Spring Break '09

Oregon = Beautiful!

If you ever get the chance or you just have time and money to burn (don't we all?), you HAVE to travel Oregon. My theory is: have so much fun with the family during Spring Breaks and Cole will never want to go to Mexico with his knuckleheaded friends. I think it could work. Keith had the week off and we decided to take a road trip. In true McDaniel style, we committed to leave only the night before. We packed up and hit the road. The drive is very scenic. In fact, the ENTIRE state is! There was not a single part from east to west and north to south that I wouldn't love to live.

Day 1: The drive was great. There was only a snowy 40 mile pass that required some super cautious driving, but we were through it in no time. As we got closer to Portland, waterfalls were visiable from the highway. There were so many and all different kids! We pulled over and started to hike up the Multnomah Waterfalls. The boys found an earthworm. So much cooler than the "water". Everything just kind of fell into place perfectly. Keith pricelined a room in Portland the first night. Nice hotel, even better price. The parking downtown was $29 a night, but Keith found a meter right outside the hotel door that only cost us $2 the whole time we were there. We walked to a great resturaunt, Jake's Crawfish and Bar. Sounds like a relaxing little joint, wrong. It's pretty fancy. We went there on the advice of some friends and quickly realized our friends never went with a 5 and 2 year old. I felt really out of place, but once the food arrived, I am so happy we sat there like the oddballs we were. Amazing. We even splurged for dessert, and I'm so happy we did. I told Keith I just might remember this on my death bed. On my honor, if I could give everyone I know a gift, it would be the Chocolate Bag dessert. They took chocolate and formed it into a bag and then filled it with a vanilla custard. Topped with whipped cream and fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in a sauce. Oh my. I know they used more than $13 of berries for the $13 treat. Don't tell the boys, but this could have been the highlight of the trip for me.

Day 2: We woke up the next morning and hit the road. We stopped in Eugene, OR at Trader Joe's. I love that store. I wish we had one at every town we will ever live. I stocked up on some 2 Buck Chuck. I'm totally turning into a wino. We went through the Wildlife Safari Park in Winston, OR. It was so cool. I was expecting to be able to feed the animals from the car (like Arbuckle Wilderness in OK), but this place was nicer. The giraffes like the boys. Ours was the only car they kept returning to. The hippo slung his poo around, totally awesome if you are a juvenille boy, the bears faught, and the lions made this growling noise (I totally thought it was creppy music playing for the train ride at first). Fun pit stop! We ate lunch on the road so we could make it to the Redwoods before dusk! Along the way was this very odd place called Life's A Burl. We made a quick U-Turn to check this place out. Very interesting woodshop in the middle of nowhere. Great place to stretch our legs. We continued into northern California to see those big ole trees. Keith looked at google earth the night before and found all these cool pictures on this little dirt road off the highway. We were able to find it with the help of the nav system and I'm so glad we did. We took this little remote muddy road into the heart of the forrest. It's just an eight mile stretch, but such a cool experience. The trees were much larger than I imagined. I think you can picture them in your mind and see the pictures, but the sheer size will still baffle you in person. To imagine their Creator tending to them in nature all these years, to wonder how deep their roots go, to suspect all the sunny and rainy days it's taken for them to become exactly the giants they are... one of the most fabulous things I've ever seen.

The little dirt road popped us out into Crescent City, CA. We found a place to stay and a little seafood resturaunt for dinner. We stopped at the store to stock up on our next adventure : bonefire on the beach. Keith got us a fire and we made s'mores to the sound of crashing waves. My little pyro's loved throwing marshmellows into the pit.

Day 3: This was our day up the coastline. We drove up 101 through all the little towns and admired the coast. Totally different from eastern beaches. The scenery went from country farm land surrounded by forrest straight off a rocky cliff into the ocean. It was such a sight to see - the totally different enviroments all mixed into one. We were able to pull of the side of the road and walk the beach. The tide was down and left behind shells and jellyfish for the boys! We continued on to the Sand Dunes. I have to say, this was the most frustrating part of the trip. I was imagining us climbing the dunes and runing around - nope. They are totally overtaken my ATV's and Dune buggy's. Every set up park was covered in 4-Wheelers and people who took it SERIOUSLY! Even if we could find a spot, I had visions of one flying over the hill and running us over. We made a quick picnic out of it and left. Driving north another hour or so, Keith saw a sand dune and tiny trail right off the road. We pulled over and headed up. This turned into the boys favorite part - climbing up and running down the dune. It wasn't just a little dune either. It took some effort to get up this thing. They had so much fun!

