant that had the most amazing clam chowder I have ever eaten. I have eaten clam chowder all over along the coast but this was by far the best! We had a fabulous couple of days and a great time together. It is nice to be home though and we did miss the kids - but it definitely was a quiet few days for us!

"Don't worry mom"

This little girl just keeps me in stitches. I mean I don't know what our family would be like without her. She is always coming up with the most interesting things. Yesterday she came bouncing in the house after school all excited. "Mom, mom I know what I want to do when I get bigger!" "What Autumn do you want to do?" "I want to be one of those people who drive people around - what's that called?" "You mean a taxi cab driver?" "Yeah, one those guys. They make a lot of money! I figure if I take someone on four or five really long trips I will get lots of money. Then I'm going to buy my very own car." "Oh, really" I said. "Then I'm going to college to be a teacher. A teacher would be so fun to be. But don't worry mom, if that doesn't work out I'll still be a veterinarian." {Something she has always said she would do when she got older} "Wow, Autumn you really have thought about this." "Oh, and by the way, you probably will be getting a call from my teacher." {Mom's do not like to hear that statement.} "Why, what did you do?" "Oh mom, I asked Mrs. Lake to be my god mother. Don't worry mom, it's OK if I have two mothers." "Autumn, do you even know what a god mother is?" "No, but I'm sure that Mrs. Lake knows and she"ll know how to do it. She is a teacher after all!" Then this happy little seven year skipped out of the room as happy as can be. She had it all figured out - I wish I was as confident as her and could have that "don't worry" attitude. I love being her mother!

A Day in the Sun-Magic Pockets

Last Saturday was beautiful! The sun was shinning and we had a day of baseball and softball. David was so excited because he finally got to see the everyone play. There were a total of five games that were played. Everyone did really good - well, Hayden struggled a bit but after a talk from dad she came back swinging (literally).

She keeps the back pockets pulled out of her pants. For some reason she thinks this gives her good luck. Having lived the last 31 years around baseball superstition it did not surprise me that she has her own little superstition. She was hit a couple of weeks ago with a pitch and since then has been a little scared up at the plate. She jumps out of the box if the pitch is even close and was not swinging at all. Needless to say she struck out her first three times up to bat. She is a good little player so this was frustrating to her dad. He told her that if she did not start swinging the bat she had to tuck her pockets in. Well, I don't know why that worked but she had a hit every time after that. She got her confidence back until she did not catch a fly ball that was over her head and behind her. She hung her dead down her "dramatic" way and I could tell was wiping away tears. Now this would have been a big deal except these girls were ahead by ten runs and really it was OK. David yelled out to her that if she did not knock it off (the drama) she had to tuck in her pockets. Well, instantly she was all smiles and back down and ready for the next play. I don't know what it is about those pockets but somehow there must be some kind of magic in pockets being turned out!

We ended the day with a barbecue and a movie. It really was a sunny fun day!