Bike parades, parks, fireworks and shaved ice...must be 4th of July! (Part 2 of 3)

We kicked off our 4th of July celebration in Sunriver in a unique and fun way: by attending...and participating in a bike parade!  My sister registered all 4 older kids in the parade, which entitled them to unleash their inner patriotic creativity and decorate their bikes and helmets in as much red, white and blue we could muster up!  The night before, it was all the buzz around their pillow talk, as they anxiously couldn't wait to be in the parade the next morning, causing them to have trouble falling asleep (they also all shared a room, so there's that).

Upon arrival to the parade starting point, we were greeted with a sea of cheerful, excited, balloon and streamer-wearing individuals, who were just as excited as our crew was.

The fearsome foursome!

#76, Geoffrey

#75, Ben

#73, Ellie 

#74, Maddie

This girl was in disbelief all morning, that she was "going to be in a parade!!"

Sarah and Ellie 

Don't you love the flag sticking out from his helmet? 

Showing our patriotic colors!

The boys are ready!  Let's get rolling! 

'Cause I love a good selfie, especially with this handsome mug.

Grandma and Grandpa were particularly ready for the parade to begin!

Nice touch, no?

Monkey see, monkey do.  Although, he was not amused.  He began chasing the balloons and going in circles to try and get them off his collar!

And to add to the fun, a fire engine was the parade leader and started blaring the sirens.  Tucker didn't hesitate to start responding, in loud howls.  He just was excited to be celebrating, too!

And so begins the slow chaos, er, I mean bike parade!

They are all in this picture...but also sort of blend together.

Sort of captures how slow things were moving along, with Maddie's foot on the ground!  

Tucker got in on the parade action, too!

Such a fun way to spend the morning!

And even better, when there are otter-pops waiting for the riders back home!

Giant otter-pops!

We highly encouraged naps from the kiddos (and the adults), knowing we would be out late for fireworks that night.  The two who never nap, took us seriously!

We had an early dinner before driving over to Bend, for fireworks and to explore the city just a bit.  This was the beginning of our love-affair with our future hometown.

Sarah knew of a great shaved ice place, which was the perfect treat before the festivities!

Afterwards, we found a fun park which also became our viewing location for the fireworks.  The kids (and grandparents) burned off some energy and had lots of fun!

My mom is notorious for giving underdogs wherever swings exist.  I grew up with that expectation, and now my kids have adopted it as well.  Thankfully, she still obliges. 

Grandpa and Joy - no underdogs for them, although Joy is definitely wondering how she can get in on some of the action happening with her older cousins!

Honestly, Grandma Kris is the best playmate at a park!  I'm the one behind the camera taking pictures.  From a park bench.  Using the zoom feature.  

Grandpa Pat makes a pretty great playmate, too!

Pirates and Princesses

Proud grandparents! 

This is one huge reason we are moving back to Oregon!

As we were finding a place to settle in for fireworks, we realized no one had thought about the "pre-game" show...sparklers!  Brant, Dad and I went out on a mission to track down some sparklers and were surprisingly successful!

Sparklers are not allowed in California -- our kids were mesmerized!

Showing Maddie how to write words with a sparkler.

Geoffrey was a quick learner! 

This was the final picture of the night, before it just became too dark.  The big show was wonderful, the crowds were minimal and the whole day was memorable.  Happy 4th of July!!

Vacationing in Central Oregon Part 1 of 3

At the start of July, we packed up and drove to Oregon for a glorious 2 week vacation with extended family.  The first week was spent around Central Oregon, while we stayed in Sunriver with my family, enjoying all sorts of adventures together!

Hanging out in Grandpa's truck, waiting for cousins to arrive!

We played a rousing game of "Pie Face," while we waited for my sister's family to arrive.  It was our first round with whipped cream, and it was highly successful....highly successful at getting us all sticky, that is!

This kid could not get enough of the whipped cream -- and he was the one who was never sprung on!  He wanted it so badly, that after the game was over, he just sat there, clicking, and clicking, and clicking until it  finally sprung cream in his face!

There it is!

She wasn't thrilled, but was a great sport!

Hardly even got her!

Definitely the winning splat of the night!

That's how you do it!

Part of the charm to Sunriver is the glorious pathways that weave all around the property, and along the Deschutes River, giving way to wonderful walks and bike rides.  Morning walks are always a great way to kickstart a new day.

We enjoyed a great walk with Dad and Tucker. 

And the deer came out to join us.

Isn't it pristine? I can't even count how many pictures I've taken of this scene over the years.  It always captures me.

Enjoying an afternoon in the Village, with my sister (and our hubbys, too)!

We made a trip over to La Pine, where my dad's sister's family was vacationing and doing some work on the cabin.  My kids had never been there before, and it had been several years since I had been, so it was special to visit and introduce them to this special place that Pop-Pop built.  

Everyone loves a Dilly Bar, especially on a porch swing!

My sister and I used to wander the land when we were kids, collecting pine cones.  I loved watching my kids go exploring with their cousins.

Maddie (7) and Ellie (7 3/4).

I'm crazy about him.

Playing "campfire."

When I was walked up, I asked them what they were doing.  They simply told me that they were orphans who were eating s'mores in the woods.  Makes sense to me!

My sister, Joy and me, with our Aunt Susan (my dad's younger sister).  Great to catch up, even if briefly. 

That evening, we met up with some dear friends from college, who we just happened to run into on the pathway during our morning walk!  We haven't seen them in years, and had an amazing time picking up right where we had left off.  I love it when that happens!

