Spencer Butte (and mini-marshmallows)

One of the things we enjoy about our neighborhood is its proximity to Eugene's iconic Spencer Butte. The trailhead to the summit is just a few minutes walk from our home.

It's been a couple years since we've been to the top, and Melissa has been lobbying us for quite awhile to attempt another ascent. The kids were on board as soon as Melis' promised them a zip-lock bag full of mini-marshmallows if they could make it to the top. Everyone has their price apparently.

This morning we set out with all the necessary gear: trail shoes, hoodies, fruit snacks, granola bars, water bottles, and (of course) a baggie full of mini-marshmallows. The weather was perfect for hiking -- overcast, with a cool breeze. The whole trip took less than two hours and was a lot of fun. Taeg' made it a couple hundred yards before requesting to ride in her parents' child carrier backpack. I took her up. Melis' carried her down. To his credit, Karst' made the whole hike unassisted.

Here are some photos we snapped along the way...

Mom's mini-marshmallow mercenaries on the trail

Karst' pauses in front of the famous flexing fir

Mini-marshmallows for all!

Life with the Taeg'

As we were getting ready this morning, I had an interesting conversation with my daughter.

Taegan: "What are the shoes you are wearing Mommy?"

Me: "Umm brown sandals."

Taegan: "I need some brown sandals, mommy!"

Me: "No, you do not need another pair of shoes."

Taegan: "I will just ask Grandma Stoddard to go shopping with me. She will get me some brown sandals."

I was not sure how to react, so I just ended the conversation hoping it would go away.

This evening Taegan asked me to get her some more toilet paper. I responded that there was plenty still on the roll so she would be fine. She then replied "well Grandma Stoddard would buy me some, if I asked her".

Should I keep them away from each other or send her over there so they can live together, and I will visit on the weekends???!!!

Outlet mall!

Yesterday, we had a family gathering at one of our most beloved venues: The Woodburn Company Stores!

The proprietors understand that a product's value is enhanced when the price tag lets you know the item costs way more in some swanky retail store.

For example, I normally wouldn't be interested in a pair of bright red corduroy pants embroidered with dozens of little blue whales for $49.99. But when Ralph Lauren informs me that wealthy fashionable people gladly pay $199 for the privilege of wearing these pants...well now, I think I have a golf shirt that would match the silvery plume of water coming out of the embroidered whales' blow hole. I'd better buy them -- since a deal like this surely won't last.

Taeg' lookin' for deals at the GAP.

Every mother's son loves shopping at outlet malls!

Has anyone seen our parents?
Last time we saw them, they were trying on red
corduroy pants with some fish on them.

Conference Weekend

Last weekend we made a quick trip to Pendleton. We left Friday after work and returned Sunday after conference. I managed to get some day spa time in between sessions and during the middle of the night. Shirlene has been wanting pull out drawers in her kitchen since forever; so there was my excuse.

BEFORE:

I decided to make the fronts out of hickory to match her cabinets. I lucked out because Dave, my brother, was building drawers that weekend and was already set up to spray them with finish. Thanks Dave.


AFTER:

Shirlene got some Grandma time. I am positive that I got the better end of the deal. Even after staying up until 3am working in the shop, I couldn't have been as tired as Shirlene was after chasing my kids around all Saturday.

This is what I found when I went to check on them:

They informed me that they were driving to church in the monster trucks. I hope they made it safely.


Bonus post: Shirlene made the quilt they are sitting on for our guest room! Even though it looks like little umbrellas (very appropriate for Eugene) in the pic, I believe they are rugged pine trees.


Thanks again Shirlene for letting me relax!! Sorry for waking you up in the wee hours of the morning, I wasn't thinking straight. Next time, I will wear a mask when I spray lacquer finish for 3 hours, I am not sure I can stand to lose anymore brain cells. And we will stay another day so I can eat your yummy food.