Early Crop...For Us Anyway

{We vs U}

When you go to get berries at a U-pick field in Oregon you bring your own bucket.  They weight it {and you;)} and send you out into the fields to pick to your hearts content.  When you're finished picking, they weight your bucket again, you pay, and you're on your merry way.

While in Carlsbad last month Ethan and I were giddy to see that there was a U-pick sign just down the hill from Legoland!  So the next day boys and I headed out for one our favorite...and usually summertime...activities...

It didn't take long for us to realize that we weren't in Oregon.  Usually its cheaper to pick your own berries than buy them in the store, but not here.  Does anyone else just smell "rip off" while visiting the great state of Cali?  Maybe its just the way it is around theme parks.  Darn it.

We definitely paid for the experience. 

In fact, it was $1 less to just buy them at the stand than to pick them ourselves...and the ones at the stand were alot prettier than the ones we picked! Check them out {below}!

Here's game for ya...guess how much it cost to pick our round container full of berries?   Watch for the answer during the post.:)

But this was our adventure... so we went for it.

{Limits}
See that yellow caution tape?  We weren't suppose to pick on the other side of it.  Ethan stayed on the right side of the field, but Aidan?

We could play "Where's Waldo Aidan?"

After a "time out" or two I thought he was actually going to stay with us.

He walked down the row next to the one I was on and sat down.  I thought he was eating berries, but no.

He had found a mud puddle of who-knows-what, taken off his shoes, and decided it would be great time to poop.   Really? Really Aidan?!  I think the only thing that could make it worse was if he started to throw up.

Normally I try to hand this dirty, poopy kid off to daddy, but since Bob wasn't with us I went over by the portipotty {how in the heck to you spell that anyway?} layed him on one of those awesome changing pads I made, and got down to business.  Its a good thing I love that kid so much!!

And Ethan?  Well, he is the best sport I know, and filled that container to the brim.

But despite our mishaps...the berries were huge, it was sunny, and we had a great time. 

Answer: $17 for that bucket.  CRAZY.  And I'm crazy for paying it.

So there you have it. 

Next time we do a u-pick we'll be in Oregon...for sure.   Oh, and I'll be sure that Bob is with us.:)

Have a great weekend!  We're heading out to brave camping in this unpredictable weather...should be quite an adventure.  Whatever you do...be safe & try not to get ripped off.;)

XOXO-Emily

The Heart

{My Dad}

You won't meet a more tenderhearted hearted, Gospel centered, loving man. 

So about 10 days ago when my mom called me with tears because my dad was in the hospital my heart dropped. It was pretty much a no brainer to jump in the car and make the 800 mile journey to be with them.

After a few scary moments,  he was released from the hospital diagnosed with atrial fibrilation.  In my terms...his heart flutters. 

Evidently millions of people --like my dad-- have this condition and many are not even aware of it.  Treated, the complications can be minimized.  Untreated, the inefficiency of the heart to pump all of the blood out {because of these flutters} can cause the blood to pool and clot, and there is a high probably of having a stroke. 

{While home I took this picture of this picture that my grandma had up in her home.  Dad in the younger years...;)}

Fortunately, he's now aware of his condition and is taking the steps for treatment.   Thank-you to those who have kept him in their hearts and prayers.   We love you Dad.

Its times like these that life really gets put into perspective.  For that I am grateful. 

{Trey and Lucy}
Although our trip was brief and we didn't get to see everyone we would have liked to {missed you Greyson!}, we played with Trey and Lucy as much as we could...

As some of you may know, their mom Tanya has been amazingly ill.  I have to admit that seeing her near starvation with my brother poking needles into her just about did me in.   No she isn't dying of some terminal disease {although she may feel like it}, she's 9 weeks along.  Thank goodness for IV's and pumps of Zofran.  Ah, Tan.  I'm so sorry.

{Poor Cat}
And if my dad and Tanya don't have it bad enough...how about this cat.   Nobody really knows where it came from, but its been hanging around my parents properties for years now.  My grandpa Peggy has always treated it right {bringing it all sorts of leftovers and treats} and has been caring for it since the accident...you see, my mom hit it backing out of the driveway a few weeks ago. 

So sad.  But don't feel too badly...as an outdoor cat life has taken on new meaning inside my sweet grandma's rehab unit.  Okay, her house.

Sidebar: And look how skinny my mom is!  Medifast.  Nice work mom!  And as for the silly gal with the hat...my little sister.  Steph the camera-ham.;)

{Hugs}
 Needless to say our little trip was full of heartfelt hugs...

and enjoying life each day...

especially coat-less and enjoying the Oregon sun in February!

