• parented.
  • ate.
  • created.
  • learned.
  • gave thanks.
  • About Me
  • Home

travel

Family Camping Weekend 2016

Posted by Carolyn on August 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

This year our Family Weekend consisted of 3 nights in tents, countless s’mores, a perfect river, campfires, fairy houses, one head injury, games, biographies by Grams, 10 kids under 10, 10 adults over 30, a surprisingly pleasant vault toilet, one Trump pinata, a beautiful forest, nice weather, fun, and, of course, family.

The kids spent so much time moving rocks and sticks around in this area.  They worked so well together building fairy houses and houses for all of the action figures. 

The Wind River was perfect for us.  We had a great beach right next to our campsite, with lots of big rocks in the shallow, warm river. We all worked together to reroute the river to create waterfalls and a wading pool for the little ones.

We spent lots of time cooking, eating, talking, and singing around the campfire.

One of the highlights was the pinata.  Each family was asked to bring some sort of entertainment.

Of course, the kids had a wonderful time with their cousins.

And I always love when I get to spend so much time with this handsome man.

Save

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., gratitude, nature, parented., travel | Tagged: camping, family weekend, washington

October Camping… err, “camping”

Posted by Carolyn on October 21, 2015 Leave a Comment
October Camping...  err, "camping"

Last Christmas, Alma’s gift from my mom and step-dad was a camping trip with her cousin Liam and their dads.  They decided to go to Silver Fall State Park.  Of course, it turned out to be the first rainy weekend in months.  They went anyway, and decided to play the camping part by ear.

andthenthey camping 1When they got to the park, it was sunny and warm.  They hiked around the waterfalls, in the woods, and had lots of fun.  They had a picnic lunch in the lodge and hiked some more.  andthenthey camping 2 andthenthey camping 3Alma and Liam are just a few months apart in age, so it was fun for them to get to spend so much time together.  andthenthey camping 4One of the stories they came home with was from the caves.  Alma said to Liam, “Will you protect me?” and Liam replied, “I AM SCARED.”  andthenthey camping 5 andthenthey camping 6 Alma has been looking forward to her camping trip for months.  She would tell me, “I’m going camping with Grams and Grandpa.  You are not coming.  Harriet is not coming.  Daddy is coming.”  She was very clear about this.  There was no way I was going to sneak into the car.andthenthey camping 7 Of course, the rain showed up.  They embraced the water and got soaked.  At this point, it didn’t matter if the rain was falling, or the creek was splashing.  It was warm enough that it was still fun.andthenthey camping 8 andthenthey camping 9It was so wet, though, that everyone decided to head home.  They realized they would have just spent the whole night in their tents as a fire would have been impossible and everything would be too wet to sit on.  I don’t think Alma was too disappointed.  They got to do all the fun things of camping without sleeping on the wet ground. andthenthey camping 9aI can’t wait for this to be an annual tradition.  Maybe next year Grams and Grandpa will take Alma and Liam without their parents… maybe they’ll take Harriet, too!

The photos in this post were all taken by Jesse.  He did a great job, didn’t he?

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., gratitude, learned., nature, parented., story telling, travel | Tagged: adventure, alma, camping, kids, nature, Oregon, Parenting, photography, travel

Back to the Magical Island

Posted by Carolyn on August 28, 2015 1 Comment

We are so lucky to have great friends who let us come along on their summer vacation.  This year was more fun than last, mostly because the kids are getting so much cooler, and we spent almost a whole week in Coronado.

Seriously, look at these cool kids.

bIMG_8282

Yes, I understand that not all of them are looking at the camera, but you can almost see all their faces, and they are all under six.

We get to stay at our friend’s dad’s house, and it’s an incredible house.  So incredible that people tend to look into the yard as they pass by.  My favorite part of this is that it’s an amazing house that looks like a daycare center when we’re there.  We have a bounce house set up, a working Mini Cooper, a multitude of balls and toys, and six noisy and active children.  It cracks me up to think about what people must think.

bIMG_8392This year we had grand plans of going to the zoo, or a baseball game, or something.  We did none of these things.  We did meet some great friends from Peace Corps for lunch, and my cousin and his sweet family came down for a day at the beach.  Other than that we just stuck close to home.

