There and back again

Fall brought our long awaited trip to Portland! Logan was beyond busy so it was just the kids and I. Perhaps a bit of a mad undertaking but it turned out to be lovely and refreshing! The flights were a bit long I admit but even 5 hours with three little ones by myself was totally worth coming home!

Bridgetown

 Upon arriving in Portland I realized I'd forgotten my camera's charging cord so I didn't get a lot of pictures but I did document a bit of our search for our perfect pumpkins.

Pumpkins and cousins

I love this picture. Rowan is SO ready!

The rule was you had to be able to carry it, Katie passed with flying colors! Evie, while adorable, seemed to have it backwards...

I found mine!

And yes I can carry all of them!

Soon after I whisked my little troop south to

Sisters and Goddy and Gremmy's house!

This was taken within maybe 30 minutes of arriving. Sporting a new horsey shirt and the fantastic grandkid cowboy/cowgirl hat, ready for central Oregon adventures!!

Rowan started talking about a horseback ride before we'd even gotten on the plane in Virginia. Of course it was not hard to persuade Gremmy...

Empty egg cartons + brand new swatters = FUN! (besides the puffs were too high to reach)

For us central Oregon provides a bit of a breather, it's peaceful and quiet....

for a few seconds anyway before someone pokes someone else or sits in their spot or breathes on them too hard or speaks to them or doesn't respond when spoken to, then the offended must shout or whine or tattle. 

But at least the background is quiet!

Haha, I'm not serious... well, I'm mostly joking anyway. Kids are kids and I love my kids. Every visit to Sisters has moments that are blissfully quiet as well as times of madness punctuated with squeals of delight. It is one of my favorite places on the planet.

Portland is not quiet...

and that's okay!

We spent a lot of time in the city running around, visiting Fred Meyer stores (which sadly, we lack on the east coast), playing with cousins, aunties, and uncles. The rest of the time was filled with more playing, running, laughing, and general merry making and childhood goodness. 

We also had a certain birthday to celebrate....

Yes friends, it's true! Rowan is FIVE whole years old! Crazy I know...

Chocolate cake covered in lego shaped candy... CHECK!

One of the things I wanted to be sure to get to was Multnomah Falls, it's one of my favorite places in any weather. Our chosen day turned out wet and chilly but even with a hat it was an enjoyable time.

and then... the "back again" part

After our weeks of bliss in the wonderful west we boarded another plane and returned to our for-now-home. Obviously I miss "our coast" but I suppose this eastern edge of things is starting to grow on me. The fall here is not too bad at all.

We were blessed with an evening of Overstreets just after we got back. Lindsey was in town on a trip for her work and we utilized the skyper to complete our experience. We sure miss those two!

Oh, the wonders of the modern age!

Lucky Rowan got to celebrate his 5th birthday a second time

Not as fancy as the chocolate lego cake but exciting nonetheless!!

Yes, I was a little sad for our extended holiday to end but we go to come home to Logan so it was bearable. Like I said I think this place might be growing on me a bit. At least the cooler months of the year are. I'm still not so sure about the humid, long, tourist filled days of summer though... I guess we'll have to see. Perhaps when we find a new house with a bigger yard and Logan is home a bit more... maybe.

Back to blogging

Hello again! It has been a while but I think it's time to dust off the ol' blog and give it another go. With a new look for a new season! We are now firmly in northern Virginia for the next few years at least. It's a relief to be done with the stressful year that is behind us and though all along I secretly wished our fortunes might slide us a bit further left on the map I am immensely proud of my husband and his accomplishments. I am happy to stand by him and stay here for now in the "far east" and make the most of our blessings. Now, on to filling you all in on our adventures over the last few months!

First though, a tribute. 
In this time of celebrating our relations, blessings, and all the we hold dear we have suffered a tragic loss. Our sweet dog Max was recently hit by a car and died. It's a loss that cuts deep and affects many more than my little family. He was an excellent dog and will become the measure of any and all dogs to come.

We got him as a pup,

we named him Mad Max the Road Warrior, but just called him Max.

 

He came with me everywhere, provided companionship when Logan was deployed, 

and smiles and laughs always!

He became much more regal looking as he grew...

but was fun lovin and goofy as can be!

When the kids started to come along he just tucked himself right in. He always fit nicely.

 

As an Australian shepherd he was apt in his duty towards his "flock" 

(even when it numbered only one)

Though he could never hide who he favored most.

