Sunday, August 19, 2012

Summer 12 = Visitors, Camping, Fun, More Visitors, More Camping and More Fun!

This may be the most busy and memorable summer of my life.  It's flying by and I can't believe Labor Day is around the corner.  Two more rounds of guests and a trip to Seattle and then we can call it a summer, whew!

Here is a mega picture upload once again before the last few busy weeks of summer!

Uncle Christian's visit to Portland!

We had a very fun weekend with Uncle Christian.  The above pictures are from the bike tour we gave him of Portland!


Our Camping Weekend at Lost Lake in the Mount Hood Area
One of the highlights of our camping trip, Nicholas was catching huge salamander and we even let him keep one as a camp pet during our stay until he released him before we left.  

 Boys first s'mores experience.

 Boat ride with a view of Mt. Hood in the background.

 Nicholas enjoyed holding daddy's fishing worms!

First camping trip = happy campers!

Mimi, Pop, and Aunt Kelly's Visit
From the Coast to the Columbia River Gorge to Voodoo Doughnut, we did it all during their visit!  Thanks to photographer Kell, who took most of these pictures!

The whole gang on the coast in Netarts, Oregon.  Chris, Christian, Nicholas, me, Kelly, Mimi, Pop, Cousin Billy (who also lives in Portland) and his gf, Mina.  

I had never been to Netarts before but it was so beautiful and peaceful and reminded me in some ways of Big Sir, California.

Billy burying Nicholas in the sand.

Bucket heads


Poor Christian had a very cranky weekend at the coast.  Probably the only time he was happy was when he was at the beach.


Having dinner outside at our condo on the coast.

Just another view from our condo, that's all.  Thanks for the awesome shots, Kell!

We had views of some amazing sunsets!

Campfire and s'mores on the beach!

A walk on the beach...

...to the caves.


Octopus Tree!

Back in Portland, waiting in the half hour line at Voodoo Doughnut.

Tourist season in Portland at Voodoo Doughnut

 Kelly enjoying a chocolate oreo w/ peanut butter, Pop enjoying the famous maple bacon doughnut, Nicholas an m&m, and I enjoying a plain old jelly!  Christian in the stroller enjoying a glazed, although, I think that is the last time I can give him a glazed without him asking where the m&m's are (he's getting smart!)

Me and the boys at Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge outside of Portland.

So proud of Nicholas who hiked a steep 1.25 miles to the top of the falls (2.5 round trip!)  Christian also accompanied all of us (on my back.)

 Me and Kelly after the hike with views of the Gorge.

 Tillamook, Oregon

Happy on the tractor!

 Enjoying the sunshine at Jameson Square back in Portland.



 Sis and I on our way out to dinner.


 Nicholas got to accompany the adults to a late dinner at McMenamins Kennedy School.  A very Portland thing to do, McMenamins is a Portland based chain of pubs/restaurants who make their own microbrews and this particular McMenamins, the Kennedy School, is a historic hotel that was an old school house.  Nicholas asked if he could go out with the adults "all of the time?"  What a special treat it was for him while little bro was home sleeping and what a special treat it was to have Mimi, Pop and Aunt Kelly out for a visit!  We missed them instantly.

Every day fun!
 Climbing the rock wall at REI

 Splashing around in the front yard!

Last Weekend's Camping Trip with the Huts!
 So cute, Nicholas grew up with these girls that we've known since NH and lived in three different states with!  This weekend was no exception to the fun we have with the Huts!

Reading in the camp chairs.

Buddys!


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Sunriver, Oregon

It's almost August?  Where has the summer gone?

After returning from a long weekend of camping today I realized I needed to post our vacation pictures from Sunriver before I have to do a mega post again.  We had such a great time in Sunriver, a resort in the high desert region of Oregon outside of Bend.  It was one of the best family vacations I have ever taken and Nicholas continues to ask when we can go back.  We owe a big thank you to Pop-pop and Mom-mom Ranalli for treating us to such an amazing vacation.  The boys lived like kings that week with a deluxe "cabin" on a lake in an neat little resort.


Daddy loved to fish right out of the back of the house!  Chris reeling one in as Nicholas looks on.

 Nicholas helping Daddy release the trout back into the water.

 Pop-pop and Nicholas enjoying the hot tub.

 Hanging out with Mom-mom

Christian is always the busy boy.  Lots of "work" to be done in the backyard on vacation.


He might be mad at me for this one later in life!

Pony rides!

You couldn't wipe the smile off of Christian's face!



Cowboy!

Feeding the horses!

Viewing the sun at the observatory

Love my fisherman!

And my busy bee!

Our attempts at some family photos in front of Mt. Bachelor,

The boys were not happy to be taking a pause from their bike ride.



Now that Nicholas is riding a bike, family bike rides are so much fun!  Especially in Sunriver, they were such a fun little adventure with miles of serene bike trails.



Our luxe pool complete with a water fall and water slide!


Our hot tub at the pool

And yes, to top it off for the kids, some water guns!

Here is a quick little video of Christian going down the water slide, he loved it!  He wanted to do it again and again.

I'm afraid the pictures didn't quite capture how much fun we all had and what a beautiful place it was!