Googleville

Saturday we took Jadyn and Dylan to Schreiner Farms to see some animals. There were Zebras, camels, llamas, emu, giraffes, elk, watussi and cows. We have been meaning to take the kids there for a long time. It is very easy. You turn in the drive and the animals are in fields on either side of the road. You stay in the car and turn around at the first barn. The kids were a little disappointed that they couldn't get out and walk around like at the zoo. Part of my plan was to get Jadyn to take a nap and give Dylan some time away from the computer. I think he may just go to work for Google when he is old enough. We took a drive through Dallesport to see the airplanes and all the new housing. As we entered the was a sign that said "Googleville" which really tickled Dylan's funny bone. He told his parents he went to Googleville and they were wondering what he was talking about. Now he can take them to see the animals, too.

Dylan is starting soccer. His dad is really excited about helping him learn the game and have fun outdoors. With Edson working nights in the summer, they don't have as much time together as he would like. Jadyn was a little put out when Dad told her she was too young to play on the team. She is such a good housekeeper. She cleaned the kitchen floor with a rag while I was out shopping. I couldn't believe she didn't want to go with me. It would have saved me some money. As it was I was free for a couple of hours while she stayed home with Grandpa and cleaned. Grandpa was cleaning the kitchen counters. Then she moved into the living room and dusted the TV and the tables. She would rather listen to music than watch TV.

After we went to the farm and Googleville we went to the Discovery Center but didn't go in. On the way out of the parking lot, Jim said she would be asleep before we got back to the house. She insisted she would not because she wanted to go to the park. She was asleep by the time we got to the house for a battery for Jim's hearing aid, but Dylan was awake so I sat in the car and read Miss Julia while she slept and he played. Of course she woke up as we left the park.

Jim signed up to take a non-credit Spanish class this fall. I'll probably learn some when I help him and Susie with their homework.

We have lots of grapes and plums this year. The rest of the garden is just about done. There are still some tomatoes on the vines and the green beans just won't quit. I found a really cute scare crow at JoAnns when I went scrapbook shopping. I found lots of fun stuff so it will be in the box for Marie.

We finally caught a mouse in the utility room. It managed to eat the peanut butter off several traps before finally getting caught. I think it just got so fat that it was finally heavy enough to trip the trap. Changing the subject completely. I lost 1.4 at WW last week and today looks like a really nice day for a long walk.

My GGG Grandparents Elbridge & Hannah

It's been awhile!

I finally got my pictures uploaded from my camera. Ryder is getting so big so fast. At his last checkup he was 10 lbs. 3oz. He is eating 6 oz at a time now. Dylan took this picture Sunday evening. He does a better job than I. You can also see how short my hair is now. It really saves time in the morning. Just wash, mouse, tossle and out the door.

Jim blessed Ryder Sunday. Marcus came, but left right after the blessing. Katy stopped by Mom's on the way to the church, but she wasn't home. We forgot to invite her.

You might think that this is a fussy baby but when his tummy is full, he is a very happy little fella. He and Katy are living with us until she can get into an apartment. We have a couch that folds out into a bed and Ryder's crib in the guest room so we really have a guest room.

We actually did to to the grand opening of Ikea. It was fun. We had no traffic problems and the store did not seem to be overly crowded. There were so many things that would be great to bring home. Then I remember how crowded our rooms already are. We have been able to store some things in our shed until Katy needs them when she moves.

I ended up working Saturday after we went to Ikea because Joyce was in the hospital and we needed to get caught up. Then the next week Dar and I worked 10 hour days. It was fun to be able to come home and hold Ryder and relax. There's nothing like a baby to help you forget everything else.

Lunch with Ryder

Ryder and Katy came to have lunch with Grandma today. He is 2 weeks 2 days old and really cute. He likes his binky which gives his mom a break. When he is awake, he is wide eyed and checking everything and everybody out.

The girls and I are excited that Ikea opens in Portland on the 25th. We are planning to go check it out. They are having entertainment and all kinds of fun stuff. Apparently they are expecting people to be there at 6 a.m. but don't open until 9:00. The entertainment starts at 6:00. I'm not planning on being there that early.

We are finally getting a break from the heat. It was over 100 two or three days with very low humidity. It felt like an oven. We are supposed to have thunderstorms tonight.

Dylan and Jadyn had checkups at the doctor this week. Dylan got 4 shots to get ready for kindergarten. He has grown so much since he was two that the charts predict he will be 6'5" to 6'7". He must have gotten the tall genes from both sides of the family.

The Jammin' July Street Festival is coming up Saturday evening. The following weekend is Ft. Dalles Days.

I finally took out the carpet out of the guest room. It will be so nice to have the new carpet where it belongs and not clogging up the sewing room.

I have been doing extractions online for FamilySearch. We are doing the 1900 census records. The last 300 have been in Oregon. So far I have done 1600 names.

Another picture

Sorry about the weight in my last email. I'm sure Katy felt like it was closer to the truth. Of course I have another picture.

Ryder Update

Ryder was actually 21 1/4 inches long. His head circumference was 14 1/2 inches. Mom and baby are resting at home. Well as much as you can rest with very excited 5 year old and 3 year old cousins competing for attention. That doesn't hardly seem fair when its your first baby.

He's Here!

Ryder Benjamin made his appearance June 26 at 8:16 p.m. He weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs. 13.2 oz. He is 21 3/4 inches long. Katy is very tired after only a few hours of sleep in the last 36 hours. Katy and Mark are very pleased with their new son.