Oregon

Matt's mom came to spend the last week with us. While she was here she decided that she needed to go home to Oregon and be with Grandpa Red for a while. Since we are only 4 1/2 hours away we decided to drive her up there and spend the weekend.

We absolutely love Oregon. It is so beautiful! The rolling hills, and the amazing trees are never ending. Austin and Easton wanted Grandpa to show them how to pan for gold in Galls Creek. When Grandpa was growing up his mother, Grandma Gertie, used to pan for gold and was able to feed her family. She never got rich, but she was able to meet their needs.

The boys thought that they were going to strike it rich! Grandpa gave them a few lessons and they did find a few tiny flecks, but nothing worth saving. Being that we are so close now we might have to make another trip up there soon! It was great being able to visit with Grandpa and other family members while we were there. The kids love being able to run through the fields and up and down the creek. Matt loves watching the kids do the same things that he did on the very same farm when he was young.

80th Birthday

Grandpa Mel turned 80 on September 28th. My grandma planned a "surprise" (grandma had to tell him because he was going to head to Idaho, so grandma had to get him to stay home!) party for him, so we decided to drive to Utah to be there. Grandpa has always been such a constant in my life. For as long as I can remember Grandpa has been there. He has always made such a point to be at every important event in my life. He has taught me so many things and I count him as someone that I definitely look up to. I have been blessed to have him in my life and in the lives of my children. I love him dearly and was glad that we were able to travel and be there with him on his day.

While we were there we had an impromptu BBQ at my dads barn.

(One of my new favorite pictures)

Family Pictures

Why is it that we try to squeeze everything we possibly can into one short weekend?!? While we were in Utah for Grandpa Mel's 80th birthday we decided to get family pictures done with the Schofield family. That is always a major production, with 20 grandkids 13 and under who would expect anything less? While we were all dressed we snapped some of our family and the kiddos. They are not my favorite, but as Matt puts it I only have one chance a year so this is it!

There's Gold in Them There Hills

The boys are fascinated with the fact that there might be gold in the mountains and the streams around here. Matt, who is always in for an adventure, went and bought some gold pans and we set off to strike it rich! There happens to be three waterfalls that flow in a little canyon behind our house so we decided to hike up there and give it a shot. The kids loved it! We did find little flecks of color, but nothing major. Austin is still waiting for the big nugget to come flowing his way!

Virginia City

We are loving being able to explore our new city and surrounding areas.

We took a short drive to the old mining town of Virginia City.

We walked the old wood-planked sidewalks.

Locked a few kids in jail.

(Unfortunately they wouldn't keep them!)

Watched a parade.

Witnessed a Civil War battle.

Discovered every type of candy known to man.

Ate lunch at the local saloon.

And had a fabulous time!

Lake Tahoe

Since moving to Carson City we have fallen in love with Lake Tahoe. We try to spend as many Saturdays up there as we can. The lake is absolutely beautiful, the sand is great, the water is refreshing, and the crawdad hunting is a blast. The best part of all is that it is only 25 minutes from our door to the beach!