We have maintained a weekly tradition of Friday Family Nights. We take turns choosing an activity that we all can enjoy together--sometimes its a movie with popcorn, or when the weather is nice we might go for a walk or bike ride, or we bake something together.....or a long list of other possibilities! This night we chose to play games--each of the kids chose their favorite game. We had tons of fun! Here's a little video clip of our game night.
(Note: press pause on the blog music player to the right of this post.)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Adventures in Bus-Land
I've been trying to find free (or at least cheap) activities for our family to do on the weekends. This past weekend the kids and I set out to ride the public transportation buses around Bend. We didn't have any particular agenda, just to ride around and explore our town and give the kids a new experience since they've never ridden a bus before.
So, being the good plan-ahead-planner that I am, I researched the city website to learn the bus routes, prices, and schedules. The schedule was in such tiny print I couldn't read it online nor in print--but how hard can it be, right? I knew there were multiple bus stops I'd seen around town, so I figured we'd just hop on and hop off whenever it suited us.
Adventure #1--There weren't any bus stops near our house. Not to worry! We drove to my work office about two miles away, parked the car, then walked about a block to the bus stop.
Adventure #2--Looking at the schedule posted at the bus stop, we were going to have to wait almost 45 minutes for the next bus. We crossed the street to the opposite stop where we'd have to wait a mere 30 minutes. That particular stop was an enclosed shelter-type bus stop, to which all three kids proclaimed "IT STINKS IN HERE!" (Thankfully no one else was at the bus stop!) While we waited we had a little lesson on how to read the bus maps and bus schedules posted at the stop. And we played with rocks. And we threw rocks. And we counted rocks. And we asked how much longer......about every 7 seconds. Finally the bus came! The kids were thrilled and as soon as the bus started moving, their eyes were wide and their smiles were big! And...."we don't even have to wear seat belts!"
Adventure #3--There are some interesting folks who ride public transportation. One gentleman (nurse-mama's assessment quickly decided he had a mild form of mental illness) proceeded to tell the kids all the misadventures he got into when he was their age including "I burned down all of Awbrey Butte....all of it!" when he was 7 years old. And "I took out all the windows in the entire high school" when he was 10 years old. Ummmmm......next stop please!
Adventure #4--There was not an abundance of buses waiting at the transfer station. We had to search to find the bus stop for the route we wanted, only to discover we would have to wait yet again for another 45 minutes. So we hopped on the bus that WAS at the station, and explored a section of town we hadn't seen. But apparently it was only interesting to mom, and I got the "I'm bored" looks multiple times. Back to the station again.....still no other buses.
Adventure #5--The bus we were already on apparently changes routes at the station, so we hopped back on again and headed for a different part of town. This time we did have an agenda and went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. When we got off, I checked the bus schedule and noted the bus wasn't coming back to that location for another 90 minutes! Ok kids, I guess we're going shopping for a while! While the kids slurped ice cream, I looked over the master schedule the very nice driver gave me (when I was looking bewildered at the bus stop schedule!) and started to realize Adventure #6.....
Adventure #6--Houston, we have a problem. Due to Saturday schedules, we would still be able to get back to the station, but that would be the last bus of the day. Note: our car was parked at the opposite end of town! Bryan wasn't feeling well, so he had stayed home; via text messaging we decided the only option was for him to walk the two miles to my work, pick up the car, and drive to rescue us. Did I mention he was sick? But, it was either that or join the homeless population for the night. So he walked....with a fever....and it started snowing. Oh what a wonderful Daddy we have! (Yes, I will owe him many times!)
We did make it home--thankful that Bryan did stay home from this adventure or we wouldn't have even HAD someone to pick us up! I am still owing him....
Friday, February 24, 2012
Kids in the Kitchen
Bryan loves being a stay-home dad, and he also loves to cook. So the kids have naturally absorbed a love of cooking as well. Kaela (age 10) has already advanced to a "cooking for teenagers" cookbook. Graeson (age 7) mostly likes to make snacks and desserts, but occasional kid meals as well. Here's some of their masterpieces.....
Kaela made jambalaya--it was quite complicated with chicken, shrimp, sausage, rice, tomatoes....and more!
