Boating

Our big 5 year old with his birthday treat - a whole can of pop, haha. He is learning to love the water and boating like his daddy.

He's got a great seat!

As Aspen gets older, we are working on establishing traditions for birthdays and other holidays. For Aspen's 5th birthday, Mark took him out sturgeon fishing for the afternoon the day before his birthday (since it was the weekend), and then out to McDonalds for dinner to get a happy meal.

It was beautiful and there were tons of boats on the water. They had a blast together. Funny thing is that when I turned 5, McDonalds was the restaurant of choice for my birthday.



Another boat trip

There's no place Mark loves more than the water.

Enjoying the ride through downtown.

23 weeks pregnant
We anchored near the St. Johns bridge for dinner and to watch the sunset.

This goose stayed with us the entire time we were anchored for dinner. As you can see, he was rewarded for it :)

This was one brave goose.

Mark and I were able to take the boat out for dinner on the water during one of the 80 degree days we had this last week. It was just beautiful and so relaxing. It really felt like summer, especially with the chicken sausages, cucumber salad and chips we had for dinner. Summer food!

I love taking the kids out on the water with us, but there is something so rejuvenating about listening to the water quietly lap against the boat, watch the sunset and just enjoy the scenery without the chaos of kids in a small enclosed space.

Happy Birthday Aspen!

I can hardly believe that Aspen is five years old already. Times goes too fast! He is a great, protective big brother, smart and questioning just like his dad (worries and drives me crazy at times!), and is incredibly loving and challenging all at the same time. He has recently started an outdoor preschool class, and I heard through the grapevine that his teachers were "impressed with his character". Nothing makes a mom more proud and encouraged! Although I may not always see it at home, others do!

Aspen's birthday fell on a Monday this year so because of that and the fact that I had to work that day, we celebrated his birthday the Saturday before. Aspen was very excited to wake up to the kitchen decorated for his Batman themed birthday complete with blue and black balloons and a Batman table cloth. We started the day off with traditional cinnamon rolls and Saturday morning cartoons.

Later in the afternoon, his party started. We invited 5 of his friends and took them to the Clackamas Aquatic Park for a couple hours, and then back to our house for pizza, pop, ice cream cake and presents.

Aspen showing off his birthday cinnamon roll - our family tradition!

On our way to the Aquatic Park with a car full of excited boys - Aspen and Adam in the back and Isaac and Luke in the front. In the locker room after swimming the boys were telling Mark, "this was the best day of our lives!"

Luke and Isaac getting into the water...still a little timid. By the end, they were both going down the slide (in the shallow area) and playing with Aspen and Adam in the wave pool.

Adam and Aspen, on the other hand, didn't waste any time running into the wave pool and wading out as far as possible.

Luke, Journey and Isaac hanging out in the shallow area. It was quite the challenge keeping track of all 6 kids!

Ahhh, boys. It's impossible to get a good picture without some major bribing (or threats!).

The lone, brave girl, Aspen's friend Sofia.

Aspen got some great gifts, batman toys and Legos! He's been playing with them every day since :)

It was a blast and I think Aspen will have great memories of the day for years to come.

Salmon!

Whoo hoo! Mark's first salmon of the season! I love fresh salmon and was seriously doubting whether we would see any this season. Mark has definitely put the hours in over the past month or two. Way to go sweety!