I spent more time out swinging this little guy than I had planned...

but I couldn't help it.  I love him, and I'm a complete sucker for that contagious giggle and screams of "Mo, Mo! PEEZ!"

{VDay Evolution}
My first & probably favorite memory of Valentine's Day was converting shoe boxes with construction paper and markers into mail boxes for my classmates.   3rd grade.  Loved it.

Then for most of my teenish years Feb 14 was usually spent in longing...wishing to spend "day of  love" with whomever was lucky enough for me to have a crush on that year.

My 20's helped me to more fully understand that my only true source of happiness and unconditional love comes from a wise Creator and Heavenly Father who fills any void like no other.

And now, in my 30's my heart is full of love.  Not just for the man who swept me off my feet, but for the little men who are now always at my feet.

 Ah, The Heart.

Africa, Mary's little lamb, & Elephant Ears

{My 1st Safari}

During our trip to Oregon I decided to head off to Africa. I've never been on a safari before and thought the boys would love it.

Okay, alright already...maybe I fibbed just a little.  We DIDN'T go to Africa, but WE DID go on a wildlife safari!  My very 1st one & I loved it!

And really...we might as well have been in Africa...

We didn't need a map, because we had experienced safari tour guides...my sister in law Mary & and her wildlife sidekick Greyson!

The voyage began as we got into our safari jeep...my Trail Blazer with broken air conditioning...and headed for the hills full of wild beasts!

Does anyone else think this looks like we were entering Jurassic Park? Mmmm...but at that point there was no turning back!  I knew if anything happened I would fight to the death to protect my babies...I only wished I had done a bit more...or any...weight training this summer.;)

We didn't get 100 yards into the place when we had an official ambassador from the welcoming committee greet us at our car!

Our resident head observer, Ethan, captured the essence of the moment with pen in hand!

And as we drove on I couldn't believe all of the cool wildlife just roaming around! 

For a moment I even thought that Ethan and Aidan had jumped out of the car!  Then I realized it was just 2 elephants...not boys... having a good time.

{Camels}

The wildlife park also had a fun petting zoo, playground, and camel rides! I knew one 5 year old that couldn't wait for a bumpy, humpy ride...

And when it comes down to it, who could resist such a face?  Calvin the camel was one of kind.  And get this...he didn't even stink!!!

I say that in all kindness really.  Those of you who have spend any time around camels know how awfully stinky they can be.   I lived in the middle east for 4 months at the BYU Jerusalem Center and we could smell camels around the corner before we ever saw them.  Yucky.

I asked the the camel guy about that and he told me that their camels don't smell because the have taken certain males parts off...and I said...hmmmm...interesting. {So males don't stink if you fix them?  Yes, interesting...}

Oh, and he said they bath them often. 

So my little Arabian knight saddled up and had the ride of his life!

{Aidan's Ride}

Don't worry. Aidan didn't miss out. He also had a fun ride at the park given by his sweet cousin Greyson!

{Turtles, Toads, & Trains}

{..the lamb was sure to go...}

Isn't it great that his mom's name is Mary?  And how about that fleece I mean face! 

This little lamb is one of kind I tell you.  This next picture isn't the best, but I wasn't quite expecting this kind of show!  I guess his mom and dad must be very affectionate...right Peter?

{Hat guy}

Peter {my brother}, Mary, and Greyson were such great hosts!  Greyson is truly quite the little character and sweet little guy.  They even exposed Ethan to a whole new world...the world of Star Wars video games.

{And when we watched the actually movie the other night he was giddy with excitement!}

{The Fair}

Peter and Mary even treated us to the biggest event of the summer in these parts.  The whole town gets put on hold.  Weeknight church activities are cancelled, closed signs are left on the doors of shops, and parking lots are filled to the brim!

And I treated myself and the boys to one of the best fair foods of all time...

If you don't know what an elephant ear is, then you'd better get out your "bucket" list. You won't be disappointed.  There's nothing like one.

Isn't fair food the best?   I never even knew meat like this existed.

{This little piggy...}

And speaking of meat...;)

These piglet were actually born at the fair just 14 hours earlier.

And Aidan was convinced they should escape.  Or wait, maybe he was going to join them.  Sometimes I wish I had a nice caged area like that!:)

{A Real Robot}

Besides riding the ferris wheel with Peter, meeting this robot was the highlight of Ethan's fair.  He could not stop thinking or talking about it.  All I could see was Rosie from the Jetsons. 

And I have to ask...what is it with guys always judging backsides? Sorry, I couldn't help myself.;)

And before we knew it we were waiting in the line to catch the next school bus back to our cars.  {Yet, another highlight for the boys!}

Thanks for a great time Peter, Mary, and Greyson!  Come visit us soon!