Graeson found a new cookbook at the library and he made chocolate vanilla swirl cookies. (Unfortunately, they ended up not having much flavor, so we decided to add honey and powdered sugar on top.)
Maezie's friend Ella came to our house for a play date and we made chocolate thumbprint cookies with peanut butter inside--yum!
Graeson has been wanting to make homemade pizza for a long time, so he made sausage, pepperoni, and olive pizza. The recipe called for ketchup as the pizza sauce--mom and dad wrinkled their nose at that part--but we were pleasantly surprised and it tasted great!
We've been making friendship bread, which is a dough starter. You mash the dough bag every day for 10 days, then you bake bread. We've been trying out tons of different recipes, so this was Kaela's choice for chocolate Nutella friendship bread with Nutella butter cream frosting.
Kaela and her cousin Kacy made Kaela's birthday cupcakes this year. Then they made a second batch just so they could eat the raw batter!
One of our family traditions is Friday Family Night and this particular night we chose to bake together. We made Cake Cookies (made out of cake box batter) with frosting in the middle--they were SO good!
If any of you come to visit us, we'll definitely cook for you!
Kaela made jambalaya--it was quite complicated with chicken, shrimp, sausage, rice, tomatoes....and more!
Graeson found a new cookbook at the library and he made chocolate vanilla swirl cookies. (Unfortunately, they ended up not having much flavor, so we decided to add honey and powdered sugar on top.)
Maezie's friend Ella came to our house for a play date and we made chocolate thumbprint cookies with peanut butter inside--yum!
Graeson has been wanting to make homemade pizza for a long time, so he made sausage, pepperoni, and olive pizza. The recipe called for ketchup as the pizza sauce--mom and dad wrinkled their nose at that part--but we were pleasantly surprised and it tasted great!
We've been making friendship bread, which is a dough starter. You mash the dough bag every day for 10 days, then you bake bread. We've been trying out tons of different recipes, so this was Kaela's choice for chocolate Nutella friendship bread with Nutella butter cream frosting.
Graeson also made a different kind of pizza--cookie dessert pizza! He chose mint chocolate cups and marshmallows.
Kaela and her cousin Kacy made Kaela's birthday cupcakes this year. Then they made a second batch just so they could eat the raw batter!
One of our family traditions is Friday Family Night and this particular night we chose to bake together. We made Cake Cookies (made out of cake box batter) with frosting in the middle--they were SO good!
If any of you come to visit us, we'll definitely cook for you!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Spring 2011
I'm a little behind on blogging/posting/video-ing.....no surprise there. Hope you can still enjoy! Remember to pause the blog music player to the right of this post.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
When You Are My Age
This Christmas for Kaela's 10th birthday, I got her a book called "Just Mom and Me" from the American Girl line. (See last year's post "Girl Talk" for a similar story.) This book has a variety of short activities for girls and their moms to do together--so far the activities we've done are comparing a list of likes/dislikes, hiding surprise coupons around the house ("free 15 minute neck massage"), and interviewing specific questions. Tonight Kaela chose a questionnaire "When You Are My Age" where Kaela asked me a list of questions about when I was 10, and I asked her questions about when she'll be 35. Daddy, of course, can't stand to be left out of the fun, so he comes in and hears the answers too. Tonight was both entertaining (Kaela giggling non-stop) as well as enlightening.
Kaela's interview questions for her mom "When you were my age...."
What you spent your allowance on: blue creme soda and Reese's peanut butter cups
Stuffed animal or doll you couldn't sleep without: Flower Patch dolls
Pet you dreamed of having: dog
Best friend: my cousin Heather
Food your parents made you eat: brussel sprouts at Thanksgiving
Best school subject: reading and spelling
Worst school subject: geography (Kaela didn't know how to spell it so we agreed on social studies)
Least favorite chore: folding the whites...too many socks
Funkiest fashion you followed: side ponytails
Most embarrassing moment: pretending to kiss a boy during the school play
Mommy's interview questions for Kaela "When you are my age...."
Where you will live: Canada....but I guess if I have to stay in America then at least Washington
Job you will have: doctor who works in a hospital, not a doctor's office
House rule you'll make: no putting stickers on the wall
House rule you'll break: no drawing on the walls....just in the bedroom will be ok
Pets you will have: two cats
Number of children you'd like to have: one. Ok maybe two. No I think twin girls.
