Alsea Falls and Green Peak Falls

On Saturday we went to pick strawberries and after ward we headed to see some more falls. We went to Alsea Falls recreational site. Alsea falls is just a few hundred yards from the parking lot. There is also a trail to follow through the woods along the creek that comes out at Green Peak Falls. It was a mile hike to the falls and it was so hot. But once we got there, we were able to put our feet into the cool creek water. While we were there, some other people came down and were catching crawdads to cook for dinner. After relaxing and cooling off for a while, we headed back to the car. This hike seems to be the hardest one we have done so far. I am not sure if it was, or if it just felt like it because it was so hot. Either way, it was fun and exhausting.

Alsea Falls.

Us girls sitting by the falls.

Look at my heart, dad!

Green Peak Falls.

L didn't like the cold water too much.

K didn't mind the cold water too much.
After a while she got used to it, she just didn't
like the sharp rocks too much.

Great Minds

We both thought of the same gift for each other this year: lever action rifles. Last year before Christmas, M told me about a guy who was selling a .22 lever action he wanted. He said I should buy it as a Christmas gift for him. I told him I didn't buy it, but he got really cocky about it. So I hid it away to give to him later.
On Valentine's Day he again told me he knew I had gotten him the gun and would act surprised when he opened it. I left it hidden away hoping that he would forget about it, or at the very least, accept the fact that he was wrong about me buying it.
So when our anniversary rolled around and he hadn't mentioned the gun, I decided it was finally time to give it to him. He was happy when he opened the box and found the gun I "didn't buy."
I also got a great surprise. He bought me a .38 lever action to match my .38 cowboy revolver. I was happy to finally get it. They look great together! I can't wait to go out and shoot it; I just have to find a babysitter before we can go.

M with his long-awaited .22.

I couldn't figure out why he gave me the guitar
case to unwrap. But it was all the rifle could fit in.

The new additions to our family.
Aren't they pretty?

Here is my revolver with my lever.
Pretty good match, would you say?

Here are my pretty guns with the holster
M got me for Valentine's Day. All I'm missin' now is a horse.

I stopped by Sweet Life for some treats after dinner.
This is mousse and a black bottom cupcake.

I couldn't resist getting this cake called
Chocolate Obsession. It was so yummy!

Eight Years and Still Going Strong

Monday was our anniversary. In some ways it doesn't feel like we have been married for eight years; in others it seems like we have always been together. We have experienced a lot including: Two jobs, 4 homes, 5 vehicles, 1 cat, a myriad of church callings-mostly with the youth, 2 wards, and the many challenges and thrills of raising 2 girls, just to name a few. To celebrate the occasion, we decided to go on...a HIKE! Are you surprised? Yeah, we weren't either. It seems to be in our blood this summer. You would think that if you've seen one fall, you have seen them all. But that is not the case. Each one has a uniqueness to it and the hike there is always serene, beautiful, and FUN!
We went to some falls that are about an hour drive from our home: Spirit Falls and Moon Falls.

The beautiful country drive.

Spirit Falls

A picture of the happy couple.

K in front of the fall.

Our adorable family, minus one.

K and daddy sharing a moment.

L and the clover leaf before she decimated it.

The next fall we went to was Moon Falls. It was an easy walk, but there was a lot of mud to maneuver around. When we got to the fall, M walked up a steep rocky slope to get some better pictures while I stayed behind with the girls. We passed the time throwing rocks into the creek.

One of the muddy areas we tried to get through.

Isn't it pretty?

We are in the lower middle of this picture.
M was up the steep incline from us.
If you click on the picture, you can see us better.

Moon Falls

The beautiful landscape of the Willamette Valley.

After going to the previous two falls, we thought it would be fun to go back to a fall we went to on our first anniversary. Salt Creek Falls is pretty but costs $5.00 to see. This is the first fall we have had to pay to look at. I don't think it was worth it. However, it was fun to go back and remember the first time we were there.

Salt Creek Falls

From the top.

Half way down the trail.

Father's Day Get Away

We wanted to go somewhere fun for Father's Day this year, but with M so busy at work, it was hard for him to get a lot of time off. We decided to stay in state but go somewhere we haven't been before. We headed south on Saturday morning and went to Wildlife Safari. They were celebrating Jack's 37th birthday that day; he is a rhino. K was very excited about that. It was fun seeing all the animals in the park. K even got to ride on a camel!

The entrance.

We were greeted in the parking lot by a peacock.

K taking a ride on a camel.

The girls by a topiary elephant.

Flamingo

I liked the bears, they were cute.

L helped me steer the car through the park.

I was amazed at how big the hippo was.

M and I agree these birds look evil.
We were surprised at how many people let them
walk up to their open windows. I was very cautious
when they were around, keeping our windows closed.

I love looking at zebras, they are so pretty.

Grizzly bear, I always thought they were bigger than this.

Jack the Rhino.

I have always been a cat lover, especially the big cats.
There were tigers, cheetahs and lions at the park.

Father's Day Get Away Part 2

On Father's Day we headed to the Golden and Silver Falls Park near Coos Bay. We hiked up to Silver Falls first. It was so green and inviting along the path. The girls had a great time looking at snails, slugs, and flowers. After the Silver Falls, we found another path that took us to the top of Golden Falls. It was a long drop down to the bottom but so gorgeous! After having a little picnic and enjoying the view, we headed back down to the beginning of the path and took the last trail to the bottom of Golden Falls. It was just as pretty and breath-taking at the bottom. K commented on how we didn't see anyone while we were hiking. It was so nice just being the four of us. I felt like we were in our own little world created just for us.

Daddy and the girls heading up to Silver Falls.

Silver Falls

The girls love using their walking sticks.

Here is the drop to the bottom of Golden Falls.
Later you will see a picture from the bottom.

Our little picnic on the path.

Top of Golden Falls

Golden Falls drop.

They climbed up onto a rock that was
near the base of the falls for a photo op.

K climbed over some rocks and was
looking in the pools of water for fish.

The bottom of Gold Falls.

After hiking up the falls, we started heading for home. Along the way we saw a pretty area to stop at the beach and hike around. Mommy even got to sit and read her book while enjoying the sound of the ocean. After we left the beach, we came upon a sign for Loon Lake. We decided to go check it out too. It was a beautiful lake and camping area. I think we will go back in a few years when the girls are older to camp here and play.

Cape Arago

Enjoying the view.

Two cute kids up a tree.

Loon Lake

We ended up getting home pretty late on Father's Day, so daddy opened gifts the next morning after breakfast. The girls made their gifts this year. L finger painted a masterpiece on canvas. K made him a foot print book mark, a card, a picture of a duck and a finger painting of flowers and a tree.

Doesn't L look so proud of her art work?

K showing off her master piece.