Newport Aquarium

On Thursday we again met up with the Tilley crew and headed to the Newport Aquarium.  This was such a neat place to spend several hours.


Tori and Kenzie trying out the Hurricane Simulator



Exploring the creatures in the "touch tank"

"There is a rapture on the lonely shore,

There is society where none intrudes, 

By the deep sea, with music as its roar."

Lord Byron



This was so amazing to see.  The different types of starfish and anemone; 
some were soft, some were rough.  God is so creative!

The girlies

The Shark tunnel.  In here we were totally surrounded by water.

 

Checking out the fish below.

The littlest man was impressed by the sharks and other fish.

Digging for treasures in the sand.

We all had a great time touring the Aquarium together.... and then it was time to say "good-bye"  We were so thankful that we got to spend time with them while they were here on their vacation!

Visiting With Friends = Fun Times!

Last Sunday we had some visiting friends over for lunch.  It was so great to spend time with the Tilley Crew, and Sherri!



The "Kid" table.



Chillaxin in my living room.

 

 

 









On Tuesday we drove up the coast to Seaside. 

 

 We went to the Seaside Aquarium together and especially enjoyed the touch tank.


Ben, Tori, and Kenzie



Kenzie, Addi and Kassi



The big dude and the littlest dude.




 Then we hung out in their condo and had a cook out - fun times.



The Kiddies

 

 

 

 

Kids these days...



Some days we are just lucky enough to have one of "these" things
come play for awhile. 

Taking time to build a "boat" using Straws and Connectors.  I highly recommend getting a set
for yourself or your children! 

 

 

Camping in your boat is the coolest!

Bubble time.

Nothing better than a good stomp around the yard while singing a good song!

I'm thankful for helpful big brothers.

 And that's what's up with my kiddies these days.

District Assembly

A couple of weeks ago, we had the privilege to attend District Assembly in McMinnville.  We had a wonderful time. Listening to the speakers preach did my heart good!  I kind of failed in the picture taking department.  District Assembly was Thursday afternoon and then all day Friday.  I didn't want us to miss a day of school on Friday, so we packed up school and brought it with us.

On Friday Carson, Clayton and I stayed and did school in our motel room while Andy and Kenzie went to the assembly.


The little man is working hard!



The littlest man is being a big help.

 

I do want to document and tell a story that happened because of District Assembly.  Thursday evening the speaker was  a General Superintendent, Dr. Porter.  He had two main points to his sermon that both challenged and convicted my heart.  "Who is discipling you?"  and  "Who are you discipling?"    Well fast forward a couple of nights and as I was tucking Carson into bed, I asked him how he and Jesus were doing.  His response to me was “Mommy, I just don’t know who I am going to disciple” my reply was well let’s pray about it; mommy is praying about who to disciple right now too.  Then I said, we have to figure out what it looks like to disciple someone, and I asked him what do you think it means to disciple?  He responded “to sit in a quiet place and talk about Jesus and what He can do in your life.”   

Following the conversation, I was thinking how great it was that Andy had just been in Carson’s room and had this discussion.  Later in the evening as I was retelling the conversation to Andy, I realized that Andy had not had the conversation, but it was what he had heard and learned from listening to Dr. Porter during District Assembly.

I am thankful that God used Dr. Porter’s words to not only challenge and convict my heart but to also challenge the heart of my 5 year old son.

 

It is hard for me to describe my emotions following my conversation with Carson.  I was so excited that he was listening and hearing God speak to him, and I was also challenged, and overwhelmed by my responsibility as a mother to help shape and guide and help  him grow and become more like Jesus.  Being a Mama is a high calling!

 

 



Bye, bye; Hello

Bye bye Mamaw and Papaw.  Hello Carla and LeRoy.
We were very excited and blessed to have some of our good friends from Emmett come for a short visit.  LeRoy backed their trailer right into our driveway. 

Of course when one has company, one must go on adventures... so away we went.
First stop Munson Falls.  If you would like to read more on Munson Falls, this would be a good place to look.



Mrs. Carla was one of the kiddies'  Sunday School teachers while we lived in Emmett. :)

Two cool dudes!



The beautiful Munson Falls

Moss

Two cool kiddies!

Mr. LeRoy and the two dudes.

 

Then we took them to our favorite overlook.

Next, we drove down the beach to Pacific City and watched a man do some skillful wind sailing.

He made it look very easy.... but I doubt that it is.

Last but not least we went home and had supper.

We also visit the lighthouse at Cape Meares, but for some reason, I didn't take any pictures.
It was so nice to have them visit for a couple days and spend time with good friends!  Carla and Leroy, we hope you visit again!

"Nothing in life prepares you for your first raw oyster."

 

On the last night of Mamaw and Papaw's vist, we were looking for a good seafood place to eat.   So we went to the Port of Garibaldi in Bay City.

 

We ate at the Fish Peddler.  Their cuisine came highly recommended by the locals.  We enjoyed their food very much.  

While we were there, we noticed that raw oysters were on the menu.  Trying new things is a good thing, right?  And taking a dare is ok too once in a while, right?  And that positive peer pressure "I'll do it if you do it" is good, right?   We are talking a raw, slimy, gritty oyster, smothered in cocktail sauce.

First up:  Andy

 Head back, tilt the glass......

 Oyster is stuck.... use a fork

Second up:  Dixie

Ready. Set. Go...

 Slurp. Chew. Swallow

 There, I've done it~ just because I never thought I could. 

 Third up:  Papaw

 Gulp. Chew. Chew. Grimace. Swallow

 

Like the glass says:  "  Nothing in life prepares you for your first raw oyster."

Overall this was not a bad experience.  The cocktail sauce was yummy and it was all over very quickly.  Would I eat one again?  Sure.