What you would name a daughter: Amanda and McKenzie
Advice you'd give her: always ask for help
Allowance you'd pay her: three dollars a week (mom note: this is three times what Kaela makes now)
How you'd make her earn it: cleaning the whole house....cuz it will be three dollars!
I asked Kaela if I could keep the interview sheets tonight and give them back to her in the morning. She replied, "Why, are you going to blog about it?"
Kaela's interview questions for her mom "When you were my age...."
What you spent your allowance on: blue creme soda and Reese's peanut butter cups
Stuffed animal or doll you couldn't sleep without: Flower Patch dolls
Pet you dreamed of having: dog
Best friend: my cousin Heather
Food your parents made you eat: brussel sprouts at Thanksgiving
Best school subject: reading and spelling
Worst school subject: geography (Kaela didn't know how to spell it so we agreed on social studies)
Least favorite chore: folding the whites...too many socks
Funkiest fashion you followed: side ponytails
Most embarrassing moment: pretending to kiss a boy during the school play
Mommy's interview questions for Kaela "When you are my age...."
Where you will live: Canada....but I guess if I have to stay in America then at least Washington
Job you will have: doctor who works in a hospital, not a doctor's office
House rule you'll make: no putting stickers on the wall
House rule you'll break: no drawing on the walls....just in the bedroom will be ok
Pets you will have: two cats
Number of children you'd like to have: one. Ok maybe two. No I think twin girls.
What you would name a daughter: Amanda and McKenzie
Advice you'd give her: always ask for help
Allowance you'd pay her: three dollars a week (mom note: this is three times what Kaela makes now)
How you'd make her earn it: cleaning the whole house....cuz it will be three dollars!
I asked Kaela if I could keep the interview sheets tonight and give them back to her in the morning. She replied, "Why, are you going to blog about it?"
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
9.99
Sweet Kaela, in less than four days you will be TEN YEARS OLD! That means double digits! But for today, you are 9.99 years old and I plan to savor these last hours of your first decade of life.
The night you were born was special in many ways. As the world was celebrating the birth of Jesus, we were also celebrating the birth of YOU! You were born exactly on your due date, on Christmas morning at 3:40am, and we were the only people in the entire birth center having a baby that night. You are so special to share your birthday with Jesus!
When you turned 1 we had a big celebration with all our friends and family. You got to have your very own cake, and you learned what it feels like to squish frosting all over! (And then you took a bath!)
When you turned 2 you helped put ornaments on the tree, and you put them all on one branch. We had your birthday party at our house, but you were so overwhelmed with all the people and you hid in the play room and played with your old toys. So Mommy and Daddy opened all your presents with our friends, and you were happy in another room! For your birthday picture, this is what you would do when we said "SMILE!"
When you turned 3 you started showing your girly side--you LOVED pink, and you played with dolls all the time. Baby Graeson was born a month before your birthday and you were such a good big sister! You helped Mommy when I was tired or feeding the baby, and you played with him when he was awake. When you turned 3 1/2 we started the tradition of your half-birthday party on June 25.
When you turned 4 you liked to be silly and playful. You would push Graeson around inside a little toy grocery cart. You also had a doctor kit with a stethoscope, syringe, and silly red glasses! This was also the year you asked Jesus into your heart after we had been reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe book together. What an important event!
When you turned 5 you got a new bedroom! You chose pink butterflies and you helped paste them onto your walls. You felt very special to have a new room! You started kindergarten this year which meant you were at school every day instead of just a few mornings. I remember thinking we would have to share you with the rest of the world.
When you turned 6 you were a big sister again, and you helped take care of Baby Maezie. You were old enough to hold her by yourself, and even to feed her a bottle. You were also losing teeth every month! Since you were losing teeth at the same time Maezie was getting teeth, we would use her teething gel on your loose tooth in order to get it out. You were so happy whenever another tooth would come out!
When you turned 7 it seemed almost overnight you weren't a baby anymore. Maybe it was because your front teeth finally grew in and made you look older. Maybe it was because you were getting so much more confident in yourself. You started to be interested in nail polish, and glittery chapstick, and pretend makeup. And of course you loved to wear dresses and hair ribbons.
