Everybody's favorite

Hiking around Trillium Lake and playing in the snow was fun, but the undisputed highlight of the trip for both Franny and Cole was the heavy machinery they saw that was grooming the slopes for the races on Mt. Hood this weekend.  Franny jumped up and down and laughed, and Cole yelled and chattered non-stop until these enormous vehicles were long out of sight.  For everyone, it was an unexpected and exciting finale to our weekend get-away. 

A closer look

View of Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge

 

Cole checking out the riders on the chair lift

 

Snow!!

 

The spectacular view above Timberline Lodge

Trillium Lake

This past weekend we enjoyed a beautiful weekend on Mt. Hood, or Mountain Hood as Franny likes to call it.  Franny impressed us by completing the full hike around Trillium Lake--2 miles!!  She walked right along, admiring the wild flowers and dragonflies, collecting sticks, and throwing rocks in the lake.  We finished the loop just in time for a picnic lunch.

   

As for Cole, the mountain air contributed to an earlier than usual nap...

Although he did wake up in time for our picnic and a last look at the beautiful scenery.

Ticket to ride

We just bought Franny her first bike, and she is nothing short of thrilled!!!  But her favorite part--her new water bottle.

Lessons learned

Since Franny was born, I have realized that there are so many things that I never even thought about, until they happened.  Which, brings me to my most recent important lesson learned:  since Franny loves coloring with crayons, it is important that when doing the laundry, I always check pockets for crayons before the clothes proceed into the washer and then, into the dryer.  Magenta crayons, especially, leave a very vibrant tint on clothing when this important step is not taken.  And, when this oversight occurs the afternoon before leaving on vacation, it can result in a bit of a frazzled mental state.  But, as with all lessons learned, there are nearly always solutions and resolutions which emerge.  In my scenario, I learned that WD-40 works wonders on crayons melted onto clothes and the inside of dryers--who would have thought?  Regardless, lucky Cole and all his magenta-tinted clothes; lucky me and the inside of my dryer. 

Business as usual

Monday, we returned to our usual routines.  It really wasn't difficult to get back into the swing of things--between activities and naps, the days go by very quickly.  Today, we enjoyed slightly cooler weather for Franny and Cole's playgroup.  We met at the Beaverton City Park and the kids loved playing in the fountain, having a picnic lunch, and climbing on the play structure.  And with water involved, of course Franny had a good time!

Remember when

One Particular Harbour

I don't know if it is the actual beauty of Cultus Lake or the wonderful childhood memories that I experienced here that makes it such a special place for me. It's probably a little of both. There is a very special feeling that comes from being in a place that evokes such nostalgia. For me, it's a place that holds such vivid recollections that when my feet step into it's clear water I can't help but smile as my memory reels backwards in time. It is an indescribable feeling that I experience nowhere else. It gives me great joy to be able to pass on fun times here to Franny and Cole.

Through Franny's eyes

For a kid like Franny, Sunriver was just about the perfect place for a vacation. Everyday was filled with a different kid of fun--hiking, biking, riding ponies at the stables, drinking cocoa and playing in the Village, swimming in the pool, going down the slide in the big pool, fun with a playmate, and lots of special time with Daddy. Not to mention the park, a day trip to Cultus Lake, looking for rabbits and gathering pinecones in the backyard... And since there is nothing better than seeing Franny having a great time, it was great time for me, as well.

Ropin' the Wind

Fourth of July

We all had a great time at Franny's Auntie's house on the Fourth of July.  As always, Auntie made it an extra special day for Franny and Cole.  Cool weather, yummy food, time with family, and unbeatable parade seating provided everyone with a fun and relaxing kick-off to our week of vacation.

   

Little fish

Franny loves the water. When she turned one, we started swim lessons and she was completely at ease from the first day. Since then, she has not hesitated to jump into any pool, lake, or ocean presented to her. I am sure someday she will beg her California cousins to teach her to surf, as well!

It also gives her an additional venue for her daredevil tendencies...

Little Miss Magic

Constantly amazed by the blades of the fan on the ceiling
The clever little glances she gives me can't help but be appealing
She loves to ride into town with the top down
Feel that warm breeze on her gentle skin
She is my next of kin

Chorus:
I see a little more of me everyday
I catch a little more moustache turning gray
Your mother is the only other woman for me
Little miss magic, what you gonna be?

Sometimes I catch her dreamin' and wonder where that little mind meanders
Is she strollin' along the shore or cruisin' oer the broad savannah
I know someday she'll learn to make up her own rhymes
Someday she's gonna learn how to fly
Oh that I won't deny

Chorus:
I catch a little more dialogue comin' my way
I see those big brown eyes just start to lookin' astray
Your mother's still the only other woman for me
Little miss magic, what you gonna be?

Yes she loves to ride into town with the top down
Feel that warm breeze on her gentle skin
She is my next of kin

--J. Buffett (1980)

I want to go where the pace of life's slow

When I lived in California, I fell in love with the music of Jimmy Buffett.  Ten years later, there is something about hot summer days that inevitably leads me to pull out my old CDs, close my eyes, and relax to the music and lyrics that compare to none.  During these times, life seems so simple, easy, and carefree.  Many (especially here in Oregon) think Jimmy Buffett is only Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise.  While those songs are classics for Parrotheads like myself, I would much prefer One Particular Harbour, Tin Cup Chalice, or The Wino and I Know.  Or I Have Found Me A Home, or Little Miss Magic, or...

This summer, perhaps because of the long year we only just recently put behind us, his songs seem particularly calming and comforting--we know all too well that Theres Nothin' Soft About Hard Times!  But now, although I am not looking back, I am not rushing to look forward either.  For now, I intend on taking a very deep breath, turning up the volume, and enjoying the summer.  May it be a long one.

 

Big truck + big tube + big noise= BIG excitement

We had nearly six units barkdust blown into our flower beds this week. It was quite a show for the two kids and created much commentary until we left for playgroup a few hours later. And honestly, it was quite exciting for myself, as well, just for different reasons!

How sweet it is?

Franny and her Auntie Noelle have a very special relationship.  They play, color, read books, have all sorts of fun, and get into all sorts of trouble.  On a recent visit, I came into the dining room to see what they were up to and found the two of them sharing a Diet Coke.  Since Franny doesn't drink soda on most days, this was an exciting treat.  I realized, that Franny has finally reached that age where we need to establish an appropriate balance of all the fun treats that she never seemed to care about before. Treats have their place, and are important, especially to an independent toddler.  For Franny, the one thing she wants more than anything else is soda.  Whether or not she really likes the actual flavor of diet drinks I am sure we will never know.  But to her, it has the sweetest taste and it makes her grin from ear to ear!