Little Miss MEL: September and family vacation!

With short summers, we have to pack the fun in! We had so much camping in the Redwoods last year that Brandon wanted to do it all over again. I said, let's try somewhere new.... so off to central Oregon we went. Our trip coincided with B's birthday - so it doubled as his birthday present too.

But first, some presents at home. These were from Morgan to Daddy:

a daddy doll! a minion! and some Star Wars match box cars, oh my :)!

B's actual birthday was spent on the road, and that night at the campsite at East Lake. Happy Birthday! Here's a lovely cupcake and campsite for you! We scored an awesome private campsite just through the trees off the lake. We later learned that further away from the lake was warmer. The tarp is for the rain that was in the forecast :(. Such is camping in September in Oregon.

After a cold night, the first day warmed up and ended up being nice. We were able to play a little and take our raft out so B could try and fish. He caught one! but it got away :(.

The second day was rainy, so we decided to hike. This is Paulina Falls.

Then to the Obsidian field. M was a trooper. B has better pictures of the rocks, cuz my phone was already dying. You could see the lake (can't remember if that's Paulina or East Lake) from the top.

When it's cold out, you have to make your own fun inside:

M & I hid in the tent that afternoon. I think this was after a nap? or maybe the next morning. The nights got down in the 30's, so it was cold!!!

So luckily, there was this little cafe/ store 1/2 mile up the beach, which we ended up going to every morning, at least for coffee and cocoa (but full breakfast 2 times too!). It gave us a chance to warm up and charge our phones :).

We were able to get out on the lake again that day, although it was a little choppier. I'd really like to spend a couple more days here, maybe earlier in the season.

Morgan helping to pack up:

Then on to Part 2 of vacation - Sun River. We were supposed to meet the Kennedys there, but they unfortunately had an emergency and couldn't make it. So we had to scramble to get a place last second. We ended up with a nice condo not far from SunRiver "downtown" and also near the water park.

Morning walk for breakfast (cookie) and some shopping. Of course the weather warmed up when we had indoor accommodations.

Just some fun outside that day, including the playground and fun outside the condo. There was a little bike just the right size for M, but she still wasn't quite big enough for it. The video of her trying it just barely too big for stupid Blogger limitations:

Then dinner at the brewery!

And ice cream!

And of course, deer outside!

The next morning we hit up the water park. So much fun! B and I did the water slide over and over. And M had fun too, both in the water and in the sand. They had a lazy river that she liked as well as the toddler pool: