Feasting Yeast

He won a medal at the school Science Fair, and almost spontaneously combusted!

One of Trenton's greatest joys in life is Science.  He loves to see experiments unfold, so when the school science fair was an option, we couldn't miss the chance to submit a project.

We worked hard to find a project that he would understand and have fun with, and we decided to use yeast.  We tried several ideas before we finalized and perfected our project.  We started by testing how yeast grows with different amounts of water.... and honestly... we failed as parents.  The pictures look fun though.  Take a look...

Once we discovered that the yeast would overflow into the balloons, and our ratios weren't working so well with the beakers we had, we had to change our hypothesis.

Trenton understands that yeast likes to eat things and that it produces gas the more it eats.  So, he wanted to see if yeast likes to Tabasco Sauce, since he likes it too.

We had 4 bottles with 104 degree water.   One was our "control" with just yeast.  One had Tabasco Sauce, one had sugar, and one had a cookie.

After 20 minutes... this is what it was looking like

 We measured, graphed, and waited some more

After it was all done, we had to make it look pretty.

 Then... the judging.  With over 100 booths, Trenton was one of the 12 children selected.  If you zoom in to this image, you can see him levitating off the ground and near explosion.  I think I got emotional seeing him so proud of his accomplishment.  

I guess the extra time spent on his booth was worth it. 

Congratulations Trenton on your big accomplishment!  I can't wait to see what you explore next!

13.1 miles in a race

 I love that learning and self discovery don't stop as we age.  I have learned more about myself in the last year that I have since I my adolescence years.  Here are a few of my findings about good ol me:

1. I can make time for things I have a passion for.
2. I can heal my aches and pains with dedication and obsessive research
3. I can dig deep. 
4.  I get great pleasure from doing things that I never thought I COULD do.
5.  Friends are those who encourage and help me, and seeing my family can bring joy that is brilliant!

 I broke through my own limitations and ran 13.1 miles!

I started training several months ago, and found that running is not just putting one foot in front of the other.  You have to be willing to fight through the different ailments that will try to stop you.  For me, it was my IT Band, my Achilles, blisters, my calves, and running style (this was just what came up in a few months... imagine if I keep going!).  After some seriously hard work... I got here!

   The race started with over 14,000 people lined up on Front Street in downtown Portland.

  

A little enthused we stared running over the Hawthorne Bridge.

I saw my boys at about mile 5.5, and it was a well needed mental jolt!  Especially for the upcoming relentless hills!

 Then... the rest of the miles.  I saw one other friend on the side lines, and the rest was pounding the pavement and dodging all the people in front of me.  We were in a slower heat and so it was like swimming up river the entire race.  It slowed us down a little. 

 

(The below images are stolen from the internet)

At this point I was certain I was about to die!  I gave it everything I had left in me about 3/4 miles back because the people kept screaming that the finish was around the corner.  First of all, they were lying! Second...3/4 of a mile is a really long way when you're nauseated and going numb!

 

We did it! I barely remember this moment, but I'm smiling!

 

 Then we found our boys waiting for us.  Do I look happy or what? I think this is also when I found out that we ran the race in 2:04.  I'm super happy with that considering the people, hills, and it being our first!

 

Finishing friends are awesome!

2008 in Review

Here is a video I threw together of our 2008.  Each picture has a story, and each glimpse is just that... a glimpse into some of the fun we've had.  

I must say, this video is mostly for us, as you can't possibly understand or appreciate it all.  But, if you are looking to enjoy this video, you will hang on until the end.  You will love the dance video during about the last minute.  This too is a glimpse into why I totally LOVE hanging out with my boys.

Our 2008 in review from Raina on Vimeo.

We had an Arctic Blast

Then, we came home to THIS!!! I have NEVER seen such a sight! This was a LOT of snow. We went from making castles to snowmen, and we feel pretty fortunate we missed the first Arctic Blast of ice and freezing temperatures.

We were without power for 2 days, until Christmas eve when we were able to celebrate our family tradition of having a birthday cake in celebration of our saviors birth. We love this season, and this reason to celebrate. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.



All the fun in the snow didn't stop, and Emile thought it was so funny to jump over everyone. Thanks for not landing on any of us!

Loving 4-day weekends

It's not as warm as it used to be. So we are getting more creative indoors. This was a fun afternoon where PJ's stayed on for most of the day, but the fun lasted until late. We even went out on a limb and let Trenton sleep in one of the tents at night.



Then for some added fun on the long Thanksgiving weekend, we enjoyed the Zoo Lights. I think the highlights were the classy belly dancers, especially the male belly dancer with the flabby six pack all decked out in purple silk. We didn't get any pictures that I would feel comfortable posting, but it was a night of adventure.

Real life us..

If you know our house...and our yard... you know why this picture is what we look like every night in the summer
(this is not posed... this is real life)

this bucket is a much better hat than a bucket.
(this is a small moment captured before the hat/bucket became a device for minimal torture)

AND.... this video is us after an afternoon of cleaning.
Why does Emile think of doing such a thing, and why does Trenton find it so funny?
(surprisingly, this is not fake either... just an afternoon of questionable parenting)

Trenton with his new "do".

A party!

My sister, my aunt, and I threw a party for my cousin who is pregnant with her first baby. I love babies, I love parties, and I even love being pregnant... ... ... sometimes. Here are the things I miss about being pregnant...

1. everyone touching me
2. getting to know every bathroom, everywhere I go
3. my ability to smell even the most marvelous scents from quite a long distance
4. my ob/gyn
5. advice from strangers
6. my wardrobe
7. seeing myself grow larger; daily (who doesn't love that?)
8. reading/collecting baby name books
9. having to find my toes to see the pedicure
10. baby games at parties!

So, in preparation to throw a party, I figured out how to make a diaper cake! Can you guess how many diapers are in the cake? (this was our ONLY game!)

Yes... Chocolate dipped strawberries & pretzels. A personal favorite with a great excuse to make them.

Isn't this cake cute? I had NOTHING to do with it, but I couldn't help but take a picture. Too cute.
It almost makes me want another?!?

Multnomah Falls

We ran off to Multnomah Falls and committed to the BIG hike. All the way to the top. I've lived here my entire life and have never done it. My hips are STILL hurting from going on the vertical climb. :D

I think the backpacks are what gave us the best workout.

So, to cool down, Emile dunked Trenton head in the freezing cold river.

We WISH we could have used THIS stroller. The path was a little too narrow and too steep, but we'll be cruisin around on flatter surfaces.