Trip to Cabo San Lucas

 

So Deven and I decided at the beginning of the year that we needed a vacation. So we found a good deal for an all-inclusive trip to Cabo San Lucas. We enjoyed a lot of relaxation mostly in the pool because it was soooo hot and humid. At night we ventured out a few times into the city which was fun but not quite like mainland Mexico (there is a ton of US influence). That didn't stop Deven from inpressing all the locals with his fluency in the Spanish language.

 

So what is Cabo San Lucas best known? Why fishing of course! Deven and I are both fans so we got a little boat (the littlest one there) with a nice fisherman and set out. You can see below the famous arch in the rock.

 

 

Not too long into the trip I got to reel in our first fish, a female dorado (also called Mahi Mahi not as pretty as the male of the species). It was very exciting and not really that difficult. I had heard stories from Deven of sea fishing where the fish were exhausting to reel in. Apparently dorado's swim close to the surface and are streamline so they are easier to reel in rather than a flatter fish that swims closer to the bottom like a halibut for instance. 

 

Deven reeled in the next fish which was the male version of the dorado, very gorgeous colors of greens and yellows. The picture does not do the colors justice.

 

The fisherman was in contact with two other boats with the same company. He told us one boat had to go in barely a half hour into their excursion because someone on board got sick. We all just laughed until I started to feel queasy a little less than an hour into the trip. I didn't want to ruin the trip so I didn't say anything and thought maybe sitting at the front of the boat would help. Unfortunately the sea keep rolling the boat up and down, back and forth. The fisherman mentioned the sea was much rougher than usual because of a hurricane off shore. I just got sicker and sicker and finally had to admit that alas I had succumb to the sea! I was very disappointed because we were actually going to go further from shore to fish for swordfish which would have been really cool. On our way back we caught one more male dorado (3 in all). When the captain stopped the boat (when the boat stopped the waves were even more pronounced) to capture the fish I finally lost my breakfast. I felt bad to have cut the trip 2 hours short but even Deven admitted that he was starting to feel a little bit queasy. We really should have taken Dramamine.

 

We got back to shore and decided to keep one of the fish hoping to find someone to cook it for us. The other two we gave to the fisherman and owner of the company. The pelican in the picture above is disabled somehow and hangs out at the docks because the fisherman give them the leftover bait. I thought that was way cute so I took a picture of it.

 

We went back to the hotel and found out that they will actually cook your fish for free! It was part of the all-inclusive thing. It was soooo delicious and fresh tasting! We took a picture of it because it was so pretty and we didn't want to forget it. We enjoyed our fish while sitting at a table over looking the ocean. It was very beautiful and relaxing.

 

Funny story I forgot to mention: Deven's favorite spot to hang out was behind the waterfall in the pool area. It was the only shady spot and it was really hot. One day he got out of the pool and stood up and wham banged his head on the ceiling which was low only in that particular area right where someone were to get out of the water behind the waterfall. So the next day we went to the same place and you would think I would have remember what happened to Deven the previous day. Nope I banged my head as I stood up after climbing out of the pool. A group of teenagers in the Jacuzzi next to us went Ohhh!!! because apparently it was loud and painful sounding. Well I felt really dumb for not being more careful but that feeling changed. We had meet a real nice couple from the Seattle area who was sitting next to us at dinner one night and we were hanging out under the waterfall cave. We had already relayed the stories to them how we had both hit our heads. At one point he decided to get out of the pool to get his wife a drink and bang! He hit his head too! It was so easy to forget how low the ceiling was. At that point we took up warning everyone in that area to be careful of the ceiling. We actually prevented a few people from banging their heads on the ceiling! I wonder how many people have banged their heads on that ceiling! I guess in Mexico they can get away with building things like that.

 

All in all the trip was a much needed get-a-way for us. Lots of relaxation, fun and time spent together.

June 7, 2014 - A Day at Harris Beach, Oregon

 

Owen's 7th Birthday 

 

At the start of summer we took a fun trip to Harris Beach in Oregon. We spent the afternoon with friends, played in the water, flew kites, looked at tide pools and ate. We brought a birthday cake since it was Owen's birthday. I think he had a really good time at the beach. I can't believe he is 7 years old now! Wow how time flies.

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Regional 2014 - Hiking a lava tube cave near Bend, Oregon

 

 

 

Every year the company Deven works for, Edward Jones has a summer regional meeting where the whole family is invited to attend. This year the summer regional was held at the Sunriver resort, near Bend, Oregon. One of the mornings Deven had meetings from 8am till noon. So to pass the time without dad, we decided to go do some exploring. We went to the Lava river tube (cave) right outside of Bend, Oregon. It is a cave formed long ago from flowing lava traveling through the area and eventually cooling forming the round underground, cave.

This picture was taken in the parking lot on a tree stump. The boys were very excited about the gigantic ants crawling all over the cut down tree.

 

 

 When we got there we rented a propane lantern and took off down the path to the cave. It was around 9:30ish when we got there. We were advised the cave is very cool which is why we were wearing sweat shirts during the summer. This picture is Oliver standing in the pathway that leads to the cave.

 

 

So at the beginning of the cave it drops down a ways and with the help of built in stairs we made our way inside. The temperature began to drop way faster than I would have expected. The light also did not last very long as one can see from the picture it is truly pitch black in there. The lantern was very much appreciated for it's light and warmth. Luckily the boys were old enough to traverse down the beginning rocky part with a little help. Needless to say we were moving very slow.

 

 

The next picture is taken with only the lantern light inside the cave. Before our journey into the cave began I gave the boys some rules that they should not run away from me or run around crazy in the cave. The other rule is that they had to be brave because it was going to be dark and cold. 

 

Well the cave was way too foreboding for running around and acting crazy in so that was not a problem. I must say that the boys were indeed very brave! They walked all the way to the end of the cave with me, which was over a mile journey! I think they felt a little weary about walking with only a lantern in the pitch dark and silent cave. I certainly was but I tried not to let it show. It felt really disconcerting to walk in the complete darkness with only a lantern casting shadows on the walls. Because it was early in the morning there weren't very many people there. We probably passed about 10 groups of people in the 2 hours we were down there. I was so happy anytime I saw someone. It made me so happy to see another human being walking towards us with their lights. I can see now why solitary confinement drives people crazy. Seriously just give me one day without people and light and you would find me in the fetal position singing songs to myself.

 

 

If nothing else the cave gave me a great appreciation for the trust that my two little boys have in me. After all they let me take them on a roundtrip 2 mile journey into a very dark and lonely place. We were very happy when we finally came out into the light.

 

 

Best friends, Owen and Oliver!

 

Love you all! Have a nice day!

Our Joy school experience - May 2014

 

So to save a little money we decided to take Oliver out of preschool and do Joy school for the first part of 2014. It was probably more stressful for me than it had to be but that's how all new things are. At the end of the year all four kids took a field trip to the fire station. It was so fun for them. Perfect amount of preschool kids to take on this type of adventure. They all got to go in the fire truck and also a firewoman put on all the gear they wear when they go out on a call. They explained what all the gear was for. Apparently kids are really scared of big men and women in scary looking masks trying to find them in a fire and take them away. So it was good for them to see that it was only a "costume."

 

Oliver loves the fire truck which was no surprise! He has always been into all kinds of big machines.

Just a side note: Oliver is always willing to get his hands dirty to build and explore new things. He is a builder. The kind way he speaks to people (well usually) builds them up also.

 

 

Here is Oliver with his friends: Grant, Bree and Ella

 

Joy school was a fun adventure but starting in September, Oliver will be going to school (preschool) just like his brother.

 

Thanks for reading our family blog, which is really our family journal. This is the best way for me to record our memories. I have recently realized that this is also family history, "I am doing it my geneology!"

 

Best wishes and lots of love, Sara

 

 

 

 

Owen's an Oompa Loompa - February 2014

Okay lets play a little catch up... 

We don't want to forget the beginning of the year with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Owen was our adorable Oompa Loompa!

He really loved it! This was the first time his school put on a play in years and I was really grateful that Owen got the chance to be part of something so fun. Do we see a future actor in the making? Maybe...  he does have dramatic flare!

 

Here he is getting into character. Kindergarteners and 1st graders could only be Oompa Loompas or squirrels so he choose to be a Oompa Loompa. The Oompa Loompa's had to learn the cutest dance to the Oompa Loompa song. It was so fun to watch!

