What Do I Hear?

In the middle of the night, last night, I was awakened to Logan screaming for me. When I reached him, he said, "I hear something, Mama." I listened and said, "It's just the wind." "No," he said. I listened again, "Oh...you just hear your brother snoring." "No...I think it is a funny little mouse that doesn't know how to squeak properly." Well, I'm glad we figured that out at 2:30 in the morning:)

Winter is not over afterall in Bickleton! Today, I actually put on my Savoonga gear to meet the elements that Logan and Owen were so insistent upon playing in! They are good arctic boys. It seems to be letting up a bit, but I think I shoveled a good 6 inches just from a couple hours this morning. So we're back to enjoying sledding, snowmen and hot chocolate by the woodstove.

Pretend Play

The boys continue to live in a made up world much of the day. This morning I walked into their bedroom to find all of their stuffed animals and more gathered together. They told me they were having a "church meeting". As Logan put Mr. Potato Head together to attend, he said, "But they're not having communion today, Owen because he is wearing his mustache over his teeth." :)

Logan...on Bickleton

Several months ago, I drove up to a hill above Bickleton and commented on how small the town really is! I asked the boys if they liked living here and Logan said he'd rather live some place bigger...like Yakima...where there are other kids to play with:( It was kind of a sad revelation of how they were adjusting to our new location. They have since found a few other kids to play with (granted they are a few years older, but they're kids none the less) and they get their play fix once a week when we drive down for "preschool"/Bible Study.

On the way back from Yakima today, as we climbed up the hill to Bickleton, Logan said, "I like living in Bickleton. You know why? Because we are higher than everyone else." Hmmm. Well, at least now he's content:)

Bickleton through Different Eyes

A reporter came up from Yakima to do a story on our church. He said he had been up here many times before, but after that morning's drive any romantic notions of living in Bickleton came to an end. Apparently, he didn't find the winter drive very appealing!

Two friends from Portland stayed with us last night. They take down old barns in the area and have stayed with us a few times. When they arrived out our home, Nicholas said, "We came into town to get some food, but everything is closed!" I laughed and offered food to his wide eyed friend. Later, a neighbor knocked on our door to see if we had enough gas to get her 40 min. down to the valley to the nearest gas station. Nicholas' friend's eyes grew wider as he said, "You're really out here. I mean if you need something, you're just out of luck sometimes. Provisions has a whole new meaning to me!"

I guess when you've lived in cities your whole life, Bickleton is a bit of an eye opener. We haven't been stuck here yet, but thanks to living in Savoonga, we have enough "provisions" to lived comfortably until June if need be:)

We're Back!

Our new computer arrived this week, so I have no more excuses not to continue our blog:) You've missed out on a lot of great kid stories, so I'll just fill you in on the latest!

Santa came to Bickleton! The Sherriff's Dept decorated their vehicles and brought Santa on a sleigh in the midst of a big snow storm. We, of course, showed up on foot, covered in snow. The boys were a bit skiddish at first, but finally Owen said he wanted to tell Santa what he wanted. He climbed up on his lap and said, "I want a new coat for Christmas. See, I will show you why." He proceeded to unvelcro his coat and show Santa his broken zipper. Santa asked if he wanted anything else and he said, "No. I just want a new coat because my coat is broken." I glanced at "Santa's helper" and everything about his face said he felt so sorry for this poor little boy from this impoverished family...the 4 year old boy who only wants a proper coat for Christmas...no toys! It was too funny! So then our lovely other boy climbed onto Santa's lap. He said, "I want a pop-up tent for Christmas." Santa asked if he wanted anything else. Logan said, "Some hot chocolate and a candy cane." More sympathetic looks from the Sherriff's dept! Later, after Santa's helper gave the boys hot chocolate and candycanes, Logan said, "Now I only want a pop-up tent! He already gave me hot chocolate and a candycane!" Pretty prompt Santa!:) Oh dear...so I'm fully expecting a new coat and a "pop-up tent" to arrive in Bickleton for "that poor family with twin boys" courtesy of the Sherriff Dept.! :)

"Imaginative" Play

Logan and Owen love imaginative play and I love listening to them play. I thought that today's play gave some insight into our most recent family outings.

First, they were sitting in the laundry basket (their raft)...
"Row...row...AHHHH! (major rocking back and forth in basket) I hit a big rapid!"

Then, they were sitting on the couch (the car) filling it full of things to take camping. When they were finished, they began driving.
"Vroom...vroom...oh, no...I have a flat tire!"
"I'll fix it for you!"

You can see the eventfulness of our family excursions and what the boys seem to remember the most:)

Camping with Papa

The boys and I had so much fun camping by ourselves and with my sister and fam, that we wanted to take Jacob along on a trip! We camped on Wind River, near Mt. St. Helens a couple of weekends ago. It was over 100 degrees in The Dalles, so it felt good to cool off a bit under the big trees.


We arrived late (with a brand new tire!), but still found a great campsite and the boys were happy...


...and tired!


After a good night's sleep, we played around near the river the next morning...



...enjoyed some beautiful sights...


...and found a little lake to try out our new raft.


The drive home took us by some ice caves. We didn't explore too much since we weren't very prepared in the way of lights and footwear, but it was pretty amazing to drop 60 degrees or so just by walking down a few steps. I'm sure we'll return...maybe when the boys are a bit older and able to control their own footing a bit better!:)