{this moment}

Today I will join Amanda Soule for "this moment"...A Friday ritual. A single photo- no words, capturing a moment from this week. A simple special extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember.

A favorite place of ours.

A favorite place of mine...tide is high here.

"I want to come down there too, Dad!"

The tide was too high for beach exploration, but we were just as happy to explore the reef and pools of water. The sun was still shining and the fog is just beginning to come in. After a morning of soccer and Halloween Carnival this was a nice place to stop on the way home. Unfortunately there were no waves for surfing, but at least we tried.

Spencer takes a little ride

The boys make a monster hand, by filling a glove with popcorn and candy corn for fingernails.

While visiting Newport last weekend, we came upon a little fundraiser Halloween Carnival for the Nye Beach Montessori School. Full of crafts, games, haunted house, face painting, and horse rides. We had an unexpected fun time at the carnival. I am quite proud of how we just rolled with our day that Sat. after soccer we went to our favorite Nye Beach bakery for pizza and two little boys eating their lunch gave the event away and then we were following them just up the street for a little fun.

Happy Birtday Sarah!

With a family as large as ours (extended family), someone is always celebrating a birthday. This time we celebrated cousin Sarah. We had a lovely dinner at the depot with the girls and then met at Mary's house with the rest of the friends and family for cake, music, karaoke, and an 80's style attire. I just love how unique we all like to celebrate. Sarah's favorite era of fashion is the 80's she can pull off an outrageous sweater from the 80's and look great. I loved how Spencer performed for Sarah at the birthday, you can't see the 20 people watching him in the video. So Happy Birthday Cuz! I love having you as a friend and cousin!

Notice the hat...that is Spencer, I think it was the "fashion hat" that helped him find his groove tonight.

Spencer get down at the birthday party

What do you do when the kids are in school?...

I love this view of the dunes, forest, mountains, and creek.

Self portrait with the Rhododendrons.

Sutton Creek coming close to the ocean.

Sutton Creek from the foot bridge. I love the meadow in far ground, it used to be a homestead back in the day.

I have been taking advantage of the weather lately while the kids are at school and getting my self out in nature, exploring new areas and revisiting my favorites. Today I was solo but when I am lucky I get a friend to join me. The first few weeks of school I was rushing home after dropping kids at school to work on chores and home responsibilities, it took only a few weeks for me to come to the conclusion that this time was sacred to a mother and I should be using it differently...and so I have. I try to get on the trails, kayak, or with a friend while the kids are gone at school for that short three hour period. It has done wanders to my mood and feeling refreshed to tackle the home responsibilities. Thank you Tres for encouraging me to use my time more wisely.

Home grown, hand picked, and hand made an evening of goodness.

Our cener piece, though the apples won't last for long.

He carved those little pumpkins! not an easy task.

Loving the haunted house candy keeper! Oh the things you make from the recycle box! Can you guess what it used to be?

One of may all time favorite seasonal crafts...leaf rubbings. So beautiful each time, and so simple.

Loving this time creating together.