Updated Blog

The Gus blog has a new look. Take the poll and let me know what you think. Happy Friday, everyone.

And happy 5th anniversary to my dear hubby, Matt. Has it really been 5 years? Wow, hun!

Lost Lake

Two weekends ago the three of us spent a wonderful weekend camping at Lost Lake, about an hour out of Oroville (due East). This place was so relaxing, we did a whole lot of nothing; hiking, sitting around the fire, playing in the big tent 'taj mah tent' and finding good sticks for marshmallow roasting. The lake was like glass on our morning walk.

Last weekend Matt worked on a fire all weekend. It was a real drag for Gus and I, but we made do. While daddy was battling a 1500 acre blaze just south of town, Gus and I went to the farmers market, took a train tour, played with Jake and Kaycee, did some shopping, and played at the playground. Dad took a pretty bad fall and hit his lip and teeth with his shovel handle. Unfortunately, he chipped his tooth pretty bad. I won't post pics. But let's just say he looks like Jim Carey in "Dumb and Dumberer". Yeah, its a sexy look. He blends in with our redneck neighbors. Okay, maybe I will post a pic for your enjoyment.

Shay

Happy Birthday, Reilly!

Reilly just celebrated his big number 2 birthday. Gus and Reilly are only 7 weeks apart, and Matt and I love spending time with the McManus clan because: a) we have so much in common, b) our houses are both well equipped for all things toddler boy, c) Katie is a wonderful hostess, and d) Joe can cook. Really really well.

Reilly's favorite things include: Baseball, tractors, Elmo and Cookie Monster. He isn't as train-crazy as Gus, but knows how to hit a t-ball like nobody's business. It's funny how they each have their certain "thing" that makes them tick. They played really well together this time. A patch of dirt in the backyard occupied these boys for hours.

We had a great time with them last weekend. Happy Anniversary, Joe and Katie! Reilly-guy, Happy #2!

Older Woman

Gus was just smitten over Hailey, one of Reilly's many cute cousins. Here they are sharing a book and cup o' milk on the couch at the end of a long play day. Hailey and her big sister, Abby, looked after Reilly and Gus while the grownups did their thing. Reilly is so lucky to have such helpful (and cute) cousins.

Dad Fishing (in logs?)

Here is Matt fishing in the aftermath of the Nov 06 flood event that forever changed Mt. Rainier. The high amounts of rainfall caused the land to slide away and take massive amounts of trees downstream with it. Pretty amazing stuff. While we were trying to change things in the House and Senate (election time), mother nature decided to make a few changes herself.

O'Brien Family Reunion at Mt. Rainier

Hey Gus, check out the view! "But Dad, there is a rock on the ground!"
Grandpa Dick landing a dink. He did win the fishing derby this year- if there are fish to be caught, Dad and Matt can smell them out.
Mmmmm. Corn.

A couple of weekends ago we enjoyed a wonderful trip to Mt. Rainier for the annual O'Brien Family Reunion. What a wonderful bunch of people to go camping with. Family came from Sequim, Port Angeles, Spokane, Hermiston Oregon, Tri-cities, Walla Walla, Missoula MT, and of course Oroville. Hmm I might be leaving out a few..

Anyways, we had our usual laid back good time. Aunt Leta told stories about Grandma Della (Gussy's great-great grandma) raising her four children (Leta, Gene, Melvin, and Jack) during the depression in Walla Walla. Aunt Leta remembers so much- she could tell us about her 3rd grade teacher like it was yesterday.

The weather was absolutely perfect at Ohanapecosh campground- while the rest of the state suffered 100- degree temps- we were comfortable in the shade at about 80. It was a great trip, and we are looking forward to going back to Mt. Rainier sometime in the future.