Washington Family Ranch

 A couple weekends ago, we took a family trip out to eastern Oregon. Matt took Friday off so we took the trip out nice and slow, stopping at the standard tourist attractions along the way. Here we are at Multnomah Falls. Glorious!

 We then proceeded until we reached Hood River, where we stopped for an early dinner of pizza, beer, and gelato. Because there really is no better way to start a vacation than with pizza, beer, and gelato! Especially if it's at a fun, local place like Double Mountain Brewery. We got a small table near a window, where low and behold, hops were growing right out our very windowpane! Matt got a yummy ale...

 ...at least, the half of it that we tried was yummy, because this little sprite accidentally knocked it all over her brother before either of us could swipe a taste! The booger!

 Well, she looks cool in her broster's glasses, so we said whatevs. The waiter cleaned things right up and we were on our way to the ooiest, gooiest pizza on the thinnest wood-fired crust. We were sold. But sadly, no pics. We were too busy enjoying! After dinner, we got back on the road and drove until we reached our destination: Washington Family Ranch.

 We stayed in dorm-style cabins, which you may be able to make out in the pic above, that are situated on this Young Life camp. We went with folks from our church as a retreat and a goodbye to summer. It was the desert, but had grass as verdant as a rainforest, sand like the beach, and water-slides to rival any amusement park. I'm so sending our children here in the future with YL! They would have a blast here with friends in middle school!

Overall, we took it really slow while at the ranch and soaked up as much sun as possible.

  
By way of farewell on Sunday morning, there was a gathering to worship and hear God's word in the chapel at the ranch. The kids totally got into worship as they stood with the other children up front. Kiel was raising his hands and swaying, while Eva marveled at all the children entering into worship.

 We packed up and drove home, but not before snapping this beautiful glimpse of desert landscape. God does such good things.

Xx,

Mandy

Eva turns 2

 This past weekend, it was birthday time in the Sarge fam.... Eva turned two! Matt's pet name for her is "Sunshine", and she certainly is a big ball of it! She woke up to our singing "Happy Birthday" on Friday morning, followed by birthday monkeybread (basically cinnamon heaven in your mouth. Google it!). Evy LOVES Tinkerbell, so she got lots of tink-themed gifts.

 We aren't huge on gifts. In fact, we prefer experiences or re-gifted things. But in this case, I really wanted her to have a brand new dolly, so I splurged and got her one. She has slept with it every night since. Score.

After Matt rode in to work and Kiel was safely and happily off to preschool, Eva and I spent two and a half delicious hours together. First, we went to Starbucks (of course) to have coffee together. She loves coffee. Now, before you scream at me, she doesn't actually love to drink it. But boy! does she ever love to come up to me when I have it, ask about it, smell it, etc. Maybe a coffee-lover in the making? I'm not going to lie; I'd love to have another one in the house. Once she had consumed her little muffin, we popped over to Matt's office to hand-deliver a chocolate chai. (No coffee for him. Also, he'd give a pass to this particular drink in the future, but loves chai as a general rule.) Then, it was off to the park for my favorite birthday girl!

 Pretty brave for her first time on the big girl swing!

 Oh, she got real brave after a while! I turned around and there she was, halfway up the rainbow ladder. Brother wasn't with us, but she has the same self-assured spirit!

 But she isn't totally grown yet, so asked sweetly to be pushed "higher, higher" on the baby swing.

 That night we got a head-start on the cupcakes for Saturday's party.

 Saturday dawned dark and moody with a slight sprinkle, but we packed up for a playground party with friends and grandma, hopeful for some fun in the (eventual) sun.

 

 The kids kept themselves busy with the play structure, soccer and uno, and the parents chatted and absently saved young human lives from expiring until it came time for cupcakes! Okay, let's be honest, we even had to protect them from themselves then.

 We were thankful to have the Lee and Burns family come out to celebrate with us. It was stress-free, enjoyable, and simple. And really quite nice. So rare for a kids birthday party. No tears, blood, or tantrums? Rare, I say!

Here's to a fabulous year for our foursome...with a terrific two year old in tow!

Even if she does look a tad bit angsty in the above pic. 

Much love,

The Sarge Fam

Happy 1st Day!

So, we did it. We took the plunge into the sea of freshly-sharpened pencils and took our firstborn son to his first day of class this morning.

We have a preschooler in the house!!!

For three mornings a week, our biggest little will be navigating the world solo at Little Scholars Preschool. Definitely a big day! He's in the 4's class, though his birthday won't be until November. With our state laws, he has to be 5 to be in kindergarden. So next year, he won't quite make the cut-off and will be in Pre-K. The teacher let me in on a little secret, though: Kindergarten isn't mandatory in the state of Oregon. So, if after Pre-K, he tests into 1st grade, we have the option to go straight there. Which, if you know Kiel, is a good thing. He is our wiz-kid and has been raring to go and sponge-like since the day he was born (backwards, thank you very much). Nothing gets this kid down. He is like one of those toys that we all had in the eighties, the one that is inflated with air and weighted at the bottom. The one that keeps bouncing back, no matter what hits it. He has resiliency. And excitement. And pure drive. He's not just going to BE somebody great; he IS somebody great! You get 'em, Kiel!

 The school is within walking distance from our place and across from our local library, so this is how we roll....

Happy 1st Day to all the preschoolers in the house!

May the year be full of great grace.

Xx, Mandy

Be Mine.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  

And that is what we are! 

1 John 3:1