When you turned 8 you started to grow from little girl to big girl. You were the tallest in your class and you grew so much this year! We started having "girl talk" on the couch and on the bed, and we would talk about our days together. On the night of your school Christmas program, it snowed and snowed and snowed! A lot of kids didn't make it to the program, and the next day school was cancelled due to snow.
When you turned 9 you just kept growing and growing! You always did very well in school, and you really started developing a love of reading and learning. You had lots of friends at school because you were very easy going and caring about other people.
When you turned 9.99 you are definitely not a little girl any more. You got your ears pierced for your half-birthday, and you are responsible enough to take care of your very own kitty. You did a really good job when we moved to Bend and you had to make new friends at a new school. You were very patient when you had to share a room with Maezie for a few months, and you were waiting and waiting to get a cat.
I'm so proud of the BIG girl that you are! You are such a joy to Mommy and Daddy and you are a good big sister to Graeson and Maezie. We are SO HAPPY you are part of our family and we love you so much! I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will bring. But.....could you just stay 9.99 forever?
The night you were born was special in many ways. As the world was celebrating the birth of Jesus, we were also celebrating the birth of YOU! You were born exactly on your due date, on Christmas morning at 3:40am, and we were the only people in the entire birth center having a baby that night. You are so special to share your birthday with Jesus!
When you turned 1 we had a big celebration with all our friends and family. You got to have your very own cake, and you learned what it feels like to squish frosting all over! (And then you took a bath!)
When you turned 2 you helped put ornaments on the tree, and you put them all on one branch. We had your birthday party at our house, but you were so overwhelmed with all the people and you hid in the play room and played with your old toys. So Mommy and Daddy opened all your presents with our friends, and you were happy in another room! For your birthday picture, this is what you would do when we said "SMILE!"
When you turned 3 you started showing your girly side--you LOVED pink, and you played with dolls all the time. Baby Graeson was born a month before your birthday and you were such a good big sister! You helped Mommy when I was tired or feeding the baby, and you played with him when he was awake. When you turned 3 1/2 we started the tradition of your half-birthday party on June 25.
When you turned 4 you liked to be silly and playful. You would push Graeson around inside a little toy grocery cart. You also had a doctor kit with a stethoscope, syringe, and silly red glasses! This was also the year you asked Jesus into your heart after we had been reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe book together. What an important event!
When you turned 5 you got a new bedroom! You chose pink butterflies and you helped paste them onto your walls. You felt very special to have a new room! You started kindergarten this year which meant you were at school every day instead of just a few mornings. I remember thinking we would have to share you with the rest of the world.
When you turned 6 you were a big sister again, and you helped take care of Baby Maezie. You were old enough to hold her by yourself, and even to feed her a bottle. You were also losing teeth every month! Since you were losing teeth at the same time Maezie was getting teeth, we would use her teething gel on your loose tooth in order to get it out. You were so happy whenever another tooth would come out!
When you turned 7 it seemed almost overnight you weren't a baby anymore. Maybe it was because your front teeth finally grew in and made you look older. Maybe it was because you were getting so much more confident in yourself. You started to be interested in nail polish, and glittery chapstick, and pretend makeup. And of course you loved to wear dresses and hair ribbons.
When you turned 8 you started to grow from little girl to big girl. You were the tallest in your class and you grew so much this year! We started having "girl talk" on the couch and on the bed, and we would talk about our days together. On the night of your school Christmas program, it snowed and snowed and snowed! A lot of kids didn't make it to the program, and the next day school was cancelled due to snow.
When you turned 9 you just kept growing and growing! You always did very well in school, and you really started developing a love of reading and learning. You had lots of friends at school because you were very easy going and caring about other people.
When you turned 9.99 you are definitely not a little girl any more. You got your ears pierced for your half-birthday, and you are responsible enough to take care of your very own kitty. You did a really good job when we moved to Bend and you had to make new friends at a new school. You were very patient when you had to share a room with Maezie for a few months, and you were waiting and waiting to get a cat.