bIMG_8323When Michael, Michelle and Avalon were here, we got to take all the girls to the beach.  Michael took to older girls to build castles and play in the water when Michelle and I hung out on some chairs.  Harriet did this amazing thing where she seriously conked out the second we got to the beach – she did this every time we went to the ocean.  She never sleeps in my arms, so I enjoyed every second of holding her sweet sleepy self.

bIMG_8318We also walked to a cafe for lunch while Harriet took another nap back at the house.  I love seeing Alma and Avalon together.  They are sweet friends and sweet cousins.  My girls are also lucky that Avalon outgrows her princess dresses and hands them down!Kissing-Cousins-SmallWe spent a lot of time outdoors.  The kids took turns jumping, driving, running, making mischief, and having mini meltdowns.

bIMG_8296bIMG_8358We ate all our meals on the front porch.

bIMG_8331One night we had just finished dinner when I noticed that the sun was starting to go down.  I said, “Let’s go take pictures with the sunset!”  Oh my gosh, you won’t believe how fast we mobilized our 6 kids and got out the door and across the street.  The light was perfect.

bIMG_8436bIMG_8419 bIMG_8414I love so much that we are building memories for our children where they get to play and interact with these other families.  These friendships are important as they grow up.  It gives them a sense of where they come from and a confidence in where they’re going.

bIMG_8384And I love that we are building memories with these families.  The kids are all fantastic and hilarious.  Their parents are beautiful, wonderful people I’m happy to have as my co-parents.

bIMG_8464Some memories I want to make sure to remember, but might not make sense to the average reader of my blog:  forgetting that I was the saboteur, and “The slime’s de flickin!”

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: learned., nature, parented., travel | Tagged: Beach, california, coronado, kids, ocean, Parenting, vacation

San Francisco!

Posted by Carolyn on February 4, 2015 Leave a Comment

San Francisco2 AndthentheyJesse’s beloved grandmother passed away in January, so we headed down to the bay area for her funeral.  We decided to extend our trip a night and take in some of the sights in San Francisco.  We didn’t really know what to do in the city with two small kids, but we ended up having a pretty amazing day!

San Francisco BayWe stayed at the Argonaut Hotel which was, quite frankly, incredible.  When we arrived, the bellhop instantly became Alma’s and Harriet’s best friend.  He told them all about the area, and showed them a treasure chest.  The lobby of the hotel had a treasure chest full of toys that the girls got to dig through and choose a toy.  We don’t travel much, so maybe this is normal, but I was totally blown away.  After we were settled in, we headed out to fishman’s wharf (but first got the girls complementary hot chocolate in the hotel lobby).

It was an incredible day in San Francisco.  On our way into the city we stopped and bought some sun block.  These Oregonians weren’t prepared for a gorgeous blue sky day in the bay.

San Francisco Didn't Have a Selfie StickOur first stop was the Musée Mécanique.  What a fun, cool place!  It is full of old arcade games and other coin operated mechanical things.  We didn’t have any quarters, but just looking at the machines was fun.

San Francisco Alma the Riveter AndthentheyWe walked down the museum’s pier and saw some big ships and a submarine and Rosie the Riveter (whom we love dearly thanks to Rosie Revere, Engineer).

We kept walking around, saw live lobsters, crabs, street performers, and lots of boats.

San Francisco Harriet Watching CarouselOn Pier 39, Alma and I rode the carousel.

San Francisco Andthenthey Alma RidingHalfway through, Alma asked me to let go so she could do it herself.  Her independence is increasing these days.  I love it in moments like this – I hate it in moments when she decides to run away from me.  Luckily her dress is easy to spot, and she still doesn’t go far.

San Francisco Alma Riding DolphinbWe had lunch at Boudin, and went through their factory tour.  We got free admission since we ate at the restaurant, and figured we might as well go in.  It ended up being really, really cool!  I love watching things being made.  Factories are pretty amazing.

San Francisco Cable Car AndthentheyAfter lunch we went to ride the cable car.  The station is literally across the street from the Argonaut, right new Ghirardelli Square.  We had to wait for about an hour.  But it was an hour in the sunshine, with live music, great company in the line.  No complaints from me, and the kids did a really good job, too!

San Francisco Cable CarSan Francisco Alma on ccAlma was excited to ride Trolley.  I understand the difference, but with Alma’s affection for Daniel Tiger, we just called the cable car Trolley.  We rode across the city.

