getting away

we took a little mini vacation last week and headed north into washington.  we had heard good things about a campground on the lewis river and boy were they right. what a wonderful little spot of outdoor goodness. it is amazingly beautiful, with gorgeous river and falls.

our friends went with us for the first night and the kids played together in the river (which was too cold for my tastes....but somehow kids don't seem to mind)

....we did a little hike, decorated ourselves with maiden hair, and had some boat races

and there is a great trail that goes right by the campground so we brought bikes and got in some mtn biking and trail running.  riley and todd did a long bike ride together which riley was pretty psyched about (he finally was able to get some good time on his new bike now that the cast is off).

....while the boys were off biking, lucy and i were chilling out in the hammock reading and eating snacks

we did a day trip up to mt. st. helens.  she blew her top in 1980 and its amazing both how much regrowth there is and how much destruction remains. it was very cool (and educational) to visit.

the following is a shot of the kids in front of spirit lake at the base of the mountain, a car crushed in the blast, the mountain herself, and us in front of her (and next to a placard showing the blast).

we did another day trip to the "ape caves" near st. helens. these are huge underground lava tubes which the kids thought was pretty cool.

now we are back home... doing a little of this and that around the house....trying to stay out of the heat...and getting myself ready to go back to work tomorrow.

hope you are enjoying your hot august days as well!

july (part two)

our summer adventures continue...

lucy played soccer for the first time this summer....i wouldn't say she loved it, but she did get out there and run around a bit...

....riley's cast came off....yeah!!

....a recent highlight was a visit from todd's brother dan....the kids were thrilled to have him around...they even formed a fabulous band.

and earlier this week we enjoyed camping for a few days.....

......more to come of our summer fun!!

july (part one)

here we are in july...almost halfway thru the summer, and it feels like its only just begun.  a quick update of our most recent adventures.

a little hike up multnomah falls with their cousin ella....

some play time with the kids cousin regan over at my dad's lake house with some great time 'tubing'....

....reagan had an entourage the entire time, though they just didn't 'get' the sunbathing part of being a teenager.  they kept saying 'so we just lay here?'

....then back to hood river for a little 4th of july bbq in our backyard with momo, grandpa george and my dearest friend emily.

...and the highlight of the 4th was our friend's slip-n-slide party again....it's a hundred feet long and fantastic...the kids love love this slide...and truth be told the adults as well....it really is awesome!

then a few small fireworks before bed....lucy is still not enirely sure about sparklers....

part two of july coming soon....lots more adventures of summer to share!

graduation and denver trip

i'm a little behind with this post but both kids had their last day of school on the 15th.  and for lucy it meant the end of her time at her pre-school.  she officially graduated from Little Feet Co-op Preschool and will off to kindergarten in the fall.  and for us parents it was a little bittersweet saying goodbye to the pre-school we have been a part of for the past 5 years (between the two kids). another milestone.......

and then the following day todd and the kids boarded a plane to denver (i had work so i stayed home).  by all accounts they had a great visit with todd's family.  here are a few of the pictures they came home with......

and just like that summer has started!

eight

our little man turned eight on june 12th.  he got his cast put on the day before, so on his birthday he went to school armed with a couple sharpies and came home with a decorated cast.

....on the last day of school all his buddies came home with him on the bus for a kickball birthday celebration in the backyard.

...this year he wanted an eagle cake

...he made his birthday wishes and shared his cake with his friends....and in about 3 weeks he'll be able to ride his new bike!

we look forward to another year of fun........happy birthday riley!