Summer is here!

Evan had a dream come true, he loves tractors. For almost two weeks we had a bale wagon parked in front of our house. The neighbors all thought it was ours but it turned out to be driven by a college student to earn money during the summer. Evan would happily eat a big dinner to go get in the cab of the bale wagon. We sure miss it.

A good friend, Micaela, was in town from Washington with her one-year old daughter Crenna. It was super to see them. One can easily see how busy Evan is!

Our garden is doing well though on much less love than it used to get, we have been enjoying the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peas, green beans (my #1 favorite) and spinach. Corn, summer squash and jack-lanterns are on the way. Evan is a helper when it comes to harvesting, he even picks the unripe produce, but help is help these days. :)

Evan and Mike went hiking on Mary's Peak (where we got married in July 2007) and the wildflowers were super. This is the case all over the mountains of Oregon this year from the cool, wet spring. Evan is pointing to his belly button and his face is covered with dirt.

For years Mike and I have seen a white flower on an off-the-beaten track mountain bike trail in Corvallis. So he was looking for it this year to show Lauren (she is a wildflower buff) and while Mike searched he found a rare Indian pipe. He was sure the flower he had seen was an orchid. When I took Lauren (and two-week old Susannah) to show her the Indian pipe we found the rare and endangered Phantom orchid! We are not sure if anyone knows this flower is here in the forest around Corvallis. Mike has an amazing memory and ability to identify flowers too!

Grandma Carole was just here for a five-day visit. She took Evan to the park, encouraged me to take him for his first real hair cut and was part of his transition to his toddler bed (since he can climb out of the crib as of last week it was time). The haircut went well, we were quite nervous but the car he sat in was very interesting for him. Mom even painted trim in the house, now we are almost done. We miss her already!

One funny thing Evan said while wiggling around in his bed on a warm evening after a 95 degree day (hot for up here!) , "My feet are uncovered and they are freezing like ice balls."

We are just back from farmer's market where Evan ran through the fountain and then hopped into the library pool-like fountain (never seen anyone do that before). He just loves doing anything with a hose! Evan just got a new inflatable pool, and off I go to check it out. Water is a hit for Evan for sure.