Monday was a huge day for MOM Magazine, and we were lucky to spend it in one of the most beautiful places in Oregon: Willamette Valley Vineyards.

Kristal and I spent the day interviewing four wonderful women for the new position of Managing Editor, MOM Magazine in West-side Portland Metro. (Launching in September!) It was an honor to meet with potential MOM team members while looking out over the valley where our readers live, work and raise their families.

The location and company were wonderful, but the stress we have now of choosing from four extremely talented and exciting women is tremendous. We finished the day by sipping wine in the tasting room with the best wine expert the valley has to offer - Willamette Valley Vineyards Founder and President Jim Bernau. Thank you Jim, for completing such a pivotal day with perfect wine and perfect conversation. We will be back.

Moms - don't speed by on the freeway one more time, peering up the hill and thinking how nice it would be to stop. Take the exit, meander your way through the vineyard and enjoy the view with a glass of wine. You deserve it.

Willamette Valley Vineyards is located atop Illahee Hill, just south of Salem. The tasting room is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

We need to go back soon. I feel a MOM get-away coming on. Is anyone with me? Cheers!

 From left: Cindy & Jim Van Arsdall (ducks), Raeann & Jef Van Arsdall (beavers!)

Go Beaver Baseball! We had a blast Sunday in Portland at PGE Park watching the OSU Beavers kick the feathers off the new Oregon Ducks baseball team. The sun was shining, the  beer was cold, the dogs were hot and I was with my father-in-law Jim to witness a duck whoopin.

This is not the first time that the Beavs have won a Civil War when Jim and I were watching together. (obviously not this football season) There was one ugly game spent in the end zone at Parker Stadium. The stadium may now belong to Reser, but that memory is mine forever. I will give Jim credit - he's a bonafide Duck - he played football for Oregon in his college days. But yesterday was not his day.

Thank you for a great game, great company and great memories.

It's Friday of Spring Break and these kids are fried. We were busy-I just don't think we could fit any more into one week!

We kicked off the week in Seaside with the Funland Arcade, Tilt-a-Whirl, mini-golf, pronto pups and Phillips Candies. We cannot leave Seaside without a box of Phillip's seafoam chocolate. Amazing.

The next day we headed north over the 5-mile bridge out of Astoria into Washington. We hiked up and up and up to the top of the lighthouse at Cape Disappointment. (still need to know what there is to be disappointed about). Back in downtown Longbeach, we had a wonderful lunch at the Cottage Bakery where you can spoil yourself on clam chowder, fresh baked bread and the most decadant pastries ever. Don't miss it. We snapped this picture of the kids in the skillet like a couple of Razor Clams, because there was no clam tide to dig.

We're back in Albany now and topped off this crazy week with a trip down to Springfield to play at Splash, the indoor water park. We need a nap - we're so fried!

My boys and I at Trees of Mystery.

My boys and I went on a three-day road trip at the beginning of Spring Break. Before setting out on our adventure, we had a discussion about what we were going to do/see on our trip, proper behavior, and what to do if they got separated from Mommy. Important information, right? Then, we all agreed upon some "Road Trip Rules"...for example, for every one movie watched in the car they had to read, write or play their Leapsters for at least a half hour.

Well, very soon into the road trip, Mommy instituted an additional rule, perhaps the most important one of all: if ONE person has to go to the bathroom, then we ALL must go.  This rule was instituted about 45 minutes into the Road Trip when my youngest, Riley, informed me he had to "go potty." My oldest, Colby, immediately chimed in, "I don't have to go!" Of course with my "Super Mommy" powers, I didn't believe that for a minute! I told Colby that he had to at least try to go. You'd never guess what happened? He did have to go! Imagine that!

This rule was a complete lifesaver. Otherwise, when travelling with a five and a three year old, we'd be stopping at every rest area. This worked out really nicely and by the time we got home on Wednesday, they had it down to Kindergarten science.

So it was no surprise when early this morning, I went into the bathroom to go potty and they both followed me...

