A Mountain Bike Staycation

Kevin decided to take a staycation this year. We had a great week! The weather was perfect for some prime fall mountain biking, and Lincoln was in preschool so we had some kid free time and we hit the trails. I don't have pictures of all the days but here are a few of my favorites from Mt. Spokane and from Riverside. I also posted my trophy page on strava from one of the rides at riverside. 2 crowns for me and some PR's. 

 

Sullivan Lake #2

We made it back to the beautiful Sullivan Lake one last time. Our bookend to summer. We were planning on going camping the weekend before memorial day but mother nature foiled our plans, and when we saw how beautiful the following weekend was shaping up we couldn't resist.  We had the campground and lake pretty much all to ourselves since school was back in session.  The lake was glass but the water was cold!  Most of us braved the chill to partake in the smooth water.  The kids really got into the double knee boarding.  We were able to see two sea planes land and take off this trip which is fun to see close up.  We found an itty bitty frog at the beach and the last picture is symbolic of the sun setting on our summer.  We are so blessed.  Thanks to the Rencher's and Jacob for being spontaneous with us and heading out for another fun weekend. 

1st days of School

And just like that...summer is over. Always a bitter sweet moment for me. I love to get back into the schedule of things and to have a little me time back, but I miss the lazy, carefree days of nothing to do and lots of fun sunny/warm/water ways to fill the free time.

Conor has broken out of Elementary and he is now a proud 7th Grader at Mountainside Middle School.  He is going to do great!

Josie is onto 3rd grade at Midway and she is in Mrs. Cong's class.  All thumbs up and smiles for this year.

Lincoln has finally reached preschool age!  He is over the moon with excitement. He is going to Northview Christian Preschool and his teacher is Mrs. Becki.  He is more then ready to be headed to school with the big kids.  So...I get a few hours on MWF without my Lincoln buddy.  Not sure how I feel about it.   Change is in the wind!  

Vancouver with the Shoemakers

You know the kids had a great time when on the way home they beg for you to put it on the calendar for next year.  I hardly saw Josie and Conor the entire trip.  They were off playing with Bree and Brayden and having so much fun together.  We wandered around this awesome antique shop, we ate giant snow cones, the boys got to go golfing, the littler kids got to go to G6, the trampoline place.  We all went bowling and arcade gaming,  We went to this German restaurant that was spectacular!  I didn't even know I liked German food.  Jinger and I got away for a little adult shopping, the kids went hot tubing and the adults played lots of games!  We love playing games with Ty and Jinger, even if they never ever let us win.  We sure miss this family, but we are grateful for them taking us in for the weekend and for the memories we are able to save and cherish.  We made the obligatory stop at Multnomah falls on the drive home, just a quick photo op. 

Portland

We left the boat and the mountain bikes behind and headed to Portland and Vancouver to visit the Shoemakers. We were suppose to go to the Oregon coast for a day, but the weather just would not cooperate. When I asked people for suggestions on what to do in Portland they all gave me delicious food suggestions so we tried to squeeze in a day of good eats and fun. We started our food tour at the famous Voo Doo Donuts-Delicious!  Then we headed on a river walk around the downtown area.  We could have done without this, but it was cool to see the downtown area and the bridges and train tressels and all the homeless people.  Next we continued the food tour to the ever famous Salt N Straw and Little Big Burger.  Both excellent!  On to the highly recommended OMSI  -Oregon museum of science and industry.  I was really impressed with this place.  One of the better museums I have been to lately.  Next we headed to the rose gardens and enjoyed the beautiful roses.  Kevin had fun with the photo ops here.  We packed it all into a day!  Time to head to hotel Shoemaker to have a late dinner and catch up with some fantastic old friends.  Everyone is so excited to spend time with the Shoemaker clan.