Black Butte 2010

We had another fabulous time at Black Butte Ranch this last week, one of our favorite places. My family has been going for the better part of 20 years to the same house. We've had a pretty steady group of friends and family who join us. This year we were fortunate to have my grandparents, my folks, my brother and his fiancé Megan and her parents as well as our good friends the Knolls. The house slept all of us just fine and we were able to get some time in the sun during the early part of the week (90-95 degrees M/Tuesday but 55-60 by Saturday/Sunday). Our time is always marked by bike riding, swimming, hiking, walking, running, fishing, poking around Sisters and lots of reading.

Aaden was great, he loved swimming as usual. He located the "little people" house and farm there and LOVED playing with them. We always enjoy our evenings, sharing the dinner responsibilities and playing games or running around on the fairway after dinner.

A few highlights...

 The Three Sisters, always stunning!

 Checking out the Fish Hatchery near the Metolius River

The Gang

Cousin Time

A few days ago we were able to spend some time with my cousins and their kids. It was great fun and am so glad that we have time to do things like this now!

 

We were laughing that we all had blond babies. {Jo w/ Carter 4 mo., Aaden 21 mo., Megan w/ Elsa 10 mo. and Mason 3 years.} Love cousins!

A first...

Aunt Lacey cut Aaden's hair, he was such a good boy!

More Celebrations

Just a few more pictures from the week...

My sweet husband had surprised me with the room "romance" package. We were too stuffed from dinner to enjoy the treats though, so promptly headed to the hotel gym and worked out until nearly midnight. :-)

 Grandpa got Aaden a wagon, what a treat!

 The party

 Birthday Peeps

Birthday Week

It has been a busy last week and a half with my birthday, our anniversary and other festivities. We had perfect weather for all of the celebrations and family get-together(s). My husband was very sweet and decided to make it truly a birthday week, with little {thoughtful} gifts every day. I felt very spoiled. My parents were also up and my mom always does an extra special job of making me feel special, making my cake and decorating the house. She and I went shopping too. The day after my birthday we had a girls day out with a number of family members, we went and got our nails done and out to lunch. The celebration continued through the weekend with a joint birthday party with my Father-in-law Terry (also an August birthday) and dinner out with my girl friends on Monday night. In the middle of all that Kristofer and I celebrated our 6th anniversary by going to a movie and dinner and staying over night at the Hyatt in Bellevue. Thanks to my parents for taking care of Aaden!

There were a lot of pictures, here are a few from my actual birthday: {Thought there were some sweet shots of Aaden with most of his very LOVING & ADORING Aunts and Uncles}! :-)

Lopez Island

My aunt and uncle (the Joneses) invited us up to stay with them while they vacationed on Lopez Island in the San Juans. My parents were fairly jet-legged but we headed up there sans Kristofer with my brother and his fiancé and my folks. We had a lovely afternoon and evening and stayed the night. Their house overlooked the water so we enjoyed our freshly caught salmon, crab and shrimp dinner and roasted marshmallows while watching the sunset.

 Enjoying the Ferry w/ Nana

 Hanging w/ cousin Amy

 The sibs

 Hammock!?

 Their favorite thing to do together

 Buddies

 Dingle Balls, oh I mean Bolo (The Joneses have a funny name for it)!

Love them!