The cold rain is soaking our spring break in Seaside. But we did it one better and headed north to Longbeach, WA. We hiked up (okay .25 of a mile is not necessarily a hike...) to the lighthouse and it was awesome. We paid our $2.50 (totally worth it) and winded up the staircase to the top of the lighthouse. From 106 feet above the ocean, we could see north up Long Beach and south to Oregon. It was North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment, a Washington State Park.

More than that, we had a blast with Aunt Carey and cousins Kristen and Kira, visiting from Colorado.

In the photo clockwise from top right: Raeann in glasses, Kira, Mason, Delaney, Carey and Kristen in the middle.

I am in Seaside having a blast with family, cold rain will not slow us down. Several friends were headed for Disneyland. And yet others had to stay home and work (sorry honey-love you and miss you). Here are some tips for all the above:

Beach-bound = Bring rain gear and a dry change of clothes. It's no fun staying indoors. And really not fun being cold and wet.

Mouse-bound = Slather on the sunscreen. We pasty-skinned Oregonians can't handle the spring sun. And be sure to schedule "mom" time to relax after fighting the spring break crowds for a seat on Splash Mountain. The Traveling Mamas have sampled every mouse margarita and duck daiquiri and listed their favorites.

House-bound = Send the kids off to day camp while you're at work. Riverbottom Stables has a great horse camp. Corvallis and Albany Parks and Recreation have every kind of activity you could dream of. And for the crafty kids, The Pottery Place and Surefire are a great outlet. Get wild and wooly at Wildlife Safari in Winston. Either send the kids to a day camp, or load the fam up and drive through the park together. If you haven't been, shame on you!

If you wanted to have your taxes done before April, your time is running out quickly. If you wanted a free lunch, we know just the place!

We're taking tax tips from former Cover MOM Colli Smith - the tax lady. She works at H&R Block in Albany and they are having an open house tomorrow - Saturday March 21, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Their bailout? Free lunch while they do your taxes! So forget about tax tips. Here's the best one yet - go eat a free lunch and let someone else do your taxes for you!

Ambiance Salon & Day Spa!! Ambiance Salon & Day Spa is located at 514 SE Jackson Street in downtown Roseburg. I met with Mary Morris, owner of Ambiance, last week. She and her employees are very excited to be the EXCLUSIVE 2009 Umpqua Valley MOM Magazine Makeover salon.  The lucky winner will recieve an exciting makeover day, including haircut/style, makeup application, manicure, pedicure, facial, and lunch!

In addition to being pampered at Ambiance Salon & Day Spa, the lucky winner will also recieve a gift card for dinner at Anthony's Italian Cafe and a one-year, full family membership to the Douglas County Museum!!

So, UV readers...go vote for the most deserving MOM!

Okay, so I agreed to go hiking with a NEW guy friend next Saturday, March 28. He loves to hike and so do I. We have never met in person, we have just chatted after a friend introduced us on-line to each other. My dilema...should I consider this a "date"? If so, it will be my first one since the Big "D"! What do I need to do or not do? I am so nervous, yet excited at the same time!!

Or should I be more worried about whether or not he will push me down a ravine on the hike?

I have afterglow and a big smile. I had my six month dentist appointment and my sparkly, squeaky clean teeth feel great. I love my dentist's office-Dr. Johnson has a great location and the nicest people. I do have healthy teeth, just one cavity in this rather crooked smile. Lucky yes, but it also means that I'm a bit lazy about making appointments. I just can't sit still, and I tend to procrastinate appointments of any kind: dentist, eye doctor, gyno, haircuts, etc.

Once upon a time on my first day as her secretary, my boss was listing the day's duties. "On a personal note, I'm expecting two calls for annual check-ups. Please confirm my appointments with my dentist and my gynecologist." As she walked away, she added over her shoulder, "And can you tell them I need a deep cleaning this time."

I couldn't help it, "I assume you mean your dentist." I never was very good at the whole front desk thing. Often what I'm thinking just slips right outloud. Luckily she's an amazing woman with a great sense of humor. Remembering that always makes me smile.

Which brings me right back to the dentist. I always feel like a special kid when I get to pick out a brand new toothbrush. So today I'll keep smiling and showing off my sparkly whites. Do you like your smile? Here's six "How to Smile" Tips.