3 miles of following kids.

Jeanne took Tristan off to school while I watched Emmet and Liam

Emmet and Liam

We then went to the park

Had to add to the mailbox collection

Laura & Wilhelm are redoing their driveway and front steps.  A pile of dirt ... yippee.

After lunch we headed off to the Children's Museum.  Very impressive place.  

After the water play and change of clothes they played some more.

Interesting sign.  After running around 2 solid hours they both crashed on the way home, though truth be told it was me who wanted to crash..

When we got home they continued sleeping.  Jeanne went off to go get Tristan from school.  

Madison August 27

Laura and Wilhelm made a sudden trip to Germany to visit a good friend who has cancer.  So Jeanne offered to babysit Tristan (4 years old), Emmet and Liam (2 years old).  She then called me to ask if I could come lend a hand.  Of course I said yes.  I flew out from Portland at 7 am and landed in Minneapolis airport at gate G17.  The board said that my connecting flight was at F10 so I scurried over there.  MSP is a big airport.  When I got to F10 the sign said the next flight from that gate was going to Anchorage. HMMM.  So I checked the board again.  Now it said that my flight was leaving from G19!!!  Argh. So back the way I came.  I put 2 miles on my pedometer!!! Luckily I did not miss my flight.  Short flight on to Madison.  Jeanne met me at the airport.  We got home (Laura and Wilhelm had left this morning) and Jeanne had gotten here last night.  We had a chance to do a few errands before we went to go pick up the kids from day care.  It was fun to see them.  Tristan seem to remember me which is really surprising because I think that it has been almost 2 years since I saw him last.

We played, had dinner, we played then bath, quiet stories and then bed.  I am exhausted and that was only 2 1/2 hours.  I don't know if the video will come through.

Now we can put our feel up for a little.  They are 3 great kids.  3 great active kids, 3 great active enthusiastic kids.  

home safe and sound - Sunday Aug 17

Deer right outside. The fawn sure was cute.

We had a leisurely morning  Connie made delicious sourdough pancakes, bacon and a fruit salad.  We got all stuffed collected and packed. Then took a last neighborhood walk.  We packed the SUV and headed out a little after 11 am.

  I kept trying unsuccessfully to take pictures of Mt Hood.  Every time I would get my camera ready it would go behind some trees. Jeanne suggested taking the picture from the sunroof.  This was my attempt.  I could not see at all.  But the amazing thing is that I got the reflection of Mt Hood on the hood of Jeanne's SUV.  I know I know - of course it was intentional. 

 

We had a quick lunch at Marsha's.  Mostly left overs from the food we had when we were here earlier.  It was still yummy.

Judy helped Marsha put up her hammock.

Then we each took a turn making sure that it worked.  We approved.

We got to Jeanne's at 4 pm right on the nose.  That is the time that Jeanne had told John that we would plan for.  I loaded up my stuff and headed home.  It was a very nice weekend.  

Rapids, Brew and Movie

Today was a full day with an early morning walk before breakfast.

We had a casual breakfast.  Then we headed out to drive to the Deschutes River.  Went on a 2 mile walk along the river to a great viewpoint. 

It was gorgeous and a perfect temperature day to be walking.  Of course it was only 9 am.

We went to the Pine Tavern for lunch.  One of the oldest restaurants in Bend.

Judy's meal was the prettiest with a trio of lobster, tuna and chicken salads.

We then went tothe Deschutes Brewery for beer tasting.  The most unusual was the Dopple Dinkel Bock Beer.  Almost sweet.

We then wandered around Saturday market.  By then it was getting hot.  I was ready to see the movie.  I talked everyone into going to the Hundred Foot Journey.  Great movie. 

After the movie some of went on a short neighborhood stroll. Saw this cool fountain.

Connie grilled teriyaki flank steaks

Another full day

Eagle Crest

Friday, Jeanne and I started out with an early morning walk.  When we got back Marsha started making breakfast.

cornbread stuffed peppers

scrambled eggs, melon and sticky buns with little yogurt cups.

Just ready to leave

Of course we had to stop at a rummage sale.  Connie and Jeanne bought wild hats.  We drove out to the Warm Springs casino.  with the idea that we would each play $20.  After $2 Judy hit the jackpot.  She was thrilled.

I played and lost $7 but then made $5 so I quit.

We got to Connie's in Eagle Crest.

I made a mango salad.  Got it chilling for dinner.

Then we had our margaritas on the deck

I made raclettes for dinner.  I guess it was a hit.

Now it is time to call it a night.  Fun day. The weather was perfect.  

Welches August 14

Judy and I met ant Jeanne's at 11am on Thursday to head up to Welches to Marsha's cabin.  It was a quick drive, just over an hour. Connie had gotten there from Bend a little before us.  Marsha provided a delicious lunch for us. (No wifi ant Marsha's so I am writing this in Bend)

A delicious gazpacho soup

Then we had turkey burgers with a apple cranberry relish.  ymmy.

berry dessert

We then went on a nice walk to the river

Barbara, Jeanne, Judy, Marsha and Connie

Jeanne's bounty

Jeanne fixing dinner.  A zucchini, spaghetti, Italian sausage, tomato casserole with the fresh bounty from her garden.

Once she got dinner constructed we relaxed.  I made Bellinis.  

After dinner Jeanne made crepes with ice cream and berries.

A nice relaxing day.