Beach Day!!

Our day at the beach was a fantastic day!

First stop was playing in the sand,

making castles and tearing them

down.

Gabe enjoyed burying his feet. While Zach liked scooping the sand up with his shovel.

Of course playing in the sand lasted only a little bit. They both wanted to play in the water! They jumped waves and ran from them too!

Gabe started making mud pies....

.....and Zach just wanted to sit in the mud.

By the time we were done they were both wet, soggy, muddy messes! But the mess was worth it! We all had a great time!!

So I noticed that it has been ages since I last updated my blog, and although I may not get to be a super star blogger like my sisters are, I thought I'd give it another chance!

Today when Gabe got home from school he told me they needed a rock for school for some father's day project. He was a bit bummed, for obvious reasons, but then he said maybe he'd make his for Dan or Grandpa. So with that goal in mind, I decided we'd take off for an adventure and find him a rock!!

Of course what happens when Mom thinks of some fun family bonding activity? No one wants to do it!! Zach cried the whole way to the car, saying he didn't want to go on an adventure, he wanted to play Wii instead. And when Gabe was told to wear shoes, not flip flops, his response was "Fine, I'm not going!!!" But with persistence from me, a few bags of fruit snacks and juice, and maybe just a little threat or two about no computer time, we were on our way!!

Once they found out that we were hiking some fun trails off of Baseline Road, they were quite a bit happier about this outing. We were one with nature! The trails were fun and easy, with a few bridges to cross. There were lots of flowers and pretty trees. Everything was so green!

Zach was sure the stream had alligators in it. He quickly dubbed himself "Army Guy" and found a large stick to protect us with!

Gabe was able to find a rock and our outing was a success! When we got back in the car and I asked "Who enjoyed our adventure??" Both boys yelled out "I did!!" I think we might go back tomorrow!

Day at the Aquarium

During Spring Break I Gabe and I thought it might be fun to go to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. So with Grandma, Grandpa, Gabe, Zach and myself, we set off to the beach. It took a while to drive there, and although we got there with a little less than 2 hours until it closed it was perfect timing! It took us about an hour and a half to get through there, and about that time there wasn't too many people about so it wasn't crowded. It was a bit cold and even rainy at times, but the happiness of my kids made it all worth it!

Zach had a great time looking around in awe at everything. When we first went to the room with the big fish tanks all he could do is stare, point, and make excited sounds! He was absolutely fascinated with all the bright colors and the fish swimming around. And loved when he could get up close and touch some of the tanks.


Gabe loves anything to do with the ocean anyway, and he was in heaven. He especially loved the shark tank, and even made a friend with another kid there. They loved talking sharks and pointing out the biggest ones.




At the end of one of the trails is a kids play area where both kids had a great time climbing on all the cement and metal animals. Zachary cried and cried when we left he was having so much fun.


It was a great day spending the hours with my kids and parents. Although a long trip ending with us getting home late at night, it was well worth it. And we have loads of memories to keep!!

My Special Gabe

My little Gabe is such a sweet and loving spirit. I am so incredibly blessed to have him in my life. He is the most amazing 8 year old I know! He loves to read and reads words that I would think he should have trouble with. Gabe also has an incredible sense of humor and often sets me giggling and laughing at his antics. I remember a time this summer when the sprinklers came on during dinner. He jumped up and instantly started stripping down so he could run out and play in them. Even though we were all still eating I couldn't hold back his spirit! He went out and ran in them for as long as they were going!










Gabe is all about pirates now, legos and skateboarding. He still loves his Hot Wheels, but ask him to talk about his favorite things and legos are pretty high up there! He plays an online game called Pirates of the Caribbean and talking about cannons and war frigates are just apart of his nature now! I love how enthusiastic he is about that game, and how since his aunt Mar made a character once, he's all about talking to her about it, even though she doesn't play it ever! Gabe just loves to share his favorite things with people, and is always look for the things they have in common! He also took some skateboarding lessons this summer and had so much fun. It was great watching his confidence grow every day!


