Summertime

Summer 2012 is sure to go down as one of our best summers to date.  Not sure if it was the nonstop gorgeous Oregon summer weather or all the great company and fun activities - but we sure made the most of it.  With the beginning of a new school year approaching for 2nd grader Gus and our little Kindergartner Beau, we wanted to share some of our favorite summer highlights.

In July we spent a weekend at the amazing Kelly cabin in Rockaway Beach with Mimi & Nick, Grandma & Mark, Claire, Bryan & Rona and Grandma Jane.  We always feel so fortunate to be included in their beach getaways...it is such a great time to just relax, eat good food and enjoy each other's company.  Hopefully we were all on our best behavior and will get invited back again in the future (wink wink if you're reading this Kelly clan!).  For fun, here is a link to a story that featured a wonderful party that was celebrated at the cabin last summer...you might even peep a little cameo photo of Thomas, Gus and Beau crabbing.

Grandma and Beau Biddy making a felt bunny during craft time.

Gus, Beau and Rona in the giant bath tub.

Beau, as determined as she is, wouldn't take 'no' for an answer when it came to piloting her own kayak.  Pretty impressed that both she and Gus were able to take on solo kayaking...

On our last night at Rockaway Beach, Thomas, Gus and Beau spent the night in a tent.  They had all the comforts of home... pillow pets and an iPad to keep away things that go 'boo' in the night.

Mimi set up her own little sweat shop making felt goodies using the cheap Harvey labor that was on hand.  It didn't pay well, but the working conditions, housing and food more than made up for it.

 

Mimi teaches Beau that a good pair of scissors are essential to creating a knock-off designer handbag.

Thomas took Theo out on his first kayak adventure one afternoon. Not to worry, this lake is about 3 feet deep in most parts. 

I think this was just after Thomas rescued Beau.  Beau's kayak got stuck in some muck on the opposite side of the lake.  Thomas and Beau towed her kayak back to shore from the safety of his canoe. 

Theo is sitting here thinking... "Mark and Grandma look way too happy. I think someone must have spiked their orange juice this morning." 

It's never too early to get out on the water.  Gus' early morning boating attire consists of his pajamas - which match his kayak and paddle perfectly!

Gus looks out across the lake and contemplates what the rest of his life will be.  If you ask him today, he'd say watching baseball, playing baseball and reading about baseball were all in his future.

The beautiful view we woke up to every morning.  What's amazing about this place is that exactly 180 degrees opposite this view is the mighty Pacific Ocean just across the road.  It truly is the best of both worlds.

Theo entertaining his new lady friend, Claire, with his winning smile and adorable personality.

Our next big adventure was a family trip down to the SF Bay area in August to attend the wedding of a very dear college friend of Heather.  We started out in the city and took in some of the infamous sights, including a visit to the world's most crooked street and a cable car ride into Chinatown.

 

 

 

 

Theo with the bride, Kristi.  Kristi chose to have her wedding at the home of her best childhood friend who happens to live in Santa Rosa (Sonoma County).  We were so lucky to spend a couple of days swimming in their luxurious salt water pool.  Not to mention they own five restaurants in the area so we ate some of the best food we've had in recent memory.  Don't even get Thomas started on the lobster creamed corn...I think I heard him say it's officially on his death row menu.

If you were to ask the kids what their favorite part about the trip was - it was the SWIMMING of course!  They were all in their element...even baby Theo.

And for our last adventure of the summer, we headed back to the coast.  This time to our favorite sleepy beach town, Manzanita.  This spot has the perfect combination of pristine beaches + a charming main street with shops and restaurants + it's only 1.5 hours door to door from Portland.  If only we were to win the lottery...

Not to confuse you - but most of our photos below were actually taken in Cannon Beach.  Haystack Rock provided the perfect setting to spend a couple of hours digging in the sand, chasing waves and throwing the baseball (of course).

 

 

On a sad and final note, we lost our kitty Biscuit to cancer earlier this summer.  He was a good kitty and along with his brother Roscoe, is surely considered to be one of our first 'babies'.  We will miss you Biscuit.  RIP.

 

We will return very soon with a full BACK TO SCHOOL report.  Stay tuned and have a wonderful Labor Day holiday weekend.  Love The Harveys