Weston's Milo Sweater

 I knit West this sweet little Euro sweater while camping and at the homeschool conference. Details are on Ravelry.

World Best Dad Father's Day 2011

Camping at Silver Falls State Park

 West LOVED sitting by the creek and throwing rocks in the water.

 Here are the kids climbing a big tree near our campsite with our friends, Phil Kelly and some of his children.

 This was our first trip with our new camping trailer and we had a great time. Here are the girls and Shane playing Uno.

I brought my espresso machine! (20 weeks pregnant here)

Halfway There!

Here I am with "Jelly Bean" at 20 weeks - halfway to the due date.

By the way it's another BOY!!!!!

Walking By Faith

Today was our first Sunday meeting as our new church, Gospel Fellowship Community Church in Salem. This is a church plant from the church we've been attending when we can in Portland and Shane has been very involved in helping it get started. It was an awesome service followed by a picnic and lots of play time (soccer games, Frisbee, making daisy chains).. I counted at least 100 people there including all the children. During worship we sand this beautiful song and I loved hearing Mira and Annah singing it loudly and joyfully. Tonight we talked about the lyrics and what it means to live a life by faith. What a wonderful opportunity to talk to our children how our family does this and how we've been so blessed by it.

By Faith
Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend
You Tube video

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation's grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand...

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand...
Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation's grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand...

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand...

Mason Jar Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

We LOVE baked oatmeal for breakfast (well everyone but Annah, she prefers it cooked plain on the stovetop) and today we tried this fun way of baking it in mason jars. Here's the recipe:

2 Cups Blueberries, plus extra for garnish
2 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Aluminum Free Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
2 Cups Whole Milk
1 1/2 Tbsp. Melted Butter
1/3 – 1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts


1. Preheat the oven to 375′. Divide the berries between six small mason jars.
2. Mix the oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Divide the dry mix between the jars, just layering on top of the blueberries, about 1/3 cup.
3. Mix the milk, butter, maple and vanilla together. Pour a scant 1/2 cup on top of the oats, letting it seep through to the bottom. Place all the jars in a baking dish, sprinkle a few fresh berries on top, and bake on the middle rack for about 30 minutes until the liquid is absorbed, tops are just browned but the oats are still moist.
Sprinkle the tops with the walnuts and a pinch of honey and serve warm!

Adapted from Super Natural Everyday by Heidi Swanson. I found this recipe on this blog and changed it slightly. 

Grandpa Work Week

 This week we are blessed to have Shane's dad, Grandpa Dennis, here for 5 days to build the kids a playhouse/fort. In typical Grandpa Dennis style, this playhouse is nothing short of amazing - with  both a front and back porch and all sorts of cool details. We've all been getting in on the action by working on projects in the backyard; the girls building things out of the scrap wood, me decorating, planting and painting patio furniture and West scooting around the yard finding any dirt he can. West even learned to "Grandpa" although it sounds a little like "mam-pa". Stay tuned for photos of the completed playhouse coming soon.

 The front porch - we added a dining table and a candle chandelier. 

 Enjoying popcicles on the porch with Mimi and Granny.

 Working on the fort. Check out our amazing white wisteria in the photo below. The smell is amazing and the blooms are so gorgeous. I am in love with this plant!

Our new snowball tree.