Family and Bend in the Summer

And days later the boys are wondering where Mor Mor and Pappy are. This morning Josh ran in our room in the morning asking where "Pappay" is ( how Josh now says it-so funny), and in the afternoon asking where Mor Mor is. That is the only sad thing for me to hear after a very sweet and fun weekend. At least my parents know they are contradicting the phrase: "out of sight, out of mind," with the boys, and are more a long the lines of, "in mind, and when are we going to Mor Mor and Pappy's house? Can we go now?" ever popular phrases. Needles to say, the weekend was a success. My parents arrived on Friday afternoon, and after a little rest-(dad rested, mom and I did not) we went to the River Rim Park and walked to the creek/pond. This is definitely something I frequently do with the boys, but it is just really enjoyable. It is a great park, and I just bring their bikes, they practice riding, and we usually hit the market for a treat, and then the pond, but we were ready to hear from Sam anytime so we went to the pond, and Pappy was able to show off his skipping rocks skills. Quite impressive. I really mean that. Sam got home later than we had originally planned that night, so we ordered pizza, and then I went with mom and dad to the ever so awesome Chocolate Element while Sam worked on some notes for work. It was a really fun night. This Chocolate Element place is delicious, it has a coffee house feel to it, where it is very casual, but has a full bar- which is obviously the real reason why we went- (ha!) and after the server told us how he also worked for Apple, we were sold for life! It really is fun place to  take anyone who comes to visit. 

Saturday was going to be on the rainy side. We debated on what to do- downtown area, or still go on a hike even if we get rained on? "6 to 1 half a dozen of the other." I don't mind the rain, in fact, I really like it, but the boys? You never know. So we opted to go on a short hike to Tumalo Falls since my dad hadn't seen it, and then go get fish tacos for lunch. It worked out perfectly, the hike up to the falls is pretty short, you walk for 5 minutes- 10 minutes if you want to  lallygag and really take your time, and you are there. Its really pretty, and you can make it longer if you would like. Just as we had made it back down, it started to rain. We went to lunch at Parilla, a place we just found out about, and then went home to take a rest, and nap the boys. I went with my mom to the trail run I love. It is the 3 mile loop at Farewall Bend Park by the Deschutes River,  it so pretty! I don't think I could ever get sick of it. My mom really enjoyed it, and it was so nice to do that with just her and I. When we got back we headed back out with everyone again so we can ride on the surreys down at Old Mill. 

Why I love these somewhat awkward group bicycles is beyond me…well, actually I think it may be because they are actually AWESOME! They are so fun, and so funny to ride around on together. It is the best way to see the Old Mill area by far. You can easily ride around for an hour, and another nice thing is the kids love it. We were a sight to been seen that day, while we had a lot of people smiling as we passed, and others requesting to take our picture…it may have been because the boys were so cute or because my parents were there. We may never know.

We went to dinner to Pilot Butte for burgers, which tasted amazing that night, and then came home to hang. Sunday we enjoyed some relaxing, but made some food for a BBQ we went to that night. I was so happy that my parents had the next morning to hang out for a bit before they left  for Portland, because we took that opportunity to go on another hike to Benham Falls, one that was recommended for small kids, and it was so beautiful! It was right along the river, the sun was just coming out, and I was so glad that we decided to end the trip that way. 

I was so happy that my parents were able to come visit us this summer. It was such a great time. I really do miss living close to family, and enjoying there company on a regular basis. I miss my kids seeing their grandparents, and living near them, and understanding how much they are loved by them. However, it is really nice to spend time with just them and our family, I really value that time so much. I   know they enjoyed themselves too, and am pretty sure they will come back.

And, of course, the high light of the trip. Mom and I…got hydro flasks. Well worth the trip right there.