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.

Momma's Vino

To all of my loyal readers: Drink this wine! I am posting this beautiful label as a friendly reminder. This is actually a current favorite of mine, and the pros. It has been written up more than our other wines. With my co-worker Amy's leaving, I am now the Sales and Marketing Director- doesn't that sound official- and so my #1 priority here at the winery is to sell more wine. Okay. I gotta get back to work..... p.s. goes great with barbeque!

Cookie Man

Too many flowers to water... But this cookie is too good to put down. Guess I'll just hold it here in my mouth!

Call the Doctor

Gee, does it look like Gus has enough Thomas stuff? He loves this phone that the Ike's gave him. He talks to all sorts of people on it- imaginary, mostly I think.

On Sunday, Gus had a pretty bad fever and it continued into Monday night. Tuesday it wasn't so bad. The Doctor said it was just a virus. This morning he woke up with a really bad rash on his face, and by this afternoon it spread to his entire torso. From all the childcare books I have just referenced, it is typical Roseola. A common virus that causes a rash after the fever, and clears up hopefully in 1-2 days. Thank goodness for Dr. Spock. (And the internet, too.)

We are headed for the big O'Brien family reunion at Mount. Rainier bright and early tomorrow AM, so hopefully this rash clears up quick. The poor guy just looks ill, but is acting close to normal. I didn't take his picture, because it isn't very becoming on the little man.

But I did give him a pretty good haircut this week. More pictures to come...

It has been a while....

Two sweet treats for two sweeties. Gus and Kaycee at the WWF (Wintrhop Wine Festival) the weekend of June 23rd. When grownups get wine, kids get suckers. Its just that simple.
Here fishy, fishy, fishy.
Here are Dad and Gus assembling the trike Gus recieved from Grandpa Dick and Grandma Connie for the big number 2. Unfortunatley, his feet can't quite reach the pedals, but I figure two more months of this hot weather, peanut butter sandwiches, and lots of fresh water will get him there.

Cake Pictures

Gus knows what cake is. That is the facts, folks. Maybe its all the b-day parties he has been to in his short life, or maybe its just in his blood (Mom and Grandma love to bake sweets). Here are the classic cake shots every mom takes of her child each year.

Paradise Valley

This house was Tim's grandparents house, Gussy's great-great-grandparents. It is still in the family, Jeannette owns it now, and we spent father's Day / Gussy's birthday out in Paradise Valley. Its a tiny town- probably less than 150 folks live there now.
The Paradise Valley Cemetery. A very beautiful and serene place. You can see for miles in all directions. Some of the old headstones are wooden, and you see many Basque names.

More Vacation Pictures

Four generations of the Ugaldeas: Great Granny Jeanette, Grandpa Tim, Matt and Gus.


Hinkey Summit: Elevation, 7850 feet. Views: gorgeous. Toddler: cranky. Picture: turned out pretty good. Uncle Ben and Aunt Holli on the left.

I am TWO!!

Gus played with a litter of kittens out at Auntie Sandra's house, among many other animals. Between Auntie Linda and Auntie Sandra, there are goats, chickens, a bunny, a horse, dogs, cats, and a brand new litter of kittens. Cousin Lilly is in FFA (or is it FHA?) and she was nice enough to let Gus handle the animals she looks after. Carting the kittens around the garden was so much fun for him. This little one was very patient.

Ugaldea clan from all over the western states: Top row L-R: Aunt Holli and Uncle Ben, Uncle Tom. Middle Row: Matt (Daddy), Cousin Katie, Great-Granny 'Nette, Grammy Kath holding Freddie-the-dog. Bottom Row: Shay (Mom) and Gus, Cousin Dan, and Grandpa Tim, furry friend Stan.

Strike a pose, Mom!

Well Folks, we are back from vacation. We had a very nice trip to Northern Nevada. It went by so fast- 5 day trips will do that, I guess. Gus celebrated his 2nd Birthday while we were there, it fell on Father's Day this year (the 17th). I will be posting lots of pictures from the trip over the next couple of days. I have a very slow and clunky dial-up connection, so it takes a while for me to upload pictures.

Cookies at Grandma's

Its easy to work up a powerful appetite after playing in the wading pool all day. Gus sampled various cookies and cakes at Grandma's house two weekends ago.

Gus and Dad

We went to the Circus on Friday evening, and I didn't get any good pictures. I know, what a travesty, but the lighting was really bad and the whole thing was a bit overwhelming. Gus looks like he's thinking "Thank goodness we are outta that scary tent, Dad!" in this photo. A friend from the newspaper took this and sent it to me. The favorite part of the circus was the popcorn and a clown that pulled a bunny out of a hat. Flying trapeze stunt men and tigers, nah, Mom, I'll take more popcorn please.

Memorial Day Fun

On Memorial Day Monday, we went to Memorial State Park (here in Oroville). Gus got some sand and sun time. It was a gorgeous day.

Little Annacora Ike and her parents, Ryan and Brooke, came for a nice visit this weekend. From Edmonds to Oroville, I think it was quite the cultural shift for them. Here is little Cora on a blanket, making cute little smiles at Mom. She is a real charmer- giving us all lots of smiles and open mouthed "hollywood" kisses. Gus was very gentle with her, but a little jealous of the attention she recieved. I told him to hang on- in about 2-3 years they'll be chasing eachother around and both causing equal mischief.

"Yeah, that baby is cute, but this water is so much fun, grown-ups!" says Gus.

Just Like Dad

Here is Gus, laying just like Dad with his legs crossed. Also just like Dad are Gussy's ears. He has to have tubes put in tomorrow morning. We are headed to Wenatchee in a few hours, the ear-nose-throat specialist is down there. The surgery is first thing tomorrow. Matt had the same thing as a child.

Choo-Choo

Here is Gus playing with his favorite things in the whole wide world: Thomas the train and his loyal tanks: Percy, Henry, and Elizabeth. Aunt Molly took this pic while we were camping at Blue Lake two weekends ago.

at Blue Lake