Ricky's 32

(Ride to Troy...here is Rick, and me the little spot in the background)

Up until right now I have upheld my birthday present to Rick...An entire day of Rick oriented activities. This list includes: No driving, a nice long bike ride (42 miles), lots of yard work/play, no company or friends, no cake, lots of chocolate, and a whole lot of family time.
This my friends is the perfect day for my sweet spouse. It even included me NOT blogging about him.
That was yesterday...and so today, I will blog.
Our bike ride to Troy was great fun. It was Oscar's first 42 miler on the trailer bike. This is a pic of him holding up mine and his bike at the turn around point. He was disappointed not being able to ride behind dad.
At one point in the ride, almost to the turn-around, up a hill, and against the wind (which means I'm not moving faster than 10mph). He says to me, "Mom, when I get bigger and can ride a big bike by myself, I'm going to go much faster and farther than you."
To this I reply..."Oscar, then you will know what it means when I say we have a HEAD wind and a hill. It is a bunch of work, not to mention pulling you too."
On the way back he was happy that we had a tail wind, and our speed was significantly increased. I also don't chase down other riders quite like the Daddy. (While we are on the subject, where so those dog like reflexes come from anyway???)

For the sake of honoring the perfect birthday, I will refrain from getting all mushy and telling the whole internet world all of the amazing things about my great husband. I will suffice to say that I married one really great guy and everyday I'm grateful that he decided to marry me. I think we make a great team!
Happy 32 Ricker.

Spring time bliss...

I have neglected documenting the beauty that has suddenly enveloped our yard. In three days over our trip to Seattle my favorite tree in my yard bloomed. We drove into our driveway to the beauty of this pretty dogwood. In mid april it begins to look like it is goign to bloom and yet it keeps holding off until one day it is alive and brilliant in all of it's beauty.
We have spent a great part of our spring re-sculpting our back yard. This is mostly Ricks handiwork. He is the muscle behind the tiller. I merely plant the stuff. I love that is now has morphed into a real garden place. The wooden pathways were the by product of the rotting raised bed.
Most of this brown space you are looking at has since been planted. (To date we currently have planted/growing: tomatoes, peppers, radishes, cucumbers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, chard, beets, basil, assortment of flowers, artichoke, lettuce, spinach, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries(just planted we will see if they work??) , potatoes, garlic, thyme, oregano, pumpkins, lots of winter and summer squash, and dill. I think that is it for now.)
I will post more pictures soon. I love this time of year when everything is green and things are blooming. Life is just better in the spring!

Day 3- Seattle trip

Poppy found the one dress I packed for her...and the daisies outside our Yurt. I couldn't resist the photo.
Last trip to the beach before heading home turned up this slippery thing...anyone know what it is?
More baby crabs...and lots of hermits too.
The boys final stroll through the low tide findings..and then we were off.
Back into down town we stopped at Pikes to bring home some fish. Oscar loved seeing them toss the fish around.
Monday we had the delicious fish...very tasty.
We found this great little Italian shop at the market with the best meal of the whole trip. And the best part was that it was only $15 total. That even included desserts. Who knew??? I say next time we will eat there a bit more often.
After being crowded in tons of people, we bundled up ourselves and drove home.
The trip was wonderful and we really enjoyed the whole experience.
I'm still in shock that We are parents of a 6 year old. He is such a great kid and I'm so proud to be his mom. And that I have such great family to spend time with.
We are very blessed and grateful to live in such a beautiful country!

Day 2- Seattle trip

Day two was a busy fun filled day...play on the beach, two meals of fish and chips, a fountain, Science center, butterfly house, train ride, ferry ride, ice cream, space needle, and a last pit stop at the candy store. What else is there to say but FUN!

Serious catch up...Day 1 May 16 Oscar's Birthday

May 16th, 4am the Edge family embarked on our weekend in Seattle. The kids didn't sleep wink from that moment until late that night. We stopped at the Snoqulamie falls and had some yummy banana/cream cheese sprinkle muffins (with a #6 on top) .
Next stop the original REI. Oscar took on the climbing wall with skills...this is the picture of him hitting the bell at the top of his rope. Meanwhile Daddy picked up some fun walkie talkies, that soon became our fun source of communication throughout the trip.
We ventured down to Pikes Place market, amazing place and yet, I didn't get one photo of the market. Here is the view from the Pier.
We left Downtown to our Yurt at Kyak point, about an hour north of Seattle. We made a quick stop at the Trader Joe's and after a bit of construction, ended up at tour site.
We quickly settled in and made our way down to the beach. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the beach.
When Rick picked our Yurt location we were trying to find something a bit secluded. Little did we know that it was quite isolated. To find dinner we had to drive about 10 miles to a small town where we found a little Mexican restaurant for Oscar's Birthday dinner. tasty food and a little hispanic lady who sang oscar happy birthday.
Then back to beddie by in our little yurt. Seriously fun place to sleep and very comfortable.

random weeks photos

4mile run...woohoo! I am now over my self imposed running ban. Abd news is that it still sin;t quite right. But the run was awesome.
Family Photo...posing with the new clothes that grandma and Grandpa Edge sent.
Tuesday the Kids and i went for an indigenous plant hike with the local Master gardeners. It was fun, but I was the only one with kids...Very exciting. We hiked up to Paradise Ridge in Moscow.
Me and the kids at the place we turned around.
Poppy getting a whiff of the pretty flowers..
Sorry the post is so short...but we have had a busy week and we leave for Seattle Tomorrow. I'll post more when I get back.
Happy trails friends.

