I think I cried like fifty times while reading it...

I just finished reading this book:

It's amazing. Absolutely amazing. Amazing, inspiring, motivating, touching. Read it.

Three Cups of Tea.

‘Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson’s dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it’s proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.’

-Tom Brokaw

more info found here

Stonebriar

Stonebriar is the name of my grandmother's farm just outside of Silverton, Oregon. As a kid we would go every year during the summer to visit my grandparents. We swam in the creek, picked blackberries, played with cousins, pulled each other around in the handcart, played with dogs, ate lots of home made cobblers, cookies, cake, and such. We would always have a bon fire where we roasted hot dogs and made s'mores and had a talent show of sorts. Now that I'm grown and have kids of my own, Stonebriar is a place that pretty much drips with nostalgia for me. Seriously. Disneyland doesn't hold a candle...

Walking down the lane to my grandmother's house:

How cute is that? No seriously, look again:

{click on picture to enlarge}

Yeah, I'm probably framing that one.

After those classy shots we get to my grandma's house and then I can't get my kids to take one single decent picture with Grandma GG. (GG stands for Great-Grandma)





Oh well. Here are yet more pictures and (to entice those of you who don't care one red cent about my vacation pics) a link to a delicious donut recipe!






Okay, okay, here's the part about the donuts already. Chill.

My sisters {Ashley and Sarah} and I made these donuts (recipe here) and also made a glaze to go over them, although my favorite way to eat them was dipped in cinnamon and sugar. Delish. That whole platter lasted all of 30 seconds, I think.

And lastly, but not leastly, a small montage of the family reunion fireside:



There you go folks. The second installment of my vacation! Part three coming soon! Hey, don't roll your eyes... the next post is the wedding post! Yay!

OR, will there be drama involved as this picture might suggest:

{Cue the suspenseful music}. Tune in next time to see how it all turns out!

Beachy

Hello, all! We've finally returned home from our vacation to Oregon and California for family reunions, weddings, and fun with the family. We started out driving to Lincoln City, Oregon to spend a few days at the family beach house. This is a yearly trip and we love it. The Oregon Coast is so beautiful. See?

We love going for walks on the beach and finding fun things in the tide pools.

Next up, family reunion at Stonebriar and my little brother's wedding!

Conversations

Maggie: Mom, I can speak in Spanish... you know that?
Me: No, I didn't know you could speak Spanish.
Maggie: Yeah. I can. Like this: Snoches.
Me: Oh, and what does that mean?
Maggie: It means 'go to sleep'.
{You know, like buenos noches... snoches.}
Me: Yes! Very good!
Maggie: And I know another Spanish.
Me: Let's hear it.
Maggie: Gardonoggines!
Me: Okay...
Maggie: It means 'no I don't want to get on that train right now because I'm scared but maybe later if I have cookie I can get on the train.'
------------

{PREFACE: Maggie's Sunday School class is doing a service project where they are collecting items to sell in a garage sale. All of the proceeds from the garage sale will go to help children in the Dominican Republic. Her Sunday School teachers have been talking a lot about how Maggie's class can help out.}

Maggie: Mom, there's these kids that don't have moms or daddies or toothbrushes or toys. It's so sad, mom.
Me: Yes, and we should go up to your room and go through your toys and clothes and find things that you don't need so we can give them to those kids.
Maggie: Well actually mom, there aren't any girls down there so we don't need to give them any of my stuff.