"Finger" Painting

Today I was feeling brave and decided to let the kids finger paint in the garage and I told them if you get it on you no big deal. Even going as far to tall them they could use their arms, legs, feet, etc to paint with. Dylan wasted no time and within 5 minutes had pretty much abandoned the paper and started painting himself. He started putting paint on his belly so I told him he should try to put it from his belly onto the paper...he thought that was funny but he tried it anyways. They had forks and straws, some sponges, and one paintbrush. They had so much fun. He was blue from the waist down, plus his belly and a little on the back. Ally kept her painting to her ankle then decided to spread it up her whole leg eventually. It was fun and a great success, I think I can do this more the mess really wasn't so bad!

Beautiful Butterflies

We went outside today to enjoy some of the warm weather and let the kids ride their bikes. While sitting and watching the kids I noticed my Cat Mint bush COVERED in these little butterflies. There were at any given time more than 20 or so. I pointed them out to the kids and they were as fascinated as I was. We sat and watched them for awhile, then I tried to catch some pictures of them. Here are some of the better ones. Enjoy!

Hot Air Balloons!

Tonight we went to the Art and Air Festival in Albany, at Timber Linn Park. We got there and went to the kids area first. They kids got to play with bubbles for awhile and then Ally decided she wanted to work on a fish windsock.

So Ally and I went over to color while Dylan proceeded to go through the kiddie maze for about 15 minutes straight. Then he came over with Daddy to color his own fish windsock.

Ally finished while Dylan was still coloring and she decided to make herself a necklace. She did very well with threading the beads onto the string! Then back to the maze a few more times together. After we left the kiddie area Daddy took the windsocks to the car and was going to get the blanket and his chair to claim our spot for the Night Glow and laser light show. Ally, Dylan, and I went to get a bottle of water and then on to the playground area to meet up with Daddy. After playing for a bit, we decided to go and check out the rest of the art fair displays. We meandered for awhile then went back to the playground to play a little more. After playing on the over-full playground a little more we decided to go find our seats and get ready for the night glow show. The Night Glow was awesome. They had 6 Hot Air Balloons that they blew up and kept tethered to the ground and they kept firing them up to light up the area....the kids LOVED it!

They would do a countdown from 5 and Ally when everyone else got to 2 she would yell blast off! It was adorable! She was positively glowing the whole night! The laser light show was cool, but it was getting late and the kids were sleepy so we decided it was time to head home. Holy traffic trying to get out of there! But we survived and got the kids home and in bed and they were both asleep within 5 minutes.....like I said it was late! Here is the link to the festival....if you want more info!

http://www.cityofalbany.net/parks/nwaaf/

Home Sweet Home

We made it home safe and sound. We spent the night last night in Redding, California. Woke up grabbed some breakfast and made our way home to Albany. At one rest area we stopped at to have a bathroom break this woman kept looking at me, but I was trying to hurry Dylan along so I didn't think much of it. As I was loading the kids in the car, this same woman came over carrying an outfit. She told me they were on a really long road trip and she had tried to put her son in this outfit and he refused to wear it. She was wondering if I would like it for Dylan, she was trying to make more room in her car for all the inevitable road trip car stuff. So Dylan has a new summer outfit for next summer. We made it! Now to get some sleep! Talk to you all soon!!!

Coming Home

We leave today at noon and head towards home. We will stop to sleep for the night somewhere North of Sacramento. Then pick up in the morning and head back to our small town of Albany. I tell you I truly believe that there are more cars in the LA area then all of Oregon! It will be nice to be home but we will miss our time here is California where the beach is 5 minutes away! It has been fun! But we are ready to see Daddy and our friends at home. We love you all! And a HUGE THANK YOU to Natalie and the boys for all their hospitality!