To The River

We headed to the Deschutes River last weekend, with a bunch of great families - 5 other families to be exact, for a weekend getaway and some Central Oregon fun.

We went to South Junction, to the Trelstad's house(s) to...

...go on great walks...
...view beautiful scenery...
...go on adventure walks...
...capture smiling faces...
...find treasures on the tracks (promise we were safe)...
...relax and play games...
...sit on tractors...
...hang out with great friends...
...and splash in muddy puddles...

All and all it was a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

My Heart is Hurting

Ugh...

I just read about a 6.1 magnitude after shock that rattled Haiti today and feel sick to my stomach. There capital city is in shambles already and here is another blow. I feel for all of the families struggling over there and have had many thoughts and dreams of adopting some Haitian orphans. It just makes me so sad and can not watch on clips on t.v. or internet for I start crying - so, I will just keep to reading articles online.

So, you ask, what can you do to help the situation. Besides, prayers, of course, there are many organizations to donate money and/or needed items to. We donated to the Red Cross and Xander is donating some of his sick leave from work to a nurse, at his hospital, who is heading out there for a month to help out.

We will probably donate again... but in case YOU are wondering what you can do, here is a list of trust-worthy organizations:

*Red Cross

*Mercy Corp

*Doctors Without Borders

*Partners in Health

Please donate your money/supplies to one of the above organizations and make a difference in someone's life. Any amount will help!

Best of 2009

As the new year approached, we found ourselves coming up with the "Best of 2009" list.  We didn't discuss the "Best of 2009 music or movies or books", but rather the Best of 2009 family style.

This is what we came up with:

I think Elliot was thinking of Florida.  Though he talked about adding the Cubs, baseball and Chicago to his list, he decided he didn't want to write anymore.

Miles colored as we wrote and repeated everything bro-bro said.   However, if I were to write his list, I think it would include bro-bro, daddy snuggles, mommy kisses, trains, legos, FOOD and of course, The Nee-Nee (blanket.)