Cousin Time

The crew of kids. Exhausted after a full day at Evergreen Wings & Waves. They had to kick us out at 8:00 and our kids were busting up the stairs for one last ride.

Love this pic! Liam loves pickups - a big bonus if it has huge tires and a loud engine.

Milah & Alinya

What good are photos without a few faces? No, their faces did not freeze like this

Once upon a time, I encouraged my only sibling to head to Switzerland for a great adventure. Oh by the way, I said - I think that Ralph guy is worth getting to know. What? She listened? I certainly don't regret her decisions because I adore Ralph and know that she is happy with her life. BUT . . . why does it have to be so far? Boo Hoo.

Introducing the QUACK SHACK!

I grew up a proud Beaver Fan. Still am.

HOWEVER, Buck's is in Duck Country. Thus, our new toilet - the QUACK SHACK. We want to make an Oregon State toilet as well but will see how these go first. Gladly accepting ideas - hint hint.

I love the design, but it feels like I've sold my soul. Go BEAVERS!

Jamboree Madness

The Oregon Jamboree (a country music festival) is this weekend and we have around 400 pieces at the event and scattered throughout 20 campground areas. We have been servicing the venue after the crowds leave in the evening - finishing around 2:30 in the morning. Hannes and Milah have been helping with this service - they are a huge help and seem to love it.

"Mean Uncle Scott" as Hannes used to call him - showing Hannes how to service the sinks.

Cousin togetherness - hey we'll take what we can get!

The crew in action. Sten and Scott pump. The rest of us fill in as door holders, tp, IHS, soap, and paper towel refillers - wipers and swipers as well.

After we finish servicing the event toilets, we have been making a trip to Eugene to empty the trucks. By the time we get back to town, Scott gets 1-2 hrs of sleep before beginning to pump all the campsites. It's a crazy schedule - good thing it's only 3 days!

Fleet Decor

Everyone loves before and after photos - even if it's on a poop truck! Please excuse the order of these pics - they are after, before, after

We recently purchased 2 used trucks from Florida. We had to cover the previous owner's graphics, so we decided to make a "splash" while we were at it.

It's so different - it's going to take some getting used to - but we like it. It's definitely eye-catching.

Wave, holler and honk when you pass us!

Hay! It's that time of year

Hay Boy is at it again. He is dressing the part with his Amish-ish facial hair. Last year, he finished with just over 6,000 bales - this year he's going to be right at 15,000!

This pick-up machine works awesome! It traps the bale and sends it up the chute. Looks like its from the horse drawn era, but it works! Best part - there's very little to break down (unlike the rest of this surly and cantankerous hay equipment)

Road Rage

In Hippietown USA (Eugene), it is not uncommon to see cars plastered with bumper stickers citing their "peaceful" views. I was driving behind one such creature yesterday, when we suddenly came upon an extremely slow moving vehicle. This peace loving gentlemen went beserk - waving his hands in the air and impatiently manuevering to get around the snail's pace truck, complete with crude hand gestures. Ok, there was a small part of me that wanted to run him off the road, jerk him out by the scruff of his embroidered collar, and rub his nose on his back bumper. Peace dude.

Giving 26 Spankings Today

7-11 is a big date in this house! We have- not one, but 2 birthdays to celebrate. Our first baby and our last baby.

Here they are at Maren's first and Sten's 9th birthday

17 years old now, unimaginable!

Mare Mare is 9! Boo hoo

A Deere Kid

Hay season has arrived and Sten is working the "bugs" out of his new cutter. I ran for parts today and while I was waiting at the counter, I glanced behind me at a scene similar to the picture above.

Not long ago, a little towhead was beside me, tugging on my hand and begging, "Just one - please Mommy". Good thing I didn't succumb to his pleas more often as these "hay boy" trips to the John Deere store can get expensive!

When he was 1.5, he sat on Santa's lap and told him that he wanted a John Deere combine. Santa looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked, "Does he know what he's talking about"? Yep. When he was 2, we pulled the RV into a site at Lake Shasta and Sten immediately won the hearts of our neighbors - he peeked his head out the door and asked them - "Do you wanna see my John Deeres"? In the Sunday paper, the local John Deere dealer often has a full color insert. Sten would peruse that for hours - his favorite picture book - I finally started getting them laminated. Guess he was destined to be a hay boy.

