Summer Vacation: Still Creek Campground

We took a one night camping vacation to Still Creek campground, near Mt. Hood.  I went ahead of Jason, found a site and put up the tent all by myself.  Jason was able to join us after he got off of work.  I now know why single mother don't take a lot of vacations.  It was a challenge when Kyla decided to climb around the fire pit (no fire), eat all the bark she could find and climb on the tent...all while I put it up.  I did try the stroller, but after five minutes of being confined, the whole campground could hear that she was upset.  

Although our camera ran out of batteries, we did manage to get some pictures of Kyla enjoying her first camping trip. 

Engaged!!

Brittany & Justin

On August 29th, my brother Justin popped the question!! Justin proposed at Cannon Beach, after much persuading that a walk on the beach would be to Brittany's interest.   To nobody's surprise Brittany said yes!!  We love Brittany and are so excited to have her as a part of the family.  The date is set for January 24, 2009 (still waiting on the place before set in stone).     

Tic-Tac-Toe, Three in a Row!

Playing in the living room.

Really wanting Uncle J's cell phone.

Standing up.

Hanging onto the couch.

Traveling along the couch to where the cell phone was.

Getting closer to the cell phone.

Hey, Uncle J moved it.

Eyeing the cell phone held in mid air.

Letting go of the couch.

Holding her balance.

STEP 1,

STEP 2,

STEP 3!

Losing balance.

Plop, down on the ground she sat.

Everyone clapped.

(She hasn't taken anymore steps since.)

Lemon, Blueberry, Zucchini Bread

 YUM!

After looking online to find a good zucchini recipe, I found one that called for lemon zest and one that called for blueberries.  After a couple phone conversations with my mom I decided to add them both.  What a great combination!  With this recipe I made a dozen large muffins and one large bread loaf.  Anyone who likes Zucchini bread should gives this recipe a try!

INGREDIENTS 

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 pint fresh blueberries

• 
  

• DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 4 mini-loaf pans.
  2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared mini-loaf pans.
  3. Bake 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN....

YOU THINK YOUR DRINK IS OUT OF REACH.

YOU LEAVE A BOX OF CRACKERS ON THE FLOOR.

Celebrating 58 years

Recently we went down to Ashland to join the family in celebrating Grandma and Grandpa Cline's 58th wedding Anniversary.  It was a short weekend, but filled with laughter. 

 

The weekend started with a men's hike and a women's walk.  The men hiked Piolet Rock and the woman walked along the TID ditch behind their house. Yes, the men's hike offered amazing views, but I am sure the women's conversations were more interesting.  

Unfortunately the men are the only ones that captured their morning.  I guess this is what it looks like to have five grown men in a Subaru Forester.

Jason, Brian, Uncle Paul, Uncle Rick (Justin escaped the picture)

Later that night we had a BBQ, which is what our family does best...EATS, A LOT!!  We took advantage of the moment and had family pictures taken of my grandparents and their four chidren, as well as with the the spouses.  Watching these pictures taken, it is hard to think that of when we will have this opportunity again.  With the family growing and the distance we live a part, we were so thankful to have this memory with them.

Sheryl, Paul, Grandma and Grandpa Cline, Rick, Nancy

One Happy Family

My grandparents have always been givers.  Their heart is to take the talents and the resources that they have and to extend it to those around them.  My grandma surprised her four kids with handmade quilts.  Thanking them for being a part of their family, supporting them in their marriage, and rejoicing in life's many blessings!  What amazing people; humble in all their ways!

Mom and Dad with their quilt

Kyla's 1st Pigtails