What would we do without our zoo pass?

We love the zoo, and Im sure youre probably tired of seeing blogs about the zoo because we go there so much. Lucky for all of you my camera battery died this trip, so theres only a few pictures. Im sad we missed out on our traditional picture on the goat statue on our way out though. Next time. I'll be sure to blog it. haha

Zach posing for pictures with the penguins. Timing of this zoo trip was PERFECT becuase Zach had a penguin themed birthday party. So I had him pose with these cutouts to use as the front of his thank you cards!

Of course we have to drive the tractor every time we go to the zoo. We found a really big spider on it this time, and had Zach seen it before theres no way Id have gotten him up to drive.

When Zach was done posing we tried to get the other kids up for pictures. I just cant get over this picture, Dianes boys are so cute. Eli's in there too, and he's pretty handsome himself.

Eli driving the tractor.

Here are all the kids, and my stubborn Zachary refusing to say cheese. (Eli & Zach, Hayden Evan and Hannah and their cousin Maddy). Another fun zoo trip.

Explanation/definition

Many people have asked what a few things mean on some of my blogs. Here's some clarification.

"George" = Why is everyone called George in some of our blogs you wonder? Well a few years ago on a Hertel campout, a few cousins were calling eachother made up names. So that night at the campfire Uncle Neil asked Eli who he was and he said "Uncle Neil", he then went around the circle asking Eli who others were and Eli called them all "George". We laughed at the time, but then realized it made it pretty simple for the little guy. Instead of having our three year old memorize 60 family members names in one weekend...he just called them all George, and they called him George back and its stuck ever since. Now Zach is old enough, he's a George too. It makes it quite nice for new comers to the family as well, if they cant think of the persons name they can easily get away with saying "George". The majority of the "Georges" are Jakes cousins, Uncle Al and Aunt Maxines kids... as well as all of the littlest kids in the family..but anyone can be a George if they want. :) This year we tried to switch it up and change the name. Jill tried everything from Frank to Felix, but Eli just wasnt going for it. They'll be Georges forever. I cant help but wonder if he know thats not really their names?

"Treasure Trunk " = Complete heaven. Aunt Joan and Uncle Paul spoil us rotten on the Hertel campout. The whole camp trip, if you need a snack you know where to go. Its truly one of the best things on the Hertel campout. Here's a picture of the boys visiting it a few years go...I dont think I got a picture of it this year...which is really sad becuase this year was the best Treasure Trunk by far.

Washington County Fair

The last few years we've really tried to make it to one Fair every year. It usually ends up that we go to the State Fair since its the end of the summer and we're too late for the rest of them. But when I heard in time about the Washington County Fair last week we decided it had been to many years since we've visited and so we packed up the boys and some water and sun screen and headed to Hillsboro. I had forgotten how much smaller it is than the State Fair, but it was perfect size for the afternoon in the heat. The boys had a great time.

The boys in the childrens garden filling out their scavenger hunt paper.

Snow cones to cool us off!

The boys showing off their strong man prizes. Yes, they've gotten these hammers taken away many times already and they've only had them two days. :) Mommy is such a party pooper, why cant we beat eachother with them???

Zach showing off his muscles in the strong man game.

The cool dude Eli getting ready to take off on the roller coaster. I remember the very first time we put him on one a few years ago, I was so scared for him! He's getting so big, way too fast.

We kept yelling to raise his arms for a picture, and this is what he gave us. I think he was pretending to fly, we laughed so hard. Such a goofy kid.

Thanks for a fun afternoon Washington County Fair!

Hertel Campout 2009, Ft Stevens

11 campsites and 58 Hertels, that was this years total in attendance on the Hertel campout at Ft Stevens campground. We look foward to the gathering every summer, where we'll get to play and catch up with family members that we might not get to see throughout the year and also to visit new campgrounds that we might not have ever been to before. This year, just like last, the boys and I ventured down a few days early and Jake followed down for the weekend after he got off of work. It was rainy and "racoony" at night, but the days were a blast. The boys had so much fun hanging out with their "George" buddies, and also getting to know some of the cousins their own age this year. They rode their scooters until their little legs couldnt go anymore...oh wait, I mean they rode their scooters until we made them put them away because it was getting dark. They had so much fun being free in nature and playing their little hearts out. When they got famished, they snacked at the treasure trunk. We played on the beach, saw Peter Iredale...wandered Battery Russel...went to Grandma Rita and Grandpa Hectors hotel to swim....ate lots of yummy foods (and yummy treasure trunk snacks..thanks Aunt Joan and Uncle Paul!).....relaxed by the fire making HUGE marshmallows....had a huge yummy family potluck....playe the oh so fun Stump....and just enjoyed family. And now all winter long, we'll anticipate next years Hertel campout.

