Summer vacation

We've returned from a week vacationing in Oregon. This picture above is from a drive through the valley and low and behold, what did we see? A couple cowboys hearding their cattle across the highway. I enjoyed the "view" as Michael hopped out and snapped a couple pics. What a tourist.

We had the option to stay in a little cabin or put up a tent. I've done both before, but we opted for the tent this year thinking we'd have more space. Seriously though, after a couple nights in less than 40 degree weather and sleeping on an aerobed that kept losing air, I was reeling for the cabin! All in all, we had a wonderful time. This was Maggie's first trip to Oregon, let alone camping for this long. She was a champ. We would bundle her up to look like a little bear at night and I swear those nights were the soundest we've slept in awhile. Travelling with a baby is definitely a new road, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We're not as "get up and go" as we once were. Instead we opted for small walks, hanging out, and quiet time during naps. She tried new foods on the trip, including mashed banana and squash, and she loves whatever we give her. She started babbling more with different sounds that only parents catch onto. The minute we heard it we looked at eachother and laughed. You can catch her now saying "bababa" or "mamama" if you're lucky. She also is putting more weight on her legs if you try to stand her up.

Our trip was a mix of so many little things that made it great - watching a cutting horse competition, eating great food and drinking great wine, visiting my favorite little crafty art gallery, a little knitting here and there, nature walks, card games at night after the kids went to bed, getting the tractor up and going (Michael was in heaven operating the 1979 Ford tractor), fishing in a neighbors trout pond, and enjoying loads of great company.