BIZARRO JERRY

We surprised the older boys with a weekend getaway in Southern Oregon.
Our first stop was the Oregon Vortex in Gold Hill. Within the vortex there is a House of Mystery, and it is just that. Strange things happen in this place. When you are in the house, you feel like there is a magnet in your body pulling you. It's so bizarre.
Here is the front of the house.
And here is the back.
Even though there is the major leaning, everyone is actually standing straight.
This ball rolls up hill, as do objects you put down in the house. When you are in there, put down your water bottle, give it a roll and see what it does.
This is seriously one of the most perplexing places I've ever been. It is quirky, amazing and unbelievable at the same time.
The strangest things happen in the vortex. Height shifting is one of them. Notice Laird is shorter than Larry J.
They switch places and now are the same height. There are different spots on the tour that the guide shows you height changes and areas that make you have a rotary sway.
Tucked away about six miles off I-5, the vortex is worth the stop. The tour is about an hour, the guides are super friendly and funny, it is very family friendly, inexpensive (under $10 per person) and will leave you saying, "Amazeballs", "Bizzaro Jerry", "Holy Smokes"... you will definitely keep talking about the phenomena.

HAVE A TRANQUIL WEEKEND

We are surprising our older boys with a weekend getaway. I'm so excited!

Do you have any fun plans?

HAPPY BASTILLE DAY!

Eat a crepe, croissant, or both, drink some Perrier, smell some lavender, kiss, put a dance in your step, play a little Petanque, laugh and have a fabulous day, my friends.

HIDE AND SEEK

A fine example of how NOT to play hide and seek:Actually, this was my favorite moment of the game.

THEY THINK WE NEED ONE

but they're just going to have to settle for the jump board of doom, slip and slide and visiting Steve more often.

WE DID NOT DO THIS

I have no desire whatsoever to learn the technique of making paper out of elephant poo.

WOODLAND PARK ZOO

Steve took us to the zoo and we discovered a few facts that you might want to know, courtesy of the wee-est.
At one of the exhibits, there was a zoologist asking children questions. Lach was more than happy to yell out his answers.

What do jaguars eat? HUMANS!

(Holding up a cast of a gorilla footprint) What made this footprint? BIGFOOT!

I think I have a crush on flamingos.

SEATTLE

The wee ones and I had a Seattle weekend getaway, visiting my brother, a.k.a.:Uncle Stevie-Poo and/or The Steve.
One of the places we visited was the beautiful Discovery Park on Magnolia Bluff.
I love how my wee ones pick me flowers. If you have a garden of blooming beauties, they will clean you out for a bouquet for their mama.Hiking trails, an Indian Cultural Center, play structure, a large open field perfect for a family picnic and a romantic lily pond are the things we found on our visit.
Next time we go there, we will go to the lighthouse and it's beach.

HAVE A RELAXING WEEKEND

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE BEFORE AND AFTER?

I love it. It is the same color as my front door. The shed will be painted the same color as our house trim. It will be an unfinished project for awhile because we have a lot going on.
I was too excited to wait for the door, and that however, will not be on the unfinished project list.

WE HAVE USED THE LAST

of them. Someone excitedly brought home more because he found them for 50% off.
Now they are all gone.
I am happy.
Although some of them are pretty, most of them are obnoxious.
Have I told you I'm happy?

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

What could be more fun on a sunny afternoon than a soapy slip and slide and homemade sponge bombs?

Our second favorite is putting the sprinkler under the trampoline.

What is your favorite backyard water activity?

DO YOU KNOW

the name of this insect we found in the kiddie pool?

THEY DID IT

The bullfrog hunters have a boat and they are making plans.

SOAKING UP THE SUN

at the drive-on beach in Lincoln City. Although we had a chilly wind, it was finally starting to look like summer.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES

is at the beach for 4th of July weekend. This year we watched fireworks at Boiler Bay and, luckily for us, some whales showed up for the show too. Family, snacks, blankets (lots of them - it was super windy), bubbles, energetic boys, light sabers, laughter, whales and fireworks = an awesome Independence Day celebration.

Where did you celebrate?

HAVE A PATRIOTIC WEEKEND

photo by Mark Mabry

"Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice." Author Unknown

I'm so thankful for my ancestors who fought for and defended this country. I pray daily for the safety and protection for those who are protecting us now.

I am thankful for the blessings that I have because I live in the United States of America. May we always have liberty, love, freedom and honor.

Have a wonderful weekend celebrating Independence Day, my friends.

Let freedom ring!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

to us.
Larry is a wonderful husband, father, friend, provider, example and a hottie.

Here's to our 18 years and many more to come. Love you babe.

POPS

I am armed with a plethora of molds; Green Groovy, Yellow Groovy, Robot, Rockets, Push and this cool book,(thanks Kathy!) Perfect Pops.

The pops are so yummy; the hard part is waiting the four-six hours to eat them! Setting up in our freezer now is one of our favs, Balsamic Strawberry Pops. Our mouths are watering.

2 cups sliced, hulled strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper

In a food processor, (I use my blender), pulse strawberries and sugar until finely chopped. Stir in balsamic and a few grinds of pepper.
Spoon into molds and freeze for 6 hours or up to 1 week.
If you use the tall thinner molds, it will make 6-8. We use the groovy molds, so we double the recipe.