OCF 2014

Ahh, the Oregon Country Fair.  It's one of the highlights of the year for us and every year we see the Fair so differently as Parker and Asher get older.  This year we spent a lot of time in the new kid's loop area and Parker even went to play care (day care) one day for a couple hours- per her request.  She had a blast.  I think she looks forward to this weekend even more then Aaron and I do!  I know Asher's excitment will grow each year too which is just so fun to watch.  

Asher, Parker and her friend Starra playing on the playground

Wesley, Starra and Parker watching a marching band parade going through the crowd.  They rolled around in a wagon together one afternoon and loved it.      

Another random parade of green people

Every year this booth is here and every year it cracks me up! 

 This is how I found Parker at play care, watching a puppet show.  She also had a unicorn painted on her face.  She was there for two hours and I think she would've stayed for a lot longer if it was up to her!

She is in pink in the center

How many sign wranglers does it take to hang one sign?  Apparently three.

Aaron, Adam and Bill doing what they do.

At main stage on Saturday night the Everyone Orchestra performed.  It was fantastic!  We had backstage passes, which was awesome...then the video/camera guy noticed Asher and we started chatting and he asked if we wanted to climb up to the "bird's nest" and watch the show from up there.  Uhhh, lemme think about that- YES PLEASE!  It was awesome.

Watching from the bird's nest...Asher, Aaron, Parker and Frank the video guy.

 What can I say?  We picked up a couple different wigs this year!

 Awww...sleeping in.  I think it was 8:45am when I took this picture.  The earliest the kids woke up was 7am.  Considering it starts getting light out at 5:30am, I'll take it. 

 Parker got her face painted at her friend's birthday party.  She asked for a princess crown...standard. 

 Aaron got pulled up on stage during this act...it was fantastic and a perfect ending to the 2014 fair. 

Visitors!!

Forever ago, my sister-in-law Alicia decided she wanted/needed/deserved a little vacay so she booked a ticket to come see us!  A couple months later Andy, my bro-in-law/Alicia's husband/Aaron's twin bro, decided he wanted to come too...awesome!  Well now that just means we need to get the younger brother, Aric to get out here as well.  So that happened!  Then we convinced our good friend Brian to also fly in and surprise the guys...it was such a fantastic 24 hours to have all of us together again!!  Yep- I said 24 hours.  Brian literally flew in Saturday afternoon...and out on the red-eye Sunday night.  That's dedication!!  

So we had a lot to fit in a little amount of time!  But we started off the journey with a backyard BBQ.

The next day we hiked up the Butte to get a little exercise before we all jumped on bikes and hit up the breweries!

 ...oh wait, before we could hit up the breweries we had to clean out the dishwasher.  Why you ask?  Well, Alicia decided to be awesome and do the dishes but...she put liquid hand soap in!  Nothing a little vinegar and salt can't cure :)

...ok back to the breweries!

First stop, Ninkasi

Second stop, Oakshire

 Jumping on the ponies to go to the final stop of the day before Mike, Sara and Brian needed to hit the road.

samples, samples, samples!

Brian, Aaron, Andy, Mike...the old college roomies together again!

Saying good bye to Brian...the first of many over the next few days.

The next day we packed in the car and hit up the coast for some good, fresh seafood, beach time and kite flying!

Don't you think Alicia and the fam need to move here?

 That night we got a sitter and hit up bingo at our favorite watering hole!  Now I know what you're thinking, bingo?  Really?  But this ain't your Grandma's bingo- the prizes are hilarious as are the two MC's that run it.  Nothing but a good time!

Playing a little Jenga while waiting for the action to begin

Day three of the Olsen vacay sent us out to the wineries.  We had to start by hitting up Sweet Cheeks per usual...then went down the road to Chateau Lorane.  Ya, I know- we only hit two spots but in our defense, our livers were begging us to give them a break.

Alas, the next day Auntie Alicia had to catch a train to Seattle where she was meeting up with an old friend to finish up her vacation.  So by this point I allowed- yes, allowed- the boys to go fishing.  And it was a successful day as Aric caught a beautiful stealhead!

 The boys were a little tired that night after getting up at 4am, so I don't think they minded too much when Parker requested to watch Frozen with them.

Andy flew home the next morning...so then there was one left.  Aaron and Aric got out fishing one more day but didn't have the luck they had the other day.  Still fun none the less.

The rest of the trip wrapped up perfectly.  It was so awesome having everyone out here over a week's time!  Hopefully we can all get together sooner then later again.  And Brian can spend more then 24 hours!

A Visit From Nana Sue While Someone Turns 4!

My mom flew out for a week long visit and got to be here during Parker's 4th birthday!  It's the first time Parker actually got to celebrate a birthday with a grandparent.  She was pretty excited to introduce Nana Sue to all her friends (though I don't think that actually happened once everyone arrived?!).

This year we had a Rainbow Art Birthday theme.  I picked up some smocks for the kids to wear, a bunch of little canvas's to paint on and the highlight of the day- a spin art machine.  We ate, drank, played and painted the afternoon away!  The weather was perfect.  Couldn't of asked for a better day!  

Nana Sue has arrived!

Cameron, Parker and Starra

The canvas painting table

I drew different things on each canvas...Parker chose a pony to paint

But the favorite thing to do was the spin art!

Seriously- a HUGE hit!

The spread

Ace enjoying his "cupcake" (they are sugarless banana bread muffins- kids love them!)

Everyone is gone...time to clean up and play with her new Elsa doll

 Between the party and Parker's actual birthday two days later, we hit up a ton of estate and garage sales...Home Depot, hardware stores, Target, etc etc.  My mom did a TON of home improvement projects around our house, per usual.  It's awesome!  On Parker's birthday she had gymnastics class, so Grandma got to see her in action.  She has graduated to the Twisters class which is a 90 minute "invite only" group.  She loves it.

 After class we went out for a birthday dinner then home for cake and presents!

She changed into her new gymnastics leo from Grandma Sue

And is STOKED to start soccer lessons this summer from Auntie JJ!

 All in all it was a great visit from Grandma and a successful 4 year old birthday!  Mom squeezed in one last sewing project before her flight and Parker wanted to sew then too.  So that's how the story ends.  Until next time!