Maximizing summer, Part 4: shedding layers

Costco diapers: maximum comfort, maximum style.

Maximizing summer, Part 3: reconnecting

I believe it was Miss Manners who said something along the lines of, "the older you get, the more you appreciate old friends from back in the day." Only she would never, ever say "back in the day." But I'll buy that. Here's one of my very oldest friends, with the exception of Julie. Brandi and I met in third grade. We were both new in town and in the same reading group. Now we are moms. We fell out of touch for a couple of years, but thankfully reconnected (thanks Facebook). The stars aligned, and we met up in Hot Springs for the day when I was visiting my family. It was so good to see her. Brandi, vacation in Oregon is in order! You'll love it!

Darlin' and Granddaddy in Oregon

Ahem. Almost two months ago Darlin' and Granddaddy came to visit us in Portland. We had such a nice time! We did the beach, the Japanese Garden, and the park near our house. It was the first visit that didn't involve a major life transition, and so was a bit more relaxed. Thank goodness. I can't wait for them to visit again.

Maximizing summer, Part 2: The Beach

It was the first heat wave of the summer, and the MannBowles were all crabby. Nothing to do but drop everything and drive to the beach, just me and Anneke. Dave was so sad he missed it, I was like, let's just do it again! so the next day all three of us headed back for more. Despite the misty weather in the photos it actually cleared up and felt like Southern California. Anneke spent the day learning to walk in the sand and emitting the chortle she reserves for only the newest, most exciting of situations.

Cherries!

Sand!

Maximizing summer, part 1: camping

My friend Brad lists his google chat status as "maximizing summer." I see that and feel wistful. Are we maximizing summer? Perhaps if you have to ask that, you're not. Perhaps my idea of maximizing summer involves paddling through class 3 and 4 rapids with no other care in the world beyond keeping your beer in the boat (and preserving life and limb). We have enjoyed some lovely summer days, though. We've sipped lots of sweet tea. We've done cannon balls in the pool. I've spent afternoons in my swimsuit and we've sent Anneke to bed "pool clean." I've baited a hook with a cricket and fished with a cane pole. I swam in a lake at midnight until I was scared away by phantom copperheads.

Okay, I feel better now.

In fact, I have been too busy doing summer things to blog, so I will recap. Behold our first camping trip, which took place over a cool, damp weekend in June at Metzler Park in Clackamas County:

Tent antics

The raincoat we hastily purchased on the way to the campground.

A walk/crawl in the woods

Sniff. We'll camp together again soon, Mcmillers!

Hopefully by the end of the summer we will have greased a watermelon and thrown it in the pool, with a prize to whomever can catch it. Stay tuned!

Anneke's rose

Here is the rose we planted when Anneke was born, Variegata de Bologna (sp?). It bloomed for the first time this year. It smells wonderful. Anneke will have to report on how it tastes.

Mustin Lake, Camden, Arkansas

I spend a lot of time swooning over the natural beauty up here in the Pacific Northwest, but I gotta say, Oregon, South Arkansas is giving you a run for the money in this instance. This is certainly one of the loveliest places I've ever been.