Vacation - Part 2 - Zoo, Science Museum & Portland

While in Portland, we walked the city streets.  It was an interesting perspective for our kids, who have not lived in a large city, except for Washington D.C. which they left while still too  young to remember.   They enjoyed the street cars the best, perhaps.  We also got to see the zoo, the planetarium, the science museum and the arboretum.   The kids also loved Powells book store, where each picked up a Calvin & Hobbs book - now a new favorite.   The only pictures I have are from the zoo.  

Vacation - Part 1 - Breweries & Restaurants

We took a 10 day vacation right after school got out.  It was a jaunt that took us to the large city of Portland, high desert, fossil beds, the ocean, a caldera-lake with tons of snow and an ancient redwood forest.  A great amount of variety, along with a fair amount of road-tripping.  

Brian was interested in tasting some of Oregon's well known breweries.  Here are some pictures of Brian's tastings and some restaurants we patronized.    

Summer Coming Soon!

We are coming down to the last week of school and we can't wait!     Aunt Annie came for a visit, but I didn't get any pictures snapped.  We had a sitter and went out for a bit, and spent the rest of the time hanging around.    Aunt Annie did get to have school lunch with her name-sake, and it was an experience for Aunt Annie to be in a cafeteria.  Hats off to her bravery -- she got in the lunch line, picked up a tray and ordered hot lunch, likely the first time in many, many years.    Jake has just finished a season of soccer, and he did quite well.   We've also started fishing, and Jake & Brian had there first camping trip of the year.  It was a quick overnight to Salmon Lake with the cub scouts.  Annie and I stayed home, and she had a friend spend the night.   I will hopefully get more pictures posted from the summer.  

Annie's lost tooth

FINALLY!   Annie has lost her first tooth.  She's super excited.  Most of her friends and classmates have lost 6 to 8 teeth already.  She cannot wait for the tooth fairy to come.

Happy Easter

Well, I've been a bit remiss in posting! We had a nice Easter weekend. We skied one day. The season is closing soon, and it was a nice day to close it. We also went to a friend's house for an egg hunt. The street, Sunflower Drive, is full of kids running around, and it appears our house is the epicenter. Not that I'm complaining, though it is a tad chaotic and nosier than Brian cares for. The weather is slowly turning nicer, and we are all getting ready for warmer weather. Whether or not it arrives is the true question!

Pinewood Derby

Pinewood Derby was held this past weekend. Jake was very excited to take 5th place in the pack! His car, Flame, was orange with blue stripes. Quite an exciting event. The next day we went skiing, and Annie got right back on the slopes very bravely. Her previous ski day had a run-in with a snowboarder which caused us to be sledded down the mountain. Just a busted lip, but still no fun.

February Post

I hadn't realized that it has been a month! It has been busy, but what else is new? We've been skiing, sledding, playing with friends and busy with scouts. The cub scouts have gone to see the Globetrotters, had their Blue & Gold banquet, went downhill skiing at Discovery Mountain, and are prepping for the Pinewood Derby. One picture is from sledding with friends - we had 2 snow days that we don't have to make up. Another was snapped a few hours ago, and that is Annie cross country skiing with the neighbor, Tess, behind our street. Not too much else to report for now.