My FAVORITE Doughnut

Our family recently went on vacation to the Oregon Coast. On the way back we stopped in Portland to enjoy some Good Eats!

We went to this Doughnut shop and had to wait 20 minutes in line to order. 

This is now my favorite doughnut(I might have to "heatherize" a Krispy Kreme doughnut so I can have this on a more regular basis-since we only go to Oregon once a year). 

It has chocolate icing, crushed oreos, and peanut butter drizzle. Now it just needs a bunch of coconut and it would be perfect!

Pin It Pin It

Car Hair Kit

It never fails, whenever we get half way to where we're going, one of our girls will ask for a hair thing. I hope this will remedy the problem.


I found these compact containers at the Dollar store. They are so perfect. And the q-tips are a bonus! I used this tip to get the label off the top lid.


Fill it with the neccessities! Pin It

Travels to Lincoln City Oregon

We just got back from a wonderful family vacation at the Oregon Coast(Lincoln City).


We stayed here. [My families' in-laws rent it out-3 bedrms, 2 bath, kitchen & laundry rm]Its only a couple of blocks away from the beach. So peaceful!


Auri found a Dead crab


Taidan was excited to play with the Dead crab


Aulina's Star Fish

I'm so glad we could take a break from "life", to soak in the goodness that has been created for us to enjoy.

*In one of my next post, I'll show some items we found to make some crafts. Pin It

KeyChain Collection

I LOVE to Travel.


Because of our business we usually have to travel in the spring &/or fall time. But if we go anywhere I always pick up a KeyChain to add to my collection!


I used an old cupboard door. I glued (with Mod Podge)on the craft wrapping paper. Then I used mini license plates(found at the scrapbook store) for each state with a nail to hang the keychains. Pin It

Camping Scavenger Hunt For The Kids

We have a camping family reunion soon, and I was asked to make up a little scavenger hunt activity for all the children. The little cousins range in age from 2 yrs to 11, so I had to come up with something suitable for everyone. I went online searching for ideas, but just couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.

The little cousins can't read yet, of course; so I came up with my own scavenger hunt list with pictures that they could understand. Since this was just a family activity, I just Google Image searched for the pictures I would need.

HERE is a FREE copy for YOU. Enjoy!!

(Click on image to enlarge)

Anyway, I made this picture list, printed it off, then attached it and a pen to a paper bag. Fun!

*Here's a list of what's on my chart above

(row-by-row from top-to-bottom):

Pine Needle

Green Leaf (extra points for biggest and/or smallest)

Brown (dead) Leaf

Plant with Root

Leaf Eaten by Insect

Sharp/Rough Rock

Tree Bark

Smooth Rock

Pine Cone

Acorn

Wildflower (extra points if you know the name)

Wild Berry

??Treasure not found on list!??

Blade of Wild Grass

Tree Twig

Empty Pop Can

Broken Glass

Plastic Wear (extra points if find all 3)

Bottle Cap

Plastic Water Bottle

Coin

Bug/Insect ((include small 'sauce' container w/ lid from restaraunt))

Piece of Rope

Bullet Shell or Casing

Bird Feather

*Update: 8/5/10 FAB RESULTS! We did this with the kids at our family reunion this last weekend, and it went over very well! The only thing I wished I'd done differently was to add "or pop can tab" to the spot with "bottle cap" (pic below). Anyway, the kids had a blast searching for the items on their scavenger hunt lists. The older cousins (as well as parents/grandparents) got to help the younger ones. It was an all-around great activity for our camping reunion. My sis-in-law even gave out prizes at the end to the ones who found the most things.

Pin It

{Happy} Traveling

I love to travel to see different sites but traveling with 4 kids its a bit of a challenge. You always hope it will be a peacefull ride with not too many of the "when are we gonna be there?" questions. I was inspired to add to this great idea (by Carlene Tanner) to our family trip (Lincoln City, Or)this year:
The Mary Poppins Bag.


I made these road marker signs from my Cricut. Then I laminated them for durability and to be able to use dry erase markers. [It will be nice to be able to use them over again]. I wrote the mile number but they seemed a little confused so I told them to look for the next city name that was coming up.


Spray paint some clothespins (from Walmart) to match the mile markers.


Using ribbon, hang the mile markers with the colorful clothespins from one side of the car to the next.