 

 

 

 

Funny Story Time:

During the performance there was a part where the Oompa Loompas march around with big cardboard candy sticks and lollipops. They were supposed to be in the "background" while the scene was happening toward the front left of the stage. Owen really wanted to see the scene so instead of marching back and forth in the background he decided to march in small circles in the front right side of the stage. Even while walking toward the front of the stage his head was turned backwards towards the scene. Deven, myself and Oliver were sitting way in the back trapped and watching helplessly as Owen almost walked right off that stage! He really came within inches of at least a 4 foot drop. Deven and I had been really nervous but it wasn't till after the play that we found out how nervous everyone else was. One of our best friends was one of the directors and came up to us afterwards with big eyes saying how scared she was that Owen was going to fall off the stage. We didn't know it but there was someone behind the curtain trying to get Owen's attention to stop what he was doing and was finally able to tell him to come back here! We heard from numerous others that we spoke to afterwards that they were worried about Owen too! Ha Ha!

 

 

‘and he thinks we’re just fishing!

Saturday morning daddy and Owen had a great time fishing at a really good friend’s pond.

Check out this awesome 2 1/2 pound bass that Owen caught all by himself! (The only thing dad did was help pull it up onto the shore)

Don’t worry Oliver I am sure daddy will take you fishing next year when you’re a little bit older.

“I’ve never filleted a fish before!”

Owen said on the way home, “Dad! This fish is big enough to feed the whole family!” Thanks Owen for a wonderful dinner Sunday night. The fish was delicious fried up dipped in egg wash and panko bread crumbs, yummy!

Spring break, Easter time 2013 & Oliver’s 3rd birthday

Okay I know you are all thinking Halloween in April, come on Sara! I am still trying to catch up, but fortunately I am putting more recent stuff down as well.

During spring break we went to Science Works. Oliver loves to hang out in the bubble room. He especially loves the bubble maker that forms a bubble all around you. But he kept standing too close to the edge and kept popping the bubble with his bubble booty! 

He is pretty good at making bubbles. Look at that giant one!

Owen, Oliver and Nicholas posing for a few pictures. 

Owen is being silly as always!

Easter Egg hunt at Genevieve’s annual Easter party. It was raining when we arrived at first but luckily it stopped just in time for the egg hunt.

Oliver is always generous and offers me some of his candy. (Probably because it had some weird filling or something). I probably ended up eating half his candy since he didn’t like a lot of it.

I wasn’t joking when I said Oliver is generous. He is always concerned about other people. He is also very polite and says please, thank you and I love you a lot!

Oliver clapping after he got a bean bag in the hole at his birthday party. Daddy painted the cross bones on the boards the night before the party. Yeah Daddy and Oliver!

Oliver is very excited as he waits next to Graham and his family for his turn at the pirate piñata.

Deven was in command of the piñata.

Oliver taking a swing at the pirate hat. “Ahrrr!!!  There be treasure in that pirate hat.” (We filled it with golden peanut butter cups, a favorite of Oliver’s and gold chocolate coins).

Owen was laughing a lot here because dad was jerking up the piñata every time he tried to hit it.

The cake didn’t exactly go with the pirate theme, but we love Costco cake so why not.

Oliver blowing out his 3 candles.

All in all it was a really fun birthday party. It was plenty warm even though it was overcast. Right at the end of the party it started to rain pretty good, but lucky there were only a few things left outside that were really easy to pack up quick. Everyone just ran to their cars and left. It was perfect timing.

Oliver playing with one of his toys after the party. Yeah!

Wait a minute! What did Deven do to his hair! After a less than desirable haircut Deven decided to go bald, but not all at once. He sported a Mr. T haircut for at least half a day.

Easter morning. The Easter bunny decided to bring bunny ears and bunny balloons. These expressions of Owen’s made us laugh.

Oliver was very happy to discover all his goodies.

What was left of Oliver’s birthday cake was had as the treat for Family Home Evening which was Monday, April 1st the night of Oliver’s real birthday.

So I hope you have all enjoyed this blog. I still have to figure out how to insert movies. As far as I can tell now it is done through a You Tube account so I will have to double check my sources.

Love you all!

Oregon Howards