so...this is all about me, dianne

no pictures, just words, sad words, my first cavity "official cavity" ever in my life. yes, just days before my 35th birthday i have my first ever official cavity. had it not been for technology maybe it wouldn't have been detected. a "dark spot" on my last molar was laser beaten and came out compromised, so we have to do a filling. the only other filling i've had was after i broke a tooth and had to have it repaired, the filling ended up failing and had to be replaced, the result of the failure was a bit of decay on the tooth "a cavity" but i don't count that one.
so, sad day for me and my teeth....anyone else in the club w/me? even as a kid, no cavities...ever. dentists ask me why, i have no idea. guess i'm starting to deteriorate, getting to that "age."

Our Vegetable Garden

Zucchini Squash
Evelyne's Peas

The Arugula and Greens Bed

Garden view, 10 tomato plants, cantaloupe, zucchini, cucumber, green beans, peas and basil

Gilbert in the tomato / bean "jungle"

Roma Tomatoes...coming soon!

Our garden is flourishing! It has been fun for the kids to go just about every day and see things growing / changing and picking produce. Evelyne planted peas and of course eats them as she picks them....and the cherry tomatoes; we've only had a few, but rarely have they made it home. From seed we planted the lettuce bed, green beans and peas. Everything else we had starts for. A fellow gardener gave me 5 tomato plants...I was never intending on having 10 but it just worked out that way. So, we'll be busy in a couple of weeks making sauces and eating all things tomato.

Our arugula was attacked by a "flea beetle" yes it looks just like it sounds and jumps. I bought some organic spray to get rid of them, we'll see if it works. it's funny all other lettuces are unscathed, just the arugula has shotgun holes through the entire leaf.

One bad thing; our gardens seem to be getting raided at night. We have some thieves coming through stealing produce. My basil plant was stolen right out of the ground.....bummer.

Family Camping trips Summer 2009

Inside the tee pee at Kahneeta
Gilbert outside in our green space between our tee pees

Playing putt putt golf was a highlight!

The cousins, Evelyne, Camryn, Gilbert, Spencer, Grayson & Henry, baby Emery in the back(Brantley not pictured)

Our cabin at Fishermen's Bend near Detroit Lake

Uncle Gabe kayaking with Gilbert

Evelyne, Grandma Gigi, Dianne and Gabe Fishing!

Family photo, Patrick, Sarah, Larry, Gigi (holding Sampson)Dianne & Gilbert, Sadie & Evelyne, Nathan (Gabe not pictured)


We've had two great camping trips this summer. First, we went to Kahneeta with the Knight/Seehawer clan and rented 3 tee pees. They were fabulous, huge inside so lots of room for stuff. There was a great swimming pool for the kids, golfing, relaxing and we even got to see a traditional native american salmon bake and dancing. A very easy "camping" trip and so fun to see all the cousins together...8 now!

The second trip was to Fishermen's Bend near Mill City / Detroit Lake with the Kelley/Knight/Johnson/Badua Clan. We rented a couple of cabins and spent most of our days in the sun. It was HOT but near the water was nice and cool. We went fishing on the canoe and took turns in the kayaks. A nice time to visit and soak up some much needed rays!

At Evelyne's preschool after the graduation party.
Walking; oh the beginnings of many more....

Evelyne and her teacher Lynda

I'm totally out of order, this all took place a couple of months ago, however, just got the photos back from Costco and had to post them. Evelyne's preschool graduation from Valley Christian Preschool. She loved going there. Gilbert gets to go starting next year...yahoo!

Lovely Lincoln City

Gilbert and Evelyne at Pirates Plunder!
Having fun with grandma

Our fun stay at the Hale Kai

At the Aquarium

Had to stop at Rogue for some great beer!

Silly Evelyne

Adventuring with Gilbert

We were fortunate to have a spur of the moment vacation at Roads End in Lincoln City this past week. The kids and I went down first with my mom and spent time on the beach which was a bit cold and foggy until the late afternoons. We spent a day in Newport visiting the Oregon Coast Aquarium and weird little shops along the way. Don't know if any of you have ever been to them, there's a big "Pirate's Plunder" shop at the beginning with lots of antiques / collectibles and the kids got to select from the treasure chest if they were good in the store. That was a big hit. After that we went to Rogue Brewery for Lunch and had tasty beer and sausage soup, and a couple of pints of their special Honey Orange Wheat and Hazelnut Brown Ale...yummy.

Nathan and my dad met up with us on Friday and Nathan and I had a nice adult dinner out. We went to the Side Door Cafe in GlenEden, a favorite spot. Later, grandma and grandpa went to Chinook Winds but unfortunately....came back empty handed.

All in all, a great trip...thanks to our friends for letting us use their house...such a great place!

An old friend

Sol, Evelyne & Gilbert

Cathy & I....old friends

My friend Cathy and her son Sol came to visit us last month; I'll never forget it was during that weird tornado/wind storm that we had! Thought I'd post the photos of us and the kids. Cathy and I were best of friends when we were kids and I have silly memories of sneaking candy, turning all the lights off and playing with flashlights, rides to my house down the hill with her and Jeff, and sleepovers in my grandparents trailer! Oh the memories. Cathy and her family now live in Florida so we see them a couple times / year, just so glad we still get to keep in touch! Don't we look cute....just a couple of silly girls....