Brant and me, with Tim and Ashley.  So fun to be together again!

...stay tuned for part 2 of our Central Oregon vacation!

Love and Legacy's

When we traveled to Oregon for our vacation this summer, we made it a priority to visit with all 3 of my living grandparents.  The first stop was to my Grammy and Pop-Pop's residence, where Pop-Pop was in hospice care.  Along with Brant, we joined my Dad and sister (and baby Joy), and made a special visit to give hugs, express our love to him and Grammy, and, I guess, pay our last respects.  It was exactly as I had anticipated, which was very difficult.  But I wouldn't have traded it for the world.  I was blessed to be able to talk with him, hold his hand, tell him how much I loved him, and just be with him.

My Pop-Pop, along with Dad, Sarah, Joy, and me.

This picture is everything to me.  I get teary-eyed just seeing this, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the moment I had here, for the lifetime I've had with this man as my grandfather, and for the legacy he laid out for his family.   I kissed his head, told him how much I loved him and said goodbye.  I knew it would be the last time I would see him, which was surreal, but again, I was so grateful that we made it up to Oregon in time for this.

My beautiful Grammy, who was delightful, despite all that was happening in the room.

The next day, on our drive to Sunriver for vacation with my side of the family, we made a special stop in Eugene to visit my Grandma Erna.  It was so sweet to watch her interact with my kids, giving us malt balls to munch on, and enjoying our company.  Life is fragile, and I'm so glad we were gifted the chance to visit with all 3 of my grandparents during this trip.

Grandma, with my Mom, Geoffrey, Maddie, me (and Brant, taking the picture), inside her apartment. 

Enjoying the Oregon sunshine on the rooftop!

My mom had her stethoscope along for the ride, and Dr. Geoffrey had no reservations about checking Grandma's heartbeat! 

On July 6th, my Pop-Pop went home to be with Jesus.  It was anticipated, and we had all been waiting for the phone call, but that never makes it easier to accept.  We were on vacation in Sunriver when we found out, and the following week, while we were camping in Southern Oregon with the Himes' family, Brant and I drove back up to Portland to attend the service.  It was incredible to me, how God perfectly orchestrated the timing: we made it up to Oregon to be able to see Pop-Pop once more, and we were still in Oregon at the time of his memorial service.  Our kids were well taken care of, and had a blast at the campground while we were away, and we were able to be with my family --- all of them (and we're a big clan!), to celebrate Pop-Pop's beautiful life and legacy.

We drove to Portland and spent the night at my parent's house, which also meant a bonus shower in the middle of a week of camping and sleeping on a real bed for 1 night!!  The service was held in McMinnville, followed by a wonderful meal at a local brew pub, where we reconnected with all of my cousins, their spouses, second-cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone.  The Vandehey family, or the "Van Clan" as we lovingly refer to ourselves as, is a fierce bunch.  We love each other to the core, and as big as we are and as little as we all see each other, deep down, we have the legacy of love and family running in our blood (thanks to Pop-Pop and Grammy), and getting together was a real treasure.

The beloved "lemon drop tree," which was crafted just for this service.  Pop-Pop had a love for lemon drops!  When you'd visit their house in Eugene, he would always have a lemon drop to give you, and he'd point to the tree in the back of the yard, saying it had come from his very own lemon drop tree.   As a kid, I never doubted him and believed his tale for years.  Seeing this tree, with real lemon drops adorning it, was perfect.

My cousins, with one missing, making 20 in all.  This is not including all of our spouses and children...the legacy of the Van Clan is deep and wide!

My immediate family, just before it was time to drive back to the campground.  Tim, Sarah, Dad, Mom, me and Brant.

My sweet, dear Grammy, along with my sister.  I cherished being able to hug her and see her once more on this trip.

Family is not something to be taken for granted.  I am well aware of the deep riches I am blessed with, from all sides of my family, the Himes' side included.  We are ready and so very excited to be moving back up to Oregon, where we can be around for so much more than we have been.  We are happy to be able to give our kids the chance to continue to grow in their relationships with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

As my Pop-Pop always said, "We are so very blessed!"

Huntington Beach to celebrate Maddie & Daddy!

We hit the beach on Father's Day this year, which just so happened to be Maddie's actual birthday as well!  The temperature in our area was forecasted to be in the triple digits, so this felt like the best way to combat the heat and do something special to celebrate.  It was perfection!

Rewind to the night before, after a full day of hosting fancy birthday party and once the kids were in bed, Brant and I spent 4 hours assembling a dollhouse for Miss Maddie Mae.  It was close to 2am that we finally got to bed, and the birthday girl was up at the crack of dawn (as expected!).  She was elated when this greeted her downstairs!

"Pie Face!"  We loved playing a round of Maddie's new game, before packing up and leaving town!

Happy Father's Day, Brant, and Happy Birthday, Maddie!

Enjoying the CA beach sun, rather than sitting in a small, AC-filled apartment! 

He's such a California boy, isn't he?

Playing in the surf is the best with Daddy!

I love this picture so much!

They equally have the other one wrapped around their fingers.

This little buddy does, too!

We enjoyed dinner at Red Robin, where Maddie was genuinely surprised with a birthday sundae (she really did not know about this tradition, so it made for an extra special end to her day!).

What better gift for Father's Day than to celebrate the love of your family, and the birthday of the child that made you a parent??  It was a great day!