I'm so proud of the BIG girl that you are! You are such a joy to Mommy and Daddy and you are a good big sister to Graeson and Maezie. We are SO HAPPY you are part of our family and we love you so much! I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will bring. But.....could you just stay 9.99 forever?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Merry Christmas From Bend
Merry Christmas from Bend!
Last year at this time, we had no idea that major changes were just around the corner! Our life was calm, comfortable, and conventional—we knew every street, store, and stoplight. We were predictable, planned, and purposeful. But….God had other plans in mind!
I had felt a gentle calling to expand my hospice career, and in early Spring I received an undeniable message that my work in Klamath Falls was needed elsewhere. By May, I had been hired at Partners In Care hospice in Bend. We notified our family and friends, had a giant garage sale, packed up 8 years of accumulated belongings, and moved three hours away….all in less than three weeks.
Initially we stayed in our RV trailer at my dad’s house for the first couple of weeks. Though it was an hour commute to work, the slow-paced country life was a nice transition—and the kids thought “camping” was great! Soon we found a rental house in town and were able to spend the summer evenings exploring the many walking paths, parks, and hikes. Now, after a long and grueling process, we finally have our own house! We also have found a new church, doctor, dentist, grocery store, post office….and our new favorite: Costco!
The kids have all adjusted quite well. Kaela and Graeson are at the same school—they love their teachers who both happen to be Beaver fans! Kaela is in gymnastics and Graeson started taekwondo this year. Maezie is in a small church preschool three mornings a week and she really likes it as well. Bryan is staying home full-time now and during those mornings when all three kids are in school, he hikes up Pilot Butte and spends time on the mountain. He hopes to get involved with our new church’s high school group soon. I am enjoying my job and it is a perfect fit for me—but I do get impatient about the learning process and would like to know everything NOW!
The actual transition of moving was not easy—lots of goodbyes, many changes, and occasionally getting lost. But we love our new town and especially our new house! Since we’re now in “central” Oregon, most anywhere we visit is only a couple of hours away. Make sure you change our address so we can keep up with all of your happenings as well!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
As the Williams World Turns
Here’s the latest from “As the Williams World Turns” soap opera…..
Bend house—we finally have one! Well, we will have in three weeks. After FOUR house deals fell through (including this one) a total miracle revived it and we are in escrow! We are scheduled for closing on Oct 31, then moving….again….oh joy. But then we’ll be done moving! The house is only about 5 years old and is in great shape. It passed inspection with flying colors, and is in a great neighborhood with quiet streets for the kids to play.
Klamath house—we have renters finally! We had it for sale all summer with NO OFFERS, so we put it up for rent last month. We are using a property management company in Klamath which is much easier since we are out-of-town owners. So we took it off the real estate market for now, and we’ll try again at some point in the future.
Jill’s job—going well! As always with management jobs, the work is never done, the piles are always growing, and the crisis is always just around the corner. But it’s a great company and it’s a perfect fit for me. (And my boss thinks I’m fabulous!) I’m building relationships with my direct staff and with the rest of the management team….and I’m no longer getting lost in Bend!
Bryan and kids—loving Bend! Kaela and Graeson are at the same school and doing very well. Maezie is at a church preschool a block from our house and she loves it. Bryan enjoys staying home full time, and during the three mornings a week when all three kids are in school, he hikes up Pilot Butte in the mornings and enjoys some quiet times.
Stay tuned for our next episode!
Bend house—we finally have one! Well, we will have in three weeks. After FOUR house deals fell through (including this one) a total miracle revived it and we are in escrow! We are scheduled for closing on Oct 31, then moving….again….oh joy. But then we’ll be done moving! The house is only about 5 years old and is in great shape. It passed inspection with flying colors, and is in a great neighborhood with quiet streets for the kids to play.
Klamath house—we have renters finally! We had it for sale all summer with NO OFFERS, so we put it up for rent last month. We are using a property management company in Klamath which is much easier since we are out-of-town owners. So we took it off the real estate market for now, and we’ll try again at some point in the future.
Jill’s job—going well! As always with management jobs, the work is never done, the piles are always growing, and the crisis is always just around the corner. But it’s a great company and it’s a perfect fit for me. (And my boss thinks I’m fabulous!) I’m building relationships with my direct staff and with the rest of the management team….and I’m no longer getting lost in Bend!
