Samantha Claus, Santa Claus… How was I to know!

Cecilia is obsessed with Charlie Brown Christmas this year.  She will quote from all of their holiday specials from " For unto you is born this day" to "I'm NOT YOUR SWEET BABOO"!  I love it.  This holiday season has been wonderful, and full of magic.  I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Halloween

This post comes a little late I know, but better late than never. My Daughter is now 3 and she is just beginning to enjoy dressing up. For the last few Halloweens I've been able to select what she would be, but this was the first year she wanted to weigh in. She's a big fan of the Madeline books and decided that's what she wanted to be. I snagged a costume on zulily for $15 and when it arrived I took her to WSU for some photos. Hope you all enjoy. We had a great time, and what kid doesn't enjoy getting to wear their costume more than once. I suggest you give it a try next year.

Bonjour!

Roots

This autumn has been one of the loveliest I've experienced in the PNW in a long time.  It's allowed us to enjoy the activities we love so much.  We recently visited Mt. View Orchard in Hood River Oregon for a Swiss-German festival.  The moment we arrived you could smell the sweetness of the apples basking in the sun, and the sound of yodeling.  Being in a valley it made it easy to imagine what it must be like to visit Switzerland.  We listened to some traditional songs, saw some traditional dances, and ate some delicious food.  After our bellies were content we took to the fields.  We walked along row after row of what would seem like endless apple trees. Cecilia enjoyed at least four fresh picked apples.  I tasted one apple from a Fuji tree and you could almost taste the rays of sunshine.  All I could think of was how thankful I am for my family, its' roots, and how great God's love is for us to make life this wondrous.

Clark County Fair

Today my Mother in Law and I took Cecilia to the Clark County Fair.  It's her second time attending, and one of the activities of summer I look forward to the most.  As modernized as they've become there are elements of their vintage past.  

Cecilia has been asking to go "See the animals" on the regular!  I have to admit I love seeing them just as much as she does.

Hard to top a pink Sheep

"Hi Goat, Nice to meet you! I'm Celia"

Some of you may be wondering what that is on my child's back.  It is a harness, and while they have a bad rap I swear by it.  I don't use it all the time but in a crazy place such as the fair; I feel it to be necessary.  My child is Super independent and doesn't like to hold hands.  While it can be hard to hear the comments in passing, I just tell myself "You won't be seeing my child on an Amber Alert anytime soon".

"Hear Dat? Let's go see da Cows"

My Grandma Cece (whom my daughter is named for) once told me about her childhood growing up in Tillamook Oregon.  She was the oldest of 6 born to Swiss immigrants.  She told me that most of the people who lived in their part of town were all Swiss dairy farmers.  After milking their own cows (a chore she despised) she would walk to school and could hear the farmers in the fields yodeling to their cattle.   So while some may find visiting the cow barn to be a bit boring, I find it as a glimpse of my family's heritage and humble beginnings.  

Cecilia loves bunnies.  This sweet girl was kind and patient enough to let Cecilia pet him.  A memory I'm sure she won't soon forget.

Cecilia and her MeMaw

I'm so grateful to be able to raise my family in the United States, a luxury not all are born with.  I am thankful to my Great Grandparents (on both sides) who were immigrants; if not for their bravery and hope for a better life, I would not have the privilege to call myself an American.  

Cecilia calls lemonade "LaDaDeed"

4th time this year riding a horse

Now that smile right there could warm my heart all through the winter

As expensive as fairs can be nowadays, the memories created are truly priceless.  

Darling Farms

                       

Today my Husband and I set out to find a farm where we could take our daughter to pick her own food.  We feel that if she participates in the Farm to Fork process, she enjoys her food more.  

collecting Tripple Crown berries, a brier-less bush.

Onto the Carrot Patch

Kody Darling was on the property and was incredibly helpful, full of knowledge and kindness.  Cecilia can be very timid, especially in a new environment with new faces; but not with Kody.  She even exchanged smiles and some friendly chatter.

Cecilia patting Daddy on the back as they observe some corn

Time to clean our finds

Kody showing Cecilia how to clean carrots

"Me Try, Me Try"

Time to pay

Our family walked away with some beautiful produce, and what will be a lifetime of memories.  Thank you Darling Family for creating such a warm and welcoming place for families to learn more about where food comes from.... and all the love that is put into its' growth.

Slice of Ashland

On our way home from California we stopped in Ashland to visit some friends.  I had only ever driven through but never stayed to play, and I'm so glad we did.  Ashland Oregon has so much beauty.  Their parks are something out of a story book.  Stone bridges, swings beside babbling brooks, deer, and fairy ponds.  I will definitely make it a point to stop there again, and I would highly recommend it to all of you.

Our dear friend's daughter Ava Luna 

Cecilia Enjoying Lithia Park

Just another amazing trail in Ashland 

Cecilia learning to climb a tree

Ava Luna and Mommy in a living tree dome

  

A cool retreat from the 101 degree heat