6/26/11 Bubble Gum Tasters = Gross

Today we drove home along the coastal highway 101. We stopped at the Tillammok Cheese Factory that I remember going to when I was in junior high school on our family vacation along the coast. I got a really cute stuffed animal cow there. Which I think my mom has... Anyway I remember thinking the tour of the factory was neat. You get to see how the cheese is made. Well, kind of. Then you get to sample different kinds of cheeses. the cheese curds are salty, squeaky, and gross. Then you get to eat ice cream. Yum! There were about a million people there. We went through the entrance to get a free sample of some pink bubble gum ice cream that Jason and I both thought tasted like Pepto Bismol and promptly turned around and threw them in the trash. Ethan ate most of his. I don't know how he managed. It really was horrible. Then we went on the self-guided tour and it was fun. We ate samples and got ice cream. Success. it was fun. But now that we've done it I don't think we will be rushing back there. It was still a fun experience.

I am thankful for our cheese factory tour!

kk

6/25/11 Kyllo's

For dinner this evening we went to Kyllo's in Lincoln City. I like this restaurant because it has a great view of the ocean and the food is reasonably priced and tasty. We were so excited to find that this weekend was the Kite Festival so there were tons of people flying their show and stunt kites on the beach. We got to see some gigantic kites shaped liked squid and some kites that were so strong in the wind that they were pulling their operators along the beach with them. The sky was full of wiggling tentacles and many different colors. It was definitely a nice surprise that we enjoyed watching all through dinner and on the drive.

I am thankful we were here for the Kite Festival.

kk

6/24/11 Goofy, Animals, or Ninja? Definitely Ninja!

I loved doing Mad Libs as a kid. I really wanted to bring them on our trip. I thought we would have a fun time. Jason went along with it but I think he felt I was a little obsessed with how badly I wanted them. I think I talked about it on several occasions when discussing camping. But hey, they are fun. I know this because I bought some and brought them. It was buy two get one free at Barnes and Noble so I got the three I thought would be best that also weren't advertising some Disney product or television cartoon show. Of course we decided to do the ninja ones. They were hilarious and we laughed so much tonight. I am glad we got them because they were a real hit.

I am thankful for fun Mad Libs.

kk

6/23/11 Going, Going, Gone

We arrived in Beverly Beach and set up camp. We are ready for a fun weekend. The campsite is lacking in privacy but it has super awesome showers and good bathroom facilities, which are nice for 6-year-olds and for adults with 6-year-olds. I'm used to camping in the woods with no facilities. You dig a hole to go to the bathroom and you don't shower. Roughin' it. And you don't have a bunch of other people looking at you from ten feet away. This is going to be an interesting experience. We almost left to try and find something else, but I'm glad we decided to stay. We've already paid for the weekend and we'll just know for next time. I'm sure it will be fine. The amazing thing about the Beverly Beach campground is Beverly Beach. You walk a short distance, under 101, and you arrive at an incredible beach that isn't very populated. I think the only people who were there were people from the campsite. The beach and setting sun greeted us through the 101 bridge making a gorgeous picture. We listened to the waves and felt the wind on our faces as we watched the sun set. It was fantastic.

I am thankful for a beautiful sunset this evening.

kk

6/22/11 They Always Come Super Early

I hardly ever get to see them because they come while we are all sleeping. But it makes me really happy when I see a street cleaner. And I like when the streets have been cleaned recently. I find it kind of a silly concept to wash a street. And they only really clean the sides of the street and if there is a car there, they just drive around it and don't worry about that area. I'm not sure of the reasoning behind washing the streets. They only use water as far as I know and big rotating brushes. Is it just to try and cut down on dust? I don't think it does anything for oil spots from cars parked there. And it isn't like they really use a lot of water so the streets aren't even really clean. Just kind of damply brushed. The car/machine reminds me of a Zamboni. And really that is one of the best things about watching any sport that takes place of ice too. Just a big machine that drives around in circles spraying water. Funny. I like them. This morning I saw that my streets had just been cleaned and it made me happy. How do they decide when to clean the streets? Is there a normal schedule? Do they only come at specific times of year? Does it depend on how many dry days we've had? It always seems to be random so I'm not sure how the city decides to clean the streets. Also, is it a necessary expense? It seems like that is something they could cut from the budget. Not that I'm suggesting it. Then those people would be out of a job and I wouldn't have fun wet streaks down my nicely cleaned street. But I just don't understand the purpose of it. Does anyone know?