Can't say I blame him...

...Logan is my favorite too.

 

We will fondly remember our little friend. Full of life, fun, nervous energy and character. He wasn't without his quirks and challenges but he was the best little road warrior I've ever seen.

This past year as we pursued new horizons he stayed back in Oregon with Logan's parents. He was re-christened Trail Max and lived up to the name. Accompanying Gremmy and Goddy all over his new high desert home. When we first moved east there were days when we weren't sure where Max would end up and though our other options would have been lovely I am very happy that he was able to stay where he did. It was the best year we could have asked for for our little aussie.

He was loved by all and as good dogs do he loved right back. He will be missed, never forgotten, and I suspect forever my favorite.

Summer time out east

Well it's been a crazy few months. With Logan busier than ever, us driving over 2,000 miles in a month, Hayden coming to visit, still getting used to Virginia and its "real summer", and Miss Evelyn now nearly 9 months old! 9 months means a busy, crawling, exploring, investigating, busy, hungry, teething, busy, busy girl. (and perhaps the chief reason this blog is gathering dust) This picture-ful, sort of long catch-up is probably going to be it for me until Rowan's birthday at least! 

I wish I could share these blessings that fill my hands so fully with you all everyday. All the hilarious things that comes out of their mouths, adorable faces made, each milestone and benchmark, and all the adventures along the way. Unfortunately that is proving to be a bit more than this mama of three preschoolers can handle right now. So even though I want to be sharing more of the love and joy these kiddos bring these posts will have to be fewer and farther in between. At least for a little while ;)

Here now is a small glimpse of our summer time adventures 

(about 35 pictures out of around 1,300 taken)

Back at the end of June we had a large storm come through and knock down most of our tree out front. Of course Logan wasn't home that night which was a blessing because it fell in his parking spot (only lightly scratching my car)

This is what most of our days look like. Messy house and half clothed kids playing crazy games.

 In July Uncle Hayden came to visit

A kid and pet friendly 4th!

Evie was quite intrigued

A few days later we hit the road

U.P. bound!

"swimming" at Cabelas in Dundee, MI

stopping to rest and stretch

Good little traveler!

Vacationing is hard work!

 I can't swim so we don't get to water much, least of all here in hot and humid Northern Virginia. But in the Upper Peninsula the temperature is lower, and water is the place to be!

(I could fill a book with all my lake and canal pictures! This is only a small taste of the fun)

We love Lake Superior!

And had good fun in the canal behind my Gramma's house

 When we weren't playing in the water we were enjoying all the family that was around.

Up on "all fours"... just the beginning!

All too soon it was time to go. With Hayden as co-pilot we packed up and headed back down to VA

Pretty view, cute girls, crazy boy, and slightly tired Mama

Back in the "shallow south" we tried to enjoy the sights that D.C. has to offer.

We thought a late night visit would be best. I suppose it was but with temperatures still into the 90s at nearly 10pm is was unexpectedly short.

Fountains at the WWII memorial

The next day it was raining at lunch time. Hayden was so enjoying the relatively cool temps he voted for grilled hot dogs. Logan, being the awesome brother-in-law he is obliged.

 We also made it to Manassas and the site of the First Battle of Manassas, which I understand to be the fight that kicked off the Civil War.

 

 No trip to the battlefield is complete without a meal at the Cracker Barrel!

A game of giant checkers is a must!

Soon enough it was time to bid Hayden a fond farewell

The kids love seeing people off at the airport but in only a couple months it'll be us going through security!

I told them to pose

This is one of my favorite pictures from our trip.

It's taken looking back (north) in the rearview mirror at the Mackinac bridge that connects Michigan's peninsulas. The reminder that our family and the wonderful place that is da U.P. are never far from our hearts and minds is apparent but it goes beyond that too. This reminds me that even though Virginia feels worlds away from everything I've known up to this year that all those things aren't that far. A "short" 5 hour plane ride is going to be all it takes for the kids and I to be back in our PNW home this October.

I can't wait until our "big adventure" as the kids have been calling it. I'm also happy to be a mere 1,000 miles from our second home in the Keweenaw and can't wait for our next "medium sized adventure" north!

Well, there's a taste of our summer so far. I'll check back in when we are blessed with cooler weather. I'm sure I'll take a lot of pictures, I hear the autumn colors on the east coast are amazing!

Until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you all!