Mt. Hood and Opal Creek

I have really not been a dedicated blogger lately. I am going to blame that on the fact that the sun is out and not on the fact that I have just been a bit bored with blogging. Ty and I have tried to make the most out of every sunny weekend we can. His 6 week break has begun and after some serious studying we now have his board exams behind us (whew!), our 5 year anniversary done and gone (FIVE?!), and a week long rotation complete. It has been a busy summer but things are mellowing out now and we are prepping for our much awaited (3 years awaited actually) cruise.

But in the mean time here are some photos of a few things we have been up to lately. We did a little camping at Mt. Hood a few weeks ago. It was beyond gorgeous and just what Ty and I both needed. We love pulling out our camping gear and sitting around a fire all night. The Jacksons were kind enough to join us (unfortunately their daughter didn't cooperate in the wee hours of the morning and I am pretty sure Steve will never camp again). After they headed for home and their beds, Ty and I did an awesome little hike with sweeping views of Mt. Hood and amazing wild flower meadows. I was in heaven. I cannot get enough of wild flowers.

This past weekend we revisited Opal Creek after over a year. We have been wanting to swim in the pools and we picked a nice hot day for it. This is about a 7 mile hike, but it is nice and flat and absolutely gorgeous. The water is crystal clear. We could see to the bottom even in the 30 foot range. Tyler did lots of diving and swimming. I waded and photographed. It was a fantastic day.

And now the countdown to cruise time begins.

Summer Shenanagins

My sweet baby Caroline came to visit me. A came too. So all in all it was a fabulous weekend. We had so much fun playing at the pool, going to the coast, eating, shopping and all things sister weekends entail. To say I am obsessed with C, would be the largest understatement ever.

And can you blame me? She was crazy about the beach. It was the most perfect day I have ever experienced on the Oregon coast. It took C a bit to warm up to the sand, but once she did there was not stopping her. Yummy.

It was awesome to get to be there for C's first ocean expereince. She squealed and laughed the whole time. We basked in the sunshine.
We had a girls lunch at the OG. C and I are BFF now. As long as my mother isn't around she likes me best. But who can compete with grandma anyway? I will gladly take 2nd place.
Family portrait under the Morrison Bridge. {Okay, hurry everyone...make your comments about how we need to have kids stat.} We had a nice little run in with a meth head woman. Fun times. C told her off. Then we enjoyed dinner at Montage.
After hanging with A and C I decided to head home for the weekend. Hopefully I can round up some pictures from that. I love being home. I got to see my parents new gorgeous house, celebrate C's 1st birthday and Danny's 16th {WHAT!?}, and as always I got spoiled by my parents and pretty much never lifted a finger. I also got to go to lunch with these beautiful ladies. It has been over a year since we have all been together. They are 3 of my oldest and best friends. We have been friends since we were little and now we are all growed up and having babies {Carly}. That was a strange moment for me. Realizing that one of my cloest childhood friends is a mother. Wow. Anyway, it was wonderful to see them. I love them dearly. It was a busy week, but a wonderful one.