Pressing on, our next stop was the Sea Lion Caves outside of Florence, OR. We were able to take an elevator 200 feet down into the caves right off the coastline. The cave itself was very beautiful, but the hundred's (if not thousands) of sea lions made it very stinky. There was a skeleton of a sea lion that Brad became fixated on. The sign stated that particular sea lion was shot several years ago on another beach, and it's display was on loan from the local college biology department. I made the mistake of reading the sign to the boys. Brad will only talk about the sea lion that got shot.

After the caves we BARELY made it to the Aquarium in time. We had less than an hour to hit up the entire place. That's when Brad decided he had to go to the bathroom - twice. All they wanted to do was climb the rocks they had surrounding the displays (note: half of the park is outside, so take your coat! We didn't!) We even ran into someone we went to Highschool with - in TEXAS! Small, small world when in fact we had plans to see her brother in Portland the next day) We chatted with her, ran through the aquarium, and were out in less than an hour. I'm not sure if our visit was worth the admission price, but it's all about the experience, right?

It was pretty foggy and raining by this point so we decided to cross over and head to Salem for dinner. And this is worth noting - The Olive Garden in Salem has the best watier in all of the world. He was AWESOME! Fast, curtious, never missed a beat. We told the manager how great he was and I think she had a little crush on him because she quickly added "AND, he looks like a million bucks." Alrighty. We found a hotel and the boys got some pool time in before bed. It was a VERY long day.

Day 4: We headed up to Portland to visit a friend from highschool. Dennis and his wife Heather just had a baby boy, so I got in some cuddle time. I told the Cole and Brad to behave and let them remain excited that they just had a boy, but they had to get out all their energy before getting back in the car. Sorry Dennis and Heather. Anyway, baby Tyler was super precious and his parents were doing fantastic. Dennis is in the guard unit up there and flying for Delta. He had to leave for a trip, so it was a really quick visit. We set out on the road for home. It seemed like a much longer car ride then before. We were so tired, but it was well worth it.

I will forever remember this little family vacation, I hope the boys do too! It was a nice get away, but hard to come back to reality. We have to pack up, say goodbye, and leave in 6 weeks (oh ya, Keith will be gone for 4 of those)

ps - Brad started calling Cole "Cole-y" this past week. It's pretty cute and catchy!

I'm Sorry Mama... I Never Meant to Hurt You...

...I never meant to make you cry, but tonight, I'm cleaning out my closest. I do love that white wrapper. Seriously! Try to get that song out of your head for the next 3 days, you won't be able to do it!

Especially today - I AM cleaning out my closet. If you were to look at my house, it's somewhat clean. Pretty much tidy all downstairs, the boy's rooms can get messy, but have gone to great lengths to keep them organized, and bathrooms are wiped down OFTEN (hello... I have boys), but I am embarrassed to admit... the most out of control area of the whole house is my closet. It's like Monica's secret junk closet on Friends... but worse.

If I were to get into an accident and survive, and I had to call on my close friends to come over and clean. I would rather end my story right then and there then to show them my closet floor (ha, kinda funny - you can't SEE the closet floor) It's PACKED with clothes, hangers everywhere, rods full, and about 3 feet of clean clothes that don't have a home on the floor. Oh, and the shoes are somewhere in there too.

As of today I'm saying goodbye. I have to clean it out before the big move anyway. Something clicked, or should I say buttons popped, for me to finally let go of my SWA interview outfit. Man, I looked SHARP. I know that's what landed me that job. You know when clothes give you that attitude... this suit did it for me. I've hung onto it for all these years. Why? I don't know. But today I realize that even after I get my bikini body back, those pants are well past the style expiration date.

My black clubbing pants. Now this breaks my heart. I love you so. You're so little and comfortable. We fit well together. I wore you almost every Wendsday to Country 2000. You never let me down, and could turn to you when I needed to look goooooodddddd! We danced a total of 96,000 hours together, you knew just how to move. If I could fit into you, I'd still wear you everyday. You don't belong on a hanger anymore my friend. I have to turn you loose. Besides, my children would die of embarrassment if they ever saw us together.

Goodbye, black miniskirt. I don't know why we haven't parted sooner. Good riddence Old Navy and Express Jeans (opps, I mean goodbye) Please don't take it too hard that I've had to go designer. If you did the same job I would keep you around longer. I believe I got my $24.95 out of you. Goodbye, shirts, robes, tube tops (yes, ashamly those are in my closet too), tank tops, and daisy dukes. We'll always have our memories. You are off to make the city of Mountain Home a better place.

Next up.. the boy's closests and baby clothes. I might need therapy after the baby bins!!

Passport Headaches

I've been putting off the passports for a while now. I am NOT one of those adventurous people who have a passport, dreaming of filling it with stamps. I'm more of a "I'm not going anywhere" kind of girl, so why bother?

Please, take my advice.......................

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE 3COPIES OF YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE BEFORE YOU LEAVE THAT STATE!