Bryan and kids—loving Bend! Kaela and Graeson are at the same school and doing very well. Maezie is at a church preschool a block from our house and she loves it. Bryan enjoys staying home full time, and during the three mornings a week when all three kids are in school, he hikes up Pilot Butte in the mornings and enjoys some quiet times.
Stay tuned for our next episode!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Sharp Family Easter
Don't forget to pause the blog music player to the right before you press play on the video....
Monday, August 15, 2011
Bend Fun Stuff--first 10 things
With the exception of 4 years at college, Bryan and I lived in Klamath our entire lives. Yet new friends would move to town and they had done WAY more Klamath fun stuff than we ever did! Somehow when you live in one place, you just ignore all the touristy stuff and end up staying in your own little routine. So with the move to Bend, we decided that we were going to be those new people in town and make a conscious effort to explore our new town. So I looked up about a million websites (click on the beige links in this blog), bought a book called Bend, Overall (I highly recommend for anyone living in or visiting Bend!), and sought recommendations from my new co-workers. Here's our first 10 list so far:
#1: 4th of July pet parade--TONS OF KIDS!! And pets of all kinds....the only rule was no cats or rabbits. We saw tiny dogs, huge dogs, tiny-dogs-who-thought-they-were-huge-dogs, sheep, cows, chickens, snakes, and hundreds of kids on bikes! Maybe next year, we'll decide to be in the parade ourselves!
#2: Pine Nursery Park Trail--our first exploration into the hundreds of trails and paths that are in Bend. We walked/ran/strollered on the paved path, saw a fishing pond (noted for future fun stuff!), learned about lava rocks, and played on a school playground. We also discovered a gigantic softball park....and mom had a bit of high school nostalgia of her "good ole days".....
#3: Regal movie theater--$1 movies! Bryan and the kids have enjoyed numerous summer movies for the fabulous deal of one dollar! This particular theater has two showings a week with specific G-rated movies, then has two new movies the following week. Kaela was particularly excited to watch the American Girl movie since she has read many of the books.
#4: Deschutes Public Library--Bend library has multiple branches, one of which is only a few streets away. Each kid was excited to get their own library card, then the children's librarian made necklaces to hold the cards. Maezie got to attend the preschool pajama party and had a great time! Graeson loves finding Star Wars books (which gives Mom and Dad a whole new galactic vocabulary!) And Kaela has had her nose in about 5 books a week!
#5: Deschutes River trail--the Deschutes River flows right through the middle of Bend. And there are hundreds of different trails ranging from easy strolling to more difficult hiking. Bend parks and recreation keeps all the trails very well maintained. We have been taking family walks in the evening....there is nothing better than a cool evening walk/hike and hearing the sounds of the river and breathing the moist river air! Oh and of course collecting sticks, pine cones, and rocks.
#6: Pilot Butte--this is one of the landmarks of Bend itself, a 480 foot butte right in the middle of town. At the top is of course a spectacular view of Bend, as well as the ability to see dozens of the Cascade Mountains. Some very wise person created a plaque at the top which is a 360-degree map of all the surrounding mountains, buttes, volcanoes, and rocks. Obviously they were not aware of Mt Graeson!
#7: Madras county fair--our first experience with a different fair other than the Tulelake Fair. Let's just say, it wasn't the best investment in entertainment money from the parents' perspective--only a few rides, mediocre food, and run-of-the-mill exhibits. But we got bracelets so the kids could go on unlimited rides and they had a blast!
#8: PS Ogden scenic lookout--walking on a bridge over a 300 foot canyon. It truly can't be explained in words, but my mommy-radar was on high alert and it was all I could do to let the kids take a look! The sign in the parking lot said "Many dogs have died here! Put your dog back in the vehicle!" (Yes, it had a guard rail and fence. But still!)
#9: LaPine State Park camping--ok, I have to admit, this was already scheduled long before we moved to Bend. But our annual camping with the Patterson family just happened to be in the Bend area! Last year's camping at this park was in the snow, so we thought we'd try August this time and it was much better! And our drive home was only 30 minutes! (Oops, I didn't take any actual pictures! But many videos to come later...)
