Lately...

Lately, we have...

been spending a lot of time outside,
people watching,
playing w/shadows,
wanting a new chair cover,
so I sewed one,
going to sports camp,
and Elliot was mesmerized by the merit award he received a the end of sports camp.

Of course we have been busy with a lot of other things lately, but these stick out in my mind.

Mirror Lake

Elliot played hooky from swimming lessons today so we could take a nice family hike up on Mount Hood.  We've driven past the turnoff many a time and there are always cars there so we figured it must be a good hike.  The weather was perfect, the boys had a good time, and we were reminded again why we love living in Oregon.

I wonder why they call it Mirror Lake?

Elliot insisted on getting in the water and where big brother goes little brother follows.

Drying off on a comfy basalt boulder.  I think Elliot needs to go on a diet.

Posing for Dad.

Confused beargrass?

Self-portrait with rhododendron.

Oy!

Remnants of old growth.  Note the notch cut for the springboard by a pre-chainsaw lumberjack.

Dog in motion.

Reflections On Water

I just got back from an amazing Grand Canyon river trip and I have so much to be thankful for. I am so grateful to my incredible wife for staying home and taking care of our two wonderful but energetic little boys.  I lucked into a fantastic crew and an appreciative and inspirational group of passengers.   I've been blessed with the opportunity to make the trip of a lifetime several times over.  The Canyon is a great place for perspective and the river is a creative transformative  teacher with so many different voices.  I don't think I will ever tire of watching and listening to moving water.  It magnifies colors and dances with light.

It paints pictures of the sky

Then abstracts them beyond recognition

A Zen Garden in the LCR

In Oregon, Talia was taking snapshots of sunset on the Deschutes

10 hours and hundreds of miles away I was trying to capture sunrise on the Colorado

Back home again the whole family splashed through ephemeral masterpieces in Oneonta gorge.

Down by the river...

The boys and I took a little road trip last week to stay at our friends river house on the Deshutes River.  We spent our time relaxing, exploring and hanging out with some good friends. 

Miles on his way to check out the barn
hey there
exploring the barn area
miles doing the same

fun in the pool
just chillin'
slushy time
Elliot: "mom, they have a slushy maker here.  how sweet!"
hey - wait for me
lets see what is around the corner
what is in here
representing mommy, the cubs & baseball
just goofing off
oh miles...
heading back to the house for some baseball
dancing on the table in honor of M.J.
only some of the kids eating dinner (yup, there were a lot of kids)
miss mallory
it was sarah's b-day.  elliot made her a b-day book.
the love
karaoke fun
getting down

thanks, sarah, for a great week. 

(nope, didn't really play the banjo.  I tried, but it wouldn't stay in tune. classic, right?)

P.S. Xander gets off the river today and will be home on Saturday.  YAYAYAYAY!