Camera Curse

I quit. With the whole camera thing. I have come down with a camera curse.

The first day at the ranch, when inserting my memory card in my nice camera, the awful screen saying "Error. Replace memory card." shows up. Ok fine. Try another. And another. Memory card? Nope. My camera. Going in for a fix-it estimate this week, but may take a month or two to fix? Arg! (Fortunately my sis let me try out her 5D for the weekend at the ranch. Pics soon to come. Can you say "Camera Envy"? Seriously.)

Today. Settle with my li'l point and shoot camera and take ADORABLE pictures of the little man swimming and splashing dad in the backyard. Sheer summer bliss. Couldn't wait to share them. Plug in the camera to upload. "Memory Card ERROR." ARE you kidding me? I start over- same thing. Lost all the pictures. My heart hurts, they were so stinkin' cute.

I suppose I'm a little extra sensitive as it has become a rarity for Jacob to even let me take pictures lately.

This is the new norm....

Hm. Time to start a new hobby?

There's No Place like Home... Or the Ranch

I can hardly contain my excitement! Next week is the big Bodell Ranch Return! It's been five years since it was "ours"... but I'll never forget the place, the people, the memories.

It's one of those things that I can't really put into words. So instead, here's just a little photo Shout-Out to some of the best people I've ever known, and who got to share this very special place with me over the years... (I have way too many pictures, but you get the idea...)

Watch out Clear Creek! Here we COME!!

Gone Country

The first week we moved here someone said, "Oh you are going to love this place. It's great Small Town America." Later Stephen looked at me and said, "You know, I've never considered 'Small Town America' being a compliment." Haha. Boy from LA.

I think he is loving it a lot more than he thought he would already.

This last weekend was the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo. Philomath is a tiny town on the other side of Corvallis. Steve works at a second office there a couple days a week. Day started off with a small town parade.

Lots of horses, lots of trucks, and lots of tootsie rolls.

Jake was a big fan.

And even a bigger fan when he saw his dad walking in the parade!

Stephen's practice was invited to join the parade as a commercial entry.

They passed out a bunch of toothbrushes and orbit gum.

That night we headed over to the Rodeo...

I was super excited to dust this baby off. Been in the drawer the last four years.

Had no real reason to wear it. UNTIL NOW!

Didn't get a ton of great pics of all the events, but this is the first time I have seen anything like it. The real bull ridin', buckin' broncos, team ropin', barrel racin'...

and the clown act, aka Donkey Race:

See the dentists in the white coats in the center? That was supposed to be Stephen, but he graciously handed the duty over to one of the partner's father who was hinting he really wanted to ride a donkey. A grand gesture, though I wish I had pictures of Stephen riding a donkey in a rodeo. Next year, my friends.

Jacob was such a good sport.

I was really nervous about taking him, but he sat through the whole thing! Amazing.

And since he was oh so good the whole two hours, he got some icecream on the way home. Some things are just worth the mess.

We had to pass on the Town Dance due to Jake's bedtime, but you better believe we're going next year. You know I would LOVE to go to an outdoor dance again.

I hear there is a Frog-Jumping Festival in a couple weeks at another town around here.

So, thank you Small Town America for giving us fun things to do on the weekends!

A New Sort of Newport

I've always loved the 4th of July. Truly one of the best days of the summer and even year in my opinion. This year we celebrated the whole weekend- starting with the community pancake breakfast, then visiting the Philomath Car Show, enjoyable barbque with the partners, visits to the park... all of which made us very happy...

(btw, Jacob has started this hilarious laugh where he covers his mouth.

Where did he get that from?)

Anyway, on Saturday we visited Newport. Not the CA Newport I've been visiting every year of my life, but a new sort of Newport. The Oregon Coast kind.

We took Jacob to the aquarium.

There was an arctic breeze going on outside, hence the hood. I wished I had one.

Of course I enjoyed watching Jacob more than the fish. He was totally into it.

And it was crazy seeing him be a little kid.... he's not a baby anymore.

The next two pics show a couple magic expressions. Sheer enjoyment.

We stopped for some Yummy seafood for lunch!

I passed on the live crab, but really enjoyed the fish and chips.

And I guess we didn't have to say farewell to the beach afterall.

My favorite photo of the day...

Jacob's really into playing "To Infinity and BEYOND" with Dad.

Yep. One of those very special family days, indeed.

Just another reason to love the 4th of July.

Cheerios

It was our first time to attend our new ward today. I made sure we all looked good in our festive red, white, and blue. I packed my diaper bag full of books, toys, and snacks for the three hour venture. And guess what- we actually made it there on time.

Gotta love 11:00 church!

We sat there "quietly" feeding our kid apple slices and cheerios. (Anything to keep him in his seat so we can pretend to be listening.) He's sitting on Stephen's lap, playing and singing along with the testimonies, when all of a sudden he grabs the bag and WHOOOSH!

cheerios everywhere.

And I do mean everywhere.

Apparently I gave stephen the look of "if Jacob had done that on my lap I would have caught it- so why weren't you as quick?" - but I did apologize for that later.

I was embarrassed. I am kinda sensitive knowing people were already looking at us: the new family. People were already looking at us: having the loudest toddler in the chapel. And now people were looking at us: frantically picking up our cheerios.

Now, that's fine. We'll get over it. And I shouldn't be so self-involved to think people are even noticing us, right? I was almost over it. Until I was shaking hands with a member out in the hall before nursery- and after asking if we were New or just Visiting, she kindly informed me of the "strict...

NO CHEERIO Policy (which also includes any other type of food)

...in the chapel during sacrement meeting."

What? No cheerios? Have I lived on Mars the last four years? Apparently.

Please note, I am not complaining about the policy. I do, in fact, think it's great that they want to keep it cleaner and quieter in there. I was just really caught off guard, and again, slightly embarrassed. We don't regularly spill our snacks, I promise!

So, dear readers, please help me- what are other non-food ways to keep a very active 1 1/2 year old entertained and quiet during the sacrement? Or must I stay in the Foyer indefinitely during the tot's lunch hour?