That my friends, just saved you $150. You're welcome. Another little FYI, the hospital's like to trick you into giving you this official looking paper that says Birth Certificate on it, with all the information.... those, my friends, are not the real deal. Don't be tricked.

And, in little ole' Mountain Home, you have to make an appointment at the Courthouse to get a passport. Next available time : in about 3 weeks!

Of course, my friends are much smarter than I am, so this information is probably just stating the obvious: I'm a dork who thought the neat slip from the hospital was the real deal for Cole. However, I did get a real one for Brad. I just lost it. $150 later, I should have them in hand to take to the courthouse in 3 weeks. That pushes us to our 6 week deadline of leaving. I love the rush of stress!!!

Little Nudist

Brad refused to put his underwear on today. He stormed off into his room, slammed the door, and locked it! Eyecarumba

Seriously, he's a toot!

I can safely report that he is FULLY dress today, finally.

The Wonders of The Internet

Ok, it's no secret. I am on the computer way too much. Cole actually thinks it's part of my "work" as a stay at home mom. I check up on a list of blogs, stories, and websites. One of them being Pioneer Woman. What was life like before her? What did I do with all the extra time I now spend on her website daily? How did I live without her brisket and chocolate cake recipe all these years?

So, as I was perusing her site yesterday she added a link about Wild Olive Tees. Thank you Pioneer Woman! I love these shirts. They are so cute - and meaningful! While I do not own one (yet), I thought I would share them with my friends who check this blog. And if you check out their website/blog, you can also enter to win $75 in merchandise there!!

And as soon as my non-techie self can learn to add a button, I'll have one for you to click and check out their tees too!

updated: Look at me go! Added buttons and changed it all up, pat on my back

I got nothin

I keep thinking that it's been a while since I've posted, I should update it. Then I think... I've got nothing to say.

So, I'll start with Brad. Goodness. What happened? He's adament about wearing those pj's everywhere for days on end. I can only get them off when I talk him into taking a bath. Then he freaks out that I move them out of his sight and down to the laundry room. He's really learned "my buttons". He's developed toddler colic. He cries and whines for hours on end for no apparent reason. He only does this for me, so I guess I should crack the whip on my sweet little innocent newborn.

Cole is doing so great. He's loving school. I went to his school one day and he got to show me his routine. He walks in and finds his shelf work, lays a towel down and does his work. When Mrs. Ray says it's ellipse time, he cleans up his shelf work and...... FOLDS THE TOWEL!!!! I was more amazed at this than the academic work! Seriously, I love that school. They talk about the weather, the days of the week, sing in German, the Pledge, and sing Flag of America. He's learning sight words, to read recipes, and following directions. Mrs. Ray comments all the time about how happy he always is!

Keith is TDY for 3 weeks to Red Flag. I honestly don't know how we surivived a deployment. This 3 weeks seems like 10. I'm ready for him to be home. To break up the routine Ashley and I headed down to Salt Lake City. First stop: Chick-fil-a. To all those who think that's silly... just spend 2 years away from the yummy goodness. We hit up the world's smallest aquarium, shopping, and stayed in a horrible hotel! Man, I have a gift of finding bad hotels. I search all over for the "best deal" and then am grossed out. We've been seriously spoiled with that Marriott discount. Kinda like after flying for free all those years, buying a plane ticket seems rediculous. You want me to pay how much? We went to a bird avery, to the outlet malls in Park City, and then home. It was a busy 2 days, but I'm so happy we got to get out of town for a bit.

We also threw Ashley a baby shower. She's so cute - and so loved. It was a great time and she was blessed with lots of gifts. Erin coined the nickname "puffin" for the baby. Now that she's officially going to be a Brooke, I can't help but want to still call her puffin.

And then.... we got orders. Keith volunteered for a one year remote to Korea. For so many reasons, this is a great move for Keith's career, and it's a great move for our family. I am happy to support my husband and I love hearing how excited he is about the experience. I don't want to go. I just envisioned moving to our next base with Ashley and Erin, and living happily ever after. I know all too well, that this is part of military life. But my heart isn't ready. I should have another year with my friends. I just want to push the goodbyes back another year. I don't know how I'm going to look at sweet precious Brooke, fall completely in love with her, and then leave. Military life adjusts you to change, and prepares you to separate from your family. They just don't prepare you to leave the rocks you lean on.

I told the boys we are moving. They were excited. I told them they have to leave their friends, and they were ok. I told them they have to leave the dogs and cat in Texas and not see them for a really, really, really long time. They were ok. I told them that we can't take any of their toys. They were ok. I told them that we would have to fly in the plane. They were ok. A few days later, Cole mentioned something about Ashley being in Korea. I had to tell him that Mr. Steve and Ashley were not going. He was not ok. It's been the first and only thing to upset him about this whole move. I'm sorry honey, I know. I know.