Oregon, Sweet Oregon

We had a wonderful, busy trip back home. It was great to see our family and friends and get our NW fix; we always forget how amazing all those trees are!

Once again we left in the wee morning hours and the kids slept most of the way up, which makes it so much easier (and faster). We stopped in Ashland for breakfast, which had a much better selection of eateries than Medford did (last summer B was served a plate of pancakes with chocolate chips, whip cream and syrup -- which made the rest of the drive...um...interesting). We stopped over in Corvallis and stayed with Shelly and Ralph (and Tay, Grant, Annie and Sarah) at their beautiful new home. The kids absolutely loved it there: all those stairs and all that attention! Shelly made the tastiest vegetarian lasagna with black beans...mmm good!

Unfortunately, the Fourth was too cold for the pool party that was originally planned (not to mention T was tres, tres ill all day), but so many loved ones were there to celebrate with that we can't really complain much.

After that the week just flew by! Some highlights included the biggest playdate in history (thanks again Lindsay and Bret for throwing it; and thanks to Tami, Sam, Amanda, Kallen, Nicole A, Addison, Katie, Hayden, Savvy, Steph, Demir, Nicole L, Madison, Kristy, Copper, Alydia, Isak and Kody for coming out to play); a wakeboard date for J with an old friend (thanks Adam and Mia for taking the guys out on the boat); piano playing and running around the farm at Gramma & Grampa's; lots of toys and yogurt at Papa & Nana's; lunch with some of J's old Laika buddies (thanks to Mike, Alex and Roland for meeting us and showing us your awesome studio); and of course some fabulous food and tax free shopping in our favorite town. Oh, Powell's how we love you!

On our last day Miss B was the star of a fashion show on NW 23rd celebrating the grand reopening of the street (okay, maybe not the star, but certainly our star and a very bright one at that). She walked with Auntie Jessica for Duck Duck Goose, the adorable children's (and now women's too) boutique that T used to work at and where Auntie Jessica works now. It was so much fun, and she did so well! She also was completely in love with her dress (thanks again Tavia!!).

On the way back south we stopped in Eugene and spent whatever money we had left at the UO Bookstore. We were also fed by our friend Jessica and B & C continue to be clothed courtesy of Abby and Tucker. After a few hours of sleep at the home of the Forsyth's of Sussex, we hit the road again, this time with our niece Julia in tow. We made excellent time and were home to watch the big game (still sad that the Netherlands lost).

So until next time Oregon! We love you much. xoxo

all american outing

We went to our first major league baseball game yesterday, San Francisco Giants hosted the L.A. Dodgers (a big rivalry as it turns out and the crowd was pretty evenly split). Just before leaving the house T checked the weather and based on the report dressed the kids for high 50s/low 60s, which was not at all accurate! In reality it was a very warm, very beautiful day; which would have been wonderful if we weren't all sweating it out in our layers. T thinks the situation may have been enhanced by the fact that our seats were so much closer to the sun than we would normally find ourselves.


The kids were less than impressed with the game itself. At one point T tried to explain the very basics (pitcher throws the ball, batter hits it) but after three foul balls in a row B lost faith in T's understanding of the game and gave up watching. From that point on she continuously asked if the game was over yet. This could have partially been our fault, since we promised her a hot dog at the game and then at the last minute picked up takeout because we heard the food at the park was highly overpriced. The back up promise was ice cream and B was ready to collect.

asking if the game was over yet

We stayed at the game for about an hour, when it was clear that neither the kids nor the Giants were going to make it through the game with a positive outcome we decided to head out. We wandered around the stadium a bit, very impressive with a nice children's play area (but B and C were still a little too young for it). Then we headed up the street to Paragon for some chipwhiches (which surprisingly are not as good as the ones in the Portland Paragon, strange since the SF one is the original location). Over ice cream and hot fudge we asked B what she thought of baseball...she said it was big fun! But that might have been the sugar talking.