Some of the Hikes Summer 2016

Even with a newborn I wanted to keep moving. We went on several hikes and walks to do just that. It is easier to be in the forest letting the kids run and exert energy than trying to entertain them constantly. So we took the opportunity of being in Portland to check out a lot of the nearby area hikes. It was equally awesome that my Mom, Jen, and Carleen were able to come on some of these. Some I did do with just the boys and I though...

In addition we were able to work in a day hanging out with our cousins Charlie and Miles. August always wants to hang out with them, but I am more of a spur of the moment planner so most of our things tend to be impulsive and whatever I feel like doing that day. I usually do not adhere to schedules and things. It is far too much fun to be flexible and impulsive. Besides…when I plan things out they very rarely actually turn out how I imagined them.

The few hikes I have featured in this blog were Suttle Lake.

A cute little lake tucked away on the Santiam Pass, just out of Sisters.

You are able to hike around the Lake and it's only a little over 3 miles.

We also went on a small walk at Magness Tree Farm in Sherwood. Since Carleen now lives in Sherwood we thought we would check it out.
We heard good things, but the trails were mainly vertical and not the most gorgeous scenery...
I heard we took the "wrong" trails...so we will be trying this again.

Just when we found the pretty spot with the meadow of wild flowers Tyler went and caught a snake.
YUCK! Then he went around trying to show him to us...NO Thank YOU.
The flowers were beautiful though.

We stopped and had a picnic in the cabin circle area. August was excited to go check out the cabins. He wants to camp there one day...maybe

Another hike we went on was this bird sanctuary type place between Tigard and Sherwood. It was interesting. Beautiful. But not really for kids. You were not supposed to run or talk to loud. There were tons of people looking for birds and taking pictures of them. Carleen helped wrangle in August. It actually turned out to be a very peaceful walk.

After all the hiking we had been doing and carrying Emmett in his pack along with the backpack my shoulders were super sore. Carleen ended up carrying Emmett in his pack for the home stretch of this walk so that the welts on my shoulders could go down...

Another place we visited a few times this summer was the waterpark in Wilsonville. August loves it, especially with the new playground. Bray tries to act like he is too cool for it, but he always ends up getting right in there with the rest of the kids and remembers how to enjoy himself.

We also had a play date with Charlie and Miles  We were going to the park for the free lunch but, August ended up not wanting to eat. Then he ran around by himself a bunch.
He ended up playing with his cousins better at their house.

We went to Tryon Creek State park a few times, and walked around Sherwood a ton. It was a very busy few months.