Bend, Oregon

Near the end of summer we headed down to Bend, Oregon.  We were lucky enough to plan the trip together with our good friends, the Draper-Kunz family.  We had originally planned to meet them half way down to Bend in Hood River, Oregon.  I'm not as planned out as some members of my family (ahem, Kim) but I'm not as normally laid back enough to say - heck, let's just get a hotel when we get there.  This time we did.  And the night before we left we realized that even then there weren't any hotels left (within our price range) in Hood River.  A last minute plan to just stop in Hood River and then continue driving down to Bend that same night became our new and and even better than Plan A, Plan B.  

And what would a road trip be without snacks and videos. 

We happen to stop for lunch right in the neighborhood in Vancouver where I grew up.  Below is the house I lived in from age 4 until I went off to college and then my parents ended up selling it maybe 12 or 13 years after that.  Driving by definitely brought back fond memories of our house on 30th Ave. 

And finally we arrive at Hood River.  Where it was very warm and very wind thus making it the wind surfing capital of the world.

After some play at the park with our friends (who happened to arrive the night before and actually get one of the last rooms in town) and dinner we headed off toward Bend.  The weather was crazy complete with dark clouds, thunder and lightening. We arrived late at Grandma and Papa's house and went straight to sleep.

The next day Angie, Avery and Kevin came over and we had a nice time together and a yummy meal. Thanks, Mom.

Here is most of the group at our favorite pizza place - Flatbread Pizza Company

And after dinner the view over the Deschutes was gorgeous

Marty brought his remote control camera-ed helicopter and it was always a hit with the kids when he flew it.

Josie making a funny face but also looking like she is 12!!

More Bend adventures next....

Summer Fun

A random mix of near the end of summer photos.  Here are the kids with the harvest from my friend, Siri's, garden.  Her and her family were traveling out of the country.  I told her I couldn't let her fresh garden vegetables go to waste.  We loved the fresh cucumbers and I made several loaves of zucchini bread. 

Benjamin, the pretty little girl. 

The kids love to take photos with my phone.  Here is one where most of me is actually in the photo. 

 I discovered a way to make yummy arugula and peak of the season peach pizzas.  So delicious.

 This summer we saw a lot of tower building.

 And posing for photos on our neighbors Harley.

 Benjamin finally got his 3 year check up.. 3 months late.

 While running errands at Westwood Village, we ran into Julie's friends and fellow au pairs, Steffi and Leah who were visiting from Germany.

 Cool guy Benjamin with his shades on his head.

 Josie, looking so grown up, talking to Grandma and Papa on the phone.

 Another watermelon cake creation.

 Reading together. Nothing better.

 We spent a few fun sunny days over on Mercer island swimming in the lake.  Below are Josie left and Elliott right testing out the water.

Grandma in Seattle!!

 Near the end of July, Grandma flew up to visit us in Seattle so Josie made a list:

These are all the things she wanted to do while Grandma was here for FOUR days.  That girl likes to pack things in. In the end the only things we didn't have time for were the spray park and the pool.  
After picking Grandma up from the airport we all headed down to Alki to throw rocks in the water and eat yummy food at Marination Ma Kai
Our friend, Michael, also met us down there and kept the kids busy throwing and skipping rocks.

After all that hard work the tacos and shave ice tasted especially good.

 The next day we were off... to the Pacific Science Center.

 Uh-Oh.  We shrunk Grandma!!

 And the kids

 Crazy hair, Josie

 The mirror is supposed to make it look like you are suspended in air.  Not sure any of these do that but they crack me up.

 Ha!  Especially this one.

 On to the art/hot glue gun area in the PSC, of course.  Where else would they go?

 The following day we headed to the art studio in West Seattle and to the Zoo.

The day we went to the zoo also happened to be our 8th wedding anniversary. Fitting because we got married at the zoo.  Grandma watched the kids and we walked down to Alki for a yummy Thai dinner.  No photos of us, unfortunately, but I did get this photo of our celebratory dinner. 

Lest you think we would let Grandma rest, the next day we headed out on the West Seattle Water Taxi toward downtown.  

 I think they were getting a little tired and cranky here.

 We had fun walking through Pike Place Market.

 We walked up to the movie theater and all enjoyed Despicable Me 2.  Thanks, Grandma!!

 Thanks so much for the visit, Grandma.  We love you!!  Next summer we will  have an all new but equally exhausting list of activities for your visit :)