Momma's Birthday Road Trip

So we celebrated my birthday a couple days ago with a road trip to the Fruit Loop.  But first we did a short hike to Elk Meadows.  It was a bit wet!  Fortunately it cleared up for our lunch break at The Gorge White House.  They have this podunk-looking food cart parked on the property, but the food that they make is AMAZING!  We love the pear quesadilla and the sausage & blueberry flatbread. I also happen to love the winery's local, pear and blueberry wines and their sensational, locally-brewed cider beers.  After lunch we visited another favorite stop on the Fruit Loop: Packers Orchards and Bakers.  The girls always get ice cream, and I always get homemade cookies & scones.  It's a win-win!  Our last pit stop was Kiyokawa Family Orchards for some apple-picking.  The girls did a good job filling our bags with honey crisp and crimson crisp apples.  All in all, such a fun day to celebrate turning 38!

The Last Pics of Summer

Pool parties and the Oregon State Fair....that's how we spent our final days of summer weather.

Ava & Airy join the girls in their "jacuzzi."

Ever since the Rio Olympics, the girls have been obsessed with the Laurie Hernandez, Simone Biles and the rest of the Final Five.

They would start their jumps on the deck by saying, "Presenting Gabby Douglas....." then they would run and do a two-foot landing on the mini trampoline.

At the State Fair, we looked at all the livestock.

This horse had the most beautiful braids in her mane and tail.

This was an old school house, and they provided crayons and coloring pages for the girls to doodle.

They pretended they were Laura and Mary from Little House on the Prairie.

The girls fully support "Making America Great."

Neon Cousins

WARNING:  PICTURE OVERLOAD!!!

Last month my brother and his family spent a couple of days with us before heading to their new duty station in Naples, Italy.  Gramma C. had sent matching outfits, so naturally we did a quick photo shoot with the five granddaughters.   We bribed them with Mike & Ikes, but what really made them smile was silly, Uncle Ryan.   Tessa and Ellis we're too cute for words!