Summer begins!

June brought about some much needed change... summer break, sunshine, and lots of family time/adventures. In late June, Joe and I took our first trip together without Maddie. We went to Pronghorn Resort in central Oregon for the annual OSU Beaver football alumni golf tourney. It was beautiful, fun, and we came back refreshed.

Such a beautiful golf course!

We took the scenic HWY 242 back. So windy, but worth it for the beautiful views!

 Love the Central Oregon Cascades

 Checking things out

 North and Middle Sister

 Upon our return, the weather also shifted from showery spring to sunny summer. So, we started our season of hiking with a nice family hike near Twin Likes. We hiked the Yellowjacket Loop Trail and luckily for us, there were no yellowjackets encounters. However, there was lots of sunshine, flowers, and beautiful views. I love Oregon this time of year :)

 View of (one) of Twin Lakes near the top

 Break time

Loves her some graham crackers

 She always shares with Jack :) 

 My loves

"Stick", Maddie, "stick"

I think she thought I meant "snack", haha

 Jack in his happy place

 Douglas County is pretty :)

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday

Father's Day- Camping

For Father's Day we went camping with the Newton-Neal family at Jedediah Smith State Park in northern California. It was Maddie's second camping trip, and both of our first time at Redwood National Park. Aside from not getting much sleep, it was a blast hanging with the Neals and hiking/exploring beautiful northern CA. We love you Daddy!

 It took all of 2 minutes for Maddie to get dirt in her mouth.

 She loves her doggie rides!

 The Neal family

Family pic

 Daddy and Maddie

 Playing around

 Photo op

 Beautiful little girls

Huge, pretty trees 

 Love. 

 Thief! 

The Smith River is SO clear and beautiful 

 First time in the river

 Loved it! 

 Whoa

 So smitten watching Jack play fetch

 Drying off- naked baby alert! 

Those dimples! 

 Potty, haha

 Cute naked baby ahead 

 Cracks me up

 Pure joy 

 Loves mama's sunglasses

 Jack having fun too! 

 Another view of the Smith River

 Loves the view from above! 

 Silly girl 

And always... dirt in the mouth

The Office

If you read my last post, then you know that Joe has been working a TON lately. So when  he asked if Maddie and I wanted to go to work with him last Monday, I was not exactly ecstatic. However, he quickly reassured me it would be an "easy day" at the coast and we'd have time to do some fun stuff. Well, he is a man of his word and he did not disappoint. Beautiful, secluded timberland. Growing trees. Vibrant flowers. The beach. Jack chasing birds. Fish tacos. Fish and chips. Salted caramels. Sunshine. And best of all, quality time with my favorites. Here are some pics from our surprisingly awesome day at Joe's "office" and Maddie's first time at the beach :)

 The hottest forester around! 

 Take your daughter, wife and dog to work day :)

 Do you think Jack likes going to work with Joe?

 Pretty fox gloves 

 Joe's work truck 

Blue skies

 That's a lot of trees! 

 And they're growing nice and big :) 

 View of Coos Bay from Lone Rock's land

 Jack excited for the beach!

 Family photo op

 LOVE his crimpy ears and blonde eyelashes

 My sweet babies

 Happy Jack :)

 The clouds burned off and it turned into a beautiful day in Coos Bay

 Jack hunting for birds...

 Found some!

 And he's off! A day at the beach is not complete until Jack gets to chase birds :)