Bend Oregon

We had an awesome family vacation in Bend Oregon in July.  It makes me so happy to have my kids out biking with me… out doing anything really!  Darren took the two older kids out on some fun trails.  Abby and I bike/ran the trails.  She is just so eager to get big and ride with Tyler and Ella.  

We rented a place in Bend so we could be close to some great downtown areas.  When we rode far we just strapped Abby to our backs and away we went.  Our little blue rental was just right for us.  We had great food in the kitchen and grill.  We played games every day.  Darren and I would put kids to bed and walk down to the river.  We got to spend Darrens birthday there… not a bad place to be for his 39th!  He got a nice foot rub… how he talked them into that I dont know!

Tyler had a pretty good crash one day and between that and all the dry dust he was finished!  I got to go on a nice bike ride alone.  So quiet and peaceful.  I didn’t have to cheer on any kids which was nice!

Darren decided to do the High Cascade 100 Mnt bike race. So while he got biking stuff ready we ventured out on a fun trail by ourselves.  We found a few great play grounds.  Bend is fantastic.  We also floated down the river 2 times with tubes.  Relaxing and slow is the name of the game.  A few man made rapids at one point.  Delightful for the whole family.   

The driving wasn’t too bad… I love my kids!

Good hiking - Tumala Falls or riding. Very pretty. Can ride back into town

Kids rids: phil's and swampy lakes

Crater Rim Loop:  drive kids to top and ride around. 

drake park. Galveston.

Can play in the lake at spark lake

Go to Mckenzie bridge. 26 miles of single track   

Go tubbing in river. 

Park in Sisters. 

Darren and the girls- Utah

My sisters helped take care of my girls while Tyler and I were in Mexico.  They went up to Logan for the 4th of July.  Fireworks.  Darren also got to go on a nice long bike ride that he conveniently got lost on… so he was gone a few hours extra.  But the pictures prove it was beautiful.  

When they came home from Logan they brought back Great Grandpa Balls riding lawn mower.  Dad spoiled them with slurps and fireworks!

It always amazes me how we can be a world away and still talk to and see my family.  Love them all!

Day 7 Last day in Mexico

Dr. Grandpa at the infirmary clinic

 tamales for breakfast twice in one week. my favorite. for real.

yokult is great!  it is full of probiotics for your health. tastes good too. drink one every day.

they sort the garbage after it is collected into food and yard waste and recycling. 

catch up with this, USA. in the parking garage, the lights turn red when the spot is full, and green when vacant.  very easy to find yourself a spot.

thinking of Rob who works for Samsung

yay! the whole group made it through customs.

another pic of dense population in the Mexico City valley

Thanks Rachel for letting me copy and paste your blog posts…. I owe you big time!

We had a really great trip.  The weather was fantastic.  A few days after we left my mom sent me these pictures.  total downpour.  rivers in the streets.  And after we left there were riots and some people killed… we had a great trip!

Day 6- Happy Birthday Grandpa!

6 of us got haircuts on campus. nice.

so. many. houses.

the US embassy behind those fences

crowded buses with many people standing.

The Museo Soumaya, named after the wife of Mexican magnate (magnate means very rich person) Carlos Slim, has the largest private collection of original Rodin sculptures outside Paris. It also has a large collection of Dalí sculptures, and recently began showing pieces in its masters collection including El Greco, Velázquez, Picasso and Canaletto. The museum inaugurated a new futuristic-design facility in 2011.  

The Gates of Hell

lovely family friendly aquarium.

  :) glad to have gotten to know this great Mexican family.  i hope for the best for them all.

jumping. i was impressed with the "little crickets". 

Happy Birthday Grandpa!  so neat that we could be with you to celebrate you.  We love you.