Concerts

We did not go to nearly as many outdoor concerts this year as we have in years past but we had fun when we did.

Below is one at Hiawatha and we ran into Steffie (Julie's friend) for the second time while she was visiting from Germany.

And here is a link to another cool video Marty took at our only concert at the Woodland Park Zoo this summer.  When they open the gates to let people in it is pretty funny to watch them run to get a good place on the lawn. Marty took this video from his helicopter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx9NqLm-aYM

Portland

On our way home we stopped in Portland for several hours to break up the trip, do a little (tax free) back to school shopping and play in our favorite fountain.  

First up was the back to school shopping at H&M.  Seriously, I don't know how they can sell stuff this cheap.

Josie, like her mother, starts out strong on a shopping trip but within 10 minutes has lost interest and energy and starts to get grumpy!                                                               

 But we left with a lot of really nice outfits for her to wear in 1st grade.

 And then on to fountain fun.

Four Riemer Swimmers

It is no secret that Marty and I love to swim.  The day that all four of us could swim is a day I've been looking forward to for awhile. And I credit the kid's pool with Benjamin's final steps in learning how to swim. Josie and Mia, already fish, enjoyed jumping into the pool and swimming all day!! For Benjamin it all clicked on our last day there when he simply could not or would not keep his head above water.  Even without goggles

And here he is at our neighbor's pool the day after we returned from Bend.  Benjamin our little swimmer.  Awesome video by Marty:

http://youtu.be/LHfh0Qxy2ak

Smith Rock

For the second year in a row we hiked up to the Misery Ridge Trail to the top of Smith Rock.  It is not for the faint of heart nor really for the kids but they grunted their way through it and although not particularly happy about it did it.  Benjamin had a ride on Marty's shoulders for 80% of the trip and Josie complained for the first 20-30 minutes... but again, we did it!!   The Draper-Kunz clan didn't really know what they were getting into when we set out, much like we didn't our first time up.  But they all made it at as well.  

Even Markus made it with all of his bandages and war wounds from a previous bicycle accident. 

The group, minus Marty, at the top. 

 The kids at the top

 The Riemers

 The Draper-Kunz' 

 Monkey Face - where rock climbers from all over the world come to climb.  Simply incredible.

 Josie and I - tiny little dots in the landscape. 

 Sitting Pretty

 We are only about half way down but they already have smiles 

 We found a good place to jump in the (freezing cold) river to cool off.

 Naked buns

Marty even took some aerial shots before we started with his drone.  Check out the footage here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LuvvLzreJk

After the hike, everyone was hungry. 

 And thirsty!  Marty and I were able to sneak in a happy hour date after the hike while Grandma and Papa watched the pooped out kids.  Thanks Mom and Dad!!

Floating down the Deschuttes

Every year that we go to Bend we talk about how much fun it would be to float down the Deschuttes.  This year the kids seemed ready so with half of the Draper-Kunz clan we got our tubes and headed into the cold water.  Markus had taken a nasty spill on his bike a day or two before and couldn't get his wounds wet so he and Ellie biked along and waved at us as we floated by. 

 It definitely was a laaazzzyy river, so much so that Marty spent most of the time eating cherries and snacks along the way.

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.