Lower Salmon - Late July

We had already scheduled several long vacations during the summer.  I received a text from our new friends from the Grande Ronde Trip asking if we wanted to join a multi-day adventure on the Lower Salmon River.  We pulled it together in 2 weeks and borrowed a raft from our neighbors.  The entire family went, including Sparky.  It was a great family vacation and adventure.  I feel like this past summer was a big turning point for our family in that Lindsey can now participate in the activities that brought Chris and I together.  Its really fun to look back on the pictures a few months afterwards.  It really was a memorable trip and a great time. 

Lindsey and Dad taking it in.

River Girls (including Sparky!)

Bliss

Family time

Probably one of my favorite pictures of Linds.

Bo and Lila Wilmer

Time for a lunch tme swim with Lindsey and Lila

The armada - this lunch spot was notable because poor Sparky was stung by a bee on her nose!

Early morning before Day 4 launch.

The group!

If you are going to learn to swim rapids you have to start somewhere!

Campsite, Day 3.

Buddies and an exhausted and nose-swollen Sparky!  It only got better from here!

Thank goodness Bunniken made the cut!

I don't remember the dog's name but Lindsey never has trouble making friends wiith four-legged buddies.

Glad we will have someone to man the oars when we are over 55!

We live in a beautiful State!

4th of July in Bend

Lindsey and I drove to Bend for the 4th of July to spend time with Uncle Ted, Aunt Lisa, Bandon, and Audrey and Amelia (the wedding girls).  A year had past since Ted and Lisa's wedding.  Audrey and Amelia are Ted and Lisa's nieces on Lisa's side of the family.  Audrey is a fire cracker and likes things her way.  She's been quietly nicknamed "the dragon" which is hilarious since she looks so cute and sweet in the picture below.  Lindsey and Amelia spent lots of time swimming in the pool while Amelia napped in her dragon cave.  We all went to the Bend "Pet Parade".  The girls indulged in cotton candy and watched a flying dog.

Uncle Ted's shoulders, watching the flying dog carried by inflated balloons.

Lindsey and Audrey enjoying some cotton candy.

Aunt Lisa and her nieces Audrey, Amelia, and Lindsey on the golf course.

Lindsey, Audrey, and Amelia

Grande Ronde

I had been looking forward to this trip for months.  14 adults, 13 kids under the age of 17.  Lindsey loved it. Last night when we were tucking her into bed, Chris asked Lindsey what she wanted to do after school tomorrow.  She said "rafting".  Love it.

pre-lanch smore at Minam, OR campground

super cool lance, the smore chef extraordinaire!

put-in staging - ready to go!

payton and lily, our teenage lady kayak team

toddler rafters - Ellie (age 2!) and Lindsey.  plenty of sand, no need for toys

mother hen  and IK hero Lyla (age 10)

Ian McFarland (age 9)

boat captain gretchen, gretchen, gretchen (also mother of Lyla)

thanks for taking me on the raft trip, my mom and data are awesome

nail painting

little ellie

Dr. Suzie working on Chris's sliver

cute girls

face painting by Bo (father of Lyla)

butterfly

daisy

... PARTY

We hosted a birthday party for Lindsey on the 21st, summer solstice.  Bounce house, pink cupcakes with pink frosting sprinkles, 15 kids, and 1 black eye.

Lindsey cut open the skin just outside of her right eye just before guests arrive.  She's coordinated but somehow got her feet tangled up on the back porch and landed on her picnic table.  A quick trip to Dr. Ian for some gitter glue, tinkerbell, and some candy got her right back up and running!

Garrett Andrew Hall - 3 yrs old

presents

Lucas Williams - 8 yrs old

Garrett and Lindsey ~ thanks Olivia!!!

grandma barb!

Ring around the rosie with grandma barb and autumn

Snowden in her "I'm the big sister t-shirt". Welcome to our world Olsen McKetta Stead!

grandma peggy and carissa

thanks for the sail shades Dad!  they are super cool year after year!