The girls started their summer with their very favorite summer camp. Even with lots of anticipation Acting Out camp didn't disappoint! The following weekend we spent time bike riding and joining in some neighborhood party redneck game Shenanigans. After the girls spent a day at AJ's we were all ready to go on our big Oregon vacation.
After an easy plane flight to Portland we got ourselves a Subaru and headed to the hotel for a good night sleep. We raided the continental breakfast before starting our road trip to Bend. First stop was the Vista House, then our first small hike at Bridal Falls. We stopped for a photo op at a rundown train tunnel before learning all about trout at the Boneville Fish Hatchery. Being so close to Washington, we decided we'd better visit two other states while of vacation. It was a long (nope) journey across the Columbia River on the Bridge of Gods where we stayed a whole 5 minutes in Washington. Just past the River we stopped for a bite and a beer at Full Sail Brewery. Next stop was a scenic view at Trillium Lake where we would have had a great view of Mt. Hood if it wasn't pouring at that time. We had fun locating it anyway. Then our final leg of the trip before arriving at the Payne's home who had a delicious Tri-Tip dinner ready for us. We got a tour of their beautiful home and spent the evening catching up.
Our first day in Bend, Matt showed us around the town. We walked through parks, hit up a coffee shop, bookstore, toy store, Bend Brewery, we stopped by Deschutes to visit Stacey at work before going to a Hobby Lobby and treating the kids to some crafts to have fun with before going to dinner at the Deschutes restaurant and work party. Stacey took the next day off of work and the 8 of us prepared for an over 8 mile, magnificently beautiful hike at Tumalo Falls. A plethora of waterfalls in all shapes and sizes, beautiful scenery, foliage, trees, terrain, amazing stories by Jasper, and even snow close to our final destination for lunch at Happy Valley. We'll forget about the mosquito's near the valley. The hike back was just as wonderful. After the big day the Nachos for dinner was a perfect plan while watching the USWNT play hard in the semi-finals.
We started off strong once again the next morning with Panperdu (prepared the night before) for breakfast. The Payne's started the trek back to Portland with us. We went to the Dee Wright Observatory first. It was pretty crazy to see the lava fields on the drive and from the Observatory itself. Then we headed toward an our last incredible waterfall hike that is mostly closed down during any other month of the year. All the kids, and adults got to get their feet wet and have fun climbing around.
We then said farewell to the Payne's and headed to dinner at our destination hotel by the Portland airport since we had to wake at 3:30am for our 6:00am flight. We took the food to the room and enjoyed our last evening together in Oregon. Not much sleep but we were all in good spirits on the flight home and enjoyed getting back home.
The girls got to enjoy a couple of more days at AJ's before the 4th of July celebrations began. We closed down our block. But so many others also did in the neighborhood. So we visited them all on a collaborative bike ride before coming back to enjoy our block including our neighbors and other friends stopping by to play with a jumpy, slip n' slide, the Douglas's pool, water balloon fights, great food, and fireworks to end the evening.
That Saturday was another big bash celebrating Dani and Tim's Engagement at the Bakx. We made a big night out of it with fun, music, and pool time. We even got to have a sleepover so we were all together to watch the USWNT Finals against the Netherlands early the next morning. USA...USA!!!
Following the game, the girls enjoyed some fun celebrating Jessica and Kate's 11th birthday play date. Perfect company, food, and fun for the day! The girls had their first week at YMCA camp which included lots of field trips and meeting new friends. Even though they weren't necessarily looking forward to it, they did enjoy themselves. The first Wednesday Mommy got to spend with the girls we got all the work around the house done together so we could then enjoy some roller skating. Then after Thursday camp we enjoyed slurpies for 7-11 day!
It was again time for more summer fun at Lake Casitas. Our first camping trip of the summer. We were happy to be joined by Cory, Autumn, Carver, and Miles for their first camping trip ever with their cool tent trailer. This spot has a water park that includes water slides and a lazy river. We played plenty of KanJam and Corn Hole, had Smores, went for our ritual group night bike ride, played LCR and Kaylee went home with the jackpot!
The girls headed back for their second week of Acting Out camp and continued summer fun days at gymnastics with Twin day and Movie night where they all stayed after practice to watch the Simone Biles movie projected on the gym wall.
Been a great first half of summer, but can't believe it has flown by with all the fun we've had!
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