nature

Daniel is Travelling

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My brother and his wife are adventurers.  As my grandmother said about Nina, “She doesn’t let the grass grow under her feet.”  They have been together for 9 years, 4 continents, 3 degrees, 1 dog, and countless adventures.

Their latest is a road trip across the US.  Their destination is Virginia, where Nina will attend graduate school to be an architect.

They had a beautiful going away party at Nina’s parent’s house.

It was amazing.  It was perfect.  It was so beautiful, loving, fun.

They are somewhere between Oregon and Virginia right now with their dog, trailer, and their adventure.

At the Beach

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Beach 1On Sunday Alma said, “Alma beach?”  Which means “I want to go to the beach.”  Jesse and I looked at each other and shrugged.  Why not?  Let’s do it.  We had been busy working in our garden all weekend, so we deserved it.

Beach 5We packed up and headed out.

Hattie napped on the drive to the ocean.

Beach 4It was a beautiful day.  Sunny, warm, not very windy.  As perfect as a day at the Oregon coast can be

Jesse and Alma flew the kite.  Alma and I played in the water.  Jesse and Alma played in the water.  Hattie ate handfulls of sand.

Beach 3We had clam chowder.

Alma and Hattie both napped on our drive back to the valley.

Perfect.

Beach 2

Hendrick’s Park, 2014

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For years, I have been trying to plan a trip to the rhododendron gardens just right.  I always seem to miss it.  A couple weeks ago, I was sitting in my living room, looking at our beautiful red rhody, my neighbor’s purple one, and another neighbor’s yellow one.  It hit me.  This was the perfect weekend to go.  So we went.  And it was perfect.

And Then They - Bleeding Hearts And Then They - Family And Then They - Gazing And Then They - WalkingI love that we are able to expose our kids to nature so easily.  We are so blessed to live in a place with nature so nearby.  Even though Hendrick’s Park is a very landscaped, planned garden, it feels wild and natural.  It rises above the city, and surrounds you with flowers, and branches.

It is lovely.  And I’m really proud that we finally went right on time.

We Are Seriously Loving This Early Spring Weather

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Like, seriously loving it.

And Then They - Alma AroundAnd Then They - 4 WilliamsAnd Then They - Alma UpAnd Then They - Alma AwayAnd Then They - Alma Basket HeadAnd Then They - BaskingAnd Then They - BasketingWe really have to take advantage of the spring before the spring takes advantage of us with its relentless rain and pollen.  Our kids are such a great age for playing these days.  Alma can almost independently play at a playground.  Harriet is content to roll around on a blanket, or nap in the Ergo.

These photos are from earlier this week.  We are now in the middle of a 10 day rain storm.  Such is life in a Willamette Valley spring.

I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Thick as Thieves

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Alma has some pretty great friends.  None so great as our neighbor, Rory.  They have an unspoken way of communicating.  Sometimes this can be a problem.And Then They - 1 Come On, Ro-roAnd Then They - 2 ChasingAnd Then They - 3 So Much JoyAnd Then They - 4 PlanningAnd Then They - 6 They're OffThere are some amazing adventures in their future.