Really Into Colors...

I think someone might aspire to be a teacher some day....

Lil' Push

Somebody scored at the Bend REI this weekend --- and it wasn't me. Noella got a PINK balance bike for.... for.... for being so dang good on the trip to Bend.

And don't talk to me about reinforcing this pink and purple obsession. I don't know what you're talking about. 

Noella, you can't ride a bike an clap for yourself at the same time

When did she stop being a baby? 

Still a lot of practicing to be done, but she loves it and is motivated to try! Balance bikes are the best!

Snack Time Conversation

It often makes us laugh to talk with Noella -- which is most of her waking hours. She's got so much to say. I mean... A LOT to say. Over and over again. And then again. And then, just in case I forgot in the last 3 seconds, again. Holy cow - this is a different level of stamina!

This video gives a little idea of how well she's talking (was taken a week ago).

Can It!

Yep, I haven't lost my desire for canning. This canning session was for tomatoes! I actually haven't done them before in this way, but decided it was about time. Luckily my neighbor, Chris, who shares my love for local food and preservation, wanted in on the action.  Four hands are most definitely better than two in this situation (Noella's hands do not count).

So we bought 50 lbs from the local farmer just up the road and went to town!

Says it right there - "Oregon Grown"

Noella, learning to be a master canner

Preparing the jars 

Finished product

"Helping"

Her own version of tomato canning. I don't think I'm interested in canned giraffe though....

Canning is always such a production. You must have EVERYTHING in place before you take the plunge and even then it doesn't ever go as smoothly as you'd hoped. But it was a success! And I'm always so thankful when its done knowing we will have delicious local, healthy food ready for us this winter when nothing is ripe or tasty!

One last tid bid about food preservation: I have found that it is only worth it for us if we choose the foods that we really love and miss during the winter. These foods (for us) include: blueberries, raspberries, peaches, cherries (for Adam), tomatoes, pesto, applesauce and pickles. Luckily, all of the fruit and pesto can be frozen, and works best that way. We still have pickles left over from last year - so tomatoes had to make the cut this year. Applesauce is next on the list for fall --- there's nothing better than homemade applesauce!

"taste a little of the summer, my grandma put it all in.... jars" - Greg Brown

I Believe it's Jogging.... or Yogging, With a Soft "J"

Hey, she needs her exercise too.

okay.

Noella has a way of speaking lately that makes me laugh. She'll beg and beg and beg for something (most likely a pink and/or purple something. Like "purple socks? purple socks? " If I don't respond immediately she'll speak a little louder "Purple Socks", still if I'm trying to avoid the whole purple obsession, I'll continue to ignore. She'll then go even louder "PURPLE SOCKS?!?". And then I'll say something like, "oh you want some purple socks?". Finally, she'll respond "okay". Like the idea was mine from the beginning. She's a tricky little devil.....

Don't you even think about not getting my purple socks. 

Imagine her delight at the U-Pick berry farm, when we stumbled across these pink and purple chairs.

I-DA-HO!

That was the chant for this trip. Noella became very good at it (to which, I rebutted "you da ho?")

I don't even know where to start. How about the riding?

Indian Creek to Quigley Creek

Croy Canyon (see the loopy trail behind Adam? that was sure fun to go down!)

Mahoney Creek to Greenhorn Gulch = Awesomeness

At the top of the Greenhorn Gulch Ride

Bee-you-tea-full!

My only setback was the altitude. Hello 7,500 ft.

Next, the grandparent love. Noella soaked up all of the attention she's missed from them over the past several months. She is now in withdrawl.

Nana Carol

Papa Tracy

Three generations 

Galena Summit

The top of the hill above the valley where we stayed

And then, of course, there was just the typical Noella silliness. She certainly hammed it up for everyone to keep us all thoroughly entertained.

See what I mean?

This looks completely inappropriate, but was really cute and funny at the time.

In as much "pink and purple?" as she can get her hands on. 

Dear Lord! A PINK BIKE!

This was on the car ride home - a last ditch effort by Adam to entertain her. This ended with her breaking his sunglasses....

And so, there it was in a nutshell. I have hundreds more photos and many stories, but I wouldn't want to bore all of you. Let's just say we're trying to figure out a way to go there a couple of times each year :)

"Who da ho? I-da-ho!"

Hailey, Idaho Photo "Teaser"

Nana Carol

Playing in the yard

Mimi and Zeb

Mimi and NoJo

View of the hills behind the guest house

Aspen trees in the side yard of the main cabin

This was the most amazing vacation we've had in a long time.