Mother's Day

We went for a bike ride around Doreena Lake on Mother's Day.  It's a wonderful trail, built over a railroad, like so many trails back in the Midwest.  I love it because they are almost always pretty flat!!  The scenery is pretty remarkable.  Put a lake in the foothills of the Cascades and it doesn't take much to have killer views and choice picnic spots.  Norah loves her little trailer pod, and she really loves getting out and exploring.  It's so much fun to have fun in the sun with the whole family, and it was all I wanted for Mother's Day!

Action shot

Doreena Lake

Norah takes in the view

Our little nature girl

Little girl, Long shadow

Time for a rest stop

Little ray of sunshine

Stretching out

Rainy Days at the Park

It's fun to have the park to yourself... even if it's a bit wet!

Emergency shelter.... noted!

Escaping the rain...

Escaping the rain... again!

Plenty of room for the whole family!

Alton Baker Park

After a lovely happy hour along the shore of the Willamette River we spent the afternoon at Alton Baker park, a popular stomping grounds for local ducks and geese.  Norah was enthralled by the river and all the ducks.  It is so fun to watch her interact with new surroundings.

Red Heads

Looking out on the Willamette River with Nana Sue

Duts!

A field of little daisies was quite a find

Norah had lots of fun picking the daisies and throwing them up in the air.

Weee!  She would say

So excited!!!

Picking daisies

The geese are making their advance.... 

we found ourselves surrounded after a while!

Little monkey looking out at the river

The stepping stones were a under water after all the spring rain...

We made a splash with the ducks!

Our little adventurista

Now this is one for the mantle!

Family Dinner

We had an impromptu family dinner the other night, it was the first time we had the leaf in our new table and it was officially the most people I have ever cooked for.  Can you believe we still had leftovers!?!  

Starting with Nana Sue at the head of the table going left is: Logan, Leland, Stephanie, Kelsey, Sean, Gimpa, Norah, Greg, Tegan and Noah.

At the Coast with Gimpanana

April is closing with a special treat... Nana Sue and Gimpa are visiting all the way from Wisconsin!  We kicked off their visit with a trip to the coast.  They helped us do some research around Yachats to figure out wedding details.  If you are looking for more details about the wedding please check out our fancy new website!

www.theknot.com/ourwedding/sarahjohnston&gregmeyer

These are some fun pictures that will give you an idea of the terrain around the beach we are getting married at.  We caught a beautiful sunny day, hopefully we'll have the same luck this summer!

On the trail from the wayside to the house... 

it can get a bit tight, but it's easier than crossing the river!

The girl with her daddy

Clover blooms

Norah with Gimpa on the lawn of the Endless Sea cottage

Gimpanana in the flesh!

Norah catches a ride with Nana Sue.

Rainy Days

As winter turns to spring the clouds settle into the valley and give everything a long drink before the summer heat.  I love falling asleep to rain on the rooftop, but typically that's the extent my enjoyment.  This year, however, I have my own person ray of sunshine to take where ever I go.  This little girl loves to be outside, and that love does not fade in fair weather.  For Easter Norah got her very first pair of galoshes, a necessary purchase after soaking her other pairs of shoes.  When she steps out into the rain her first response is to look up, feeling the rain on her face, and smile.  Finding the nearest puddle is a close second.  

Bishop and Norah size up the swollen Willamette River

Mud puddle, mud puddle, make me a splash!

Squish!  Squish!

Norah splashes the girl in the puddle!

This was the point when galoshes became necessary.

Another favorite rainy day activity is going to Papa's Pizza.  It's brilliant really, all you can eat pizza and salad and a huge play area for the little ones!  I have a feeling my waistline may suffer!  

Baaa!

There's always time to lounge around the house on rainy days...

even Bishop can't get enough of the extra cuddle time!

Here's to the sunshine... in all it's many forms!

A Walk in the Park

After brunch we headed to the park for some fresh air.  Norah went down the slide a couple of times and then spent the rest of the day being pushed in the swing.  She walks right up to the swing and says "Up!"  I love her ever increasing ability to communicate and interact with her surroundings!  There is not a day that goes by that she doesn't brighten my world.

Norah and Abigail

Norah gives the  swing a try