February to March

Spring is here....or is it?
Locals say the amazing weather we've been having; sunshine with 45 degree temps is very very unusual.  I say, I'll take it.  Its been great getting the cobwebs out on our scooters, playing at the beach and collecting treasures and thinking of being WARM.  I am ready to feel hot.  I am tired of feeling cool and damp.  So, on days like today the windows are open and the breeze is blowing through...we love it.

Big  news at our house this spring...we  now have a SIX Year old and a 3 Year Old.  Phew.  I still can't believe Molly is SIX.  We had a lovely pool party for her with four of her closest friends on the Island. The girls swam their hearts out, went down the water slide, off the diving board and floated on rafts... THEN they took a "plane" and landed in Hawaii. Upon arrival the girls got a hula hoop and had a mini lesson/competition, ate pizza, blew out the candles and opened gifts. It was fun.

We also had a great time on Spring Break. I knew the Island was becoming a great place to live and the girls and I were busy, busy.  Hiking, beach days, swim lessons, lunch out, library visits, movies and play time with friends. The weather was pretty much perfect all week.

We are not back to the grind and its Spirit week at school so each day the kids have to dress up in something different.  Today was Sports Day. Molly put on Florida Gators and Patriots gear...is this our kid or what?!

Amelia is a typical three year old.  She never know what she wants or when she wants it and can be a challenge. When she isn't in a state of indecision she is down right fun. 

Andy's been away on travel the past two weeks learning about logistical command operations. Sounds fun, huh?  Molly starts soccer today and I am secretly hoping she likes it better than basketball.  I also got out the sewing machine with her for some quality time.  We shall see if I become a master sewer or not. Who knows...

Enjoy the few pictures!

Off Island Adventure

I have enjoyed being on Kodiak for the last 8 months.  The days are regular, easy, fun, and full of life.  We just left for a little over a week to Portland, OR.  Oh my.  It was amazing. I have fully come to appreciate a fantastic meal, friendly faces, great wine/beer, culture, activities, warm air, greenery... was it hard to come back, definitely.  Are we glad to be home.  Yes. 

Living on an Island makes you appreciate all the things you don't have on a regular basis, including Family.

We started our adventure with a beautiful Kodiak day and flew off Island with no delays. We met up with the Maine grandparents and set off to the beautiful Arch Cape.  Our little beach house was a structural wonder, with fantastic charm and few shorts steps to the beach.  Andy and I were spoiled with four lovely nights at the Arch Cape Inn (http://www.archcapeinn.com/).  The sun was out and it was 60 for the weekend.  It was awesome, beach combing, eating, laughing with friends.   The wedding was small and lovely.  Andy and I were chosen as witnesses to the ceremony and we were honored.

We finished our beach weekend with a trip to Astoria and visited the Lewis and Clark Winter Encampment, the Columbia Maritime Museum and ate along the river.   A perfect end to the beach.

We moved into Portland, OR and visited the Pittock Museum.  Its a beautiful Mansion built by the founder of the Oregonian Newspaper. Its beautiful. We of course toured on a rainy day, but the inside portion was awesome.  We went to Powell's books, and had dinner at the Screen Door. yummy!

If it seems like we ate and drank a lot, we did. It was awesome.  Next up food trucks and the science museum.  At OSMI there is something for everyone and we enjoyed pulling levers, digging for fossils, engineering feats and learning how to skate board.  At the food trucks we tasted our way around the world with lots of home made and wonderful little foods.

Wednesday is Winery Day.  Six Wineries in the Dundee Valley.  To note 2011 was a stellar year for the Pinot Noir. Many varieties were sampled and it was hard not bring them all home.  It was a beautiful day to be outside exploring the vine filled  hills.

Our last day in in Portland it rained. A great day to tour the Japaneese Garden. It was tranquil and lovely.  The girls got to dress in Kimonos and par take in the mom/daughter day.  It was beautiful if not wet. A must see if you go to Portland.  The Rogue Brewery has a public eating house attached. The food was good, the beer was better :).

It was sad to say good bye, but great knowing we made the best of every minute with Mom/Dad (aka Mimi and Bubba).  They seem so far away now, but soon enough we have another visit.

Enjoy the pictures!

Hug Point

Hug Point

The Groom

Leah and Jeff

Bride and Groom

Sacagawea

Winter Encampment

Log Run

Not quite big enough to fire...so jungle gym

White Rose Winery

Tea Tasting