Camping...a family favorite!

With our summer being so incredibly full, not like that is unusual, but still is seemed to be so busy that squeezing in a camping trip almost didn't happen. We decided that the last weekend before Brooklyn was to start school would be the perfect time for us to getaway and just be together as a family without the interruptions of the phone, internet, or tv.

We headed up to our property in Waha and are finding that to now be our favorite camping spot. There, we are away from other campers, it is completely beautiful, and is the perfect place for us all to ride 4-wheelers. The kids especially enjoy the open meadows that are here and there because this is where we allow them to drive the 4-wheelers by themselves. Although Brittan is still a little too young, Brook can ride on the seat behind him and still have him think that he is all alone.:) Brooklyn on the other hand has free reign. She has mastered her own 4 wheeler and is becoming a wonderful, safe driver. It is so fun to watch her confidence build and it is something that she completely loves to do!

On Sunday, our friends John & Heidi came up to join us for lunch, 4-wheeling, and smore's around the campfire. It was so fun to share our 'camping' spot with them and we look forward to many camping trips there together in the years to come. Let us know if you like to camp or would like to join us sometime even for an afternoon of fun together. I don't know how much we will get up there this next summer, but when we do, you are invited.:)


Treasure hunting.


Brooklyn and her treasures.


The old homestead now that the guys have torn down the old porch.


Catching butterflies


The kids gathering firewood.


John & Heidi ready to ride.


Brittan & Colby playing with some 'treasures' that they found.


Starlight Mountian Theatre.:)


Brooklyn playing in the old barn with her imaginary horses.:)


A view of the lake.


Brooklyn proudly showing me that she is driving all by herself!


Brook & Brittan riding the big 4-wheeler.


Our little family enjoying some snacks before bedtime.:)

First Day of School '09

The summer ended way too quickly and before we were ready it was the 'First Day' of school. Brooklyn was up and dressed by 6:30 a.m., something that hasn't been repeated since. But there is something so exciting about the first day of a new school year.

First Grade...staying at school all day...having Mrs. Ridinger for her teacher...new pencils...crayons...backpack...lunch at school...being picked up in the circle...these are all things that added to Brooklyn's excitement and have continued to be wonderful things for her as the year has gone on. She loves math, spelling, art, and show & tell. We just had out first PTC and found out that not only does she love it, she is doing great. Hearing those words makes Brook & I even more reassured that we made the right decision last year in having her repeat. We can't go back and change it now and after seeing and hearing how wonderfully she is doing in class, we wouldn't want to.

So here is to a wonderful year of First Grade...


Our Happy First Grader!


Brooklyn & Mommy


Brooklyn & Daddy


Brooklyn & Mrs. Ridinger

Crane Family Vacation - Oregon Coast

Crane family vacation is a tradition. And anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a real traditionalist! Every other year my side of the family takes a vacation together. This is no easy task, to get 17 different schedules, opinions, tastes, etc. to all coincide, but somehow we manage to. It is always the highlight of the year. This year, since the economy is bad, things are tight for everyone, and some have little babies, we thought that it would be best to go to the Oregon Coast. What a great choice! We had all kind of forgotten what a fun place it is. We kind of get set in our ways of thinking that Disneyland is the only place to go, but actually this vacation went down in everyone's books as one of the most fun and definitely the most relaxing. We didn't have to be anywhere at any certian time and that was so wonderful! It was truly vacation and we even came home refreshed and relaxed.:)It also just so happened to be my parents 40th anniversary and the Coast was the first vacation place that they went to when they were dating. It was a wonderful way to
celebrate this big day!





Train ride around the zoo.:)











Poppy bought all the grandkids a little otter. Ours are named Butch & Lori!:)





So fun to watch the big boats come and go.


Brittan was NOT fond of the fish smells along the warf.


He could live in the sand.


Happy 40th Anniversary to my wonderful parents!


The whole clan.:)





Allie turned 1 while we were away, so we celebrated her day together.:)





All the boys in my family except for my brother, Brent & his son, Keaton.





Me & the love of my life!


A fishing boat crashed up on shore.








Having fun writing in the sand.





Brook & the kids at Multinomah Falls. The kids loved the falls.


The last stop before we headed home.

~ Fall Has Come to Our Home ~

With the air turning crisp in the mornings, the leaves starting to take on different hues other than green, pumpkins turning orange in our little patch, and fall decorations in every store that we go into, I decided that I wanted to welcome Fall into our home as well. I haven't done this for several years do to our 'teach Valerie patience' re-model project. Out came the boxes with the fall decor and the kids and I set to work. We had so much fun getting out things that we had forgotten that we even had, telling stories about times it was used before and making memories that will go inside the boxes at the end of the season ready to be pulled out again and remembered next year. Fall is here and we are enjoying it all day long!


Welcome to our home...


The kids favorite bench.


It is not 'Fall' until my favorite lighted pumpkin is out of hiding. The only reason that I posted this picture is because this little guy brings back many happy memories of a fall afternoon a few years ago that was spent with my mom & sisters making this little fellow. I love memories!


Loving this little leaf that is holding my favorite candle holder.


The shelves in my clock enjoying some newfound colors.


Autum...


Another lamp table.


My favorite glass pumpkins making their first appearance in a few years and I am so happy to see them again.:)

Brooklyn turns 7

In June, Brooklyn turned 7. We were at the cabin in Cascade, a place that she loves, and I knew that there was no better place to celebrate her special day. All of her little cousins were able to be there as well as aunts, uncles, and most importantly, Nana.

This year Brooklyn chose a 'horse' themed birthday. It could not be more fitting for her as she LOVES horses and animals in general. Rochenda was ever so gracious to offer to make the horse cupcakes and because of her amazing talents the party was a great success.

Brooklyn is our kind, tender, loving, responsible, obedient, little girl. God truly blessed us with one extremely amazing gift when He gave her to us! Here are some of here favorites this year:

color - pink
food - spaghetti
toy - anything horse
imagination - playing horses
place - Nana's
person - Dad
playmate - Brittan
activity - family games
movie - Black Stallion series
treat - anything sweet!
chips - doesn't care for them
pastime - drawing & coloring

We love you, Brooklyn. And we are so excited to see what God has in store for you this next year and throughout your life.



It's time for a party.





The centerpiece.


Our beautiful birthday girl.


Are these not cute?


Brooklyn & the 'Mastermind" - Rochenda


Us with the Birthday girl.:)


Trying to get a picture of all the cousins was impossible!


She LOVES her Nana!


The happy Birthday girl and her gifts.:)