San Franciso Hattie NappingHarriet fell asleep (seriously?  It was so loud and so much was happening…) and stayed asleep when we got off the cable car, got back in line, and rode the cable car back to Ghirardelli.  Then we waited in another line to get ice cream sundaes to share.

San Francisco Beaching AndthentheySan Francisco Beach Andthenthey San Francisco AndthentheyWe walked down to the beach for the sunset in the sand.  After dinner we walked around the wharf some more.  Does this even sound like a January day?

San Francisco Golden Gate andthenthey

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: learned., parented., travel | Tagged: california, san francisco, travel, travelling with kids, vacation

New Dresses for the Girls

Posted by Carolyn on February 3, 2015 2 Comments

As part of my resolution to sew from my stash, I decided to make new dresses for the girls.  I used Shwin and Shwin’s Holiday Dress pattern for the bodices, and made some amazingly twirly skirts using my own mind.

And Then They Dresses at the Ghirardelli A day in San Francisco seemed like the perfect time for the girls to wear the dresses.  They were perfect – short sleeved, colorful, twirly, and fun.  They had the added bonus of making the girls super easy to spot in a crowd.And Then They Dresses Alma And Then They Dresses HarrietI was able to use some of the more random fabrics that I didn’t have any ideas for – ahem scissors – and also some of my cherished favorites.  Both dresses have the purple flowers and matyroshka dolls, but the rest are unique.  I love Alma’s mashallahs and Hattie’s bee sleeves. And Then They Dresses Sisters And Then They Dresses Trolley WorkAlma’s dress has two big sparkly blue bottons.  Harriet’s dress has the one leftover sparkly button, and a cute pink bubbly button. And Then They Dresses Waiting and Marching And Then They Dresses at the beach And Then They Dresses Waiting for Cable CarI loved making these dresses.  They were really quick to sew, and really fun to wear.  I’m planning on making a couple like it for an upcoming silent auction at Alma’s school, and maybe a few for the Etsy shop.

Also, check back tomorrow for more photos of our time in San Francisco!

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: created., pinterest projects, sewing, sewing for my daughters, travel | Tagged: Beach, california, children, kids, sewing, sewing for my daughters

Another Pumpkin Patch

Posted by Carolyn on October 15, 2014 Leave a Comment

It’s kind of the Alma show here, but it’s hard to photograph a baby in an Ergo on my back…

bIMG_4578 bIMG_4593 bIMG_4596 bIMG_4617 bIMG_4669 bIMG_4670 bIMG_4678 bIMG_4741

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., learned., nature, parented., travel | Tagged: autumn, children, gratitude, kids, Oregon, Parenting, photography, pumpkin patch

From My Journal

Posted by Carolyn on September 18, 2014 Leave a Comment

IMG_5308March 17th, 2008

I’m on a train at it’s still light at the first stop.  It’s a beginning of a journey I’ve been on for a long time already.  We stay at the first station until dark – the train daring my new found light and inspiration to get off in Hajigabul, and stay stunted and frozen like the village itself.  We start moving again, the light still sitting in the seat next to me.

Are we going backwards?  No.  It is just an illusion in the darkness outside the train.  I begin this journey of discovery on a strange ride across Azerbaijan.  Other trains go by backwards, making me blink, dizzy.



IMG_4808There are times in life where the inspiration strikes.  It is lightning.  It flashes.  It burns.  It is gone, but it leaves a scar.

There was a time, on a train, at night, in Azerbaijan.  I was sick and didn’t know it, but felt it.  I was living in a country far from home.

I felt the greatness of being.

The greatness of my being.

I can still feel that greatness.  The feeling of flying backwards on the train.  The feeling of time-traveling as we passed villages so old and dark that they were in the past.  The dizzy feeling of passing lights and smooth turns.  The feeling that I was put here, on this earth, with a purpose.

There was another time, in the day, on my way to the mailbox.  The lightning struck, and the ordinary moment of my life is permanently scarred in my memory.

There are more moments like this.  Moments where the lightning strikes, leaves a scar, a reminder of the greatness I can have.  The greatness I can be.

IMG_5298And, so.

I am in the mundane moments of my life, trying to find the sublime.

