Jump!

No, this is not Talus....This is Sage who belongs to a neighbor.

Just some more amazing Oregon photos...and rowing

One of the many scenic lookout stops along hwy 101.

This could be New Zealand.

Looking south toward Manzanita.



Jackson is in the boat closest to the dock.



See him? Second from the back of the boat.

Off they go! They almost caught the lead boat.

Time at the beach

There aren't many places more beautiful than the Oregon coast. The water is cold (freezing), it may be windy but it is rarely crowded (at least in Manzanita) and offers some of the most gorgeous unspoiled coastline of any place we've traveled. Plus, it has amazing sand dunes which our boys could play in for hours and hours. Oh-and fresh crab just around the corner. The boys took a boat out and came back with dinner!

The Summer Catch Up Blog Post

Last day of 6th grade!

Last day of 5th grade!

Summer fun on the lake.

Cousin time in Florida.

Beautiful Oregon hiking.

Birthday cake!

From the top of the Astoria column....164 steps for this view.

Pre-dinner sustenance.

Lazy Saturday afternoons...the best!



Summer so far has been filled with sleep away camps, travels to Florida, hiking in the Columbia river gorge, eating all the amazing summer produce now available everywhere (including raspberries from our front yard bush), lots of time at the lake, dinner outside, dinner at some PDX places we've been wanting to try, yard projects and a tiny bit of summer home school (not nearly enough but we are trying). All in all, it has felt like the right balance of activity-downtime and as a bonus the weather has been absolutely perfect. When summer is good in Oregon, there's no place I'd rather be! 

Favorite places

Perfect place for an epic battle with foam noodles!

A fun group to hang out with for the weekend.

More fun with foam noodles!

Badminton turned into pine cone flinging.

I'd love to see this view everyday.


This past weekend we were once again lucky enough to visit the Hood Canal. I think everyone should visit this gorgeous place at least one time. It is the ultimate in pristine, unspoiled outdoor beauty. And I love the fact that we were outside pretty much the entire weekend. Despite a forecast that called for rain, we were in sunshine and perfect temperatures all weekend.  Every year , Jim's office hold a weekend getaway for the families. As you can see in the photos, there's quite a little posse of boys in the 8-12 year age group. We tried our best to keep the foam noodle battles contained to our section of cottages. Fortunately, there's enough wide open space to run around outside. It was a wonderful way to spend a weekend! 

All Kinds of Good Fun

12!!

Making things with his birthday present.

A last bit of skiing for the season. 

Racing with friends in the 100 meters.

Sunday hike.

All that rain gives us 100 shades of green.

The best pizza in Portland.

Mother's Day hiking.

Not what you expect when you get a call from school.

Fortunately Jim's office is just down the street!

My favorite photo bomb.

Happy Spring Things

Sean turned 10!

Cousin time in Dallas.

Margaritas in Santa Fe.

New Mexico Sky.

Time with Grandparents.

Flying home. We love Alaska Airlines! 

Oregon green comes in a million different shades.



All is well. I didn't realize I left off on somewhat of an angsty post. Boys are moving along in school and sports and life in general. Jackson just got a new pair of shoes and I'm startled when I see his shoes next to mine. We had some great days in Santa Fe and Dallas and came home filled up with good travel/family time. Now that the weather is shaping up, I hope to be reporting on hiking, outdoor dinners and sunshine very soon. Spring in Oregon is never the same thing from week to week, but right now it's proving to be a nice, sunshine filled week.

Worry

There's always worry in parenting. It just sneaks up sometimes. Things are rolling along then, without warning there's something bubbling up. But what I'm noticing is that kids are more resilient than we think. And that I shouldn't project my worry on them. Because even though it kind of stinks that other kids aren't always nice to your wonderful , kind, silly, creative children, they will find their way. And just when you think they are so upset that nothing will get them out of their funk, you look outside and they are laughing and goofing off and climbing trees in the neighborhood. And then suddenly you have a whole different worry on your hands. Because it would be really inconvenient to have someone break a bone when your orthopedic surgeon husband is out of town. Excuse me while I go tell Sean to not climb quite so high in that tree!