Oregon Bound

 Our family trip this year was to Washington and Oregon!  We started out staying at our friends house called the Bounty in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington State.  This one of a kind custom built home we stayed at was along a big creek and seriously was off the gride!  Peaceful, quiet, perfect home for our family...warm, cozy...we were so lucky to be able to stay there for free.  We hiked a lot, we spent a lot of time at the creek below the home and drove around the local towns.

You kids loved the nature surrounding the home and found many bugs, butterflies, and crawdad's to play with.  

Emeline is reading like it's a People Magazine.  HaHa so funny!  Whatever keeps you quiet!  I think you were checking out the plane and what it was all about.

Emeline your other mission on this trip was to collect flowers, what you called "flower picking".  This bouquet was my favorite.

One day we crossed the bridge into Oregon and walked around this private grassy area along the Gorge.  It was so beautiful...we all pee'd in the bushes...:).  When you have to go...

See that bridge in the background...that is the Bridge of the Gods.  Your Dad is infatuated with the PCT (Pacific Coast Trail) that you hike.  It goes from Mexico to Canada.  We just saw a movie about it called Wild and when he found out we were going to be close to part of the trail he got very excited.  Hence the picture below.  During one of Emeline's naps, Zackary you and Dad went on part of the trail!  What an experience.

Above you were catching Crawdad's.  Dad got really good at it.  

One morning we drove to Multnomah Falls in Oregon. Breathtakingly beautiful. 

Emme you love to climb.  I took you to a climbing gym once and you loved it.  It took you about 30 minutes to build up the courage to try it but once you did you were hooked and went hi.  Now any opportunity you attempt it.  Confidence builder!

Cute family.  

Infatuated!  :)

After 5 nights at the Bounty in the Gorge we set off for Corvallis for 3 nights.  One day we drove to Eugene to visit my good friends and your great, great aunt Lillian Jennings.  She is GG's sister...your great grandma Wilson.  She had a fake cat that you wouldn't let go of.  Always the littlest things that grab your heart.  I love seeing what intrigues you both.

At my friends home they had every kind of berry bush...and Emme you and I picked them for a long time and then ate them all.  I think you were in heaven.  Here you are picking blueberries.  They were gorgeous.

Our other day in Corvallis I showed you around Mommies alma mater Oregon State and the town I lived in for 4 years.  We ate at the Dream Pizza one night..yum and I got to try new coffee houses.  Below is my sorority Alpha Chi Omega.  I loved seeing all my college friends and even having a night out with them in Corvallis.  I so miss that.  College was an amazing time in my life that I pray you both will experience too.  

Last day we drove back up to Portland, checked out the outlets, ate some good Mexican Food in Woodbury and did some more shopping in Lake Oswego (Hanna Anderson outlet-I was in heaven) and stayed with some friends of mine.  You both had a blast playing with all my friends kids.  You got along so well but you were sad each time we had to say goodbye to your new friends.  I think we should just move up to Oregon!

Father's Day 2015!

What would we do without this amazing person you call Dad!  He loves you two so much and helps Mommy more than most.  He has a big huge heart and loves to cuddle with you, wrestle, play games and sports with you both.  Zackary the last couple of years Daddy has become your best friend..you two are so identical.  Emeline Daddy is your cuddlier and when he is at work you ask for him non-stop.  You always want to be with him.  So much love all around.

Before Swim Peace

Each week before our swimming lessons and after your tennis lessons Zackary we would go to Salt Creek Beach and Park and have an early dinner.  It was like the utter calm before the storm (of swimming).  These moments are my favorites.

Save the Little Lobsters

During the summer I kept us busy.  Monday's were beach day with your new first grade class Zackary.  Each Monday we hit a different cove/beach in Laguna.  We would set up shop for 2-3 hours and just play, investigate and get to know new friends.  For a couple of months these sweet lobsters were washing up by the thousands apparently due to warmer waters.  Of course your mom tried to save as many as possible...the longer in the sun they were doomed.  They were a deep color and the way they swam reminded us of crawdads.  

The other days of the week we would go to a new place in Orange County that we had never been to before, we would have play dates, and we would swim.  My favorite day of the week (usually Thursday's) we would have a instagram baking day-making new recipes.  Can't wait to start that up again next summer.

Mom's 39th Birthday

What a sweet 39th Birthday I had.  I got to spend the whole day with my daughter!  We went to the Montage and while I had a pedicure you played at a daycare facility there called Paint Box and loved it.  Then we ate lunch out on the pool patio.  It was a great morning...thanks for spending it with me.  

Innocence and Beauty

Tanaka Farms Strawberry Tour

Finally we went on a Strawberry Tour of the farm that we get our CSA (Community Sustained Agriculture) boxes from and close by to where your daddy and I got married (Strawberry Farms).  We rode in a tractor with others and tasted freshly picked carrots, parsley, green onions and we had a free for all in the strawberry fields.  Learned and ate a lot! 

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge into First Grade

What a cherished, symbolic ceremony for the kindergarten children to cross over the rainbow bridge into their next grade or adventure as you will.  The 4 kindergarten classes waited patiently in there beautiful tye dye golden t-shirts to have their name called to walk under the silks of parents to their new teacher.  It was an emotional graduation moment.  He was so proud!  Bye Ms. B...your nourishment, graciousness, calmness and love we will all miss.  I can't imagine a better teacher to start with then you.  From your foot rubs, teaching me about strength to your amazingly healthy snacks each day and nature hikes...you are the best!!!

Zackary's little one "Sage" was in his pocket for the event. 

Look how happy he is.  "Here I come first grade, I am ready!" 

Toothless

Our fearless fire breathing dragon is one year old here!  He is a wonderful pet, such a part of our family and is so kind with the kids.  Pretty easy to take care of minus the weekly cricket buying and daily salad he doesn't eat.  I sure have learned a lot about this reptile and secretly I think he's really my pet not Zackary's!  Or mine and Emeline's cause she loves watching him and making him dance!