Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch

It is really fun going places at festive times of the year now that Maren is older and gets excited about everything.

They had a really neat market that sold a wide variety of pumpkins and fresh produce.

They also had an animal barn. Maren loved it.

Maren is a big girl now so she has to do everything like big people. She did not want to stand by daddy she had to squat just like him.

They took us on a ride out to pick a pumpkin. Maren chose a tiny little green pumpkin that never matured. She rocked that baby like it was her own. See video.

We had a great time.

Welcome Fall!

Maren reading the scriptures

Hiking Multnomah Falls

The Vista House or "castle" as Maren called it, is a neat building with beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge. It was built in the early 1900's and sits on a cliffs edge.

The view of of the gorge in the background. This was one of that last nice days on the year.

Multnomah Falls. The last time we came was on Maren's first Halloween. She was 3 1/2 months old.

I didn't realize I looked so pregnant! At the top of the mile hike to the top of the falls.

Maren throwing rocks in the river leading to the falls.

Daddy trying to wash her hands off with Maren resisting.

Canning Salsa

Our heirloom beauties!

Spencer made the salsa. He really enjoyed himself.

We got 10 bottles out of it.

Maren and the boys

Hike to Indian Beach, Ecola State Park

Table transformation!

My dear sister gave us this table when we got married and it had been a great one. It was her first table when she got married over 10 years ago so we thought we would give it a little update.

We are really happy with how it turned out. We went with orange fabric that matched well with the new rug we got that is not shown. It feels good making do with what you got by just sprucing it up a bit!

It's a girl!

Though it may not be clear, you can see our little girl is having all kinds of fun in the womb. She looks like she already knows her yoga positions! Nice verticality of the torso!

Her cute little feet.

Another shot of her yoga position

Her face. We are so excited to meet this new little girl!

Projects of August 2011

This is just the beginning of a few decorating changes I am making in our new apartment. I got the table at a local thrift store for $5. I sanded it down and spray painted it to add some color to the room. The picture is not great but it gives you a bit of an idea of the added space we now have.

Spencer and I, or should I say Spencer, decided to attempt canning some peaches we picked at the local farm without the use of canning equipment. I gave up frustrated in the middle of it all after one of the jars broke in the boiling water, but my wonderful husband just kept working until they were done. Can't say we got a whole lot of product out of all the effort but it was a learning experience none-the-less.

My Firsts of Summer 2011

1. Planting and working a garden.
2. Canning pickles.
3. Living in a 3-bedroom apartment.
4. Learning to understand a 2 year old and how they think.
5. Seeing the Redwoods (at least that I can remember).
6. Canning peaches and realizing it is much easier to just buy canning equipment than trying to do without.
7. Buying furniture at the thrift store and refinishing it.
8. Trying foods such as fennel, Romanesco, Daikon radish, Kohlrabi all grown in the garden.

Grandpa and Grandma Madsen's House

We spent many days in the pool. One of the best parts about summer at grandmas. Maren started out insecure clinging to us for dear life. By the end of the week she as confidently swimming with only floaties on! It helps to have cousins just older that show you the ropes. She loved spending time with Dalin, Gavin, Tatum and Colton. There was always a meltdown when she had to say goodbye.

Fun with grandma and grandpa

Spencer and I got to get away for a couple of days for our 4th anniversary. We took a trip out to Mendocino to stay in a resort on the coast. We took our time through the winding roads of Napa Valley and pretended to live the high life. Pretty sure we were the youngest people around by the 30 years the entire trip. We felt like honeymooners right out of high school. We were even asked if we were old enough to see a wine list!

This is not what you think. Avoid the appearance of evil right? Well we just wanted to document the amazing GRAPE JUICE we had a the Culinary Institute of America, the most prestigious and most expensive culinary arts school in the U.S. We ate a fancy meal prepared by the students there for a fraction of the cost of eating the same thing in a fancy french restaurant.

Spencer in front of the Culinary Institute of America. If it wasn't for the poor lifestyle of a chef I think Spencer would enjoy being one.

We also stopped to take a peak at an identical replica of a Tuscan castle that some rich guy built in the 70's. Spencer loved the grand entrance reminding him of his beautiful mission.

We finally made it out to the resort. I had bought a groupon deal to get a farmhouse style room in a house for $99 originally $300 a night. This also included a $25 credit for dinner which was a well known restaurant, and complementary gourmet breakfast in the morning. We also got a free bottle of their orange flavored olive oil that we are now enjoying on our garden fresh salads. Well aren't we fancy! :)

The next morning we drove out to the coast in Fort Bragg to see the beach where 100 years ago it was the thing to dump all of your unwanted things such as cars, and anything glass on the beach. Today, all you see is ocean polished pieces of glass. We collected a small bag to take home to Maren. 

Here is a pic of the glass on the beach.

At the end of our trip we we had fun bowling as a family.

It was a great time as always in California.