My Mary Poppins Bag(sorry for the blur). I found this one at Goodwill, the second hand store, for $2.50[a half price deal]. I love that it had zippers & was big enough to fit all the goodies{coloring books, different games, magazines, mad libs, legos & bubbles}. I would mention "Mary Poppin Bag Time" and they would get all excited. In about all the 17 hours of traveling they only watched about 1/2 hour of a movie(unlike all the other trips which is ALL TV time). They either slept or made use of their "surprises". Before the next trip though, I want to jazz up the bag. I think I'm going to add "city" stickers-names of all the places we visit. It will be fun to see it "covered".

Just some of my other favorites of the trip . . .
Day of Shopping.

Sink full of Crab(caught by my loving husband). YUM-O!

Chasing the Waves.

Checking out a [137 yr. old] Lighthouse.

I love how beautiful & peaceful the beach is. It is so calming.
I'm so Thankful this was such a great trip.

I hope you are having fun this summer with your family. Happy Trails! Pin It

Beautiful OREGON

Do you live in the Northwest? If so, have you been to the Oregon Coast? (If you live in Idaho, the nearest coast line is the Oregon coast, my favorites being Seaside, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, and Newport.)

What about the Columbia River Gorge?? I grew up in the Portland, Oregon area until I was 14 years old. We did a lot of camping, hiking and short day trips growing up; so I was able to see it all back then. But I surely took it all for granted! That place is BEAUTIFUL!!

This last weekend I got to take a quick trip to Portland with my folks (and brought along my daughter) for the funeral of my great aunt. The weather was sunny and perfect (which isn't always the case when you go in June). We had a wonderful time, shopped WITHOUT TAX, and brought home some fresh picked raspberries and strawberries- the best you would ever taste!

On our way home Sunday, we had to stop off at Multnomah Falls- one of our favorites. Then on down for a short hike into Wahclella Falls. When the sun is out and the sky is blue, I don't think there is a more beautiful place to be in the whole northwest (than up the Gorge or at the Coast)!!

The reason I'm posting this is that if you live in the northern-ish west, looking for somewhere to take the family, and you haven't been to western Oregon, you may want to make your way over this summer. (I think August/September is actually the best, driest time to go.) And DON'T forget to stop along the Columbia River Gorge to enjoy the magnificent waterfalls and vegetation. I'm glad we took the time to stop on Sunday. It was a breath-taking sight to see! Pin It

Idea Binders

I love Binders. They keep papers or other things so organized; and they fit so great on any shelf. I've been collecting ideas {of activities} for the kids to do while they are on track break(from school) and summer break. I finally got them organized!


Since I love my handwriting I just wrote a simple label for the front cover.


I made sections: Summer, Travel, and School. The front cover of each section has a cute scrapbook paper. I put the ideas in sheet protectors so the papers won't rip and fall out of the binder. {In the track break binder I use the ABC's. Track break is long enough we can take a letter a day and do activities directed towards that letter}


My version of "tab dividers" - a paper clip and ribbon. I stamped the words on the ribbon so I would know what section it is. Functional & Cute!


Before summer begins I print out a blank calendar to write in the activties. Boy does this help in relieving some stress. Pin It

Spray-On Sun Screen Comparison

Don't you love the spray-on sun screens? I do! They are so quick, easy and less messy. I did a comparison between two brands- Coppertone and Banana Boat...
Positive: I noticed that the Coppertone sprays on very evenly and is a clear liquid-like substance. (Picture of back after spraying.) It's nice becasue you don't have to rub it in after spraying.
Negative: It dries so fast so it makes it hard when you spray it in your hand to put on your kids' faces, (so I like to have the stick or lotion kind along for that).
Positive: The Banana Boat sprays on so less mess. Easier to spray into your hand to put on kids' faces.
Negative: It doesn't spray on very evenly (as in picture) becasue it is more of a lotion. You have to spray on, then rub in like lotion.

My personal fave? It would have to be the Coppertone spray! Do you have another one you really like? Please share!! Pin It

Road Trip Tips

Creative Homemaker Jeni never ceases to inspire me. She's been my good friend for a very long time, and we have shared a whole lot of creativity back and forth! So this won't be the last time I post about her...
Jeni went on a road trip with her family and was well prepared for their long drive. She made her kids activity baggies of their own so they would have something to do besides their electronics. She used printable Bingo games from the FamilyFun website and some coloring sheets, etc.
She also made each of the kids their own snack totes- very clever. (I'm always throwing snacks to the back of the van and the kids constantly ask for and fight over them, so this is brilliant!) Once again, Jen. Great tip!

Do you have any great ideas and tips for family travel? Please share! Pin It