Portland Firehouse

Being friends with a firefighter certainly has its' perks. This summer, we enjoyed a private tour of the downtown Portland fire station. All was good fun until the alarm went off while Charles was trying on the gear...

2010-08 Portland Firehouse

Picnic at the park

Enjoying ice cream with friends and playing in the water at Jamison Square.

August pics

Bridge Pedal

Isabella was fortunate enough to participate for the first time in Portland's annual Bridge Pedal. With the bridges closed to motorized traffic for the morning, the whole family including Pa-Paw Charlie, Jennifer and her son Kellen, all enjoyed a unique view of the city while crossing 5 of the city's most beautiful bridges on bicycle.

2010-08 Bridge Pedal

Brunch on the bridge

Two of Portland's most distinguishing assets are parks and bridges - it only seems natural that the city would combine the two… For the better part of one day in August, the Hawthorne bridge in downtown Portland was closed, covered with sod, and opened to picnicking park-goers for the celebration of it's 100th birthday. We were fortunate enough to have placed the winning bid for tickets to the event, along with a picnic table painted by a local artist. The event was stellar, and the picnic table is now our bright backyard centerpiece.

2010-08 Brunch on the bridge

Weekend in the Columbia Gorge

Having friends outside of the city has it's perks. We spend the last weekend of July in White Salmon, just across the Columbia from Hood River. Bella really found her stride playing in the Columbia River and watching the wind surfers and kite boarders at this world famous destination. On the way home, she took her first hike in the Gorge as a full fledged biped and she was giddy with her new found independence.

2010-07 Hood River

Blueberry picking

Berry picking at Suavie Island where we also visited a few farm animals.

2010-07 Suave Island

Lost Lake

Bella and Kellen took a swim after a warm day of hiking around Lost Lake. We all enjoyed playing in the cool water at the base of Mount Hood.

2010-07 Lost Lake Swim

July in the Midwest

We had a wonderful time visiting kinfolk in the midwest over the 4th of July. Bella rode her first amusement ride, pet her first chicken and took her first steps, all in the course of a week! Charles and I even got to sneak away with much of the family to do some sailing along the beautiful Chicago waterfront. A good time was had by all.

2010 4th of July

Summer in June

From swings to slides and wagons to bikes, Isabella keeps finding more ways to keep us moving. It is fantastic to watch her explore her ever expanding world.

2010-06 Summertime fun

Fun times with Grandad

Playing till she passed out, Bella enjoyed her special time with Grandad.

2010-06 Bob to Portland