tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:32:35 +0000Dolly Dress UpQuiltingHouse to Homehttp://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Rachel)Blogger999125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-4844176801504204214Fri, 24 Jul 2015 22:08:00 +00002015-07-24T15:08:23.386-07:00We did it!  We took the plunge and drove all the way from Portland to LA in only one day.  We got up at 6 AM and took off, and ate both breakfast and lunch while rolling. The kids watched lots of movies and were so good the whole time! In fact, almost all of them said they would rather do it this way from now on.  Our first big stuff was at Pea Soup Anderson's about four hours fromhttp://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/07/la-in-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-6756642265954832548Mon, 06 Jul 2015 17:04:00 +00002015-07-06T10:04:02.474-07:00 We started off the morning and headed out to the local parade in Friday Harbor.  Good small town fun. Poor Heidi was still sick with her fever, and pretty miserable.  We spent all day keeping her in the shade, and hauling her around so she wouldn't over exert herself.  After the parade we headed to Grandma's Cove for some beach time.  The Orca Whales were out in pods! http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/07/july-4th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-1801229741213941806Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:51:00 +00002015-07-06T09:51:54.603-07:00 We started our first full day at camp boating.  The kids were able to take whatever kind of boats off the dock they wanted.  So, there was lots of canoing, SUPing, Row Boating, Kayaking, etc.  The big boys had a GREAT time on the boats and paddled and swam the day away.    The little ladies enjoyed the swimming beach, until they were frozen!  For the http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/07/july-3rd-at-lakedale-camp-and-san-juan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-8224123502333694687Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:40:00 +00002015-07-06T09:40:28.698-07:00 The morning we left for San Juan Island, it was Ethan's birthday.  So, we had a little celebration for heading out.  Here is he is opening Heidi's offering, her duck puppet.  She was so sweet choosing it and wrapping it up.  And Ethan is always a good sport.  He gave it lots of love. Then for the long haul to Anacortes, WA.  It is about 1.5 hours above Seattlehttp://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/07/to-island.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-8239749306054868034Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:35:00 +00002015-07-06T09:40:38.249-07:00Ethan is 14!  It's hard to believe how fast these kids are growing up!  For Ethan's birthday, we took a couple of buddies and went go karting.  I'm pretty sure they had a blast!  Afterwards we hit sonic for slushes and shakes.   On the morning of Ethan's actual birthday, we were headed out for camp, but luckily, what he really wanted for his birthday meal was http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/07/happy-birthday-ethan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-3903373094221342476Tue, 30 Jun 2015 18:20:00 +00002015-06-30T11:20:01.541-07:00We've had our cousins staying with us for a few days.  There are finally enough people to have a three monopoly game.  Ethan became the grand champion in the end, with ALL the money and properties.The little guys found activities too.  It was a fun few days!http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/06/cousin-camp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-7048201305059938028Thu, 25 Jun 2015 18:24:00 +00002015-06-25T11:24:34.180-07:00It's that time of year!  When we pay teenagers to "teach" our kids to swim.  Honestly I struggle to see improvements with the young ones, but I am hopeful that it's working!  What we really need is a week in grams pool for Emilee, and Chandler is pretty good now.  He's doing strokes and lap swimming which is great.  Now if I could convince Heidi's teacher to make her put http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/06/swimming-lessons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-3819035200529680505Sun, 21 Jun 2015 20:23:00 +00002015-06-23T13:23:20.103-07:00 We headed out to Still Creek campground for an overnight this weekend.  It was so pretty.  We had a HUGE site (#7 - 6 was huge as well), and the kids could run and play without disturbing the peace.  :)  They found these enormous leaves, and played king of the stump for hours.  Very fun!  The next morning we headed out on a hike to one of the two twin lakes. &http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/06/into-woods.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-3447635520963793487Tue, 16 Jun 2015 20:13:00 +00002015-06-23T13:14:06.627-07:00 Poor Heidi!  Heidi was hanging from a low branch on our tree and slipped off.  When she did she fell backwards onto her arm and after three days of guarding it, we took her in.  It's looking like she does have a very slight fracture in her right humerus.  She has been a trooper through the whole ordeal, and we are very excited she only needs a splint for a few weeks, because http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/06/fractured.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-5452301669673029181Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:50:00 +00002015-06-23T13:14:25.063-07:00 I really can't believe that I have a high schooler.  I have a high schooler!  Ethan soared through the 8th grade and continued to get good marks and have successes.  We are so proud of him.  He was honored at the awards assembly as an exceptional math student.  He is ready for the adventures to come.  The pictures below are from the balloon crossing.  The kids http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/06/8th-grade-commencement.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-6368468841552272168Tue, 02 Jun 2015 19:46:00 +00002015-06-23T12:47:46.042-07:00 Our #3 had a rough season on a team that couldn't catch a break.  But Aidan still played well and is looking forward to next year.  Great job dude! http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/06/3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-4265256284302390263Mon, 25 May 2015 19:44:00 +00002015-06-23T12:45:00.941-07:00 On Memorial Day we headed out early for a family hike to Horsetail falls, and Triple Falls.  It was a popular trail that day, and we were glad we started early.  By the time we were on our way back it was very crowded, and we were single file down the trail.  It was a beautiful hike! The kids love exploring behind water falls like this, but I hate it!  I am always tryinghttp://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/05/memorial-day-hike.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-7645921710495577615Sun, 24 May 2015 19:40:00 +00002015-06-23T12:41:48.082-07:00 One Sunday afternoon we decided to do a "sandwich" in the bed.  