I am thankful for street cleaners!

kk

6/21/11 Longest Day of the Year

Today is the first official day of summer. Hooray! Bring on the sunshine. No, really, I'm ready for a good long summer. I'm tired of being cold and making fires in months where that is really just silly.

I am thankful for the summer season starting today!

kk

6/20/11 Oh, You Want a Snack?

Erika once commented that my refrigerator only held condiments. That is a pretty accurate description. Luckily since we are going camping soon I had some food that I purchased for the trip. Ethan wanted a snack and I was really only able to offer cheese and crackers. Which he was delighted with. But I shall have to actually purchase some food I guess to have here for when he is over. I don't think he wants a box of chicken stock, canned tuna or some really old Grape Nuts. And I really only have water as a beverage which he is less than thrilled with. What are some good snacks for kids that are healthy? That don't spoil super fast? I think nothing. I will have to do some more thinking.

For the time being, I am super thankful that I did have some snacks handy for today.

kk

6/19/11 Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to everyone! My dad lives in Anchorage currently. I am glad that he is able to come down to the lower 48 and visit us when he can. And I'm glad that he is usually able to do it a few times a year. One is usually happenstance and then he is usually able to come down around Christmas which is nice. He has always helped me when I truly needed it. Thanks dad.

I am thankful for my dad.

kk

6/18/11 Miss Scarlet in the Conservatory with the Lead Pipe

Barb introduced us to many good movies when she was in high school. We didn't have TV growing up so we missed out on seeing things that they played and so our friends ended up introducing us to lots of things. I remember going over to Caroline's house to watch Friends and the Real World. My grandma recorded Animaniacs for us and sent it home with my mom at the end of the week. Barb brought home Bill Cosby: Himself, an accidental recording of a comedy show, Tremors, and Clue.

I have been telling Jason about Clue and wanted to rent it. Lucky for all of us that it was on sale at Barnes and Noble so I purchased it and we watched it today. Well, Ethan and I watched it. Jason fell asleep. But not to worry, I will get him to watch it another time. It was still funny and Ethan liked it a lot.

I am thankful for the movie Clue. You should watch it.

kk

6/17/11 Water Fun

Today Jason and Ethan met me in Vancouver at Esther Shore Park. Ethan played in the water feature they have there and it was quite fun. It was a very hot and sunny day and so it was very nice to feel the misty spray from the water as we sat and watched him. They Jason held him in some cascading waterfall thing and then they decided it would be much fun to get me in there. At least Jason took his shirt off for when he went in. He just got me wet in all my clothes. Boys. But I didn't really get that wet so it was just fun instead of turning grumpy. We had a really good time and then went for ice cream. Where I had a coupon so it was super great!!

I am thankful for such a fun day in the sun and water. With ice cream!

kk

6/16/11 Pomp and Circumstance

Today was graduation. The past few years I have gone I froze. I was prepared this year. I wore several layers and brought both a fleece blanket and a snuggie. Other years I have sat in the back of the open air amphitheatre and this year I was helping out with names so I sat closer up. It was much warmer and I didn't even need any of my blankets. Then I wished I hadn't been schlepping them around all day. But it is much better to be warm than still cold. Gathering names was fun and the speaker this year was very good. We had a moment of silence for Alex and one student ripped off their graduation cap and gown after having their name announced to show their batman costume underneath. Pretty funny guy. He was in one of the classes I interpreted in and I like him. There were two little birds that couldn't fly trying to find one another from opposite sides of the stage. Chirping through the speech. It was nice to see them reunited when they finally got there. We went out for some food afterwards and I had a good time with my fellow co-workers. It was freezing outside once the graduation was done so I was glad that part didn't last too long. It was a good graduation. Especially since the speaker was good. Last year we didn't have someone very inspiring so I was happy this lady actually had something good to say.

I am thankful for a good an fun graduation tonight.

kk