One thing I love about small towns are all the little events that the whole community gets into. The Watermelon Festival started on Wednesday went through Saturday. We live within walking distance from the Fest, and were able to make it everyday except Wednesday, wahoo! In preparation for the Fest, watermelon flags and banners, begin popping up all over the place, even at many houses. My aunt took me out for lunch on Wed. and the special included watermelon salsa, Yum! It was organic and 100% homemade from the owners garden outback.
Our first try at the Fest was a flop, we arrived, and not five minutes later, there was a severe thunderstorm warning announced over the loud speaker. Luckily we had just purchased dinner and were seated under a large tent. We did have to move to the inside of our table, because the wind was blowing the rain sideways and it was pelting our backs. We stayed under the tent for about 30 minutes during the downpour, then walked home when there was a break. There were no complaints about the rain though, because we were very much in need of it. The lights only flickered once during our meal :) Our toddler had a fabulous time upon arriving home, donning her rain boots and stomping in many a puddle.
Our second and third visits to the Watermelon Fest were fairly uneventful. We wandered through the craft fair and carnival zone, ate free watermelon, and had some yummy homemade hot fudge cake. We were both expecting there to be more homemade crafts and homegrown produce, possibly some watermelon, for sale, but it was mainly like any other fair with a few small town touches.
On Saturday, we took our toddler to her first parade and passed the 5k racers on the walk to main street. She loved the clowns and bands, but was a little nervous about the large and loud motorcycles. Things were wrapped up on Saturday night with a fireworks show, which we could hear loud and clear from inside our house. Luckily, our toddler stayed sound asleep, but poor Boo boo was a little terrified. Apparently the cats were happy with us on Saturday as well, because I awoke this morning to find another bird on the floor of our bedroom. At least this time it was dead.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sam's Club Winner
Our Sam's Club gift card winner is Pixie, who is planning to give the gift card to her starving student :) Congratulations! I guess it was pretty good odds, since only two entered the giveaway.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Rain!
Praise the Lord it's finally raining! We've been praying for rain for weeks, especially for the farmers. This is just another way that this small town is different from So. Cal., not a bad different, just different. In So. Cal. EVERYONE has sprinklers or some system of watering, other than relying on the rain. Here, the farmers, homeowners, and the whole town relies on rain. Our yard, the University's lawn, and the crops are all brown. The corn stalks are turning into spikes and the cotton plants are wilting. Hopefully these showers will bring a little life back to the plants.
It's also great to have a break from the heat, not only for us, but also for the wildlife. The birds have been spending their time on Mat's practice field in the sprinkler and Abby and I saw a big bull frog in a pipe, where there was about one cup of water. We didn't realize the frog was there, so Abby was happily dumping fist fulls dirt into the pipe, when the dirt started moving. She came up to me with a very alarmed look on her face, so cute! We got out a water bottle and rinsed the poor little fellow off and Abby learned to say "ribbit." On our drive off the field (yes we park on the field) Daddy showed us an empty turtle shell. So many learning opportunities!
Reminder: Only 2 days left to enter the Sam's Club gift card giveaway!
It's also great to have a break from the heat, not only for us, but also for the wildlife. The birds have been spending their time on Mat's practice field in the sprinkler and Abby and I saw a big bull frog in a pipe, where there was about one cup of water. We didn't realize the frog was there, so Abby was happily dumping fist fulls dirt into the pipe, when the dirt started moving. She came up to me with a very alarmed look on her face, so cute! We got out a water bottle and rinsed the poor little fellow off and Abby learned to say "ribbit." On our drive off the field (yes we park on the field) Daddy showed us an empty turtle shell. So many learning opportunities!
Reminder: Only 2 days left to enter the Sam's Club gift card giveaway!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Updates
Want to know what's going on with the Phelps Family without checking the blog to sometimes see an update, and sometimes not? Maybe you forget to check and would like a reminder. Enter your email address in the box to the right and you'll be sent an email whenever there is an update.
I look forward to sharing more of our lives with you! Don't forget to enter the Sam's Club gift card giveaway!
I look forward to sharing more of our lives with you! Don't forget to enter the Sam's Club gift card giveaway!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Giveaway - Sam's Club
More great news! If you're new to Sam's club, they are offering $20 Gift Cards to new Members who join by August 1. Sign up or renew a Sam's Club Collegiate Membership and receive a $15 gift card. Must present a valid student I.D. and university e-mail address at the time of sign up to qualify for Sam's Club collegiate membership.
Looking for a place to collect Box Tops? For an easy solution, head over to your local Sam´s Club from Aug. 11 through Aug. 31 and earn more cash for your school. At the Sam´s Club Back-to-School event, you can get a head start on your collection and find 6 Box Tops on participating General Mills products. With your favorite Box Tops for Education brands at a great value, Sam´s Club is your one-stop destination for all your back-to-school supplies you need to send your kids off to school with confidence!
In addition, Sam´s Club is giving you the opportunity to earn even more Box Tops when you upgrade to a "Plus Membership." From Aug. 6 - Aug. 13, or while supplies last, visit the Member Services Desk of your local Sam´s Club and upon payment for your Plus Membership, you will receive a certificate for 150 Bonus Box Tops! For more information on how you can take advantage of the Back-to-School event at Sam´s Club, visit www.samsclub.com today!
