Helping Poppi

Eli spent the week with us along with Susan. (Mark had a business trip to CA.) We recently took out an old, rotting birch tree from our front yard and replaced it with three JacqueMonti birch and new sod. Since our next door neighbor has a cement "parking lot" right next to our yard, Floyd put in an edge of 4x4's. Eli stayed with the project and "helped" for the entire 2-3 hours. Poppi loved every minute of it!

It's almost time!!! About 4 weeks to go!! Another little boy, they say!

Sunshine Boy

Of course, this is a silly picture! It's a bright yellow daisy in our backyard and then that incredible, happy face put together to say Happy Spring and Life is Good! We are thankful every day for our family - all of you!

It sure is fun having Mark, Susan, and Eli so much closer! And D-day is approaching quickly for Susan....about 6 weeks to go before the arrival of another son!

Monkey Face

Here's a better shot of "Monkey Face" in context with the surrounding landscape. The climber in this photo isn't Jonathan, but it is the same spot where he is on the other photo! Tell me, WHY would you want to put your body in a place like that....well, I can understand that the view is awesome from there, but having only air under me never has floated my boat!

Photo source: http://www.oregoncitylink.com/photo/monkey_face.jpg

Monkey Face

On a recent weekend, Jonathan (the middle climber with the bare feet!) and a buddy climbed Monkey Face at Smith Rocks in central Oregon. At this particular moment they are about 200 feet straight up approaching the "mouth of the monkey". The first photo has a red circle to indicate the location of the second photo. (I only can look at pictures after a safe return. I could never be there to watch!!!)

Smith Rocks is close to where Mark and Susan now live.

Image Source: http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/657414/page/0/fpart/1

Bend, OR

This trail, which runs along the Deschutes River in Bend, is within walking distance of Mark and Susan's house in Bend. We set out on Saturday afternoon, with no special plan, but ended up walking for about 3 hours - about 3 miles. Eli walked every step! We were all tired when we got back to the house. Eli fell asleep while waiting for dinner. It suited me just fine to just sit and
hold him!!!

Spring visitor

Floyd caught this moment today at noon at a feeder on our patio. The weather has warmed up the last few days with lots of sunshine. The daffodils are blooming. It's a glorious season! Of course, there's still some winter weather yet to come, but spring is well on the way.