Coffee Guys, Wise Guys

Here are the 'wise guys' gabe & alex
Caffe Fratelli at Villebois Sunday Market in Wilsonville

Our community is fortunate to have a great Sunday Farmer's market http://www.villeboissundaymarket.com/ and my brothers, Gabe & Alex are the coffee vendors. Here are a few shots from last weekend. The market runs from 10 -2 every Sunday and vendors are starting to have LOTS of produce, fresh eggs, and great lunch...my favorites, the beignets with Lemon Curd and Cuben Ruben from the Village Waffle Maker.

Caffe Fratelli does Organic French Press Coffee from K&F Coffee Roasters, a local company. They offer whole bean Bella Selva for sale as well, all procceeds help contribute to communities. Here's what their website says about the coffee.

With your purchase of BellaSelva® Organic Coffees you are making a healthy difference in our world, while enjoying and providing some of the finest gourmet coffee available. By the way, “bella selva” means “beautiful jungle” in Spanish. The name BellaSelva® refers to the rich rain forests where coffee naturally grows. http://kandfcoffee.com/

BellaSelva® Organic Coffees are a full line-up of sustainable coffees; organic, shade grown, and supportive of the migratory birds that take refuge in the canopy of trees growing over the coffee plants. Many BellaSelva® Organic Coffees are also Fair Trade Certified™. By choosing Fair Trade Certified™ products you are directly supporting a better life for farming families through fair prices, direct trade, community development, and environmental stewardship. To learn more, visit www.fairtradecertified.org.

GABE & ALEX....this is an inspiring photo for you....ha...ha!

Big Boy Bed

Gilbert is officially out of his crib / toddler bed and into a 'big boy bed.' He now has bunk beds that are oh so thrilling to climb on and oh so scarry for mom to watch. I have the old bunk beds that my brothers used growing up that my parents gave me for him. I painted them a dark grey color to get rid of the old 80's oak and they turned out pretty good. Now to find bedding!

He's sleeping well and loving it!

July 4th Festivities

Fireworks!

This year we celebrated the 4th totally American Style, potlucks, coolers, fireworks, bbq's, swimming; you name it, we did it. We started in the morning at our neighborhood parade. Evelyne and Gilbert and cousins Camryn and Emery were all excited to be in the parade. We decked out bikes and cheered them on.

Here is Evelyne as the statue of liberty with cousins Camryn and Emery and aunt Becky.

Gilbert as uncle sam with dad

Later we had a potluck in the park with our neighborhood, everyone brought different types of food to share and the kids played in the fountains.

Neighbor Ellison, Gilbert and Evelyne taking a break

Cousin Emery peaceful as can be

End of School Picnic

Evelyne sliding down the slide
Gilbert on the teetertotter with Gabby

The last day of official preschool ends with a picnic and though the weather looked nice, it rained. It rained last year and it rained this year, but being the hearty Oregonians that we are we stuck it out. They had fun playing with friends at the park and didn't want to leave. What a great time it was.

Caffe Fratelli is officially in business!

Preview day in our courtyard
Gabe and Ryan working on the biz

Coffee is now being served at our farmer's market every Sunday from 9 -2 by Cafe Fratelli, my brothers and their friends are in business getting our buzz on during those lazy sunday mornings! If any of you get a chance come and check it out...they are here every Sunday in our neighborhood! www.villeboissundaymarket.com they are using organic french press coffee from K&F and also serve lattes, iced coffees and steamers....more to come!

Evelyne turns 5

Flowers at the "princess" table
The friends doing crafts

Goodie bags & crafts

Lovely "princess" hair

Birthday hat from school

For Evelyne's 5th birthday we had 3 parties! After last year's mongo party she wanted small and intimate so we divided things up: first we did a friends from school "princess" party where the girls came and got their hair fixed up like princesses by Sindy, so sweet. Then, we had a family brunch on Sunday morning with our families, yummy bagels, fruit, mimosas and walked the farmers market in our neighborhood. Monday (her actual birthday on June 8th) we celebrated an "un birthday, birthday" at our Monday night potluck with our neighbors. It was fun, all the kids brought a "summer fun" gift to exchange so everyone left with something. Whew...quite a few days but so fun. Thank you to all for making her special days extra special!

Mayhem in Madras...we only because we were there...

Kids getting to ride in the tractor...a highlight for Gilbert
Sliding on the HUGE slip and slide

Getting to ride in the front with Uncle Don

The boys in the back of the tractor trailer

Evelyne and Grandpa Bruce

This Memorial Day weekend we spent in Madras with Uncle Don and Aunt Ruth Ann. What fun and even relaxation for mom and dad! Thank you so much to them for inviting us to come! There were around 15 or so people there so we visited and ate and sat in the sun. The kids loved playing on the giant slip and slide and of course riding on the tractor around the property. There is a new public pool in Madras that is fantastic and we took the kids there one day. They also enjoyed going to the driving range with the big guys to practice their swings!