Punky Brewster

Ironically....she didn't dress herself, and I can't use 'no clean clothes' as an explanation.  I think my mother would agree, that if I could dress myself at that age, I would most certainly look like McKinley.  I happen to think she matches perfectly!

Ramona Falls

Today we spent the hottest day of the year hiking the seven-mile Ramona Falls Loop. This beautiful trail follows the Sandy River with outstanding views of the east side of Mt. Hood, then meanders into the forest to reveal an amazing waterfall shooting down a steep rock face. We had a couple hiccups during our hike: McKinley fell asleep in her carrier, forcing us to take her out because of the lack of head support, and we didn't anticipate as much snow as we encountered, which made us lose the trail two or three times. Overall, a fun day!

Crossing the Sandy River.

Ramona Falls!

Taking a snack break.

Mt. Hood!

Our little hiker girl.

Flowers

McKinley now favors walking to crawling.  She is getting so big! And quite independent too.  Today while I was making dinner, I heard the musical toys in her room, and sure enough, she was happily playing by herself in her bedroom.  She has always been good at entertaining herself, but I felt a little sad knowing she doesn't need me as much anymore.
The rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom in our front yard. I thought I better snap some pictures before their blossoms die.

So big!

McKinley & Momma

For Mother's Day, McKinley wore a beautiful brown dress from her Grampa & Gramma C.  Add hot pink tights and shrug, spiffy, brown mary janes, and a new, matching flower for her hair, and some ladies at church began referring to her as a "fashion plate." I tried to color coordinate our outfits as I sense another tradition being spawn for Mother's Day.  I wish the gorgeous dogwood tree in the pictures was in our yard, but lass, it belongs to our neighbors.

 

 

 

Troutlake

Last year we celebrated Mother's Day with an overnight trip to the coast. This year we continued the tradition and stayed at a rustic inn in Troutlake, WA. Before arriving in Troutlake, we spent the morning hiking to McCall Pt. and the afternoon eating lunch in Hood River. We were blessed with amazingly warm temperatures and clear blue sky, and from the top of McCall Pt. we had breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.

McCall Pt. 

Das hikers

 

Mt. Adams, WA.

Columbia River Gorge.

Mt. Hood, OR.

Posing in the balsamroot. 

Troutlake is a small, rural town in Washington, about 30 miles north of the Columbia River.  It is literally nestled at the bast of Mt. Adams. We first visited Troutlake during our honeymoon five years ago when we stayed at a bed and breakfast in Hood River. I think we were curious about this small town covered in snow and vowed to come back some day.  Upon arriving we walked around before checking into our motel and snapped pictures in front of some of the town's historic landmarks.  The motel was equally quaint with its rustic decor and friendly owners.  I truly appreciated their attention to detail in making our room kid-friendly. The best part of the inn was the breakfast they served the next morning....sweet potato waffles with local huckleberries. 

Mt. Adams behind Troutlake.

 

Chillaxin' at our motel park.

Drinking huckleberry soda bought at the General Store (only store.)

The community town hall.

The 100 year-old Presbyterian Church. 

Goofing around at the town's park. 

The historic Country Inn.

Family shot after our dinner at Taste of the Gorge.