I Got a Job...

...and my blog has suffered the consequences. My teaching job was only three half days at first. Then it became five half days, and on the 24th of January it will be full-time. I'm very glad about it and I'm hoping that I will still be able to keep up with things at home. Here's a smattering of pictures since September:The first day of School for Taylor and me. I'm teaching the upper-grade class at Taylor's school, six miles down the road.A week after school started, Peter and I took the opportunity of a quiet weekend to get away. We left the girls with Heidi and Doug and camped at the mouth of, the appropriately named, Rock Creek. The next day we hiked up the creek for a few miles. We didn't get as far as we had hoped but were happy to make it to this beautiful pool:Lauryn ready for her first day of preschool. She attends the Head Start in Orleans three days a week and loves it.

Late in September, Jenny and James and their two adorable kids, Leo and Annika, came for a visit. This year the weather cooperated and we were able to go rafting.James and I kayaked. Despite the nice weather, it was very cold.

Summer Time...and the living is Easy

I can't believe that summer is coming to an end! School starts tomorrow for Taylor and me--I got a part-time teaching job at Taylor's school--and next week Lauryn will start preschool. Here are some pictures of our summer, which passed all too quickly. The girls at a birthday party.

My summer crafts: making lavender wreaths, wands, and saches.

The girls and I spent nearly every afternoon swimming. We'd go to the pool, pond, or a nearby creek or river.

The Fair! Why is it so much fun to see your children experience the things you loved as a kid?

A ride I've always wanted to try but never have. Taylor loved it.

Finally, a day on the river! We were so busy with guests this year that Lauryn and I didn't raft much.

Peter, teaching Taylor the art of rock-jumping.

Taylor going solo.

June and July

Having uploaded all of these pictures and more on Facebook, I didn't realize how behind I was on my blog. Once again I need to catch up.
Bear LakeIn June the girls and I tagged along with my parents and their friend Andy on a hike to Bear Lake in the Siskiyou Wilderness. It was a 6-mile hike, round-trip. We hit some snow which made our decent to the lake and climb from the lake challenging. It turned out to be an overcast and cool day with patchy sun. My Mom and girls are trying to soak up the warmth while they can.We had fun fishing, catching a fish with every cast. Lauryn got to reel this one in. Her first fish!At this point in the hike, Taylor was saying, "I never ever ever EVER want to do this again." Then she made it to the saddle and sat down on a pointy stick which went through her pants and poked a deep hole in the back of her thigh. We were glad Cathy had a first-aid kit. Taylor now has a scar that will remind her of this day.Bren Visits
Bren came to the ranch for a few days and we had so much fun. I hadn't laughed that much in a while. I took a boat down the class II section with Bren and two MMR staff. Taylor and Lauryn got to go on Peter's boat.Lauryn, enjoying a cold drink at the take out.Trinidad 2010
Our annual trip to Trinidad was a bit different this year. Peter only made it for one day (He was busy with Ranch work), and the girls and I stayed in a tent next to Mom and Dad's cabin. The weather was also unusually sunny, warm, and windy. This meant awful fishing but lots of beach days. We celebrated Taylor's sixth birthday at Bren and Neil's place in McKinleyville with a BBQ, cake, and presents. Bren and Laura made this delicious cake.Taylor had many requests for this birthday cake and Bren did a great job meeting them. She even made pink whipped cream. Yum!This gift was the biggest hit, even with the adults. The morning of our boat ride was foggy, but it was still beautiful and fun. We got to see seals, all kinds of birds, and an otter.We hiked Trinidad Head and this time we made Lauryn walk the whole way. She did a great job. Later in the week I ran these same trails and counted over 20 bunnies!

The top was really windy. My cousin's son, Josh, looked like an inflated wind-man you see at car dealerships.

Taylor, sporting her new sunglasses.

Watching our fireworks on the beach, a new tradition started last year. Happy 4th of July!

More of May

Wildlife Images came down from Cave Junction for the Watershed Ed. Fair at Taylor's school. It was pretty impressive when the presenter took the Bald Eagle out of its box. We see these birds all the time around here, but they're always very impressive close up. We went to the coast and discovered Bounce-A-Palooza in the Eureka Mall. It's similar to Pump it Up except that it's always open to drop-ins. Taylor and Lauryn loved it...and we loved that they slept the whole way home.

After giving Lauryn a cute haircut, she decided to take the scissors to her own hair and did this:

She was pretty embarrassed about it, and we had to wait until she fell asleep to take a picture. Fortunately the way her hair parts naturally covers it up.
Taylor's school came to the ranch for a field trip and they released the trout they had raised into the pond.

Trip to Oregon

At the end of April and beginning of May, my mom and dad drove the girls and me up to see our friends in Philomath, Oregon. Our big outing was taking the kids to the Gilbert House Museum in Salem, where they got to play, play, play. Most of my pictures didn't turn out. Here's Taylor checking out at the "grocery store."Leo, Taylor, Lauryn, and AnnikaBesides the three houses with many fun rooms, they had a great playground area outside.The next day, we left the kids with the grandpas and had a girls outing. We decided to have lunch somewhere the men wouldn't appreciate...

so we went to tea and had cucumber sandwiches and scones with lemon curd. Yum! Karen, Barbie, Cathy, and Jenny

Jenny and James's house was very clean when we showed up. Within ten minutes Lauryn had all the toys out and on the floor. She especially liked this play kitchen area. In this picture she's making "breakfast" for Annika.

Tater, this awesome family dog, adopted Jenny and James a few years ago when he jumped into the back of their truck and wouldn't leave. He's huge and energetic but very gentle with the kids.
There were pheasants all over around their house. What beautiful birds! We enjoyed seeing our friends again and wished we lived closer to each other so that we could get together more often.