When the Weather Is High

I found more summer pictures. I had forgotten. I'm so happy right now.  Blueberry picking and beach from our trip to Oregon this summer.  Sam and Noelle had stayed for three weeks (you heard that right) with Chad's parents before we arrived.  They went camping, to movies, OMSI, fish hatchery, playing and having a much better time than if they were at home watching me recover from surgery.  I am so grateful for grandparents.

Ruby's favorites.

It was a beautiful day in Lincoln City and made even better with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents and dog.

I have no idea why they are pointing.  They didn't even know I was taking the picture.

Flying a kite was not the only first for her during our trip.  She lost her first tooth as well.  Chad had stayed behind with siblings to enjoy an all-you-can-eat lobster and crab fest at the casino.  I drove the kids home.  Let's just say, they were tired and "crabby" and windblown and hungry when we left.  Within 5 minutes, our makeshift portable DVD player broke down.  I pulled over at a gas station on the windy road to jerry-rig it.  Thankfully, it worked and, yes, I did say a prayer.  We pulled back on to the road and, within 5 more minutes, Noelle was puking up a storm.  We have a bucket for such things, but she had vomity boogers stuffed up her nose and running down her face.  She began sobbing and violently rubbing her eyes and cheeks.  Now remember, I am without spouse and driving on a one-way windy road with no place to pull over at the point.  She is begging for a wet wipe and I have none.  After a few minutes of more violent rubbing and weeping, I remember I still have tissue in my purse from our trip to Mexico (for toileting purposes).  Blessed tissue.  She wipes and then they all complain of hunger and needing the toilet for the next 2 hours.  I  feed them newly purchased saltwater taffy.  I am not pulling over.  I promise McDonald's on the way home but I bypass it by mistake and the kids fall asleep the last 15 minutes anyway.  So we have leftovers when we get back home and Noelle is windblown with sand all over her person.  Her face is rubbed completely raw and she has puke on her hair and shirt.  This is when she loses her first tooth and this is when I snap the photo.