I make choices every day to ignore the scars from these life giving moments.

I am here.  I resolve to feel those scars, live in those scars, give thanks for those scars.  Be those scars.  Those fingerprints of inspiration left in my mind.  The light in the seat next to mine.  The memories of promise.IMG_4730

 

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, created., gave thanks., learned., story telling, travel, writing | Tagged: Azerbaijan, inspiration, lightning, travel

Family Weekend 2014 – Leavenworth

Posted by Carolyn on September 3, 2014 Leave a Comment

aIMG_3587Every year my parents get all of their kids together for a weekend of family fun.  I should say that it’s rare to get all the kids together, but we do the best we can.  There have been a couple years when we were all there.  We have had weekends at the beach, in Eugene, in Portland, in Hood River, in Umpqua.  Only Jen and her family have been to every single family weekend.  But, I digress…

aIMG_3241This year we all met up near Leavenworth for an August weekend.  It was a wonderful weekend.  One of the best.  It is definitely the best location so far!  We all fit in the house and the house had great things for everyone.

aIMG_3169Awesome toys right outside the house for the kids.

aIMG_3345A huge table for whiskey taste testing.

aIMG_3280And crafting with Grams.

aIMG_3460A river with a little pool for playing.

aIMG_3386Roads and paths for exploring.

aIMG_3429A patio with enough seats for everyone.

aIMG_3470A hot tub for playing (and relaxing after the kids were in bed).

aIMG_3505aIMG_3575 (2)We had eighteen of our twenty-four family members – eight of the ten cousins.  Isn’t that crazy?  Ten kids under 8!

We missed Dan, Nina, Ben, Devon, John, and Liam (and Chumley!)!  But were happy to have the time together.

My mom (as usual) organized some fun things for everyone.  She had the kids figure out how old and tall all the adults were.  She asked them a bunch of great questions.  We learned that Alma likes to “Um, play” and that she wants to be a cheetah.  After the kids were in bed, all the women toasted their men, and we got to remember some of the other funny things we had done on past family weekends.

It was a beautiful time with some of my most favorite people in the world!

 

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., learned., nature, parented., travel | Tagged: cousins, family, family weekend

Coronado, the Enchanted Vacation

Posted by Carolyn on September 1, 2014 2 Comments

aIMG_3019We got to spend a couple days in Coronado with some of our favorite friends.  Tyler and Leia were amazing to invite us to spend some time at Tyler’s dad’s house.  We thought it would be fun, but had no idea how wonderfully beautiful it would be.  The house is literally across the street from an incredible beach.

aIMG_3114And down the street from the beautiful Hotel Del Corondo.

aIMG_3062Did I mention we were there for the Super Moon?

aIMG_3071We spent two nights, and just spent our time relaxing.  We had grand plans of seeing the pandas, but didn’t.  We spent our time on the beach, in the yard, having drinks, eating amazing cheese sauce, playing, and just enjoying everything.aIMG_2986 aIMG_3015 aIMG_3025 aIMG_3036 aIMG_3051 aIMG_3085 aIMG_3105 aIMG_3130Thank you Leia and Tyler!  And Mark and Jenny!  Let’s do it again!

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., learned., nature, travel | Tagged: Beach, california, grateful, gratitude, kids, Parenting, photography, travel

More Fun at Avalon’s House

Posted by Carolyn on August 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

Alma really loved spending time playing at Avalon’s house.  We all really enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Michael and Michelle. They are such a lovely little family.  We love them all.

We were also happy to get to spend some time with our dear friend Elvin.  We met him in Azerbaijan when he was a teenager.  Now he’s a brilliant young man studying in California.  It’s been so great having him on the West Coast this year.  He loves our girls so much, and honestly, the feeling is mutual.

aIMG_2919 aIMG_2930 aIMG_2936 aIMG_2947 aIMG_2951 aIMG_2963

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., learned., travel | Tagged: california, family, kids, travel
1 2 Next »
If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

Recent Posts

  • 3 for 1 Pumpkin Brew Fest (2019, 2021, 2022)
  • Pumpkin Beer Fest 2020
  • SEPTEMBER 2019: Currently
  • Dear Harriet, Age 6
  • OCTOBER 2018: CURRENTLY

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2023 and then they....

Theme by ThemeHall.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.