Cabin memories

Wow...is it really August 1st today.  Where does time go, truly?  We had such a wonderful time at Wallowa Lake this year.  Every year our trip is spectacular, but this year was different.  We stayed at the cabin at the head of the lake with my Grandmother and Mom.  When we got there early Friday evening the cabin was filled to the rafters like it used to be in my memories as a child.  Jessica and her little family were there ending their vacation as well as my Aunt Mary and 2 of her handsome grandsons.  Our count was 7 adults, 8 kids, and 6 dogs all in a one bedroom cabin...what memories :)

As a young girl, I remember going to the cabin with so much excitement to see cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents!  We had to all sleep head to head on the medium sized deck under the stars.  How we all fit, I will never know.  I quickly learned as an adult, my body is way less forgiving then it was when I was 8 :0)  Sleeping on a hard deck in a sleeping bag is definitely in my past.

Look at that face

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I began telling my own boys some of my stories being their age at the cabin, I was truly transported back into my memory remembering some wonderful things.  I remember so clearly my Grandfather and how integral he was and still is in my life.  He loved the cabin so much.  He would wake nearly every day before dawn and go fishing, coming back with a stringer of fish just barely big enough to keep with a content smile on his face.  Even fishing, he still managed to come home and fix a full service breakfast including bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, and always cut-up cantaloupe.  I can't smell of look at a cantaloupe with out instantly thinking of him.   After a hearty breakfast, the open forest, as it was still a forest and not filled in with new homes when I was little, was ours to explore.  Off we would go not to return until someone rang the lunch bell. 

We were explorers, cowboys and indians, animals, mothers and children all before our time.  How wonderful that a place so glorious can bring out the best of imagination.  I love that I can still go back as a 33 year old mother (for real this time) and instantly be swept back to the summers of my youth.  I was so very blessed to have such a wonderful family~especially grandparents like the ones I have.  It makes me smile endlessly to know that my children will have some of that in their memory banks.  I am truly blessed to have a little slice of heaven in my life.


Here are pictures of our trip and stay at the cabin.  I hope all of you have enjoyed your summer thus far.  It isn't over yet, so enjoy and we will see you soon!


Love, Monique, Atticus and Tennyson :)

Uncle Walt taking the boys on a ride

I couldn't help but take 50 pictures.  What a gorgeous evening!  Not to mention Atticus' first ever solo ride.

T telling Sue one of his tales :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Walt!

Atticus caught the rooster...

then T caught the rooster

 

Cookouts were one of the many highlights down by the river...look at that juicy burger :)

T had his first solo ride as well!  First 2-wheel ride!

Getting the fire going

Don't forget the smores

And sparkling lake time!  What a water-bug.

Fishing with Dad

Some slow Floating

 

Look at those mountains

So Summer Begins

Wow...it's almost July!  Where does time go.  It has been a while since we posted an update, so I apologize.  We are all adapting to our new situation very well.   Our new little abode in Wilsonville is quaint and adequate.  We love having daily access to a swimming pool, park fountains, library, some play with the camera, and use of our bicycles!  We run out of time everyday not accomplishing everything we set out to do.  





Boys at swimming pool
Today is actually the first in about 10 days where we only have late afternoon appointments so we (at least I am) are going to stretch out on the couch and relax!  It helps that our sunny weather turned into 62 degrees and overcast.  At least I won't have to fight the weather to keep the boys kind of subdued!

                                                          T and Ak on our Mother's Day Hike

We have spent a fun day with Hannah and Noah at the park!  Hannah is going to be 1 next month!  The boys adore spending time with them and it is fun to see them all growing together!  

        Noah and T





Hannah bananna

We hope to get more time at the beach this summer as well.  I have secretly discovered that loads and loads of sand make for a excellent babysitter!  We aren't into building elaborate sand castles yet but filling sand buckets and finding seashells are extremely fun. 

So for the rest of the summer we have family picnics, vacation to the cabin, maybe a camping/crabbing trip to the beach, wedding, spending time with the family,  and more fun in the sun!  

 

 My sister Amanda and I at the beach

I hope that where ever you are, you are enjoying your summer as much as we are.  See you all very soon.

  Love Monique, Atticus and Tennyson

Spring has Sprung

Where did March go?  We had some sunny days and some not so sunny days!  Happy Easter!

Inside Easter Egg Hunt!

Eggs :)

Sandbox fun

Day with T-bug and the Max!

33 Things to Ponder as I Gain Another Grey Hair and Another Year

On my 33rd birthday, I thought I would enlighten you on the things that I have pondered recently as I light another candle on the cake!