*Sam´s Club and General Mills have provided me with a Sam´s Club Plus Membership, a gift card, information, and this giveaway through MyBlogSpark.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Oregon Adventures
We had an absolutely fabulous time while in Oregon. We were away for two weeks and crammed as much in as we possibly could. We were able to go camping twice, see both sets of Abby's grandparents, among other family and friends, attend a family reunion, celebrate birthdays, hear my brother in law preach, visit a winery, go to coast, and much more!
Our first camping trip, two days after we arrived, was to "the lot" where Mat grew up camping with his family. Five of us stayed in Mat's parent's trailer, and Mat's aunt and uncle met us there and camped in their own trailer. Mat especially enjoyed this trip, even though Abby did get sick with a fever.
~Click on any image to see more photos.~
On Saturday, Abby and I both attended our first family reunion. We had breakfast with the family and saw some relatives. Abby tried to play with the big girls, but I don't think they understood that she was trying to play with them by giving them leaves and dirt. Mimi and Bapa had to leave for home on Saturday after the reunion. It was a very sad departure full of tears, but we were so blessed to have their company for five days. The only way it could've been better was if Danny and Elody had made it up. Boo hoo.
Crater Lake
Sunday we headed south to hear our brother in law preach, then on to Crater Lake. On our way down, we were able to make a last minute stop to see some dear friends staying in Eugene. It was so nice to spend several days in a row with Mat's sister's family and for Abby to play with her cousins. Crater lake was amazing, most likely the deepest blue body of water that I have ever laid eyes on. We stayed at a lake outside of the park and the mosquitoes were terrible! Mat took Abby swimming in the lake, later to find out that it had blue algae. Whatever that means! Don't worry, they weren't infected.
We returned to Mat's parents on Tuesday, packed, and flew home on Wednesday. We also had the pleasure of seeing one of Mat's high school buddies and his family on our last night.
As much as I LOVE the west coast and our families, it was great to return to our home and pets. Ahh, it's always nice to sleep in my own bed after a time away.
Our first camping trip, two days after we arrived, was to "the lot" where Mat grew up camping with his family. Five of us stayed in Mat's parent's trailer, and Mat's aunt and uncle met us there and camped in their own trailer. Mat especially enjoyed this trip, even though Abby did get sick with a fever.
~Click on any image to see more photos.~We returned from our first camping trip on the 4th of July and after showering and doing some much needed laundry, we headed over to a BBQ (not pulled pork) at Grandpa and Grandma Phelps' house. Mat's Aunt took Abby out to see and pet the horses, but Abby was much more interested in the kitty. We were originally planning on watching fireworks somewhere, but once we returned home, we were exhausted and stayed in and listened to the booms instead. Just as fun, right?
Tide Pool at the Aquarium
Mimi and Bapa arrived on Monday, the 5th with bundles of home grown fruit...yum!! I ate as much as I could before we left. We had Mexican food on Tuesday (I miss it so much!). The remainder of the week was filled with a trip to the coast for retirement house hunting, breakfast with Grandma Brown, a visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a joint birthday party for Mat and Abby, and a haircut for my mother and I by Mat's cousin. 
Abby loved the Aquarium, especially the tide pool where she could poke all of the sea creatures. Abby had a wonderful second birthday party, where she enjoyed sneaking finger fulls of cake before it was cut and was so excited to open her presents.
Tide Pool at the Aquarium
Mimi and Bapa arrived on Monday, the 5th with bundles of home grown fruit...yum!! I ate as much as I could before we left. We had Mexican food on Tuesday (I miss it so much!). The remainder of the week was filled with a trip to the coast for retirement house hunting, breakfast with Grandma Brown, a visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a joint birthday party for Mat and Abby, and a haircut for my mother and I by Mat's cousin. On Saturday, Abby and I both attended our first family reunion. We had breakfast with the family and saw some relatives. Abby tried to play with the big girls, but I don't think they understood that she was trying to play with them by giving them leaves and dirt. Mimi and Bapa had to leave for home on Saturday after the reunion. It was a very sad departure full of tears, but we were so blessed to have their company for five days. The only way it could've been better was if Danny and Elody had made it up. Boo hoo.
Crater Lake
Sunday we headed south to hear our brother in law preach, then on to Crater Lake. On our way down, we were able to make a last minute stop to see some dear friends staying in Eugene. It was so nice to spend several days in a row with Mat's sister's family and for Abby to play with her cousins. Crater lake was amazing, most likely the deepest blue body of water that I have ever laid eyes on. We stayed at a lake outside of the park and the mosquitoes were terrible! Mat took Abby swimming in the lake, later to find out that it had blue algae. Whatever that means! Don't worry, they weren't infected.We returned to Mat's parents on Tuesday, packed, and flew home on Wednesday. We also had the pleasure of seeing one of Mat's high school buddies and his family on our last night.
As much as I LOVE the west coast and our families, it was great to return to our home and pets. Ahh, it's always nice to sleep in my own bed after a time away.
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