mother's day 2016 : all up in da hood

Yesterday, we spent another fabulous mother's day in Hood River.

We started out with Pine Street Bakery, of course.


Then we walked from the Bakery down to a school play ground and hung out there for awhile.

                          

We finally bribed the kids to leave with the promise of fro-yo.

Then off to the play ground on the river where we played in the sand and water and all the fun play equipment.

We were so hungry and tired by the time we dragged ourselves across the street to Pfriem that I did not document all the amazing food and beer we consumed because I was too busy consuming it.

After dinner the kids had one last burst of energy, so we headed back to the park and played a bit more before getting the kids into pjs so they could pass out on the drive home.
Which they did.

It was such a perfect day.

PS the hood last mother's day, the hood the year before that, and a post from a year before that with pictures taken in the hood

powell butte nature park

Yesterday, we went for a family hike at Powell Butte Nature Park, which, we discovered, is about ten minutes from our house. How we have lived here for almost four years and not explored this little gem, I have no idea.

 (classic)

It hardly felt like we were within the city limits as we walked up the hill and enjoyed the views.

 (Above: that's my life right there. Thank you Jesus.)

Before we arrived, we were afraid our kids might not make it to the summit, but the elevation gain from the parking lot is not significant, and the trails slop up very gradually. It was the perfect little loop for the older two, although by the end Eleanor was (apparently): hungry, had to go potty, and wanted to go bed.

She made it back to the car just fine and even became distracted from her supposed discomfort climbing around near the visitor center.

If you are on the East side, I highly recommend taking a walk up the butte. And, for entertainment purposes, definitely bring small children with you.

mother's day 2015 :: in da hood

Warning: these photos taken with our tiny orange camera that is literally being held together with tape and is used more often by the kids than the adults. But, it fits in the front pocket of the Ergo, so for outings that I just can't carry around my nice camera, this is it. Also, the lens is irreversibly cloudy.

This year we spent Mother's Day (remember that? from almost a month ago) in Hood River.

 

We drove there after church, got coffee, and headed to the awesome playground near the river, where we ran into our friends and their three kiddos.

First attempt at a family photo with all five of us = unsuccessful. 

It was extremely windy, but we played for a few hours, then went across the street to the amazing brewery/restaurant, pFriem, and ate every ounce of delicious food they brought to our table.

After dinner we played a bit longer, then headed home and passed out into bed.

 

Hood River is so enjoyable, and there is a chance we may get to stay there again (in our favorite vacation home ever) for my birthday/Father's Day. Keeping my fingers crossed that it works out!

One year ago: what we ate this month, last year

impromptu beach trip

Last Friday Lane came home and asked if we had any plans for the next day. When I said no, he shrugged, smiled, and asked "Impromptu family beach trip?"

Um, yes please!

So Saturday midday, we set off to Manzanita.

Although the wind was intense, it was a gorgeous day with clear blue skies.

After getting coffee, we went down to the beach and the boys ran around while Ellle and I dug in the sand.

See! I was there:

We realized that Judah's defense mechanism for dealing with the wind is just to fall asleeep. He did so (despite the 2.5 hour car ride) right after this picture was taken, and then again in the Ergo while we walked down the beach.

James frolicked, as usual...

Eleanor's favorite activity was grabbing fist-fulls of sand, and throwing it toward the water. Two-year-old's confuse me.

We ended the evening with dinner in Cannon beach. It was while waiting forty five minutes for our food (during which we played lots of eye-spy, made friends with our neighbors in the next booth, and colored... also, Elle spilled a glass of ice water into my lap, just to make sure I was alert) that we remembered why we don't eat out much. 

It was still a wonderful adventure.

PS a year ago today: A different adventure.