Lewis and Clark State Park, berry picking, and tractor rides

While in Washington, we went to the Lewis and Clark State Park. They have this neat old building called the Jackson House. We went to see what it was all about. The house was not open to the public but we could walk around it.

Emilia and Steve pose by the sign

Look! A picture of me with Tristan! Notice the big prego belly...Hi baby girl.

The Jackson house. It was renovated since it was falling down when the State aquired it. The original house was larger but this is all they could save.

Emilia helped her grandma pick some berries. They were not ripe yet and a little tart but Emilia had fun picking them.

YUMMY berries!

Grandma showing Emilia which ones to pick.Emilia picking berries.
Taking a break to taste the berries.

Tristan is such an outdoors kid. He loves to be outside as long as he does not have to sit in the grass. He hates that part of it!

On daddy's shoulders and happy!

The only picture of him sitting in the grass, smiling. All the others were of him crying.

He is a John Deere boy! He loved Papa's tractor and did not want to get off.

Emilia got to ride Papa's tractor too and as soon as I find the little camera, I will upload pictures. She LOVED it! Every time she heard a tractor, she thought it was Papa coming into the barn.

Going to the farm...

We went to Washington State to visit Steve's parents for about a week. It was a nice drive out there, about 12 hours, and Emilia learned all about alfalfa, sweet corn, potatoes, and peas. We had a great visit and Steve even got to help a little with putting up the hay.

Emilia, the movie star!

Emilia and Steve on the farm Emilia playing on the trailer

Tristan and Papa

The World's Largest Egg in Winlock, Washington
We went to the park on the 4th of July. Emilia was pounding on the drum while singing the Kenny Chesney song "Out Last Night."
Tristan wanted to join in on the fun too!

Just like mom used to make!

I was craving Zucchini bread so I enlisted Emilia's help today to make some. She loves to help mommy in the kitchen! We used my mom's recipe but doubled the amount of zucchini and trippled the amount of cinnamon. It is so tasty! Emilia has had two pieces so far. YAY for making something with veggies that she likes! :)

4 cups of grated zucchini Emilia helping stir the batter
It made 2 loaves
YUMMY!

Here is the recipe:

3 large eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups white sugar

4 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium)

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups all purpose flour

3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped nuts

Beat eggs until foamy and light. Add oil, sugar,zucchini, and vanilla - mix well.

Add flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nuts.

Pour into 2 9x5x2 loaf pans or 1 bunt pan.

Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees.

The trip home...

While in California, we aquired a new dog. His name is Dexter, he is about 10 years old, and belonged to my parents. Since they are moving to Panama, we said we would take Dexter. He is a sweet dog and the kids absolutly love him. He rode in the car very well...as did the kids. :)

Tristan-tuckered out!

Emilia-catching some ZZZZZs!Our new dog-Dexter

We stayed in Layton, Utah overnight since the drive is about 18-19 hours. The kids were so tired! The hotel did not have a port-a-crib so we got inventive...we pushed one of the beds against the wall and Tristan slept there with me, Steve slept on the other bed with Dexter, and Emilia slept on a make-shift bed on the floor. We all got much needed sleep.

Tristan-all cozy in bed

Emilia-cuddling my old cabbage patch doll

Dexter-making himself at home on the second bed

Pictures at Legend's Burgers

We went to Legend's Burgers in Glendora for dinner one night. My parents, Mike, Terri, Aidan, Kaylea, Zion, Zoe, and Lexie met us there. They have some oversized sports equipment outside that was a great place to take some pictures.

Emilia

TristanZion
Zoe and Lexie

Aidan