Yesterday we went to Redding to do some shopping. The air was smoke filled from the forest fires in the area. This is looking over the bridge crossing Shasta Lake. The fires haven't affected us directly.

It was pleasantly not busy last night at Costco. The kids were able to relax a little.

This is the sun, trying to break through the smoke, when we came out of Costco .

Our weekend away!

Almost 12 years ago(Sept. 4) David and I got married in Seoul, Korea. We came to Grants Pass, Oregon 2 days after getting married. That is where I met David's parents and started planning our future. For our honeymoon David's parents got us three nights at Morrison's Rogue River Lodge. It is located about 20 minutes from Grants Pass, in the woods, along the Rogue River. The stay included a country breakfast and a gourmet dinner. The last night of our stay David's ex-girlfriend from high school was our server. No one knew she worked there until it was to late. It was a little awkward but we all survived.

Well since coming back to this part of the country we have wanted to go back. Since it was cheaper to go in the Spring we decided to celebrate our anniversary a little early. David's mom came and stayed with our children while we got a little rest and relaxation. I think the last time we got away like that was 7 years ago when I was 7 months pregnant with George and we went to Washington DC where David did a presentation for a scholarship he recieved. We also took a detour to NC to quickly visit family. Anyway, that's another story. We are very grateful that Sue was able to help out and give us this time. I have an awesome mother-in-law.

This is one of the bridges that cross the Rogue River in Grants Pass.


This is the view from our table while eating on the deck. We had a wonderful time enjoying the views that we had missed the first time. On our honeymoon we would go into town every day looking for an apartment, so we feel like we missed a lot.



These are the orange rolls that are famous at the lodge. They are really good. I have a goal to come up with a similar recipe and share it with you all. Yum!

Jamaican Chicken Roulade


Pineapple Upside Down Cake
(it was really good, the bottom was crunchy like a cookie)


On Saturday we went to Grants Pass and took a two hour jet boat ride on the Rogue. We have done it a couple of times before but we really enjoy it. The last time we went on it was 11 years ago. My dad, mom, Diannah, and Nancy went with us that time. Nancy was 10. Time flies.


David lost his hat a little later in the ride .

This area is called Hellgate Canyon. In 1964 it flooded all the way up to that fake fence and flower that I put in the picture. It also flooded in 1997 when we lived there but not as much as '64.


This little beach is the backdrop of a scene in the movie "The River Wild". Some of the movie was filmed on the Rogue. The white water scenes were shot in Montana.



On Sunday we stopped in Grants Pass to wish David's dad a Happy Father's day. David's parents own a bakery and work very hard. They are up at 3am.

New Summer haircuts

Callie before

and after

Ginger before

(I added some flower stamps to cover Ginger's belly)
and after

a funny

The other day I was tell Ginger to get something done. I had told her several times. The last time I told her I added, "and that's an order." She looked and me and giggled a little. She said, "Mom this isn't a restaurant."

The last day of school

Carson and Callie

This afternoon we attended Carson and Callie's piano recital. It was held at the First Baptist Church in Mount Shasta. We got out of church at 1pm and it started at 2pm so it was perfect timing. Our Bishop's family had two daughters also playing in it and another girl from church. It was really a nice event and Lucy and Ginger did really well for just having come from church. George was excited after it because he is starting in the Fall.

Callie was nervous all day. She gets really anxious and sick to her stomach. I was a little worried because of how nervous she was but she did great!! This was her first recital in the two years of piano she has had.

Then there's Carson, who is Mr. Calm and Collected. He refused to bring his music and showed no signs of worry. He just stepped right up and did beautifully. The last few days he's been asking for a tux, I think he just wanted to flip the coat tail out before he sat down. This was also Carson's first recital in his three years of piano.

Gas !