Westmoreland Asays

Aaron was assigned to give the talk in Primary today. I think we all forgot about the assignment until Sunday morning, so we didn't talk about it nor did we practice with him. Aaron likes to talk until the cows come home, so I figured that he would enjoy speaking in front of his peers. Boy, was I wrong. I stood at the back of the room, holding a sleeping Edward, while Meg coached Aaron. He went up to the stand just fine, and was flashing his smile as usual, but he squirmed and wiggled and refused to give his talk. I can't say that I've witnessed a talk in Primary in the last 10-20 years (i.e., I have nothing to relate to in short-term memory), so I'm not sure if other kids act like this, too. The two of us talked about it that afternoon, and he told me that he was "scared" and "frightened." Maybe with some practice he'll do a better job next time . . . he is, after all, the younest kid in primary.

Friday Hands-down the best weather I have ever experienced during the summer on the Oregon Coast. I have seen warmer, clearer days in October--which I think is the best time to visit--but I was very happy with what we were dealt. After work and dinner at home, we packed Bernice and made it to Lincoln City just before sunset. Meg was itchin' to see a sunset, but the boys, who had fallen asleep in the car before we even crossed the Willamette, and who woke up as soon as the engine turned off, were whining and wanting to hit the beach house for a real bed. Meg's boss owns a quaint 2BR, 1-bath house, and she graciously let us stay for the weekend (Meg and I had previously visited in 8/2001). The house lies a short five-minute walk from a relatively quiet beach, where few visitors ever come. Saturday The Word held tradition by waking up first, around 6:30 a.m. So we got up and had breakfast, and then Edward proceeded to wake up the straglers with his vocal playing wi

Saturday Meg was hosting a party for an acquaintence on Saturday morning, so we three boys drove to Hood River to see Thomas the Tank Engine at the Mt. Hood Railway . It was pretty much the same stuff as last year, only today it was warmer and dustier . There was a small petting zoo the boys went in, but when you're only 15 months old, it must have seemed like being caught in a stampeed. Both Aaron and Edward seemed to have a good time , and were both somewhat dissappointed when it came time to leave. Ironically, they spent most of their time playing with the toy trains ; we have what I think is a better setup at home, but I guess the newness factor won them over. Monday After Meg took the boys to their morning music class at the church, we drove about 25 miles east to Mehama for our 7th annual Independance Day Hike (see our history for past hikes ). We hiked about 1.5 miles up a gravel road (closed off to traffic a decade or so ago) to Shellburg Falls. The falls res