It's a good thing we tried because it may be our last attempt to get everyone in!  We barely all fit and even had some people on top of others!  I'll be the peanut butter! http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/05/sandwich-in-bed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-174353932964861887Fri, 22 May 2015 19:39:00 +00002015-06-23T12:39:55.854-07:00 The little guys and I had a fun day at the zoo!  They had a day off school when the JR High was still in, and we took the opportunity to head out on a field trip.  We had a wonderful day, and I realized I need to do these little pilgrimages more often for the little folks.  They appreciate it so much!http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/05/zoo-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-2008043260943882511Sun, 10 May 2015 19:36:00 +00002015-06-23T12:37:20.670-07:00 My children get really excited for mother's day!  It is so fun to see them get all prepared and really love me up all day long.  Some years I feel weird about it.  Like it's way more hoopla than necessary, etc.  But this year was great!  I loved all the sweet little notes I received, and the pictures, and the treats.  It was wonderful!  My favorite mother's dayhttp://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/05/mothers-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-7366586599655348004Sat, 25 Apr 2015 17:32:00 +00002015-06-23T10:32:50.883-07:00 I really think we are the happiest campers!  Our family loves to sleep under the trees.  And something magical has happened now!  We don't need a port-a-crib, diapers, or baby stuff any more!  It's so much easier than it's ever been even though there are so many of us!  For this trip we headed into the Esticada Gorge and found a campground.  The camp wasn't http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-happiest-campers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-7012698747086605313Thu, 23 Apr 2015 17:33:00 +00002015-06-23T10:34:09.625-07:00 Ethan and Aidan just started their orthodontic treatment at OHSU.  Ethan is the first one to have visible hardware.  So far, everybody is cooperating and it's going well! http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/04/hardware.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-4501118099631586643Mon, 13 Apr 2015 17:29:00 +00002015-06-23T10:29:52.376-07:00 Aidan is 12!  He turned 12 while we were in Utah, so he had to wait a few weeks for his ordination.  Grammy, Grampy, Uncle Theron, and the local Aunt's and Uncle's all attended.  We had a nice little party afterwards with what else, Spaghetti! While Grammy was here we took Emilee to a paint your own pottery place.  She had a WONDERFUL time designing her own vase, and can'thttp://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/04/aidans-ordination-weekend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-5414517033175286581Mon, 06 Apr 2015 17:26:00 +00002015-06-23T10:26:49.679-07:00 Chandler's birthday was quick this year!  All he wanted was to invite a bunch of friends over after school for donuts and a play date.  Perfect!  That is right up my ally since I'm dealing with a totaled car and life in general.  It was a great birthday.  Nine looks good on you Chandler! http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/04/happy-birthday-chandler.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-8383399317196208169Thu, 02 Apr 2015 16:13:00 +00002015-06-23T09:14:58.501-07:00 Driving home on Boones Ferry Road is often a bit tricky because there is no left turn lane.  Well, we were stopped waiting for someone to turn left when a jeep slammed into our poor beloved van!  Heidi and I were the only ones in the car, and while it did shake us up pretty good, we are fortunate that neither of us were injured.  Just a bit of a headache for both of us as our http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/04/crash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-8920382158327791001Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:26:00 +00002015-06-22T16:27:13.112-07:00 We had so much fun skiing at Brighton during our Utah Spring break!  We made it up to Brighton three days, and it was so fun to ski the whole mountian with the boys.  Gordon even took Ethan over to Great Western lift and they had a great day shredding it up.  By the end of day two Emilee was ready to go and graduated from Ski School, and skiied with us up on Snake Creek.   http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-best-snow-on-earth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-6924438194427927608Sun, 22 Mar 2015 22:44:00 +00002015-06-22T15:48:28.862-07:00On Sunday morning, we woke up early and drove up to Temple Square to hear the "Spoken Word" broadcast with the Motab.  We were so disappointed to find out that Heidi (and therefore one of the adults) couldn't go into the broadcast.  We understood why, but it was sad because she really wanted to go!  We really enjoyed the music, and then got a great tour of temple square with http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/06/sunday-in-utah.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-375467962059116199Sat, 21 Mar 2015 16:13:00 +00002015-05-28T09:17:09.445-07:00 It's Spring Break!  This year we saved our big ski vacation for Spring Break and headed to Salt Lake City.  We arrived on Gordon's 40th birthday, and celebrated with the biggest pizza I have ever seen.  It was so big that it fed us all for two dinners, plus a few lunches.  And that is saying something, because we have Ethan who now eats like a teenager!  :)  It was http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/03/road-trip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-7493370011484440556Sun, 01 Mar 2015 16:10:00 +00002015-03-01T08:10:19.191-08:00 It is Emilee's year to have a friend party, and she knew right from the start that she wanted "Frozen" to be the theme.  She helped me decorate and knew just what she wanted as far as cake goes.  So, we made all her birthday dreams come true! Here are the two princesses, Anna and Elsa enjoying their own personal flurry. And, the king and queen made an appearance. Chandler http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/03/emilees-arandelle-birthday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210926664504827355.post-3350310427070832594Fri, 27 Feb 2015 19:00:00 +00002015-02-27T11:00:42.575-08:00 I am SO excited about the completion of this project!  The closet in the hallway that holds all of our shoes, coats, purses, etc has long been a headache.  Because of the sliding doors, you could never really see inside the whole thing at once.  They doors were forever getting hung up on a runaway shoe or sweatshirt, it was just a mess.  We started dreaming about building a http://rachels-roost.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-hall-closet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rachel)2