Playing Stump. Probably the best game ever.

You can see Eli behind Aunt Becky getting all excited. He totally wanted "George" (Andy in the orange) to win. Unfortunate for Eli, Alisa took them all down. Infact if I remember correctly, she completley broke off Bens nail head. Eli didnt understand why he couldnt have a try at this game, maybe in a few years buddy.

Giving mommy kisses at the potluck.

This was Zachs 2nd plate, the first fell flat on the ground..such a waste of good food!

Ok...so maybe he had too much desert this night? haha

Gathering for the potluck. 58 people eating on one campsite!

The boys cooking hotdogs with Aunt Alisa. We're so happy her and Uncle Ben are home from Hong Kong...and will be sad when they start their new travel adventure soon.

Exploring Battery Russel.

We found this bird nest in the Fort, when she flew out at us as we suprised her coming in... Jake looked in and she had eggs!

Playing jacks with Uncle Al, the kiddo's pal. Zach won against everyone he played..I think they let him cheat.

Having a treasure trunk snack with their new buddy Clem.

Grandma and Grandpa invited the boys and I to their hotel in Astoria one afternoon to swim. After we swam we took a walk (scooter ride) along the boardwalk just behind their hotel. The boys loved it!

Welches Oregon

We took a really fun relaxing trip to Welches Oregon with the family at the end of June. We stayed right on the river in a beautiful house and spent the days enjoying eachothers company, swimming in the pool, relaxing in the hot tub, taking adventure walks and watching the cousins play. Im not sure how, but I only took THREE pictures of this entire trip? I must not have been feeling well. haha So you'll just have to trust that it was a beautiful and fun family trip without seeing many photos.

I found some fun dinosaur fossil eggs at the dollar tree before we left that the kids had a ball with. You dig away at them and find bones, and then put the bones together. It kept them busy for quite some time.

Even the adults found them interesting.

July 4th

We had a fantastic 4th of July surrounded by family food and fun. We started the day off with the Hillsboro parade. We had a nice shady spot with the family and all the kids made out like bandits with all the candy being thrown at them.

Playing some hop scotch before the parade starts.

The parade is starting, everyone waiting anxiously!

Jake and I laughed at this Thriftway float and wondered if the Jackass guys borrowed it for their movie. :)

I think this is my favorite picture of the parade. Zach was amazed at how tall this guy was and how he was able to walk on the stilts. But what I love about the picture the most is how Zach stands out in it, it almosts looks like he's 3D or we photo shopped the picture.

After the parade we headed to Great Grandmas for some yummy food, water fun and hanging with family.

Eli hoo-la-hooping.

Jon playing baseball with the kids.

Eli had a hard time hitting the ball...

Eli trying to pet cute little Gus Gus.

Juan and Ben

Aunt Becky and Zach playing in the pool.

Home made slip and slide.

Antonio doing tricks on the slip and slide.

Where was Jake you ask??......Do I even have to answer that?

But this time..he wasnt alone! Sorry Uncle Paul.

After Jakes nap and after the kids were starting to tire out, we headed home for baths and a few fireworks.

I admit that Im not a big firework fan. I love all that the 4th of July brings...potlucks, family, parades, etc.....but I could totally do without the fireworks. I think maybe some of my firework fears have rubbed off on Zach. He's always been afraid of them. Last year he spent the 4th inside the house watching us from the window. This year I maybe pushed him a little, and after finally giving in and holding a sparkler for a few moments...he went in the house to watch the rest from the window. Baby steps, baby steps.

I wont do it....

Ok, maybe for a quick second.