who turns two today?

Noah. Happy Birthday! We love you.

What does your future hold...

Engineer perhaps- mechanical...

or domestic?

what happened when ben and i got stuck on I-84?

We decided to hike along the railroad.

Last Thursday Ben and I decided to go hiking. We left Hood River, got on I-84 and headed for the trail. When traffic on I-84 stopped, we pulled off the road and called ODOT. When we learned I-84 was closed due to a truck fire we left our car at a weigh station and decided to hike along I-84.

Driving along I-84 is a treat. It's a beautiful drive through the gorge and we make the drive often. Getting to walk along I-84 is amazing. Everything we normally see at 65mph, was extra special to see on foot.

This waterfall is visible from I-84, but only on foot. I've never seen it from the car.

Many people decided to get out of their cars . This soccer team was contemplating jumping off the rocks for a swim in the river.

After a few hours of hiking and realizing the road would remain closed, we decided to turn around and walk home. Along the way we met a ranger (at an exit where she could turn around) who drove us home. Later that night (when the road finally reopened) we went back for our car. We had an amazing adventure!

what's better than a kid in a candy store?

A kid in a toy store.

On Monday afternoon, Noah and MaiMai flew to Hood River from California with Ben and me to visit for a week. On Wednesday we went to Portland to visit Abby and the toy store where she works.

Noah had a great time "shopping" with the shopping cart...

riding a rocking horse that was just his size...

and banging on the drums.

what did we do on memorial day?

We took a road trip to Pendleton, Oregon.

Pendleton, Oregon is home to the famous blankets and...





the infamous Pendleton Round-Up!

who taught me how to make apple pie?

Ed's Mom.

When Phoebe, Ed, Alex and Pete came to visit, Ed's parents came for part of the trip. Henry, Ed's dad, installed recessed lights in our bedrooms and Barbara, Ed's mom, taught me to make apple pie- crust and all.

It was super delicious. I can't wait for the fall apple harvest!

what world record did foster break?

Retrieval of the largest stick.




Even though I bought Foster a new Frisbee, he ignored it and went straight for the sticks on the beach. Then he found a log and convinced Ryan and Ben to throw it in the water...




and although we thought it was too big for him, it wasn't. He had no problem retrieving it from the water and bringing it back to the boys for more.

who are foster's new best friends?

Pete & Alex

Pete and Alex love Foster. They love hiking with him...



and throwing sticks for him. Pete even learned to give him treats. Check it out on Ben's blog.


Foster is one lucky dog!