My heart breaks for the Grotz family as they recently lost their son in a tragic farming accident. We think of them as "our kids", but they are only a gift. A most precious gift. See http://tylergrotz.blogspot.com for the memorial.

Buck's on the Move . . .

The Trials are over and we feel like we should get a gold medal for our efforts! Tonight they are busy pumping and transporting toilets back to the yard. This is our professional pumping and TP restocking crew. These units will be detailed and head out to different events Monday and Tuesday.

Then we call in the brutes - the toilet movers. The trailer hauls 18 toilets, so these boys aren't gonna be done til 3 or 4 in the morning. Good thing they slept most of the day.

Remember when . . .

In the early 90s, we were the (extremely) proud owners of one of these monstrous cell phones - cutting edge technology. Having one of these dudes on your shoulder, tucked under your chin was a real statement. In a frustrated challenge- one of our kids once heatedly asked me (campaigning for their own phone) "How old were you when you got your first cell phone?" Uhhh, 22. LOL kiddo.

Our parents weren't quite as cool. They sported one of these bag phones and the little curly antenna on their back window. Sheesh - they are cooler than us now. Iphones and Kindles.

I suppose our great grandchildren will have barcoded tattoos for identification and credit purposes and have communication devices implanted at birth.

Not a good Scene

As we've all heard - Colorado is battling several wildfires. One near our beloved Colorado Springs. Too bad we can't send them some of the monsoon-like rains we've been having. Stay safe, dear friends-

Whatcha got Cookin?

We're running on an upside down schedule around here (the odd schedule and lack of sleep feels like we have a newborn). Scott & Sten are servicing toilets every night at the Trials from 9:30pm - 2am. When they return (to the motorhome on site), they are starving - so we have been having "dinner" at 2am. The new recipe I tried last night (er, this morning) is simple and delicious - I had to share. It's called "man pleasing chicken" - and it certainly lived up to it's name - YUM!

1 1/2 lbs of chicken (calls for thighs but (blech) I can't stand thighs)
1/2 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 T rice wine vinegar

I chose to cook in a skillet - but the oven instructions are to bake at 450 for 40 minutes. The sauce gets carmelized and crispy - will definitely make again.

New Door Stickers

It's not ideal to be installing stickers at the event, but that was our only option yesterday. We had overnight guests at our house and they were roped in as free labor (let this be a warning).

Tracktown USA. Yeah, there's gonna be cheering for those that are jumping high, running fast and throwing far- but the crowds are gonna be gathered near the portable toilets in awe of our new stickers!

Ahhh, summer vacation - what fun!

Before - no stickers.

While we were dragging our stuff from one batch of toilets to the next, Susie and Sten flew by on a golf cart. Must think they were VIP's or something.

Sherman was even "in" on the fun. Doesn't he look like he's having a blast?

After! Looking fabulous.

Wedding Jitters

Erika & Willy - on a rope swing over the pond

Susie - sister of the groom, sporting an (ouch) sunburn

I was responsible for a little staging - 2 lemonade stands and some table decor. This was crafted from a pallet - the uprights are 2 fence posts from a free pile that we quickly threw in the back of "Katrina" after Sunday morning meeting.

The large lemonade stand was crafted from a 10$ Craigslist table (sold by a certain questionable character). It was painted, sanded, stained, sawed on and screwed to. The final product is adorable . . .

Miss Maren - waiting for the event to begin. The setting was unbelievably gorgeous. Last September, the existing pond was drained and reworked. Since then, there has been hundreds of hours of landscaping and LOTS of rain - an extreme before & after.

Schools Out!

Maren & Mr. Swanson - last day of 3rd grade

The Stellar 6th Grader

Milah graduated from the 6th grade today. She earned a Presidential Excellence Award for her outstanding academic achievement and she is very anxious to move onto Junior High. Her teacher for the past 2 years had extremely high expectations - assuring them success in the future.

I do! like weddings!

I am helping "stage" a wedding.  This is a former gun safe, now cookie stand. 

Craiglist Special.  Soon to be - Lemonade Stand