Surgery Smarts

This past Tuesday I went in for same day surgery to have my gall bladder removed. This was my first experience with a real surgery where they actually put you under and cut you open. This being my first time, I learned a few things. Of course, I hope to not be able to use my new found knowledge anytime soon or EVER AGAIN! For any future surgery goers, here are a few tips...

1. Bring someone with you! Even though it's same day surgery, you may find yourself waiting for two hours before they even begin to think about getting you ready for surgery. If you don't bring someone to keep you company, you'll be left all alone to ponder on all the things that could possibly go wrong and your only comfort may be cheesy Full House episodes.

2. If you get a male nurse who appears to be a cross between Hagrid and Santa, it's going to be ok. He is actually really nice and and expert at his job. He will even bring you an extra box of kleenex if you cry on his shoulder because you are just a wee bit scared.

3. Make sure only persons you are extremely close to are there when you wake up. You never know what you might do or say.

4. Only eat things you don't particularly love the first day or two after your surgery. For example, you wouldn't want to drink a Jamba Juice the same day of your surgery, because that just might come back up all night long and you'll never want to drink it again (anyone want my Jamba card?)

5. Never, I repeat, NEVER weigh yourself just after you've had surgery. After fasting for over 24 hours and throwing up for the next 12, it's easy to conclude that it might be a good time to get on the scale. So, despite the fact that I never wanted to move again, I hobbled to the scale just knowing that I would see some insane number that I haven't seen in maybe 10 years. After all my effort, what I saw was and insane number all right, just in the wrong direction. I gained 5 pounds! I'm sure if I wait about a week or two, I will see a happy number again on the scale. Next time, I'll just be patient.

Family Fun In Oregon

Aaahhh Tillamook...If you are in the Portland area, a visit to the Tillamook factory is certainly worth the drive.

We enjoyed THE BEST grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream EVER!

There was also the excitement of watching the workers make cheese. Although I still have a place in my heart for the Beaver Cheese Factory, Tillamook definitely steals the show.
Berry picking was another highlight. Have you ever eaten a blueberry picked straight from the bush? I is heavenly! Mmmmmm.

Life just feels more complete once you have visited THE Goonies house in Austoria. We're talking where the original truffle shuffle was performed. Cool.


My favorite part of our trip was the coast, especially camping at the beach with the family. It was our little nephew Jace's first camping trip!
It was great spending time with family!

Call it What You Will...

Some call it torture, some call it bliss. I call it a perfect mix of both. Lance hiked to the top of Timp with some friends to watch the sun rise over the valley. Photos don't do it justice, but are still pretty amazing.

Ily's Baptism

Ily was baptised on August 1. It was a wonderful, happy day and we had lots of family and friends there to support her (Thanks to everyone!).

Battle Creek

We had a great time this Pioneer Day with our cousins who just moved from Texas. We're so excited to have them living so close, and love hanging out with them. We did some dutch oven and Cajun cooking, then hiked Battle Creek, and finished with fireworks. Olivia was an excellent hiker and Ily was brave enough to light some fireworks!

Eight is Great!

Ily is officially 8! We had a fun family birthday dinner and later surprised her with a new trampoline in the back yard. She was out there for about 5 minutes before she noticed it! We love Ily and are proud of her. She does excellent in school, takes good care of her sister, and is always concerned about the feelings of others. We are so blessed to have Ily in our family!

Father's Day

We had such a fun Father's Day this year! Lance went to a father and sons camp out with our church group and I took Olivia to Salem Pond with our friends. The next day we all went to Cabella's, and the girls ended the fun by planning a surprise treasure hunt for their Dad. The treasure was a basket with 2 ties, a nickel, and a homemade shield that represents him.

Liv and Soph at Salem Pond

Watching the fish eat at Cabella's
Father's Day treasure hunt planned by Ily and Olivia