Braces

On Monday the 20th, I went to the orthodontist and got my braces taken off!  Oh, sweet liberty!  Tuesday I went back and got my retainer, which I first despised and now reluctantly accept.  Hooray for easier flossing!  Hooray for straight teeth that don't get food caught in them (or the braces)!

Summer Vacation is Gone . . .

. . . But not the memories!
I can't recall another summer when we spent so much time playing and going from beautiful place to beautiful place.  Sorry the post is so long.  Here are some of the recent highlights:

Getting ready to swing into the Lewis River during a backpacking trip

There were lots of military vehicles at the capitol one day, the kids loved sitting in a tank and a helicopter

Here's A., my horse-riding gal.  Check out the pink boots!

She just got glasses, but it only adds to her loveliness.

At the Wildlife Safari we met Eeyore's brother.

E. was antagonizing the llama, who threatened to spit on her by pinning its ears back.

Cute girls lounging by the fire at our camp near Crater Lake

The North Rogue ran right behind our campsite; what a stunning natural beauty!

"Happy Holidays from Crater Lake" Perfect strangers thought this shot would make a good Christmas card.

These guys went on a 3.5 mile hike without us girls.  We found a sunny sand pit and whiled away the hour playing.

11-year-old Scout building a proper campfire.  He built (and lit) two evening fires completely on his own.  Well, Dad split the kindling for him, but that was it.

One of two cakes this girl got for her 7th birthday!  I think this one was the prettiest.  I like the confetti.

Here's my glammed-up girl with lip gloss, eye glitter, and every hair accessory she received for her birthday.

In August, we went backpacking with our friends along the Little North Santiam.  This waterfall was amazing!

I love this yummy baby so much! 

Who would have guessed he would actually touch a farm animal.  Not me, I assure you.

This animal lover was in heaven with all those puppies running around her cousins' yard.