Meet the Grandparents

We have had a busy couple of weeks! Greg's parents arrived from Maine to meet Eli for the first time. It's been so fun to see them with her and it's been a great break for us! Eileen (Greg's mom) is an expert at holding babies and rocking them to sleep.

Howard (Greg's dad), Eileen, Greg, Eli, and I went to Astoria for the day to escape the Portland heat, check out Fort Clatsop, the Astoria Column and eat some delicious fish and chips at the Bowpicker.

View from atop the column looking out over Astoria, the Megler Bridge and the mouth of the Columbia River.

The column.

Senior tour guide Howard needs a little prompting from his understudy.

About four years ago Greg's parents did an Elder Hostel tour retracing the trail of Lewis & Clark from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River. The Corps of Discovery wintered in the woods near modern day Astoria at Fort Clatsop. The morning the Elder Hostel tour showed up to cap off their cross country trek Fort Clatsop was on fire and burned to the ground. No joke. Greg's parent were excited to revisit the rebuilt fort.

Here I am getting funky to a Jew's harp, a musical instrument carried by Corps of Discovery.

On Friday, my dad, Steve, came up to meet Eli. He was so excited to meet her! I loved seeing my dad turn into such a softie at the sight of his little granddaughter. My mom joined us, too. All of the grandparents were here for a delicious dinner on Friday, July 3rd.

On the 4th of July we (my mom, dad, Greg, Eli, and I) took off to visit Hood River, Bingen and White Salmon. We stopped off at Bonneville Dam to meet Herman the Sturgeon. It is a nice park and a great place to take a break on the way to Hood River. Here's a shot of me, Dad, and Eli.

Hooray for Herman!

Mom, me (with Eli hiding in the Ergo) and Dad.

We had a fantastic lunch in Bingen at the Solstice Cafe and then headed back to Hood River where we relaxed in the shade next to the Columbia. Eli and Greg had some great daddy and daughter time. The kiteboarders in Hood River were amazing! Greg and I are planning another trip out there to give it a try.

Here's the little miss - now 2 months old!

We took the scenic route home and travelled along the Historic Columbia River Highway with a stop at Multnomah Falls.

We love ice cream!

A final stop at Vista House. It is such an impressive view!

July 5th found us at home having a BBQ with about 35 friends and family. There was a lot to celebrate: Greg's parents just celebrated their 50th anniversary, Howard and I celebrated birthdays (we are birthday twins), and all the grandparents were here together.

Three generations of the Duncan/Stiles.

Pam, Sara, Eli, and Steve.

Eileen, Greg, Eli, and Howard.

Team Stiles looking good.

Here are Eli and her friend Parker at the July 5th BBQ. Parker was determined to eat Eli's hand. Funny, funny stuff! Parker and Eli tried to be birthday twins; they were born 3 days apart.