2nd Day in Lincoln City

We took a fun walk through the woods to Boiler Bay and threw rocks and sticks off the cliff.  Then went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant and ate donuts down by Moe's. After that we took another walk on the beach to spend time climbing drift wood.

Tide Pools

 I remember going to tide pools as a child and having a good time but not grasping that the rock like stuff I was walking on were animals. I am not sure Clara or John "got it" this trip. They did get the star fish! We saw many crabs stuck in the grasp of starfish. Boy, it was graphic and exciting!

Lincon City

 We were so excited to vacation over in Oregon. We drove up Saturday and stayed with our amazing friends the Greaves. They were exceedingly hospitable and generous all week. Sunday we went to our old ward and saw many good friends. Later that evening the Hoggards invited us for dinner. Madaline made Cuban food and a beautiful, scrumptious cake.
Monday we drove out to the coast. It was a gorgeous day to be at the beach. The children dug castles and made a darling tide pool. They ran in the waves and flew a kite. The weather was cool enough to not go deep but warm enough to have a grand time.

Stink Bug Number 3

I have been waiting and waiting for Margaret to reach this little developmental stage. I did not expect it to happen on the beach. I guess it shows you never know when things will happen. I am glad I was prepared. Here is a link to John's and Clara's!

Crown

Zinnias

Some cheery zinnias that are cut from my Mom's garden.

Zinnias
by Valerie Worth

Zinnias, stout and stiff,
Stand no nonsense: their colors
Stare, their leaves
Grow straight out, their petals
Jut like clipped cardboard,
Round, in neat flat rings.
Even cut and bunched
Arranged to please us
In the house, in the water, they
Will hardly wilt– I know
Someone like zinnias: I wish
I were like zinnias.

Horse Barn

Four, Goodness Sakes!

 John had a fun day! We went to the Bannock County Fair with the Downeys as an activity. We saw goats, baked goods, tall sunflowers, horses, produce, a bloated calf, bad photos, Vanessa's beautiful quilt, and a ventriloquist show! In the photo John is eating a bag of ice-cream that he made by shaking it. The fair was darling, free, and we will go again next year.
 John is so many wonderful things. It is a pleasure to watch him grow. I like the things he creates and I like to see him dance. Aunt Non gave him a card that was a "singing four" and John produced a new dance. When he put on his new backpack he did another new little bounce that compelled me to grab him and hug him to mush. While he was putting on the show the little girls were in the kitchen sneaking cake.
About the cake, John wanted chocolate and rainbow so I did my best to make those desires work. We discovered we were out of candles so we used shish kabob sticks.
Later that night at bed time we talked about his birth and his past birthdays and how he has grown and changed. John brings a lot of honor and love to our family. We couldn't do without him.

An Experience Like No Other

Thursday we went to the Children's parade on the Fort Hall Reservation. It was the kick off to their pow-wow. We saw beautiful princesses, papooses, and darling children on ponies riding bareback. They threw SO much candy. We were also at the front of the parade so I think they were very generous. Whatever candy the children missed a well intentioned man scooped up and gave it to them. I was glad to spend some time with the Warnocks.

Sprinklers

The sprinklers, some bowls, and swimsuits. Done!
Margaret is in that phase where she likes to test her coordination and strength. I have heard it called the phase of maximum effort. She worked really hard learning how to pick up a bowl of water.
Julie once commented about how I cross my toes. I found John doing the same thing.

On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High

Before

I opened my mouth
I noticed them sitting there
as orderly as frozen fish
in a package.

Slowly water began to fill the room
though I did not notice it
till it reached
my ears

and then I heard the sounds
of fish in an aquarium
and I knew that though I had
tried to drown them
with my words
that they had only opened up
like gills for them
and let me in.

Together we swam around the room
like thirty tails whacking words
till the bell rang

puncturing
a hole in the door

where we all leaked out

They went to another class
I suppose and I home

where Queen Elizabeth
my cat met me
and licked my fins
till they were hands again.

D. C. Berry

 

 

My senior English class was like that.
The photos are all of the same plant.  

Higher Up Scout Mountain

 Last time we went up Scout Mountain I had the feeling that I was snooping. This was perhaps because I didn't know exactly where I was going.  This time I knew where to go. We had a great time. The children bounced on logs, picked wildflowers, and waded. Later I asked John if he had a good time and he said "It would have been more fun with friends."  You come too? 

Another Stroller Ride

I love the patterns that happen in family life. Everyone takes turns going through the same stages. It is John's turn to push and Margaret's turn to ride.