Gabe has a wonderful love of nature and appreciates beauty. When we were at Sunriver a while ago we went on a lot of walks. One hike with Grandpa, lead us through some lava fields and we saw some amazing sights. I loved hearing the awe in his voice and the cries of "awesome!" as he looked at views and thought nature was amazing! We went to the high desert museum and saw so may different types of animals, and he loved that. It was fun watching his face light up as we watched the porcupine climb or a tree, or his voice say "Oh they are soooo cute." as we looked at the baby owls. I am always grateful that we can share our love of nature together.


Over this Summer, I was blessed to be apart of Gabe's baptism. It was so special to see him all dressed in white, with his Grandpa, and see him become a part of this church that is so very important to me. I loved watching him grow up, in preparation to get baptized, and see how church lessons meant to him. He was able to take the missionary discussions and decide on his own to get baptized. Another thing I loved about his baptism was how he wanted his uncle Richard to give a talk. I know he sees Richard as a great example, and I am so thankful he has Richard in his life. By him choosing his uncle, really shows me that he recognizes a man who is a faithful priesthood holder and is so strong in the church. I find it comforting that Gabe can see that and strive to be more like that.


I love Gabe's sweet spirit. More than anything else about him, I love how loving he is. He is always quick to give hugs and kisses, and doesn't let me walk out the door to work without them. I also love recently how him and I have our special time before bed where we can read the scriptures together. I am constantly amazed at how much he understands, and am happy to discuss what we read about together.


Although Gabe has been through so much in his short little life, I see so much in him that is good. We have our struggles, as I think all people do, but through all of that I find our bond. It's a bond that him and I will always share, and I am so grateful to have that with him. I love my Angel Gabriel, and I am a proud mom! He is a very special boy, and I will be forever grateful to my Heavenly Father, for placing him in my care. I can only hope and pray that I will be able to live up to His expectations, and raise Gabe to always love the church and the gospel. I am the luckiest Mom ever!!

My Special Family

My sisters have inspired me to start my own blog, so here it is. I have so many things to share, but I think I'll start out with talking...or is that blogging I guess...about my special and unique family.

I have two wonderful boys, Gabe who just turned 8 and Zachary who is 10 months now. I raise them on my own, as a single mom, but I have so many other loving hands who help out that I am far from alone! I live with my parents as well, and as Grandma and Grandpa they are fantastic. I know I couldn't have accomplished nearly what I have so far without their great love and support! My kids are very lucky in that they both have such a wonderful relationship not only with me, but also with their grandparents. I wouldn't trade my life for anything!!!

I know that I have been so very blessed throughout my life. Although it's been very hard at times I realize that it has all been worth it. Just to watch Gabe run around and act silly and to see my little Zach giggle and smile makes me realize how lucky I have been. I have been entrusted with two very special spirits and for that I am eternally grateful. My Heavenly Father was very giving when he sent me these two wonderful boys to raise. I can only pray each day that I am raising them in a way He would be proud of! I try my hardest!!

I love my parents. I have so much support and love from them. Although to some people my living with them seems like a silly and unessesary thing, I am grateful for the oppertunity. Although in small ways I can cook for them or just be a listening ear and a support to them, I am so glad that I can repay them in these little ways for all they have done and all that they continue to do for me!

When I was in high school, I spent most of my time hanging out with my parents. I know for a few years we weren't so close do to my actions, but now our relationship couldn't be better. I feel that these times are so treasured and special and I love them so very much. I really do consider my parents as two of my best friends, and I love having them apart of my life. Someday I hope to own a piece of property large enough so that I can either build them a small house on it next door to mine or have their own section of their own in my house.

These moments in my life I treasure. My childen, my parents are the world to me. I am doing everything I can to be able to provide for them all someday. I know with hard work I can accomplish this! Someday I will!!!