Rainbow Trout Fishing

Evan had his FIRST EVER experience with fishing - and it was so much fun for all of us! Thank you to Melissa (from MOMS Club) for posting about this place. It was a huge hit for both my boys (and a co-worker of Ryan's).

Rainbow Trout Farm - 7 miles east of Sandy, OR. We brought nothing because you don't have to! They provided the rod, bait, bucket and net. They even clean and "gut" your fish for you! You just pay for what you catch (but be careful, whatever you catch you have to keep! We paid $30 for 4 fish). Aside from the expense, this experience was well worth the cost! It was beautiful day, and I got to see my son do something completely new - and ENJOY every bit of it! (including the fish "parts" that were gutted - eeewwwww)

Fascinated, but grossed-out at the same time. (hooking the worm)

Reeling him in!

"Look Mom - my FIRST fish!"

Fish Hatchery

Sunday, we decided to take a drive to the gorge. We'd never taken Evan to Bonneville Dam's Fish Hatchery, because last time we drove out there, we were on the wrong side of the river! Multnomah Falls was JAM PACKED, so we happily passed by and headed to the hatchery. Yes, there were a lot of people there, but it was comfortable and didn't feel crowded. Our highlights were: feeding the rainbow trout, "Herman", the 10-foot long white sturgeon (Evan was fully engrossed with him and must have looked through the window for at least 20 minutes at his gills), and the perfectly warm and breezy day. We even stopped for pizza beforehand. We loved the pace of this day - it was so relaxed and happy!


Daddy showing Evan that sturgeon aren't scary

Rainbow Trout feeding frenzy

Pretty fountain

Mommy & Ev jammin' out

Happy Birthday Evan! (Phase 2)

Sunday (Evan's actual birthday), July 6th - we had a "cousins" party at Big Al's. Guests included: Mariah & Chante (mel's nieces), Anthony & Linnet (ryan's niece and nephew), Natalie & Sydney (mel's cousins' twins) and Haley (mel's cousin's daughter). The kids got one hour of bowling, followed by pizza, soda, cake AND $5 each in arcade money. It was a lot of fun!! Though it was a spendy place to have a party, I highly recommend Big Al's. Everything went so smoothly, and our party hostess was really on top of things. Most of all, it looked like the kids completely enjoyed themselves!

And now, a note to my son:
Evan Noel Edwards - I love you more than I can humanly express. You are the love of my life, and I can never "get enough" of you. Before you even entered this world, you were wanted, prayed for, and LOVED. Out of all the dreams I have for you, it is most important to me that you feel this same love for your child one day. It fills my heart and soul to be your Mommy, and I will love and cherish you every single day of my life.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fun On The Fourth

Evan with cousins Peyton and Lindsey

Evan & Peyton's silly faces

Mmmmm....

First time with sparklers

Last night we headed to Oregon City, hosted by Michele (Ryan's cousin) and her husband Braden - a yummy BBQ and firework celebration. They set up 3 tents, a jump house for the kids, and an ENORMOUS array of bbq ribs, chicken, and all the trimmings. It was such a relaxing and fun time spent with family - and Evan really enjoyed the "kid" fireworks at the end. We got home at midnight, and thankfully the people in our neighborhood really didn't make any noise past that! This turned out to be a GREAT 4th!

Happy Birthday Evan! (Phase 1)

Jeri made the AWESOME and delicious cake!

Pensive but happy look, as we were singing.

WHOA!!!


Thursday, July 3rd - first celebration for Evan's 4th birthday! Fisher Basin Park - playgroup friends, preschool friends and neighborhood friends. The weather was perfect (I was stressing early morning b/c of the thunderstorms we had all night!). I hope everyone had a good time - and we (Evan, Ryan and I) are SO grateful for all of the super-cool gifts that our generous friends gave to Evan! THANK YOU! And to Jeri who made the fabulously beautiful cake and cupcakes - YOU ROCK!

Science Project

Yesterday afternoon - 2:00 - the time of day when I either need to GET UP and GET OUT, or take a nap. I asked Evan if he wanted to find an art project at Michael's, and he gleefully responded "Yes!" We ended up with a make-your-own bouncy ball set (even age-appropriate, which surprised me).

How totally fun! The set ($6.99) came with two ball molds, and multiple color packets of some miscellaneous substance that you pour into the mold. After filling the mold, simply immerse in water for 60 seconds. Afterwards, let it sit for 3 minutes, then pry open the mold to find your new, brightly colored (and sticky) bouncy balls! I rinsed off the balls, and they were just fine - even bouncy!

Evan had a blast doing this - he even said to me, "Mommy, are we science men?" I said, "You mean scientists? Yes!"

Jekyll & Hyde

This morning was a "challenge" to put it nicely. We tried out a new park close to home, which was in itself just fine. Then, we decided to take a walk around the perimeter trail - and it all went DOWNHILL from there. We're talking: whining, disobeying, running with sticks, talking back, kicking dirt, crying, etc. I'm surprised I remained relatively sane, because I really just wanted to run away, hide under a bench and scream bloody murder!

Then this afternoon. Sweet, peaceful and affectionate. We napped together for the first time in at least a couple of weeks (we're graduating from naps, did I mention?). But after waking up over an hour earlier than normal this morning, and the behavior that ensued at the above-mentioned park - there was no question he WOULD be napping today.

And nap he did - 2 and a half hours! Why must he be a complete devil-child one part of the day, and an innocent angel the rest???? Here's a picture of the "good" part.