Bald Hill

While in Oregon we went on a hike (we meant to go on more than one, but life happens some times...and husbands go away for conferences for weeks at a time...) to a family favorite place: Bald Hill. I've been up there lots of times, and it is just as pretty as ever! This was the first time our kids have ever been there, and I think round trip we went about 3 miles. Not too shabby!

Winco

Our original reason for going to Oregon for the summer was to take care of my mom, but just like homeschooling, once we got there there were so many other awesome reasons to be there--in fact, I wondered why we hadn't gone back every summer!

My favorite store (possibly of all time) is Winco. I'm a Winco stalker. The first thing I did by myself after we had arrived in Oregon was to go to Winco. And I took pictures. Behold the beauty of a real bulk foods section!

There are 4 or 5 of these 2-sided aisles plus walls lined with bins (and food-grade buckets to store things in). Winco has everything you could ever imagine wanting. Jelly beans, Swedish fish, 6 kinds of granola, wheat germ, oats, dried pineapple, nut mixes, baking soda, all sorts of pasta, bird seed, doggie treats...

And the spices! Who knew you could buy dried cilantro? Or pizza sauce mix?

Don't forget to grind your own almond butter and pick up different flavored honey or agave nectar! You can also buy the items in the bags they come in for an additional price cut. And I'm talking Bob's Red Mill whole wheat flour and Nestle chocolate chips--the good stuff!

Anyhow, I miss Winco. I'm grateful for Aldi, but Winco will always have my heart.

Cub Scout Day Camp

When I was a kid I remember my brothers going to this amazing Cub Scout day camp every summer, and at the end of it I would get to go and shoot a bow and arrow and do other fun stuff. I was so excited when Mason turned 8 and could go to Scout camp...but then very disappointed when I discovered that no one in MN had any idea what I was talking about. So imagine my delight when I realized we would be in OR for their annual day camp--I'm certain I was more excited than Mason was. :)

After day 1 he was more excited than I ever could have hoped for him! They made bucket seats that they carried everywhere with them, shot BB guns and bows & arrows every day, along with a bunch of other stuff. I think he came home with 4 belt loops and half of his Bear requirements completed. :)

I took all 5 kids for the last day of camp (Stephen was away at a conference and I am crazy...), and Sammy and Elise loved it. I kept Trevor in the back pack and Lincoln in the stroller for most of it.

 

Knot tying was kind of frustrating, but mostly fun. :)

Sammy was so funny on the obstacle course ^^^...Mason had told us how some boys kept "accidentally" slipping into the kiddie pool so one of the leaders put an alligator in it. Sammy is trying to decide whether or not the alligator is real. One can't be too careful, you know!

Catch up--June

First off, I got new glasses. Sammy made my necklace. :)

My mom was diagnosed with ampullary cancer in March--right at the time when she was supposed to be flying to visit us. Between doctor appointments, surgery and the possibility of chemo treatments, we weren't sure that we were going to see her for awhile. But, she decided to come out for Elise, Mason and Sammy's ballet recital, and then to help us pack up so we could move to Oregon for the summer (to help her out). Of course, a little thing like the Whipple procedure couldn't keep her still. She stayed busy the entire time she was here!

Elise had a leading roll in her ballet academy's Spring Performance (that will get it's own post soon). I forgot to get flowers for her, but fortunately a friend of a friend helped me out. :) This is Breanna Dvorak, Elise's amazing teacher.

Elise was the first palindrome of the year: 11 years old!