Memorial Day Activities

Memorial Day Morning our ward had a Scripture Scavenger Hunt at Round Lake. I hid the clues....some I guess were harder than others :> I love taking my kids on this hike, we do it all the time when the weather turns nice and eat some trail mix at the bridge. Families played at the park at the end and had donuts. Todd and the kids looked for the clues and I played "Phil" from the Amazing Race to check teams in at the Bridge.

The missionaries were the first across!

Afterwards we went to Derek's gravesite with the Lakes and decorated it with flowers. He's been gone 6 years and would have been 33 I believe. His grave overlooks a beautiful view of Portland and it was the perfect morning to sit and visit, sharing memories about him.

We put the boat in the Willamette since we were right downtown anyway. I loved boating past the festivities going on along the waterfront. Such a beautiful city from the view in the water.

Fighter jets flew overhead which the kids loved watching!

Todd took us up towards the St. John's Bridge where there was less traffic and smoother water for the kids to tube and have a picnic on the boat....which of course is a must for the kinder. They love the built in cooler hiding under of the cushions filled with juice and snacks.

The Rose Festival Fun Center was in full swing

Since we weren't actually getting IN the water, the weather was perfect.

The kids loved going under all the bridges and I was helping them to memorize all the names,

Sellwood, Hawthorn, Burnside, Steel, Broadway, Markham, 405, St. Johns and one railroad bridge.

Pray tell, what did the door man say?

To celebrate his 42nd Birthday Todd thought it might be fun to work back to back 48 hour shifts. (actually he was dreading this work week!) So for his one day off we packed it full of fun to celebrate. We took the boat out on the Columbia where the beauty actually takes my breath away! Who woudln't want to live in the Northwest? I mean, really. It might rain, but it's not snowing and in the teens for weeks on end.After a few hours of tubing and a yummy picnic on the Columbia we headed out to see Jerry Seinfeld. I was star struck! I have loved watching that show for years!....and to see him up close. He's just so funny. It doesn't matter what he says. Now, granted I think the cast of Seinfeld made the show what it was, but his comedy was the best Jerry, the best! His opener was the "door man" from one of the Seinfeld episode, someone Miller?
Today 6 situations took place in which Jerry had made fun of and it made me laugh in my brain thinking of his jokes about it.

1. 3 year old birthday parties....gimme a break (Emma's announcement on my fridge:>)

2. Why didn't you pick up any scotch tape! Say this instead of telling your hubby you hate them!(The girls always wrapping up presents with it, leaving empty).

3. Face grease on your cell phone (yes, it's gross!)

4. Inflation of movie theatre consessions and for that, let them fall where they may (I saw KNOWING with some girlfriends and dropped the bucket all over the floor!)

5. Email being the lowest form of human communication....(which I am ALL about!)

6. You Portlanders, gimme a break already with the bike helmets!
(I bought one for Brody today and he wanted to keep it on for the car ride home, complete with the new plastic packaging still in place).





I think you had to be there....which we were, front row and it was great!

After School Activities

Tonight Camdyn's Activity Day Leaders put on a darling little fashion show. Commentary was given by the Style Co. (2 sisters who do this for a living) on modesty and accessorizing girls of this age, and any age.

Camdyn was nervous to walk down the red carpet, but by the end all the girls were getting into it and even posing at the end for a picture. Brooklyn and Camdyn looked adorable. I love track. I love any sport that gets a kid out running and breathing in fresh air for 2 hours each day after school! Griffin prefers track events but does the running long jump just to check off as his 4th event.

He has stuck with the mile at each meet and continues to set a PR. Today he came in 1st for Pacific 6th grade with a PR of 5:55. He says "it's so hard", but he's so good at it. I told him to keep running this event until his time stops going down.

Kennedy absolutely loves gymnastics. She and Brinley go afterschool once a week and it's the highlight of their week, no doubt. The faced the fear of flipping into the foam pit, and now can't get enough of it.

They'll be sad when summer comes and gymnastics gets put on pause!

My mom is.....by Camdyn Lake

My mom is nice, helping me clean my room
My mom is a flower lover, smelling flowers all day
My mom is a pet hater, not letting me have a pet
My mom is a TV hater, not liking to have the TV on
My mom is a cook, making meals every day
My mom is very silly, makng me laugh so hard I could cry
Mom mom is a bookworm, reading books all night
My mom is a neat freak, cleaning the house every day
My mom is a cheerleader, screaming me on at my soccer games
My mom is a dentist, putting retainers on and braces on my teeth

By Camdyn Lake


I laughed out loud on that one. She's got me pegged on pets and TV for sure....and no, I don't tell my kids I'm a dentist. It's funny what our children percieve us to be.....I'll say this was pretty right on :>

While getting ready for the church the kids came down and presented all of their creative cards to me. They have been given a great example from thier father on how to treat mom on mother's day. Todd was working, so Griffin helped rally the girls in keeping the house clean and harmony in the home all day. Todd gave me this flower stand for the backyard that I love!
After Brody's nap we did what I love to do on a beautiful cool day, so we hiked up to the top of Multnomah Falls. That trail is steep! I was so proud of the kids for not making ONE complaint! Brody about killed my back. I can tell this is going to be a hard year for hikes, and next year won't be much easier!

Looking down from the top of the Falls.

Ahhh, a lovely spot to enjoy the trail mix awaiting kids who didn't complain (there's always a catch:>)

Harmony Talent Show

Last Friday the girls performed a Double Dutch Jump Rope routine for thier school talent show. In 5th grade I was on our school's Double Dutch Team and remembered it being much easier to learn! The girls practiced only when Todd was home (and willing to come out and turn the ropes) so their actual prep time was limited! They had so much fun learning and did 2 performances at the school and one later that night at the Middle School.

The routine went along good with a song I found called Double Dutch Bus from a Disney Movie called College Road Trip.