Rachel, Charlie, and McKay

Rachel wasn’t able to post this video so here it is.  This is what happens when you bring a bunch of Arizonians to the Oregon beach:

In June we had the pleasure of having my sister Emily, her 5 kids, and my mom here for a week. It was a great 30th birthday present to me.  Although it was a bit hot, we had fun at the splash pad, the Children’s Museum, playing games at home, shopping, and doing headstands in the front room. I’d have to say, Mom, aka Grandma, is still pretty good at those headstands.

Headstand contest

McArthur cousins

Last week we returned home from our vacation to Oregon. We made the long trek north and were so thankful that we had a mini van with room to stretch in, and a DVD player. The boys were great travelers and the drive wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be.

McKay watching a movie in the car

Sammy cranking his head trying to watch the movie

On our way through California we drove through the Redwood Forest and saw the enormous, beautiful redwood trees. We also stopped in southern Oregon and saw Crater Lake. It was created after the volcano erupted and the sunk the top of the mountain. It is the deepest fresh water lake in the US and is amazingly blue. It was gorgeous!

McKay climbing the redwoods

Boys inside a burnt out redwood

Crater Lake

Beautiful Crater Lake

We had a great time with the Allens in Oregon, besides the temperatures were AMAZING!!! Literally the weather was 40-50 degrees cooler than here in Arizona. We spent most of the time outdoors and it was hard to get McKay to come in for anything. It felt great! We also had a wonderful time at the Fleming family reunion just south of Portland. We stayed in cabins and enjoyed the outdoors and the river behind the lodge.  One afternoon we also spent at the beach near Lincoln City. It was pretty darn cold, but the men braved the polar bear plunge. The women, on the other hand, bundled up and enjoyed the sun. All in all, it was a wonderful vacation and we can hardly believe how fast it came and went. We hate saying goodbye to family (and cool weather)!

Bundled up for cooler weather in the woods

Swinging outside the lodge

Playing in the river

Charlie & siblings swimming in the freezing river

Polar Bear Plunge Pep Talk

Reading on the beach

McKay loves his grandpa

On the beach

Just a few random summer pictures!

Cool dude

Weirdos

McKay chatting with the lion at the mall in Portland

Funny McKay

Sambo - as Charlie calls him

I don’t know what’s happened to my sweet little McKay. He has been so naughty and testy lately. It seems like every time I say, “No,” he does whatever it was again just because. I have a stash of toys that I’ve taken away from him, on top of the bookshelf. Yesterday he dumped the pitcher of fruit punch on the floor so we could use the pitcher to make apple juice. Then about 10 mins later I turn around and he’s “riding” Sammy with his arms around Sammy’s neck. As soon as I get mad and scold him, he says, “Sorry Mommy, sorry Mommy,” which tells me he knows exactly what he’s doing. Maybe it’s the “terrible two’s” or maybe it’s cabin fever. Whatever it is, AHHHH! I hate how I feel after getting mad at him and I’m tired of sending him to timeout. He has a chart on which he can get “smiley faces” if he’s good, but it only works sometimes. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

Tonight I read McKay the story about Jonah and the “big fish.” He’s been intrigued by fish and water lately so he enjoyed the story. We read it a few times. We swallowed Jonah together then spit him out.
However, when it was time for bed he wanted me to hold him because he was “scared, big fish.” He kept repeating, “scared, big fish; scared, big fish.” I told him, “The big fish won’t eat you,” as he responded, “No! Scared, big fish.” I’m glad to see him likening the scriptures unto himself at such an early age.

Sam is now 4 months old  and is a whoppin’ 20 pounds.  He is so smiley and has a cute little laugh. We sure love every ounce of him!

We of course love our McKay too! He keeps us laughing.