Black Butte {finally}

{Disclaimer: I somehow took over 400 photos while were were at Black Butte (not sure  how that happened!) therefore when I went to put them on my computer there was not enough space (tragic)! The past few weeks I have been diligently going through photos deleting/moving them onto an external hard drive to make room for the new pictures... it has been a daunting task. So here I am, finally, sharing about our fabulous vacation, almost a month after. Better late then never I guess.}

I look forward to going to Black Butte Ranch every summer. It's probably my favorite place to vacation, but I haven't been lucky enough to go to Hawaii so maybe someday my mind will change, but for now I'd say Black Butte is my favorite. I love it because it's a relaxing-do-nothing type of vacation. When in Black Butte our days consist of going for walks, laying by the pool (that has changed since a baby!), eating great food, shopping in Bend, playing games, watching the golfers and usually soaking up some sun while reading a good book.... now doesn't that sound nice?! The week always always goes by way. too. fast. Here are just a few of the (too) many pictures!

The cabin that we love so much!

 Blake hanging out with Grandpa on the patio

 Pool time!

 Having dinner under the trees watching the golfers go by

The boys playing, they were practicing their sharing.

Tristan loves his yogurt!

At our favorite coffee shop, Sisters Coffee 

 The fire department had an open house. Blake wasn't fond of the fire fighter hat.

 The boys and a fire truck!

 This is a natural spring creek where the water bubbles right out of the ground! It's one of our favorite places to walk to. The water was a bit cold!

 The boys checking out the cows along the walk

 Feeding geese = poo-lution

 Black Butte

 More swimming!

 And walking!

 And swimming!

 Grandpa and the boys

 Sisters!

 Playing on the golf course

 And he's off... running!

 More playing on the golf course

 Best Buds

 The natural creek again

 We love walking this path!

 Our little family :)

 Two of the three Sisters

 My favorite little boy

 Cousins! Or 2nd cousins!

 Blowing bubbles with Grandma

 A friendly game of birdie golf or something

 Metolius River = beautiful

The whole family

Okay can it be next summer already?!

Acute Otitis Media

Definition - inflammation of the middle ear, or middle ear infection. AKA common ear infection. 

This would be number 4 Acute Otitis Media or ear infection for Blake :( It seems to always be the same pattern. He gets a runny nose, which I think is brought on with teething (yes, he still only has one tooth) and then the runny nose never goes away, then he ends up with an ear infection. I'm just hopping this doesn't mean tubes down the road. The poor guy is a trooper though, it doesn't seem to knock him down at all. Even though his ear has to be in pain he is still happy and sleeps well. I wouldn't even know he had an ear infection if I hadn't taken him to the doctor! Maybe the ear infections will go away when the teeth finally come in which I am hoping is soon!! 

But for now this is the toothless grin that I LOVE!

{I'm hoping to share with you about our trip to Black Butte here soon}

A Beautiful Wedding

We're home! It felt so good to sleep in  my own bed last night.  Here's a recap of where we have been the last 2 or so weeks...

It began with my cousin, Christi's wedding. Her wedding was at 5Rock Ranch in Yamhill, OR it was more outside of Yamhill, way out in the hills. It was an absolutely beautiful location. We arrived Friday in time for the rehearsal dinner and stayed at the Ranch the whole weekend. 5Rock is ran by a couple who have been friends with my aunt and uncle for many years. 5Rock Ranch is a place where hurting families can come to be restored through God's word, through prayer and through others. 5Rock also hosts church camps/retreats as well as weddings and other events. It is truly an amazing place.

Here are some pictures of the wedding weekend...

 5Rock Lodge

 Tristan and Blake being boys playing with sticks

Everyone learning how to line dance! 

 Playing in the creek

 Beautiful setting

 They fed us all weekend long and the food was fantastic!

 Best buds

Sisters and cousins 

 The married Messenger girls

Grandma with all her grandkids... (camping cousins reunited!)

There are only about 500 other photos I would love to share with your from the weekend (no seriously. I took way too many pictures.) But for more pictures check out the slideshow by the professional photographer Jason Allen Images. 

{Side note: If you are in the Portland area and need a photographer check out Jason Allen Images!}

To be continued....

Mac 'n' Cheese

We're back, well kinda... we are now in Medford spending some more time with my sister and nephew who are visiting from Virginia. We had a wonderful vacation which always seems to end too quickly... more on that and the wedding to come! But for now I thought I would share some pictures from dinner tonight...

Mac 'n' Cheese mmmmm yum!

 we are still practicing how to use a bowl...

right now it's more fun to flip it upside down and watch the mac 'n' cheese come out of it

oh no! where did it all go?! 

 maybe it's in here somewhere

 trying out the fork

ok we need to work on how to use a bowl!

 now that's how you do it!

all done!