I LOVE SUMMER

Man, we had an action packed weekend. I really do LOVE summer in Bend. Being outside in the warm weather, enjoying all the activities, festivals and music that our town has to offer...it's the best! Seems like we really got to enjoy life to the fullest this past week while Grandma Alice was back in town. She even allowed us 24 hours away from the kids while she held down the fort on her own. This was the first time both Dave and I had a night away together from all the kids. We chose to do a paddleboarding camp out near the Wickiup Reservoir on the Deschutes River. This mellow float we have done many times, but not since Piper was born. We found a rad campsite right on the river, and enjoyed a peaceful dinner, campfire and float down stream.



We love our kids so much AND it was soooo nice to have time with just the two of us. Thank you Grandma Alice.

Piper and I signed up for another fun race with our friends Alissa and Owen. This one was called the Sagebrush Community Scramble, a fundraiser for all the local non profits in town put on by Gary Fish (the owner of Deschutes Brewery). This race was just one small aspect of the fundraiser, but such a fun idea. We had 90 minutes to gather as many points as we could by finding clues and challenges around Bend. I was nervous about having Piper do this race because of the distances we had to cover, but she was excited about it and really just so excited about participating in races! We had a great time, and did pretty well finding the different clues downtown. It was so cute having the kids help decide where to go and help figuring out what the clues meant. They definitely got tired and we took lots of water and snack breaks, but we made it back in the allotted 90 minutes time. We celebrated with Powell's ice cream at the end of the race! Success!

It seems like summer really did just start last week after we got home from the Oregon Coast, and already we have done some of my favorite summer time activities...the fourth of July Pet Parade and old fashioned family fun games in Drake Park (including 3 legged races, gunny sack races, dizzy devil races), Les Schwab Amphathether concerts, floating the river on paddleboards and in our little river rafting boat, going to outdoor concerts, bike riding and walking to town and spending the day at Elk Lake!



We were joined by our friends Michelle and Eric and their daughter Mae, who is just 4 days younger than the boys. Such a fun day enjoying the sun, water, kids playing, and just hanging out having nothing to do but play.