It's Hot!

It was pretty dang hot today! I'm not sure how hot it actually got, but the temperature says it's 97 right now. While I was watering plants this evening, the girls enjoyed a ice cream bar to cool off. {Notice Merilyn's pony tails are long gone.}

Playdates

Playdates have been a big part of our summer. Picnics at the park, running through the spray fountains, McDonald's Playland. The girls love having them. {And they help me keep my sanity!!} Today Meg and her girls came over for some girl time. We talked about how much fun these get-togethers are at this age {for us!!} because the kids play together without the need to monitor them. We don't even need to worry about the little sisters, because the big sisters always let us know what they're up to!!

Meri's First Pigtails

Merilyn's hair is finally long enough to try new things! Her hair is pretty curly and crazy - and doesn't really have a natural part, but I gave it a shot anyway. I thought it was cute and she was very proud to show them off... "Daddy, yook it!!"

Just another ordinary day in our house... Meri gets pretty distracted, but comes in every now and then to bust a move.

Family Reunion No. 2

We packed up the pathetic trailer {in the pouring rain!} to move down to Tillamook for Trav's family's get-together. Unfortunately, Trav couldn't remember where he had made our camping reservations! {He left all of the information at home...} By the time we got the trailer together and on our way, we were running so late for the reunion. So, we made a quick decision to park at the Best Western's RV park and get on down to Oceanside for the gathering.
It was so nice to see everyone - some of them we only see at this time of year! It rained for a little, but then it cleared up for a beautiful sunset.



On Sunday, we went to breakfast and then the girls were able to swim at the hotel with Trav and Ross. After Morgan's wedding reception that afternoon, we decided to leave a day early. We just couldn't bear the thought of dealing with more trailer issues! {And, to be honest, I was really ready to be home and sleep in my own bed!}

Family Reunion No. 1

My side of the family had their reunion at Fort Stevens this year. Trav and I rented a pop-up trailer. {It seemed like a good idea at the time!} However, we were plagued with many problems along the way. The water pump and heater didn't work, a fuse blew so we didn't have lights at one point... water was leaking along the floor from a pipe under the sink... OY! We still managed to have a good time and enjoy the week with family. Alison would probably say her favorite part was getting her bike! She had really outgrown all of the "kiddie" bikes and it was time to move her to a bigger one. She also enjoyed spending so much time with her cousins. She followed Holly around every minute of every day!

Casey and her family came later in the week, and Natalie joined Ali in following poor Holly around. She was a great sport - and great with the girls. Thank you, Holly!

It was a full week! We golfed a couple of times, a group took a 5-mile hike along the dunes, we walked {and rode} many times around the loop, and one day a group of us went into Seaside. The girls loved the train and carousel. Meri screamed a full-pitched shriek when it was time to get off her carousel horse!


The girls love Uncle Bobby! Here they are following him to play a little frisbee.


We couldn't just get Ali a bike... Meri loved her helmet!!

Camping with the Girls

Who: Casey and her girls, Mom, Midge, Suzann, Angie and her girls, and me and my girls.

Where: Camp Sherman on the Metolius River. {It is such a beautiful place.}

Why: Annual camping trip with these girls!

What: The girls loved spending time together - they had quite the time coming up with and performing their many shows. Alison loved sleeping in the tent! It got pretty cold at night, so we would snuggle up in the sleeping bag. The weather was absolutely beautiful. The girls loved playing and splashing in the river... even though it was soooo cold!! Merilyn was shivering like crazy, but she didn't want to get out of the water!

We went up to the fish hatchery on our last day. We were able to feed the fish and Ali got a kick out of the fish that would completely jump out of the water for the food!