My boy...like a chicken

While working in the yard yesterday I suddenly noticed that Oscar was prancing around the coop with out his clothes on. He told me his pants got chicken poop on them and that he had to take them off. I asked about his shirt and he said "I wanted to be like a chicken".
This kid kills me!!! Just a year ago I found him in the back frolicking through the mud in nothing but his birthday suit.
I love him soooooo much. I love that he loves being outside. Today he was telling me about all of the things he wanted to plant in "his" garden spot. The list includes "all kinds of vegetables and Mom you need to give me a big garden spot so I can grow a maple tree and a fruit tree. Maybe a pear tree. Or a coconut."
Yeah I'll let ya'll know if we ever grow a coconut tree here in the northwest.
What a great kid!

Super Daddy

Super Dad Saves the Day!

Yesterday while a group of mommies were out doing their annual Mom day ride, Ricky the super dad took on four extra kiddies for the duration of the day(8am-5:30pm).
Not only did he play, feed, nap, and care for them. He made sure that each were tuckered out, tired and down right ready for bed at the end of the day.
Ivy who recently does not like to be out of her mommies presence, was even swooned by his charm and was a good little girl throughout the day.
Poppy was happily covered in dress up clothing, thanks to the helpful Eden. Kellen, Oakley and Oscar all seemed to love going to the swamp and playing outside all day long!
Rick really does have the knack for kids. He knows just what they like, and how to really connect with them. I am do grateful for his loving care and attention that he so freely gave yesterday, so that the other two moms could come along on the ride.
Boy I love this man!!! He's Amazing!

3rd annual Mother's Day Ride

The Mammas Total number of Kids between us all=26
Top Row:Jen(1), Ana(1), Nikki(3), Betina(3), Tera(4)
Bottom Row: Me(2), Kelly(5), Beth(5), Jori (2)& baby Ezra(10 wks old!!! Jori is amazing)

Yesterday us Mamma's embarked on our annual Mother's Day ride. For 60 miles we ride, chat, snack, and soak in all of the beautiful surroundings. In fact this year is probrably the year with the best temperatures. On the way out we had little to no wind, and on the return we had a mild headwind but nothing bad. It was such a great ride!!

Here is a pic of one of the two nesting bald eagles we saw off the side of the trail.

Turn around point! 30 miles out. Ladies stretching and taking a little break.

Here is one of a pair of Moose we also saw off the side of the trail. They just looked up at us and kept on eating.
That is why I love being on a bike. I can be part of nature and just soak it all in without flying by, never really experiencing the beauty around.
Here are a few of the ladies about 9 miles out from the end. Still looking strong and note Beth (in the green shirt) this was her first ride over 10 miles. She was so strong and really such a joy to have on the ride!! I think this may be a bright beginning for her. She's got the makings of a bicycle queen.

Each time we do this ride I find myself in complete awe at the incredibly beautiful world we live in. So often we get wrapped up in the everyday struggle of balancing daily life and world preservation, that we forget to really enjoy what we have. I often wonder what would happen if we were to get every human being on a bike, and have them feel the air through their hair, the sun on their nose, and the confidence that comes from knowing that we each have been given such amazing bodies.
The wonder of the gifts that God has given us are so prevalent when you are experiencing it on a bike. Things slow down, our bodies and minds wonder, and suddenly we are lost in a whole world.
That is just one side of this ride...the other is the whole experience of doing this with other mothers. As we ride we talk about our families, things we are working on, problem solve, encourage, strengthen and come away with a renewed sense of motherhood. Here are a few of the lessons I learned along the trail yesterday:
-Beth's strength reminded me of something I have learned many times before: Our bodies have a much greater capacity to do, than our brains think. We cut our bodies short by setting up a boundary that we think we cannot cross. Yet when we find ourselves at the gate, jump over, we find about ourselves something that we never new existed before. STRENGTH!!
-Resiliency: there are many instances (I won't go into detail) but multiple stories of rebounding growth from tragedy and trials.
-Love: Each woman was just one more example of what it means to love others. All of them beam this radiance of love. They love life, their families, their community, and hold preciously in their lives the interest of others outside of themselves.
-Note to self: Pack your own lunch...the cheese Pizza and burger joint aren't nearly as tasty as a home made PBJ!
I will stop there, but WOW I love this ride and I love these women. Thanks for once again making this ride great!!!
The next post is about the AWESOME daddies who allowed us to escape for the day and made it all possible!!!!

