Boise Trip, Part 2

While we were in Boise, we were fortunate to be able to attend Grandma and Grandpa Britschgi's 160th birthday party at Aunt Mary's house. They got a pinata for the kids to whack upon...and Mateo had a great time swinging the bat around...

Nathan could give lessons though in "macking" it...thanks to the skills his dad (who coaches Lukas' Little League Team) teaches him--he is masterful at swinging a bat.

This is a photo of Aunt Mary's exchange student from Japan...who I think finally broke it so the kids could swarm in...

Whenever the cousins are together, we try to take a photo for Papa...This year's theme was baseball...something that the Lamers boys are much more accustomed to.

Smile Mateo...the sooner you smile, the sooner Mom will stop insisting on pictures!

Love from the Aunt of future World Series Players...Sarah

Boise Trip, Part 1

Lukas is getting so big now...and how he loves helping the little boys! He even makes sure to look both ways before crossing the street.

Book club gathered at Marnie's in-laws new cabin in McCall...no, I am not a 6'3" giant...I am merely at the top of a mound of dirt! We missed Kristi Rose, who was home in Virginia sick with bona fide swine flu...(as a side note, make sure to get your vaccinations...it is a terrible illness)!

Rachel brought the boys up to pick up Mateo and me from McCall...this was the dinner waiting entertainment...Scooby Doo on DVD...thankfully!

Miss Ellie Belly loves to make snow angels...even when there is no snow around...can we say "Sand in the Shorts??" :)

Mateo checking out the scene before getting his toes wet.

I can't wait until Christmas (only because that is when I will see my book club friends again!)

Love from Silverton, Sarah

Homer Days with the Cornman Family

So we like to partake in Homer Davenport Days (the town festival...much like the Paul Bunyan days in St. Maries)...this year, we invited our friends the Cornman's to the festivities. Matt and Jared pulled kids in the wagon from home to the city park. This is Ainsley, who frankly prefers to be in the driver's seat!

This is Rhett (cleverly disguised in Batman face paint), Ainsley, and Mateo checking out Bobbie's house (this is the famous dog who got lost and found his way back to Silverton from the midwest)...

Hey Rhett--is there anything in there?

The kids getting close...once they figured out Bobbie was just a statue, not a real dog.

Hopin' you are enjoying the dog days of summer! Harr, Harr, Harr! Sarah

Summer Fun...Nona's Bounty

Nona has an amazing green thumb! Her flowers always make our pale in comparison...and Mateo loves playing in the big back yard. He runs, and runs, and runs!!

A couple of years ago, Dan and Pamela built Nona some raised beds to garden in...and as you can see, she has the touch! She grows everything from summer squash and zucchini to beans to tomatoes to basil and parsley...all the essential ingredients for a "good Italian cook".

Pamela gave Nona a fig tree last year...and this year it is bearing tons of fruit!

Mateo took eight weeks of swimming lessons at the city pool this summer...he went from Parent/Tot, all the way through Pike...he will be ready for Eel next year. (No idea what that actually means, but he's loving water which is a big improvement since last year!) This photo was actually taken in a friends kiddie pool...thanks for capturing his cute smile Erika!

This picture was actually taken at the NAFA campout (see previous post)...and I loved it, so I asked the NAFA newsletter editor to share it. He is so full of joy and fun to be around!

Loving the last few days of sun in Oregon...Sarah

Hiking at Silver Falls State Park

We live amazingly close to the largest state park in Oregon...Silver Falls...where waterfalls abound. If we haven't taken you there when you have come to visit, shame on us. It's fun to go hiking now that Mateo can mostly walk on his own.

I love watching Matt teach Mateo about things in nature. His personality is so inquisitive, and Matt is so patient, explaining the biology behind what he is asking. I've learned a ton (or re-learned a ton as the case may be) by hanging out with them!

Silver Creek, the one that runs through Silverton, has a prominent position in the state park. After we got all hot and sweaty, Matt and Mateo stuck their feet in the creek to cool off.

Mateo's fascination with butterflies (see previous post) continues...

We had to move over on the trail so a dirt mover/trail builder/really cool machine from Mateo's perspective, could go by...lucky for us there was shade to rest in.

Make sure you ask to see the falls when you are in town...we'd love to show them off to you!

Hugs, Sarah & Matt & Mateo