Diamond Lake Shred Session

Eliana received a snowboard for Christmas and we headed up to Diamond Lake to give it a try. We tried to get her to ride up at the lodge, but she was more interested in drinking hot cocoa, standing by the fire, hanging out with Grandpa Steve and being pulled in her sled. But, on our way back down to Roseburg, she announced that she wanted to snowboard. Luckily, we were still in the snow zone. Greg turned the car around and we headed back to a small forest road. This is resulting awesomeness.

A Visit with Santa

Eliana really understood Santa this year. We went to Bridgeport Village with Nana and Pops where we waited outside in the cold for close to two hours. There were a few tense moments as we stood there - wondering if we would have to wait an extra hour while he went to "feed the reindeer". Thankfully, we were the second to last family to get in before his break. Whew.

As we entered the little Santa house and I put Eliana down, she raced to Santa and jumped in his lap. He sang a couple of Christmas carols to her and she snuggled with him as though he were a long lost friend. The only thing she asked for was a candy cane. It was really sweet. For all of her rambunctiousness, she has a very tender heart.

Christmas

Nana and Pops came out from Maine to join us in the Christmas festivities. My mom arrived later in the week. We all enjoyed pupus on Christmas Eve with family and friends. My brother, Jannaeah and Megan came for Christmas dinner. There were enough gifts for 20 people and even more food. We are blessed.

Eliana and our tree
Making cookies
Yum!
Our cookies
Gingerbread house
Eliana, Sive and Archer on Christmas Eve
Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of six people?
Christmas loot
Reading a Richard Scarry book from Grammy Pam
Bug puzzle book from Nana and Pops
The roast
Mashed potatoes with no less than one pound of butter
Brussel sprouts with bacon
More food...

August - September - October - November

Four months: Condensed

We came back from Maine and enjoyed the last few weeks of summer vacation at home. Finished up summer on Labor Day weekend with a camping trip to Lake Takhalakh. Incredible setting and perfect weather. It was just the right way to say goodbye to summer.

September flew by in a flash. Every year when school starts, life seems to go into a blur and I finish out the month wondering what happened. Except for our camping trip on Labor Day weekend, we took ZERO pictures during the month of September. What a couple of slackers.

October was filled with bike racing and Halloween. Greg made Eliana an amazing homemade robot costume that she still enjoys putting on. She's really into robots and space shuttles right now. I'm excited about encouraging our budding engineer!

November was mellow. We spent Thanksgiving with my mom and then started counting the days until Christmas.

Eliana, Mt. Adams and Lake Takhalakh

Bored at yet another bike race
Bike racer Greg
Future cyclist
Choosing a pumpkin
Eliana with her friends Parker and Taylor
My girls, me and our kiddos at Thanksgiving weekend brunch

Maine: Week Two

Our second week in Maine was filled with more swimming, sunning and playing. We made it out to Peak's Island for a bike ride - where Eliana promptly passed out in the bike seat. One rainy day - I have no idea which day because well, I'm on vacation - we went in to Portland to play at an indoor play park.

Other than that, the most exciting thing that happened was that Dad-o arrived on Friday and I became infinitely less cool. Then, on Saturday, Greg's brother Dan and his family made it from Wisconsin. Eliana's new favorite person is her cousin Lily. She follows her everywhere and yells for "Cousin Lily". Cute stuff.

Ferry Landing at Peaks Island
Checking out the view of Casco Bay
On our bike ride around the island
Heading out to hike Rattlesnake Mountain with Popsicle
Taking a break on the hikeCalling for birdsOn the float with Dad-o
No, she's not out there alone. I promise, Greg is right there.
Dad-o, Eliana and Cousin Lily
Another great day in Maine!
Headed out to grill on the party boat
Pirate Booty!
Cousin Lily and Aunt Michelle
Headed home

Maine: Week One

Eliana and I arrived in Boston on July 21st. I can't believe how well Eli did on the plane. We played and read books for the first two hours, then she fell asleep while I was reading to her. She slept for a solid hour. That was awesome. When she woke-up, we watched Go, Diego, Go for about 45 minutes, took a couple of walks up and down the airplane, read some more and then we landed. It was amazing! I was prepared for the worst and it was better than my best case scenario!

Pops came down to get us and we had a pretty good drive home. By the time we turned onto Deep Cove Road, however, Eliana was ready to be OUT of the car. As soon as she saw the lake she said, "Water everywhere, Mommy!" We all went down and took a quick plunge in the lake. After such a long day and very little sleep, Eliana announced, "I go sleep now, Mommy," and we did.

This first week has been very hot - temperatures up to 100! We are so happy to have the water right there. Today cooled down and was a perfect day with very little humidity and temps in the 80s. Perfect for happy hour on the deck. The other night we went out on the party barge for happy hour and Eli got to drive the boat.

I've been getting up early enough to get out and do my workouts, but the heat is definitely slowing me down. Tomorrow is a rest day for me and we're going to adventure out to Peak's Island to rent bikes and take a leisurely ride. I hope to take a few more day trips with Eli to check things out around here before Greg arrives on Friday.

Cheers!
Driving the boat with Pops

Living the good life
Eliana with Owen Bartlett - he is Greg's childhood friend's son. The picture is blurry, but you get the idea. They had a blast!
¡Una rana!
Swimming in the cove
All hail the Queen of Deep Cove
Riding in the boat with Boots
A few of the toys that were waiting for her in Maine
Taking it all in

How'd it get to be July?

We've been busy. School got out in mid-June, but I've been taking a writing class for the last four weeks and haven't had time to do any writing except what was due in class. Free time has been spent with family, friends and my bike. Eliana and I are counting down the days until Maine. There are 6 little days standing between me and a dip in Lake Sebago, if you were wondering.

I also need to find time to post about Eli's 2nd birthday. But, for now, here are some recent pics.

Eliana and her buddy Hazel washing the car in their pajamas while we were camping at Maryhill State Park.

Running through the sprinklers during Sunday Parkways.
Me finishing the criterium at High Desert Omnium. Wish I could say that there is nobody around me because I'm so far in front. That was not the case.

Hazel and Eliana at Craig and Katie's in Powell Butte - only a little dirty.