Catch up...big boy style

Soccer...He is really getting the hang of it. The cold dosen't even seem to phase him, us spectators on the other hand would like a bit more warmth. Thursday is his last game.
When Oscar found out that we would be going to Spokane for the Workman's baby Sealing at the Temple, and would be missing the annual bridge run (where we get a jet boat ride back to the start) he was very unhappy. That is until I said we would be stopping by REI to climb the wall. That seemed to even things out a bit.
In fact i think he response to me telling him that we were going to the temple to do something important and he responded...that isn't THAT important. To him the boat ride was more-so.
Here he is sporting his bike gear. He loves to ride. He certainly picked the right family.
Here he is teaching Poppy how to throw the Rocks into the stream. I love watching him explore and embrace the world around him. He is such a great kid! I still can't believe that he will be 6 years old next month.

Catch-up time...Princess style

Typical princess yard-work attire...Poppy was super helpful with her frilly skirt and heels.
Princess pretend sad-face. I told her to show me your princess face...we get this regularly...especially when she starts singing princess songs...
Princess taking her place at the front of the class. During our field trip with Oscar's class to the hospital, she made herself cozy on Mrs. B's lap as we waited for the city bus. Luckily Mrs. B is the sweetest teacher and complied.
Princess taking the easy way down to the stream.
Princess lunch accessories...(no I did not place these objects, merely took the photo.)
Princess getting a lift on her trusty steed. (what a good big brother)
Princess climbing at REI...she loved it! If I would have let her, I'm sure she would have wore her princess dress.
Princess checking out her colony...of ants on our Sunday stroll.

Girls...

Rick-Do girls always talk this much?

As a preface to his inquiry, I should note that last fall Rick, Betina, and I took a road trip to Logan Utah to run the top of Utah marathon. During the drive (aprox. 11 hours) Rick was annoyed by Betina's and my constant banter. He couldn't believe that we could actually find something to talk about the ENTIRE trip.
We on the other hand, were not the least bit surprised. There are all sorts of things to chat about. None of which, seem to be forced conversation. To rick however, he cannot fathom having/enjoying, talking about so many things.
Last night we went to our Stake conference adult session with another couple (being green and car pooling). This other woman and I found all sorts of things to chat about on the 8 mile journey. Gardening, where we grew up, pregnancy, who our OBGYn's are. Where she will be delivering her baby this summer...etc.
The husbands were pretty much quite the entire ride. (no big surprise)
Now, I do not expect, nor could I imagine Rick discussing/sharing so much self divulging information, he is after all an engineer/lawyer. But I find it amusing that he cannot stand to be present while the rest of us do.
While some people sqwirm with silence, my dear husband delights in it. And I delight in him.
Although, I do not expect him to understand anytime soon, why it is that some people actually like talking to each other, rather than it being a chore.

Spring about our house

Nope, our tree does NOT look like that yet...I am merely showing this picture so that you can look at the left side of the picture, at the round bushes in the background.(This was the only picture I could find of the bushes...I suppose that may reflect my distaste for them)...I do however LOVE the beautiful dogwood, that will probrably not bloom until the end of next month.
Because as of last Saturday those ugly bushes are no more. Ricky removed the 6 ugly bushes to reveal a pretty little yard. You can see the flower bed we worked on last year, and hopefully soon we will add a pretty white picket fence with some wild flowers along the side walk.
A great change from the prior ugly evergreens, laurels and the token Oregon grape...there were 6 bushes total.
This is what happens when the weather turns beutiful and we find ouselves with this sudden itch to spend every weaking moment in the sunshine. It only lasted for two days however, as of Monday we were back to being cold with snow. But at least the bushes were gone.
Rick also made us a sweet little chicken coop that we painted tonight. Oscar loved painting Poppy, can you tell who ended up the most painted?
No need to fear...I have been doing my share of the work, pruning the fruit trees (two apple and one crab apple). Here is a couple of bundles of the water shoots. Now we just need to find a use of the abundance. If I were a bit more crafty i might find a use...so if any of you bloggers in our area want some tiny little branches for some creative outlet, let me know!
So although I have been a bit absent, we have been busy. I think that is how it goes some times. We find ourselves doing all sorts of blog worthy stuff, but no time or desire to post it.
Spring has sprung and we are happy to be enjoying it.

Oscar's first book

(I'm Oscar)

(But I suddenly appeared)

(the crystals are here)

(I picked up the crystals)

(I put them on my dresser)
(I'm Home.)

Notice, he has a current crystal fetish. We just checked out 2 books from the library on crystals. I only wish that they had less complicated names for the darn things. Seriously, I was learning a new language trying to read to him what the "Names" of the crystals were.
Takes me back to the day when I was learning botanical names...