Twice Blessed: September 2013

http://www.ci.troutdale.or.us/parks-facilities/documents/columbiapark.htm

This really cool park is about 3 miles from my house. I often drive by it on my way to or from work, but had never taken the kids. I felt like it was big enough that I wanted 2 adults with the twins -- and I was so glad to have Kat with me. As we got there, the kids were overwhelmed with the size. The second photo they are just looking around, trying to get their bearings and see what they wanted to do first. Before I could even get the entire sentence out of my mouth and say to Kat "Watch how quickly Carson makes a friend. . . . ", he was off and running with 3 little boys. He ran with the pack the entire time we were there, and came home exhausted and sweaty.

I told Kristin it was like a mini-Disneyland. It reminded Kat and me of Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland.

We will have to go back again.

(It was a gloriously bright sunny day and some photos show too much light)

Carson is in the white shirt. Two of the boys were also 5 and one was 8. Carson kept up with them, including the oldest one.

This was a God-made rock they climbed on.

Ruby and Auntie Kat had fun, while I tried to keep an eye on Car-boy! Kat had the easier task! ! !

"Grandma, I can't do this by myself. Help me!"

"Try Ruby. I think you can.!"

And she did just fine, with a little coaxing.

Ruby was quite proud of herself for mastering the man-made climbing rocks. It seemed much easier than the climbing rocks in Bend. She got right up to the top by herself.

Kristin and Casey have vacationed in Sun River many times and this year I got to go too. It was my very first time and I am in love with that place. So many out-of-door activities to do as a family. I really loved seeing the multi-generational families at play -- and we were part of that too. There were 8 of us there for the week and we made the most of each day.

This is the house they rented -- 4 bedroom, 4 baths, two living-rooms and TV's in each bedroom (not that we watched much TV because we were having too much fun doing other things) It was right on the 9th green of the golf course, so we watched golfers playing daily and the kids even found a few errant balls in the rough.

(remember if you click on the photos, they are enlarged, and so much easier to see!)

Here we were relaxing right after we arrived.

The first morning I read library books that I brought to the kids on the outside deck.

Our view from the deck of the 9th green. Daily we watched not only golfers, but geese and deer all over the course.

The first full day Casey wanted to take me to Bend to show me around the town he grew up in. We saw the house he grew up in, his Dad's office as well as his old stomping grounds. I guess Bend has changed a great deal since he lived there, including the lovely park we played in. This is the Deschutes River that runs through Bend.

There was a great playground next to the river so the kids could run off their energy and try their hand at the man made climbing rocks.

Kristin had to show the kids how it was done -- then found herself up top and scared to come down. She let out a screech for Casey to come help her down! That's my girl!

Check out the face on this brave mountain climber!

Carson was hollering in this tube to Ruby who was across the playground.

Everyone had a bike to ride at Sun River -- and there was even a Cruiser bike for me at the house we rented. The Burley carrier for the kids (we called it the chariot), was OK for both when they were little, but now they are too big to both fit in it. Plus they are getting big enough to use something else. Casey rented a Tag-a-long bike to attach to Kristin's bike and the twins took turns on it. At first they were both scared of it. The video below is Carson's maiden voyage around the neighborhood. You can see how quickly he jumps off when Casey stops. But after a while they both got the hang of it and wanted to be on it.

The Grandmas did a fine job of keeping up, too. I hadn't been on a bike in I-don't-know-how-long!!!! The Cruiser bikes have no gears and no hand brakes -- sort of like riding a tank. I will admit to needing to walk up a few hills, but other than that, Kristin was very impressed that I was able to go about 15 miles each day we rode.

In fact, when we got home she tried out the Cruiser for herself and I think her opinion of me went way up.

"Wow, mom, this thing is so hard to ride. I don't know how you did it!"

Thank goodness I work out at the gym regularly or I might have needed to be pulled in the chariot.

Kristin and Casey were going to bike to the store for something, and realized this was the only backpack they had. Sweet........

We all enjoyed the hot tub on the deck. The kids somehow thought I was something to rest upon.

Carson discovered the headrest and takes full advantage of it.

A tradition they started was having bar-b-que ribs in Sun River. They were delicious.

Here Ruby is making fine progress on hers. She ate right to the bones and wanted more. When asked what her favorite food was in Sun River, hands-down it was the ribs.

(even over ice cream).

Carson, on the other hand, wanted Daddy to cut the meat off the bones for him. None of this chewing on bones for him!

Several nights we all sat (or laid) on the big deck watching the bats fly and the stars coming out. Here Ruby is all snuggled up on me and I'm singing softly to her as we watch God's beautiful sky fill with stars right before our eyes. Carson was thrilled when he saw his very first satellite.
"Grandma, it looks just like a star but it moves really fast!"

I guess this is a case of BOYS WILL BE BOYS! What possessed him to climb the beam in the middle of the house. And by golly, he could do it all my himself, too.

"Here Sissy, let me give you a boost!"

The kids slept downstairs in this bunk bed set up. They even had their own bathroom in their room -- what a kick. Here they are sound asleep one night.

One morning we didn't know where Ruby was -- we were all upstairs. Kristin said

"I bet she is downstairs in their room, watching TV, with her mouth open!"

How did she know???

The kids thought it was rather great to have their own TV on the wall of their room. (Don't get used to it!) But it sure helped in the early morning hours when they awoke before everyone else. Now I know why it was so quiet for so long in the house.

Sun River is crawling with deer -- they are very human friendly, coming around all times during the day and evening. We saw many mommas with twins. This one came right up to our front steps -- Kristin shouted at me to shut the door "It might try and get into the house!"

One day we rode our bikes to the horse stables so the kids could ride the ponies. Ruby is patiently waiting her turn.

She chose to ride CHANCY.

Carson picked out CANDY to ride. It was so funny watching and listening to Carson as the gal gave him his turn. Carson talked her ear off the entire way -- telling her all about everything!

Trying out the cool rocking chair made for 3 at the stables with Grandma Carrie.

The next day we rode bikes to the water park which also has these giant slides. Ruby was all for it, but Carson took a while to convince he would love it. We had to walk up this hill, pulling our tubes, so we could ride down -- that was the hardest part. The kids had their own tubes, but there was a leash that hooked onto the adults tube so we went down in tandem.

Here Ruby and Kristin were together and Grandpa Ray came alone, since Carson wasn't quite ready.

Once Carson went the first time, he was all over it. And yes, Grandma Julee even was a good sport. Kristin filmed us, but she was also talking to some Adidas friends that just happened to be there at the same time. She was telling them about the Hood to Coast relay race and how her team did.

Then it was time for the SHARC waterpark where we enjoyed lots of water activities, including this lazy river. We all floated around and around. Below Carson is with Aunt Lindsey and Ru is with her momma.

Casey took both kids in a double tube.

Grandma Carrie took a float around as well.

This was the GIANT water slide that the twins were not tall enough to use, but Kristin, Casey and Lindsey took a trip down.

I was standing at the bottom and couldn't see who was coming down next, but luckily I know my daughter's screams. I captured the two of them splashing down, and Lindsey right after them.