Sunriver

We are on vacation right now in Sunriver. I think it's funny because Eastern Oregonians go to the coast for vacation and us coastals go to the mountains. Funny. But anyways, if any of you follow me on Facebook, like the little stalkers you are ;), then you have seen these pics, if not, enjoy, leave me comments because I go nutty over them.

We went to Crater Lake this year. WOW!!! Talk about a fantastic lake!! It was calling out to me to bring on the wave runners, but alas, no motorized vehicles in this pristine lake.
A few facts about Crater Lake, so that you can say you learned something from my blog. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and I heard the 2nd deepest in the Western Hemisphere . . . but don't go quoting that last fact, because I'm not sure. It was formed from a volcano. There is also a log that floats around this lake that is famous. I believe I read that it floats vertically and you can spot it all over the lake depending the currents.

We went with Mike's Dad, Brother Ryan (plus his family), Sister Laurie (plus her family) and of course, us. It was a fantastic day. This is a pic of Mike's Dad, Mike and starting from left to right: Reece, Collin (Laurie's son), Grace, Annika (Ryan's daughter), Mike Sr., Austin (Laurie's youngest son) and Mada.

We have been going to the park, that is right across from the house we rented. The kids LOVE it. It's a pretty fantastic park. We have been going for bike rides in the evenings also. Sunriver has plenty of paved bike trails and the kids LOVE this.

I love this pic of Mike and Reece. I snuck up behind them and was taking some pics and heard their conversation. Reece was telling Mike that he was just like him. That day they had happened to wear the same color shirt and shorts. Reece idolizes his daddy and they share such a special bond. It is so sweet to listen to Reece tell his Daddy, in his own way, how he wants to be just like him.

The Tree is the popular ride at the park. The kids love this thing. Mike would get them spinning so fast. They love to try and climb up to the top while it's moving. Crazy kids.

I just had to throw this pic in too. I love this one. I think it's a pretty good one of my hubby. I love this man.

OK, more park snapshots. Trust me, you are getting off lucky here . . . I have quite a few shots of the kids at the park.

On Wed. we went to this fantastic little place, The Bounce House. It was a huge industrial type building that was converted into a wonderful little place for kids. It has a toddler/baby area for those little ones who couldn't bounce . . . . .we've outgrown that . . . . . and then 10 bounce places for the kids. The kids had a blast. They bounced and bounced . . .

bounced some more . . . .

They even had a Velcro wall. Here the kids are suiting up to go jump onto it. I think I have a video of Reece bounce .. . . I'll post that at the end.

Every family has been taking turns and making dinner one night. What a treat . . . I only have to cook one night this week! Even better is the fact that the meal are all delicious and super yummy! The picture above is Mike's sister Laurie, his brother Ryan, Mike, and his other brother Jason.

My amazing and dear sister-in-laws on Taco Salad Night.

All the girls got matching Sunriver sweatshirts. They are so cute. The boys have the same, just different colors and Krista and I ended up buying the same, but different colors too! We have such similar taste . . . too funny!

A few other shots of our vacation:

Grace with her cousin, Collin.My nephew, Austin, pushing the kids on The Tree. My niece, Peyton, loving the fun toys at the Bounce House.
Grace playing with parachute at the Bounce House.

My brother-in-law, Darin, pushing his kids around at the park. Grace spent her Bend money on a build a bear poodle.
My brother-in-law, Ryan, and his daughter, Anni.

Day Camp

Reece and Madison went to Day Camp this past week. They had a great time, playing games, swimming, making crafts, playing games, fishing, eating, and so so much more.

Reece said his favorite thing to do was fish and ride in the boat. **Reece is riding in the front of this boat. Rats, why couldn't he of been facing the camera.

Madison said her favorite thing to do was fish. **Maddie is in the background running.

Spanked

Mike was playing one of those old school fight games on his xbox this morning. He was playing online against another player and the other player was beating Mike.

"I just got spanked!" Mike exclaims.

"That hurts Daddy!!" chimes in Gracie.

Water and More Water

Good morning!

This week my kids are at Day Camp. AWE . . . my house is quiet. Gracie is still too young to go, but she is very happily playing and enjoying the one-on-one time she gets with Mike and I. I think she has missed that this summer.

This post is going to be short. Today is my day off and I plan on going for a run here shortly, so I had best not sit long at the computer or before I know it, my day will be gone and nothing done. But do not worry, I am enjoying my cup of hot, delightful coffee first. Simple pleasures, huh?

The past week we have done a few fun things. First off we had a orthodontist appointment up in Astoria. Fun stuff, huh? Actually it wasn't bad. Mada needed a consultation on her mouth. It's pretty small and overcrowding. Her dentist wants to pull 4 teeth, but the orthodontist says to wait and he'll probably have to pull one later on to make room. Anyways, that was great news! We were not looking forward to going through that again! If we can put it off a few months we are game.

After the appointment we decided to go to breakfast. Went to my Grandpa's favorite place. Walking through the door, I was flooded with good memories of going here with Gram's and Gramps back when I was pregnant with Maddie and spent a glories day with them both in this charming little coastal town.

We took a trolley ride down the wharf. Saw the "Goonies" house and the elementary school where 'Kindergarten Cop' was filmed. Mike remembers running around the hills, where these movies were filmed, when he was a kid. It was fun to hear his stories.

The kids loved riding in the trolley and told us at the end of the day, this was their favorite part.

We walked around on the wharf and look at the 'Columbia' ship that was on dock. The kids enjoyed playing on the anchors that were on display and exploring all the wharf had to offer.

The girls are holding up the bridge that connects Washington and Oregon.

Before we left the docks, the kids got to ring this horrendously loud bell. My head is still ringing! ;)

We went up to the Astoria Column afterwards.

We all climbed the stairs up to the top.

Yes, 164 stairs . . . doesn't seem like enough . . but we got the top.

We were so high . . . even my knees were shaking a little. Gorgeous views though. A stunning 360 degrees high above all the trees.

The kids were terrified, except for Reece.
Astoria is a wonderful little town. By far, my favorite up here. There is so much to do and see.

A few days ago we went to Corvallis and played at the Rec Pool. It was great!!! The weather couldn't of been better. It was hot enough to make the cool water feel good but not too hot. The kids played for hours and I had to drag them away when it was time to go.

We went with our long time, dear friends, Tyler, Katelynn . . . .

and Jenn.

The kids loved this big waterslide. Reece informed me that it takes 15 seconds to go down the whole thing. He counted. It was a fun slide, even Grace got to go down it!

There was a river that all the kids loved and spent hours going around.

Rope swings . . . .

water guns . . . .

more slides . . .

little kid tube slides (Can you see Grace in all that water?).

We had such a fun day. The kids wore themselves out! I love summer!