We left on our trip Thursday afternoon, as its just barely under an 8 hour drive. The kids did so well - took naps, colored, watched movies on their portable player, sang songs, and played I Spy. We arrived just prior to 9 pm and the kids stayed up a bit longer since they were soo excited to have finally arrived.
Friday morning, Cailin's mom had a surprise for Ellie - decorations for her bike, so she could ride in the bike parade. An annual tradition at the Black Butte Ranch. We took a long bike ride, probably 4-5 miles to get to the location where the parade starts. There were soo many people there. It was really amazing to have so many people gathered together celebrating Independence Day with a bike parade. All the kids bikes were adorable. Ellie rode her bike the whole way through the parade - We were so proud of her. Cailin has a picture of her bike decked out I need to get still.
We later headed off to the pool later that afternoon. Ryan probably drank a gallon of pool water - what a goofy boy.
That night we went for a nice long group walk across the golf course. It was a beautiful evening and fun to see so many other people out enjoying the beauty of nature.
Saturday the boys went golfing in the morning and the girls adventured out for a bike ride with all the kids. It was really quite an adventure. We biked through the meadow again (which is filled with cows and horses). The kids moo'ed and neigh'ed all the way through it. Then we rode over towards the general store, where we got to see different horses in the stables and treated ourselves to ice cream.
Lily and Liam (cousins) - Lily is Joel and Cailin's daughter. Our kids borrowed a bike trailer exactly like this and loved it!
the meadow
Getting some ice cream at the stables and general store
Cailin's mom holding Lily, Cailin, Liam and Cailin's sister in law
The afternoon brought more pool time and fortunately less water drinking for Ryan this time. Later in the evening we saw deer right out back of the property. The kids were really really close. Ryan told everyone, while using his hands, "I want to pet it. I want to hug it. I want to shoot it." Guess he really is his father's son. We as a little family went on a walk later on too and saw more deer - actually a lot more. Two males who barely had nubs, a doe and her tiny baby who was nursing and a couple others from a distance. It was pretty amazing.
Sunday was a short day, but we made the most of it with a morning bike ride. This time we went towards a natural ground water spring, which was soo cold and refreshing. We also went to the lodge where we had the most perfect view of the mountains - Sisters and Mt. Washington.
This spring was sooo cold!
Sisters mountains
A long trip back to Spokane was in our future, but again the kids did wonderfully.
All in all it was a pretty wonderful weekend. Ryan made a new dog friend in Gus (Cailin's parent's dog). He was so sweet petting him all the time and giving him hugs. Ellie was infatuated with Lily. She wanted to help her do everything, sit next to her all the time and was just generally in awe. Ellie was also very sad about leaving and wouldn't say goodbye to anyone. She said she never wanted to leave.
Gus - aka God's dog
Ellie just in love with Miss Lily
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