Waltons

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Oregon Part 3 and my Birthday

Wednesday we got up and got ready to explore more of the area. It also happened to be my birthday. I was very spoiled getting to be with my most favorite in-laws. They all spoiled me with very thoughtful gifts! Molly just couldn't wait so we opened my gifts before we left for the day. I got a shirt, gift card, jewelry and a new phone! It was a good day!

We went to the Tillamook Cheese factory. Those huge blocks behind the kids are Ginormous blocks of cheese!

Then of course we had to try the ice cream.......

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Oregon Part 2

We got up Tuesday and just hung around the house waiting for Mike to arrive. The kids were set up great with the big circle driveway and their bikes and scooters. Dan brought a great bubble maker kit which the adults had so much fun doing. Blackberries and huckleberries were growing on the property, so we picked those. And took the kids on rides in the wagon that was there. We were perfectly content with being at the house.

Picture of the house

Dan teaching us how to make HUGE bubbles

Nate was just happy being outside and exploring

The kids finally got some turns making bubbles ;-)

One of the many darling nephews, Matthew

Brian I think got the longest bubble award

Picking berries

Emily, Megan, Annie, Leah and Molly in the hand cart

While some were playing Bocce ball, they found a snake. Who is the daughter of mine? Much braver than I am! Yes, it was a tiny snake!!

Foster, Matthew, James, and Luke. I love Matthew's UmiZoomi goggles

David, "The Thinker"........poor David was having a bad headache. He still is a trooper because he'd be playing with the kids one minute then sitting like this the next!

After Mike arrived, we headed to the beach close by just to walk around. We had perfect Oregon Coast weather! Overcast in the mornings, some clouds and wind in the afternoons, but then blue skies occasionally!

2 of my handsome boys

Cute niece Leah.

It was a little chilly walking on the beach, as you can tell by all the jackets! But still fun to explore

Cute, cold explorers

Oregon part 1

The Walton Family Reunion was held in Netarts Bay, Oregon (close to Tillamook). We rented a big house for the growing family and stayed there from Monday-Sunday. We left Friday after Scott got home from work and stayed at my sisters so that our drive on Monday would not be as long. We got up early Monday and hit the road. We stopped at Multomah Falls on our way over to the coast. I had not been there in many years. It was fun to take the kids and walk the hike all the way to the top. It was a nice break to get out of the car too! This is just the beginning of our fun filled WEEK!

On the bridge, half way up.

I think this was taken at the very top. We couldn't get too close to the edge for a good picture.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Scott playing

On our way out to the Oregon Coast (posts to be posted at a later date), we stopped at my sisters. They had some work to do and Scott was more than happy to help. Here he is doing what my bro-in-law gets to do all the time........and Scott is having a blast! My sister said she wished he started earlier and wished that it wasn't Sunday the next day!

Marathon on a wim

On July 18th, Scott was getting ready to go for a run. He asked how far he should go. I asked him what he was training for so I could give him a distance. He responded that he was thinking of doing a half marathon. Then he shot back......what are you training for. I said, "I want to run the marathon next week". He said I should. I then talked to a friend later that day and she said I totally should. Untrained and all. I ran Ogden back in May so figured I at least wasn't out of shape. So I thought about it some more and Friday, got on-line and signed up. I wanted it to be a low key, no stress, no worrying about a PR kind of run. I just wanted to A) see if I could run without training, B) and run for "fun". My family is AWESOME and so supportive. Scott worked around his schedule so he could go in late. And the kids are such troopers just to sit for hours and wait for me! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! My friends are so supportive too. We went down the night before the race to pick up my packet (and my friends' husbands packet for the half) and to get a spot saved for the parade after the marathon. It was the 24th of July (Pioneer day and Scott and I's anniversary) marathon and parade.

3 of my best fans!

Nearing the end I see my family and motion for them to jump in and run the last 50 yards with me!

Foster ran too, you just can't see him. Like how I kind of wait for them! ;-)

3 of my favorite people to see after a race!!! And gotta love the Creamies at the finish! I finished in right around 3:25. It wasn't my fastest by almost 10 minutes, but it wasn't my slowest by about 10 minutes. I wasn't ashamed of the time at all. I stopped and went to the bathroom twice (one of the times was on the side of the road which I had to hike back out and almost had to ask for a hand it was so steep) and I found a friend to run with who wanted to run/walk starting at mile 20. I ended up ditching him the last 2 miles! All in all, it was a fun race, I had no expectations and enjoyed the scenery! I think I could run a few more marathons like this!

Yup, I scored all these Creamies for the kiddos. My friends' kids, Benton and Kate are the extras.

Molly's hair cut

It was the summer for hair cuts. Molly always had issues with getting her hair done. Often it would end in threats we'll just cut your hair like Foster's. Then it got to be where she would only want me to do it one way......a ponytail. So we talked of cutting it. Then she got the idea to donate it. So every day she would ask if it was the day we could cut her hair. She asked one day, Scott was out of town, so we thought we'd do it so we could surprise him when he got home. We just up and took off for the local Clippers. She sat in the chair and said she wanted to donate it and wanted it to her shoulders. Well they measured how much they would need to donate and it ended up being just above her shoulders (they need 10 inches, I thought it was only 6). So I told her it was up to her, that it would be way shorter than what she wanted but if she really wanted to donate it, then she could cut it to that length. She said she wanted to donate it. So they put it in a pony and cut!!!!!! By the time they straightened it out they had taken about 12 inches!!! I still think she looks cute, but am glad that hair grows back.

She is such a poser! And such a cutie!!

Jacob/Aldred/Garner Family Reunion

This year, the Jacob/Aldred/Garner family reunion was in Bear Lake. We rented a house to accommodate all 36 of us. It was great. It was fun just being with everyone doing whatever. We went to the Minitonka Caves, had a day at the north beach of Bear Lake, got raspberry shakes, had obstacle course races, had a very small talent show, guys went golfing, did a crossfit workout, ate lots of good food and had tons of fun!

3 Amigos. 2 of my brothers decided to grow a mustache 6 mo before the reunion. So here Don is sporting his with Scott and my oldest nephew Garrett.

I guess they come in 3's. Nieces Mykelti, Ashley, and Dallie. All within 6 mo apart! Cute girls!!!

Cute little niece Emmy

Sister Rachel and bro-in-law Jason

Fos all ready to go into the caves.

Most of the group!

Nephew Garrett and my favorite Momma

These 2 remain inseparable!

Inside the caves.

Me, sister Sarah and sister Becky

Bacon

This was a really cool part. We were at the very end of the cave and there was an iron rod to help you walk. Our tour guide happened to be LDS so she shut out the lights and it was PITCH BLACK!!!!! We had to "hold to the rod" to make it back. It was really cool!

I guess we figured it'd be summer inside the caves.......Molly wore flip flops and by the end of the tour, her feet were so cold she could hardly walk. So, I packed her out like a pack mule! Look close you can see her feet inside my pockets.