Two sets of families and friends unite! Two families whom we have known and befriended through our local homeschool network have come together with two of their kids getting married. Michael and Lauren and a year or two older than our oldest, Alex. They all played together when they were younger and we were in small group with Michael’s parents, Chris and Ginger.
Here’s a few shots from that special day. The photographer asked that no photos be taken during the ceremony. I took these at the reception.
<3
<3
The garter toss. Boys stayed back lol!
Lovely Leslie, Me, and MOTG Ginger, who looked amazing in this navy dress.
Our family happy place. Time at Manzanita, OR. On the North Oregon coast. Exciting news. We bought a condo here while on this trip. Looking forward to spending more time at one of our favorite places.
My sole/soul sis Aarti is moving back to Australia. On her final week with us, she made us an Indian dinner at Tina’s house. After dinner, we all relaxed in Tina’s hammock tree. I will miss my friend dearly. Grateful for the technology that allows us to keep in touch easily.
Helping prep. Eun in plaid shirt.
I was so tired. Tina’s Alex set me up with a fine cup of joe.
We have a family tradition where we spend our 4th go July together with my mom’s side of the family. they have been costume parties and it has been a special part of our boy’s childhood.
This year, we had planned to shift location to my brother’s house and also include our dad’s side of the family. But Covid kind of squashed those plans. Instead, we had an outdoor gathering with just our dad’s side.
We drove form CA to Bend, OR. and spent one night at one of our favorite places, McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School. We stayed in their Family Suite, a large three bedroom suite up two flights of stairs. Aside from the stairs, and lugging all our stuff up, it was a really neat place for us. Too bad it was only for one night.
Our Austin loves to perch himself on top of couches and chairs. This is in the master bedroom of the family suite.
We arrived the next day in Cle Elum and checked into Suncadia Resort.
The boys actually stayed at their uncle’s place, but spent some down time with us too.
Large lobby deck overlooking golf course
Family time at my brother’s! My cousin brought a whole pig to roast. We spent the weekend soaking up precious time together.
Lol! My brother successfully hunted a vole that has been tearing up his yard. One of many…
Licking up the drippings…
I love my family!!
On our last night, my niece KK and her boyfriend Jesse made a magnificent steak dinner for us at their new place!
Heading home, we spent another two nights again in Bend. While walking the park, I found a check that was a paycheck from a local bookstore. Decided to deliver the check personally and discovered another wonderful spot to get lost in Bend for a while!! Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe
These are photos from two separate runs that were close to each other on the calendar. This is a decent run on a bike/pedestrian lane that cuts up around Folsom prison. The second of the two runs was the last few miles Elyse and I needed to reach our goal of 100 miles for the month of June and earn the coveted wooden buckle award for ‘100 Miles to Auburn’ through Western States challenge.
Aarti and I had planned for only five trail miles at Cronan Ranch with Trail Running Adventures, but ended up doing seven. We were both recovering from injuries and were glad we felt well enough to get those extra two miles.
Vacation Races hosted a virtual half marathon, to be done in your home, backyard or neighborhood. I am rehabbing a torn calf, but was anxious to get this one accomplished. Not comfortable running on it right now, but decided to walk the half marathon instead!
Route Recap:
Miles 1-6: SWRA and Clover Valley Loop. Saw a cat. Stopped and said hi for a few seconds. Miles 6-8 UP Mt. Whitney and headed toward Big Mama to go down, but I saw the Clark Dominguez trail and decided to take that instead. Saw a Cocker Spaniel who was done walking and would not move for his owner. Gave him a pat and moved on. Miles 8-10: Finished CD trail and walked Whitney Oaks pkwy. Realized I was headed toward Big Mama to go UP it. <insert swear word here….who’s coordinating this monkey route anyway?> Mile 10: Big Mama. Keep head down. Steady pace. One foot in front of the other. I can do this. Just as Big Mama was ascending, ZZ Top’s “She’s Got Legs and She Knows How To Use Them” came on and I knew there was a God. I got hot. I got nauseous. But I did not stop. She killed my 16:30 average pace at that point, but I got through her in one piece. Miles 11-12.43: Feeling good. Ready to be done. The breeze is a blessing. This stretch is boring…. Mile 12.43: Calf is done and getting ticked off. I promised a nice ice bath if it got me to 13.1. Oh geez…now I have to go to the bathroom. Hang in there! Mile 12.8: Texted my husband to come and get me. I figured if I kept walking I’d hit 13.1 before he got to me. I did. Calf did not seize up. I made it to the bathroom. Life is good.
Part of the route took me on a nearby road that I run regularly. Typically, I run on the other side of the road. For this walk, I walked across the street and came across this lovely view. I can’t believe I’ve never seen this until now!
Life in transition. The closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. Our homeschool days are over. On to college! Dividing our time between California and Oregon. CALIFOREGON LIVING!