• I was born to teach.
• I have learned a lot from 8 year olds, like cheese doesn't go well on Cheerios (maybe that was from the 4 year old-I don't remember).
• Thank goodnes ballot measures 66 & 67 passed!
• The best thing I have ever done was have my 2 sons!
• Yeah...that rhymes ;)
• They will be great human beings!
• I wish I could do more for people of Haiti. Money just doesn't seem like enough anymore.
• It is truly a gift to be born American, even though I don't always like to admit it.
• Politics STINK

• I am a hopeless romantic...it gets me into trouble sometimes!
• Why do I reread a book 2 or 3 times before I move on to the next?
• Could I travel to the 18th Century and handle it?
• I could if I was guaranteed to meet my own James Fraser!
• God will not give me more than I can handle...I hope;)
• There is always a reason. It may not be what I want, but it is what is.
• Tent camping with my family, might just be my favorite summer vacation!
  
  
• I can be technologically savvy.
• I love long island iced teas
• Should I run a half-marathon this year?
• I will travel to Scotland before I turn 40 ("hint hint-Amanda")
• Friendship truly is a gift.
• So are sisters.
  
  
• Hmm...what would I do differently if I were 20 again?
• I drink an ice cold Coke at 3p.m. everyday.
• Gravity really does bite!
• They aren't wrinkles, they are laugh lines I tell ya!
• I hate house work, especially laundry
• Laughter really is the best medicine...so cliche, but so true!
• Am I smarter at 33?
• I can't believe it is 2010. I always thought it was way too far away to think about.
• Where does time really go?
• What will the year bring?

• Mostly, I think, WOW...I really am another year older! What an Amazning Woman!

Thank you for playing a part in my 33 years of life.

A New School Year

So September has come again. We all had a great first week of back to school. Atticus is so exceptionally well adjusted. All my fears of enrolling him in the 3rd school in 2 years did not matter to him. He was so excited that his new school is a dual immersion school and he will get to learn spanish. I am very excited for him. Having the awesome experience of being at the same school as he is made me see the amazing growth my first born has made. I can't beleive he is almost 8 and in the second grade. Where does time go? He has been quick to make new friends (not that I am surprised).

Some very excited and ready for school faces!

I was very grateful that Matt could walk them to school on his first day. Tennyson isn't going to go to school this year, but he is very proud of his "pick up his brother" responsibility and takes it very serious. When we ask him at dinner what his favorite part of the day is, he most often replies "picking up Atticus".

As you know I started a new year in a new school and a new grade. I enjoyed getting to know all of my 4 students. I have the largest of 4 2nd grade classes. I am excited to be working with my cooperating teacher, of 2 years ago when I was student teaching, again. My commute is much shorter and the school day hours are better and allow me to be home earlier. I do really miss all the friends I made in Canby. It is nice to know they are just a jump over the Willamette River.

I hope your September is off to a great start. I am thinking of all of you as Summer winds down and Fall begins. I will keep you posted.

All our love,

M, M, A, and T

Family Reunion

It is nearing the end of August and time for one more hoopla at Wallowa Lake. We went to the lake for a long weekend where we would meet up with many (not all:( ) of the Biamont/Cooper clan. I believe there were over 50 of us all. It was wonderful to see my Grandma smile at the love of family all around her. She is what connects us all. It was amazing to look at pictures of the family over many years. Thank you Grandma for putting those photo albums together. They are now an archive for our family. I of course forgot my camera to the picnic, but I did manage to snap some photos of my cousins and their families at our spaghetti feast!


We all wore ranch hats around the fire and Matt told stories about the history of the ranch and his grandparents!


I am not sure if Papa ever wore this one, but Matt pulled off! :) It was a bit chilly, but I almost preferred it that way. It felt like fall already! It was a nice change from the heat.



Amanda, Micah, and Andy pulled off the crazy look. Amanda chose the Minnie Pearl hat. We just needed a price tag hanging from it! I love the flower Andy, it is your color :)




I am not sure if Matt's stories are 100% accurate, but as someone said, he sure can make up a good one!

We had some good sister time too! Thanks for hanging out, Sis! I have had such a great time this summer living so close to Amanda and Micah. I feel very blessed.

Atticus and Tennyson would make their Great Grandfather proud in these hats. Each one of them looks like him in their own way! Andy is pulling off the german look! As you can see Atticus is ecstatic about me taking more pics!

Cool as a cucumber! It's a Stetson commercial. If you could only smell him!

I think he is a regular little John Wayne!

My Grandpa would have been very proud of his family. His legacy will live on for many years! I appreciate so much my extended family for making this weekend important and traveling from many different places to meet. I hope that we continue to make a weekend like this a priority! As each generation passes on, it is so important for us to stay connected so that story of us doesn't get lost. Thank you everyone for sharing stories, pictures, and memories! It was such a great weekend.

Now it is time to get back into the school groove! Yikes, how time flies! I am very grateful for a job, but it does require a lot of the new teacher tasks and trainings! Calgon...take me away!