We went coastal.

What do you get when you cross an 80degree October day with the Oregon Coast and a smattering of friends? Today! 

Ciao, Summer 2014!

Ah, it's been awhile. I've had many nights falling asleep thinking, "Oh, the blog. I would really like to update the blo....zzzzzzzzzz." 

We've had a summer that can only be characterized as "work hard/play hard" which has been awesome, but my usual 8-10pm "me time" has been replaced by much-needed "sleep time" :)

BUT! I'm back! The fall routine always comes just in time. This fall brings with it a Kindergartener and a third grader and is off to a nice, mellow start. This weekend, we celebrated the fall equinox by getting one more summer weekend at the coast. We left 87 degree weather here in the valley and found it to be significantly cooler at the coast, but it didn't deter these kiddos!

Then home to snuggle and read...

We had a back to school party the night before school started... complete with cake and lots of excitement for a great year. 

FIRST DAY 2014-2015

Jez in her K class. 

 

We headed up to Portland to play with our Gammijos-- the kids of mom's college girlfriends "the Gammas"-- pictured in the front row here are Linden (Kiva's little), Coletta (Roberta's) and Ione (Kiva's bigger). Upon seeing this picture, Gamma Drea suggested that Coletta introduce the concept of a hair brush to her gammija peers. :) 

And then, the quieter at home play... like forts in the bedroom. 

I

Cookies, Owls and Whales... oh my!

Winnie went to cooking camp two weeks ago, and (much to her dismay) missed sewing camp this past week, so today: we tested her cooking skills and sewed! 

 They cut out their patterns, traced, cut, pinned, sewed and stuffed... I helped, but they did the bulk of it, and they are very proud of their (super cute) creations! 

Big Trees. Big River. Big Fun.

This was home sweet home for the last few days! 

...which would have been just fine were it not for the life-threatening bears. Seriously, mom and dad? Isn't it your job to protect us? I suggest we read the sign on the bottom and then follow the sign on the top. Just a suggestion.

Ok, I might forgive you for endangering our lives. This is pretty cool.   

You're welcome. I'll be here.  

Girls, kick harder before dad drinks my wine. 

 

Then, for a walk through the glorious trees...

 

Alright. Bears or no bears, long hikes through tree after tree after tree after tree...it's suddenly all good: this camping thing is awe.some.

 

We Love a Parade

June!

I am a pre-school graduate. The picture within this picture is a picture of me with a goofy grin and a declaration of what I want to be when I grow up: 

A famous singer. :)

I'm pretty proud of myself for getting all the way to KINDERGARTEN... 

but not yet.

First up: summertime. We headed to one of our favorite coastal campsites where the beach is actually swimmable. Well, the beach not so much, I guess... but the OCEAN is swimmable-- shallow and warm and perfect. A great kick off to summertime! 

On your mark... get set....

... JUMP!!!! (Repeat: 47,000 times!

 I'll be here. 

Then, back home for a quiet week before jumping into Y Camp...

Winona was at a cooking camp this  past week and loved it! Jez is an "Explorer" this year for K-1 kids-- lots of field trips, swimming, arts-n-crafts and gogogogogogogo. No more naps---she comes home one tuckered puppy. Ah, summer... you are so very good to us all. Looking forward to many more sunny adventures and long days ahead. :)