::Summer Sounds::

Mom is moved!!!! Fun times at Summer Concerts {Bend has lots of great outdoor venues and free events} and lots of memories ahead!

She's getting settled in all cozy - slowly but surely and we are SO grateful for the provision of SUCH a lovely and lively home!

Every{day} Oregon

 

 So each day of this season we call summer seems to provide bonus beauty and we are privileged to have days like this one to get out in it and capture sun dipped moments of togetherness.

We were on a hunt for more forest floor offerings for J's art and came back with a piece or two, and much lightness in our hearts. I revisit that feeling looking at these pictures here again. 

[We.Heart.Central.Oregon.]

  

Here's just another casual stroll in the Old Mill District near sundown, enjoying a brief walk around the river trail. Truly, Bend is a remarkable place to call home.

And this is a lovely sampling of the beauty that the Rogue Valley also has to offer. Seeing as how we both grew up there and enjoy visiting family there as often as possible, it's some of home as well. 

 

So the birthday boy gobbled up his gifts with pleasure... just recently acquiring a gas grill {courtesy of craigslist}, we had a birthday cookout, {including Blackberry Cobbler} in our backyard and celebrated J's May 13th birthday, in true Spring/Summer style. 

{happy birthday to my one and only!}

The next day - Monday, after a work meeting I had at 

Jackson's Corner, we headed out of town 1.5 hours away 

to Belknap Hot Springs - right along the McKenzie River. 

The restaurant was closed for remodeling so

we had a nearly week long vacation by "force". ;)

Who knows, family traditions could be in the making!

~ even the drive up was amazingly beautiful ~

These are the magical hot springs 

& pools at which we luxuriated... soaking up the sun & warmth, being lulled into relaxation by the gentle yet hearty flow of the adjacent McKenzie river. The brisk river spritz combined with the warmth of the pool was refreshing indeed.

This Pacific Paradise provided much needed nourishment - to just be together - without agenda nor responsibility and a very welcome state of cheer & joy.

{CAMPSITE AWESOMENESS}

So this is Belknap's hidden jewel: {The Secret Gardens}. A short and stunning bike ride from our campsite, we packed our lunch and brought it here each day we were at the Springs, and considering we were vacationing before the rush hit - we had the place nearly completely to ourselves - only to be joined by the occasional fish bobbing out of the water and the fancy serenades of bathing birds or the flutters of blue tipped butterflies. We were so privileged to enjoy a thoroughly inexpensive and truly hidden hideaway with romance & relaxation to spare!

We Are [The Waldo's]

Fun times when Brian and the Boys came to visit.  

Of course there is Waldo weirdness at Seth and Susie's. 

Bro{ther's}

Summer fun - footballin'...

Springing into Summer

Spring has arrived - the blossoms are beckoning.

Wonderful celebrations were had at McKay Cottage {one of our new favorite b-fast spots now} on April 25th, the day I headed out to visit our wonderful friends, the Anderson's for a fun Spring visit. {pictures coming soon}April 25th holds is significance as the day that J and I met, three years ago {2009} in Southern California. Obviously a life altering day in every best way, it deserves to be honored... so we did, with pancakes and breakfast burritos!

What fun it is to play... I do so enjoy that my husband too, is fascinated with little things in nature and the world around him, more so even than I. Photo cred: Mom. =) She came to visit and insisted that she snap a pic of us throwing the tree helicopters up in the air, only to watch them spiral back to the grass. Simple pleasures.

|  Exhibition Hall  |

 The Justice Conference | February 24+25, 2012 | Portland, OR. 

This was most likely one of my great privileges in my life... It's been a challenging season no doubt, but the rewarding experiences I was able to take from this event and the team efforts leading up to it were absolutely remarkable. 

I. Am. Grateful!

Couldn't. Be. Prouder

CLICK ABOVE: to see the Artist Spotlight on my wonderful husband!!