Doctor Doctor

Monday and Tuesday of this week were filled with doctor appointments. On Monday, Charlie had two therapy appointments and a fitting / casting session for his orthotic braces.  Charlie was a champ and let the clinician make leg molds without a peep. No fussing, bucking, crying... nothing.  We were all pretty impressed.

Tuesday, however, was full of fussing, bucking, screaming, kicking and all sorts of dangerous flailing because Walker had to get his final childhood vaccinations.  Yikes.  Charlie had to get a round of shots too as part of his two year check up. Walker was fine until they made him take the flu mist up the nose.  He was not about sniff some unknown compound coming out of what looked to him like a syringe.  Then they brought out the real syringes and all hell broke lose.  Poor kiddo.  I felt horrible, so I fed him ice cream and made him this sword and shield out of cardboard.  My favorite part is that the blade of the sword says 'fragile'.  Just like Walker: tough, but fragile too.

Here was the conversation with Walker the following day: 

Walker: Why did the doctor stick a needle in me?
Me: Because you had to have a shot filled with medicine.
Walker: I'm not sick.
Me: The medicine is called a vaccine and you had to have it before going to school.
Walker: Perhaps you don't understand that I'm not sick.
Me: I know honey. The medicine will help you stay healthy. The doctor was helping you.
Walker: It seems like a silly way to help.
Me: I know honey, I'm sorry.
Walker: Let's stop talking about it.

Today, it's Jack's turn to see the doctor. 

For what, you might ask?  Just a little birthday present for Mommy.  

Let's just say that Jack can have whatever he wants for the next few days.

His first request?  Man food: steak and potatoes. 

Oregon Wrap-Up

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted.  It's been a big week and a half.  We're back home in Dallas and Jack just had his first day back at school.  We're all happy to be home but as Walker said last night, "Can you please tell me when we will be going back to Happy and Obbie's farm?"  When I said, "I don't know honey", he responded by saying, "Well that's not a good answer."  I hear you, Walker.  We'll get back as soon as we can.

post pool nakedness

Pa Obbie with newest grand baby Lucca and dear friend and neighbor, Dan Forsea.

More naked baby-ness. Baby Lucca and Grandma Happy discuss the finer things.

Wading in the irrigation ditch!

From left: Jacob, Isis, Trace, Lucca, Amanda, Contessa and Walker.  All waiting for breakfast!

Farm breakfast courtesy of Grandma Happy.

All the grand babies in a row: Charlie, Walker, Contessa, Isis, Trace and Lucca.

Look at Charlie hanging in there with the big kids!

One of my most favorite photos ever!  Thanks for taking this Jennifer!

Grandma Happy and Pa Obbie keeping their feet cool in Eagle Creek.

This lady needs a gin and tonic on the double!

Walker is very proud of his puzzle assembly skills!

Only two years old and Dad is already taking him to the bars.

Walker loves the fabric tent - made by Happy's neighbor, Marty.

Happy pulling down her first blackberry harvest of the season.

Aren't they sublime?

Mom and granddaughter Isis returning from the hunt.

Walker fell in love with Baby Lucca and asked repeatedly when we were going to give him a sister. Oye!

Pa Obbie rented a pontoon boat for the day and we all set sail on the Brownlee Reservoir and found our way out onto the Snake River.  Walker tried his hand at the helm.  Turns out that he's a great captain!

The day was hot and the water was cool. Here we are in the river with Jacob's wife, Deborah and daughter Contessa.

Walker thought that we might be able to catch Crappie with our bear hands.

Walker LOVED the water.  So did Mama.

Walker wanted to know if there were big fish in the water, like Sturgeon. He looks worried.

Isis, Contessa and Walker take a break on the boat.

I think this is my favorite photo of Obbie EVER.

Still keeping an eye out for the Sturgeon.

I wish this guy could relax a little.

Behind the wheel once more.  Walker piloted the boat for quite a while!

Happy sailors.

Lambs, Lakes Tractors and Peaches

We've had a beautiful few days.  Our trip to Richland, Oregon just gets better and better.  Two nights ago, we were invited to Karen's home for dinner - amazing summer salads and lamb burgers - all off her farm.  Charlie and Walker had lots of fun getting to know Karen's sheepdogs, Kate and Bonnie.  Charlie was particularly interested in Kate - almost as interested as Kate was in Charlie.

We enjoyed our meal al fresco and watched the sun go down in Eagle Valley.  Karen and her friend Katherine who also lives part time on the property finished the meal with home made ice cream.  It was one of the most fantastic meals I've had in a very long time.

Below is a portrait of Karen's ram, Barak Orama. 

And some artsy fartsy photos of sunflowers and ewes in the distance.

After dinner, Karen took Walker up to the pasture with Bonnie and Kate to bring the sheep in for the evening.  Walker tried his hand at giving herding commands to the dogs.

The following day, Mom and I left town and drove over the Wallowa mountains to Joseph, OR for some girl time.  We met this cowboy along the road driving his cattle.

After some exciting yard sales, shopping in town, and lunch, we drove out to Lake Wallowa.

This morning we visited Linda and Robert at Eagle Creek Orchard.  We picked up a box of beautiful peaches and Robert treated Walker to his old sweet Ferguson tractor.  Walker hopped up in the driver seat while Robert explained all the gears and pedals.

And here's a sweet shot of Walker helping Karen with some mowing.  She came over and grabbed him for a lunch date while Mom and I were in Joseph yesterday afternoon.

Tonight, Obbie's kids arrive: Jake with his wife Deborah, and kids Contessa, Isis and Trace. And Jennifer and Amanda with her 5 month old daughter Lucca. Jennifer's partner Brad will join the crew later in the week.  Full house coming up!