Showing posts with label OREGON. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OREGON. Show all posts

BACK TO BALLET

Friday, September 15, 2017

 The arrival of September means the start of so much more than just the school year. While Wyatt has decided to pick up a new sport to play, Delta Mae was excited to stick with an activity she loves. BALLET!


Delta Mae took her first year of ballet lessons at age two while we were living in Mississippi. Then we moved to Oregon and her second year of lessons was taken at our local dance studio. This year, as September drew nearer, I spent numerous hours trying to find a ballet class offered to her age group that met in the mornings, opposite her days at preschool.

It was a struggle - which really surprised me. I found a nearby studio that offered a "custom class" if I could find five other participants. It gave me hope, so I reached out to the other MOPS Mamas on our Facebook group but, unfortunately, their interest was low. Except for my friend, Jenn. She was up for the idea, but two ballerinas are far from six, so the search continued.

Eventually, I found a studio about twenty minutes from my home that offered just what I was looking for. A Tuesday morning, ballet only, class. We signed up and lessons began two days ago.

Caution: These photos contain cuteness overload.

AN EASTERN OREGON ADVENTURE

Monday, September 11, 2017

AN EASTERN OREGON ADVENTURE
For the past three years when bow hunting season arrives, I lose my Husband to the hills of Eastern Oregon. This year was a little different because the kids + I got to tag along with him on opening weekend. I was hoping to get the chance to spot an elk or two but unfortunately, our efforts were unsuccessful. We were able to catch a glimpse of a herd of deer while making our drive into camp, but I was behind the wheel instead of behind the camera lens.



We had a great time! We took a couple of family hikes that involved minimal complaining from the kids + only two piggie-back rides. We gathered around a fire under a star-filled sky where we all took turns naming new constellations. (I think someone saw a purple hippo, yellow elephant + a kite.) Our daughter took her first four-wheeler ride + had a blast! All in all, it was a wonderful time spent together.

Oregon, you sure are pretty.

FAMILY HIKING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

FAMILY HIKING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
The warm, sunny weather has been abundant over the past few weekends + we have taken full advantage of them. With a little help from the All Trails App, I could easily find a trail + map directions. I am a bit partial to the waterfall hikes but it appears most people are. Even after traveling two hours away from the Portland Metro Area, the trailhead parking lots are full of cars + the trails are full of people + pets. I don’t mind it though. Not when the payoff is a million dollar view.

Today I’m sharing a few photos taken from three recent weekend hikes. The All Trails App describes two of them as moderate hikes + one as easy. I concur.

|| ONE || Falls Creek Falls – Carson, Washington
Falls Creek Falls is a new favorite of mine. A portion of the drive to the trail is along a dirt road that is full of potholes but it’s not so bad that we needed to use four-wheel drive. In fact, once we arrived at the trailhead, I was surprised to see so many cars in the parking lot.

We made it out + back along the trail, occasionally stepping to the side to let people pass us. After all, we were making the trek with a seven + four-year-old. There was one portion of the trail that required us to step on stones that had water rushing under them but we made it by just fine. And it made for an adorable father-daughter photo. Have a look!



Put Lower Falls Creek Trail on your places to visit this summer!

|| TWO || Panther Creek – Carson, Washington 
Picnicking by Panther Creek with a beautiful waterfall just on the opposite side. All good things. All good things. =) And it’s a super-short hike to boot! We actually stopped off at Panther Creek on our way to Falls Creek Falls.

|| THREE || Bald Mountain from Lolo Pass Trail – Rhododendron, Oregon
We had high hopes of reaching the Lost Lake on Memorial Day but due to snow-covered dirt roads, it wasn’t accessible. Hopefully, we can try again in a few weeks after more of the snow has melted off. I felt a bit defeated when we had to turn around but there was a trailhead on the intersecting road. The Lolo Pass Trailhead is part of the Pacific Crest Trail that we hiked along for a bit. This trail zig-zagged quite a bit, gaining elevation with each step. This also means that this trail started to become snowed-covered as well. We were only able to go one-mile in before we had to turn around. Either way, it got us up + moving and gave us a pretty awesome view of Mt. Hood.
Here’s to more Weekend Warrioring with The Family!

EASTER 2017

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

EASTER 2017

 We had a pretty laid back Easter Weekend this year. Delta Mae had an Easter Performace at her preschool. I brought my camera but didn't realize I left the battery on the charger back at the house so I don't have any photos to document it. She looked adorable and sang beautifully. Here are a few pictures I took of her after we got back home.



So cute, right?!

Saturday rolled around. This was the day we got all of our Easter events in. We attended an egg hunt at one of our neighborhood parks, then came back home to dye eggs.










The next series of pictures makes me laugh so hard. Wyatt gave Chicken rabbit ears and she did not appreciate it.



Don't. Mess. Ha!

On to Egg Dying.


And then a little dance party before heading off to Saturday church service. =)








Happy Easter!!

EXPLORING OREGON || WOODEN SHOE TULIP FESTIVAL

Friday, April 7, 2017

EXPLORING OREGON || WOODEN SHOE TULIP FESTIVAL
I might have skipped a few weeks of photo prompt posts as part of #TheBethadilly52 challenge post, but what better week to jump back in than this one?! The prompt was Free Choice, so I’m sharing photographs from my recent visit to Wooden Shoe Farm’s annual Tulip Festival. This Festival is one of the things I most look forward to when spring arrives in Oregon. This year marks the fourth time that I’ve attended the festival + the first time my son hasn’t tagged along. I was a bit disappointed that he didn’t want to go but at least my Little Lady was excited to join me. I mean, what could be more fun than strolling through 40 acres of tulips? (Apparently, basketball + tetherball, in his opinion.)

Off we went. Many of the rows were void of any color but green because only 20% of the tulips had bloomed but I didn’t mind that at all. It was still beautiful + the festival wasn’t as packed as it had been in previous visits.

Let move along to the pretties, shall we?