Yurting 2014

A few weeks ago {almost a month ago by now} we went camping for the first time ever with both kids. We went to Fort Stevens State Park and camped in a yurt. We went with five families, {friends from college and when we lived in Portland} they all had yurts too. We all have two kids so there was 10 kids four and under!

Growing up, we camped all the time. That was our vacation, we would go for a week or longer at a time and we camped all over Oregon, from the coast to Eastern Oregon. All my memories of camping as a kid were great, fun memories. When we camped with my grandparents, my grandma would help my cousins and I put together a little program for my mom, dad, aunts and uncles. We were called the camping cousins, {that's something that needs a post of its own} we had a blast. 

But, let me be honest, the days leading up to us leaving for our first yurting adventure, left me a little um... unsure. Camping is a. lot. of. work. period. All the gear, the packing, the food preping and so on. I had decide before we left that if once we got there it wasn't worth the work, then we'd wait a few years more before the kids got older and then maybe try again. 

But.... we had SO MUCH FUN!! And I honestly wasn't ready to come home! The kids loved it! Blake loved being outside all the time, able to ride is bike, play in the sand/dirt whenever he wanted, having campfires, being with friends we don't see that often, food always tastes better camping, sitting around the campfire once the kids were in bed playing crazy games and laughing while eating s'mores, scaring away {or possibly trying to trap} a {very over weight almost too friendly} squirrel who the kids named Cakey, going for bike rides, playing at the beach and getting soaking wet and covered in sand, it was all, so fun! 

Our little home away from home

 Three families had yurts in a row and two families had them across the street.

We made a meeting spot in the middle and ate together

 Lily loving a s'more

We checked out the old bunkers

 We went for a bike ride

 We played on the beach!

The kids

The whole gang!

Bartlett Beach Trip 2014

A few weeks ago, the last weekend of Spring Break, we headed over to Lincoln City for a little vacation with the Bartlett side of the family! This was the third time in the last four years that we have gone. It's always a great time! This year, there was lots of UNO playing, beach walking, treasure hunting, outlet shopping, Mo's eating and fun!

So excited we made it to the beach!

 Checking the out the ocean with Papa Don

 Playing some dominos with Lizzy

 Blake's UNO face

{he learned how to play UNO!}

Sharing some Mo's chowder, yum!

 Walking on the beach

{we had to take advantages of any break in the rain to get out on the beach!}

 It was definitely rain boot weather

Mama and Lily

Looking for treasure!

 Found the treasure!

Blake and Aunt KK

 Can't go to the beach with out getting some DQ!

 Stories with Nana before bedtime

 Playing play-doh with Papa

 Building sandcastles 

 Saying good-bye to the beach until next time!

The weekend was so much fun, that they both slept the whole way home!

Black Butte 2012

This {I believe} was the fifth summer {in a row} for us to vacation in Black Butte Ranch. We almost didn't go this year. But at the last minute my dad changed his mind and ended up booking the trip anyway and said whoever is available to come can come. And I am so glad he did! It is probably one of my favorite places to go. It is always relaxing. Well, maybe it's not as relaxing as it was five years ago when there were no toddlers or a baby, but we always have a great time! Here are some pictures {or a lot pictures} of what we did {in between nap times}...

We spent lots of time at the pool

 Blake got pretty good at jumping in from the edge as long as there was someone there to catch him

The boys

 The boys did lots of running on the golf course before bedtime.
It became a nightly event to go look for deer. If they didn't find any Blake would say "deer go night, night".

Before we had kids {or when we aren't hugely pregnant} we would walk to this creek several times. It is about a 2 mile loop. I only did it once this year.

 The cousins

Trying to touch the water, which was freezing cold!

Love walking this bridge!

 Views from the walk

We hung out on the patio in the evenings

The boys being boys

The sunsets were beautiful

We went shopping at the Old Mill District

The boys did some wrestling in the grass

We went to the Metolius River and the Wizard Falls Hatchery

The boys loved looking at the fish 

And feeding them!

Cousins
{or more like sisters}

And we always have to take a family photo

And of course we drank lots of Sisters Coffee!

I'm already looking forward to next year!