#10: Old Mill trail--yet another branch of the Deschutes river trail, but this one goes past one of the busiest sections of town. We happened to go on a night when a major country music star was performing in the outdoor amphitheatre, and people had their lawn chairs set up for miles! The Old Mill District has tons of shopping and restaurants, and a lot of people! There are many ways to float down the river--tubing, kayaks, stand up paddle boards--some people even anchored their water tube in the middle of the river and were eating a pizza listening to the concert!
All of our Klamath-ites say that Bend is a great area.....we wholeheartedly agree! We'd love to show you around our new town!
#1: 4th of July pet parade--TONS OF KIDS!! And pets of all kinds....the only rule was no cats or rabbits. We saw tiny dogs, huge dogs, tiny-dogs-who-thought-they-were-huge-dogs, sheep, cows, chickens, snakes, and hundreds of kids on bikes! Maybe next year, we'll decide to be in the parade ourselves!
#2: Pine Nursery Park Trail--our first exploration into the hundreds of trails and paths that are in Bend. We walked/ran/strollered on the paved path, saw a fishing pond (noted for future fun stuff!), learned about lava rocks, and played on a school playground. We also discovered a gigantic softball park....and mom had a bit of high school nostalgia of her "good ole days".....
#3: Regal movie theater--$1 movies! Bryan and the kids have enjoyed numerous summer movies for the fabulous deal of one dollar! This particular theater has two showings a week with specific G-rated movies, then has two new movies the following week. Kaela was particularly excited to watch the American Girl movie since she has read many of the books.
#4: Deschutes Public Library--Bend library has multiple branches, one of which is only a few streets away. Each kid was excited to get their own library card, then the children's librarian made necklaces to hold the cards. Maezie got to attend the preschool pajama party and had a great time! Graeson loves finding Star Wars books (which gives Mom and Dad a whole new galactic vocabulary!) And Kaela has had her nose in about 5 books a week!
#5: Deschutes River trail--the Deschutes River flows right through the middle of Bend. And there are hundreds of different trails ranging from easy strolling to more difficult hiking. Bend parks and recreation keeps all the trails very well maintained. We have been taking family walks in the evening....there is nothing better than a cool evening walk/hike and hearing the sounds of the river and breathing the moist river air! Oh and of course collecting sticks, pine cones, and rocks.
#6: Pilot Butte--this is one of the landmarks of Bend itself, a 480 foot butte right in the middle of town. At the top is of course a spectacular view of Bend, as well as the ability to see dozens of the Cascade Mountains. Some very wise person created a plaque at the top which is a 360-degree map of all the surrounding mountains, buttes, volcanoes, and rocks. Obviously they were not aware of Mt Graeson!
#7: Madras county fair--our first experience with a different fair other than the Tulelake Fair. Let's just say, it wasn't the best investment in entertainment money from the parents' perspective--only a few rides, mediocre food, and run-of-the-mill exhibits. But we got bracelets so the kids could go on unlimited rides and they had a blast!
#8: PS Ogden scenic lookout--walking on a bridge over a 300 foot canyon. It truly can't be explained in words, but my mommy-radar was on high alert and it was all I could do to let the kids take a look! The sign in the parking lot said "Many dogs have died here! Put your dog back in the vehicle!" (Yes, it had a guard rail and fence. But still!)
#9: LaPine State Park camping--ok, I have to admit, this was already scheduled long before we moved to Bend. But our annual camping with the Patterson family just happened to be in the Bend area! Last year's camping at this park was in the snow, so we thought we'd try August this time and it was much better! And our drive home was only 30 minutes! (Oops, I didn't take any actual pictures! But many videos to come later...)
#10: Old Mill trail--yet another branch of the Deschutes river trail, but this one goes past one of the busiest sections of town. We happened to go on a night when a major country music star was performing in the outdoor amphitheatre, and people had their lawn chairs set up for miles! The Old Mill District has tons of shopping and restaurants, and a lot of people! There are many ways to float down the river--tubing, kayaks, stand up paddle boards--some people even anchored their water tube in the middle of the river and were eating a pizza listening to the concert!
All of our Klamath-ites say that Bend is a great area.....we wholeheartedly agree! We'd love to show you around our new town!
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