Where has the time gone?

Wow, I can't believe it's the end of May already!  We've still got lots of rain here in the Northwest, which is kind of odd, but not completely unheard of.  The girls are getting a little restless wanting to spend more time outside, but it's hard when the ground is soggy and the grass is wet.  Soon that will be a thing of the past sunny days will be upon us.

Since our last entry, the girls spent a Saturday in Vancouver and got to meet their cousins from Medford, OR, Derek and Brandon.  Derek was entered in a Karate Tournament held at the Convention Center at the Vancouver Hilton, and the rest of the family was there for support.  We didn't get to watch Derek compete, but after things settled down for the day we all went to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack on the Columbia River.

The 15th of May brought fun at the Nutter Foundation's "Dozer Days" at the Cemex Quarry just west of Camas.  It was a lot of fun, and the girls had a blast!  We weren't sure what "proper dress" should be, but wanted the girls to fit in, so we bought them some Carhartt pants, boots, and polo shirts.  Of course, the polos weren't too "manly", but we've got gorgeous girls to think about.

Participants get to ride into the event on an Articulated Hauler, basically a large dump truck with a hinge in the middle.

Fatima wasn't too keen on riding in the back of the hauler at first, but started to have a lot of fun when she saw the other kids laughing and smiling.

After riding the hauler, we began our wait to get on some of the equipment and move some dirt!

Maria and Fatima waiting in line for the Excavators (what I used to call a Back-hoe).  It was sunny, warm, and it got a little testy sometimes having to wait.  At the gate to the event, all the kids get "Hard Hats" to wear, and most - if not all - sponsors hand out stickers.  By the time kids leave, there isn't much yellow left on their hats.  We collected most of our stickers and put them in bags to be put on later.

Fatima with her "operator" picking it (dirt) up, and putting it down.

A cascade of dirt fell anywhere from mere inches to several feet above the ground.  There were smiles on everyone's faces for the duration!

Maria, picking it up...

And putting it down!

After the excavators, we decided to take a much needed lunch break.  The event had several sponsors, and the food this year was provided by Burgerville and a place called Vancouver Pizza.  And just because I say "provided" doesn't mean it was free.  I guess a better word would be offered.  The line for burgers was at least a half hour long, and the girls were dying for some food, so Valerie and I decided pizza would be the better choice.  The girls didn't seem to mind, but Valerie and I decided next year we'll wait for burgers.

Under the canopies, enjoying a slice of cheese pie!

Glad to be sitting, enjoying some food (getting it all over her hands and face too) and being happy Mom and Dad bought some cold water!

After lunch we decided to see what other "exhibits" were there and we quickly found the "Tire Crawl" sponsored by Les Schwab Tires.  When I think of Les Schwab, I normally think of cars and trucks, sometimes tractor trailers, but I guess if they want to compete with everyone they need to stock other industrial tires as well.  These tires were so big, I could have hidden in them!

The girls on a large tire, under the Les Schwab banner.

Most of the tires were lain horizontally, making stacking and climbing possible, but they had a couple of tires on end for kids to climb through.  It wasn't just fun to play in, but gave the girls a break from the sun as well.

Fatima, conquering the mound of tires to be "Queen of the Hill".

Maria, rising to the top!

Some of the sponsors had games for all the kids to play.  One of the financial institutions there had a  "Gold Coin" dig.  Kids used small excavator -type toys to dig up small gold coins and prizes.  However many coins the child got, the bank translated into a dollar amount for a new savings account.  The "prizes" (plastic rings and bouncy balls) were kept by the kids.  Maria did an excellent job on her own!

Fatima did well on her own, actually scoring more prizes than Maria; although it could have been because they kept stocking it with toys every time she pulled out the excavator!  Fatima was kind enough to share her bounty with big sister.

There were also lots of "Big Rigs" for the kids to climb in and honk horns and push buttons.

Another LONG row of excavators and bulldozers, large and small, along with a crane.  Kids got to sit in the cab of the crane, but it wasn't operating while we were there.

Maria on her bulldozer, pushing dirt, making a big pile.

Another shot of Maria on her dozer.  She really enjoyed honking the horn at mommy and daddy when she got close!

Fatima enjoyed driving the big dozer too, and enjoyed honking the horn just as much as her older sister!

Another shot of Fatima enjoying her ride.  Such concentration!

Other equipment they had on display included this CAT grader.  Very large, very heavy.

A front-end-loader parked next to a dump truck.  The rear wheels on the loader are about 6 or 7 feet tall.

Our family, at the end of a long, hot, dusty day in the quarry, standing next to an Articulated Hauler (weighing in at 49 tons, or was that 49 thousand pounds - either way, VERY heavy).

We had a great time at Dozer Days 2010, and look forward to going back in 2011.  As much as I would like to continue writing this episode, I have a lack of photos and good stories to share.  I hope to include more of our adventures in another blog, hopefully written sooner than later, because summer break fast approaches (only two more weeks of school) and we're looking forward at getting Maria and Fatima into some activities to help them pass the time.

However, before I go, one last moment of humor.  Recently, Maria picked up her new glasses from the eye doctor.  They're a beautiful pair of pink plastic framed lenses, similar to what she had.  Fatima decided she needed to be included with the rest of the family wearing glasses, and kindly informed Valerie the other day in the car that she (Fatima) needed new glasses because she couldn't see out of hers very well anymore.  This news was delivered very matter-of-fact like, with no hesitation or ounce of humor displayed.

I'm sure if Valerie had been driving at the time (thank goodness they were parked in a parking lot) she would have nearly wrecked the car from laughing so hard....

Wait for it...  Come on now, wait for it!!!

Of course, those aren't glasses at all, but a plastic headband Fatima was wearing that day to keep the hair out of her face.

Thanks for reading, until next time!