The Ongoing Birthday

Since we were traveling to Montana on my actual birthday, Brandon suggested that we 'reschedule' my birthday for another day.

When we returned from our trip to Montana/Idaho, my birthday celebration officially started with flowers, a nice card, shrimp scampi, and strawberry shortcake (my faves). The following day, we continued the celebration and headed out to camp at Cooper Lake. After setting up the tent, we canoed around the lake until it began to rain.

[Cooper Lake]

Thankfully, the rain didn't last and so we enjoyed a nice dinner and campfire. The third and final day of my birthday, we hiked 10 miles into Pete's Lake, then enjoyed ice cream and pizza (in that order) in Roslyn before heading home.

[Pete's Lake]

Yes, I am spoiled. Love you, B.

Family Visits

We spent a week at B's grandparents place in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana, haying (is that a word?), relaxing by the creek, fishing, reading, hiking, eating lots of homemade bread, and laughing with Grandma and Grandpa.

B is finally allowed to use the 1940s tractor.

Two of our favorite people, Lillian and Harry

One day, we decided to hike up to Baker Lake. Our original plan was to eat lunch at Baker lake, a mere 1.2 miles in and then continue to a couple other lakes further in. However, due to a full-scale logging operation occurring on the forest service road in, we were quite delayed in arriving at the lake. The good news was that there was literally nobody else at the lake. 

B walking through some pine beetle infested trees,

the reason for the logging operation.

With thunderclouds on the horizon, coming from all directions, we decided to keep the hike short (super short) and head back down. Although we didn't go far, we enjoyed the small bit of exercise, the views along the way, and the swim to cool us down. 

Dirty Suby awaiting the road to be cleared of many logs on the way down

(yet another hour-long wait)

We also hiked a flat river trail on another day, 

a bit boring but nice to be outside nonetheless. 

Next, we headed to CD'A to see my dad & step-mom, and my brother and his family. 

Kayaking around Loff's Bay on Lake Coeur D'Alene.

Jane and Brandon practicing the fly-fishing cast on the lawn.

Thunderclouds rolled in and we had an incredible storm.

That Great Orb in the Sky

I'm sure that you've seen it by now, this being the fourth day of sunshine. Wow! I had forgotten what the sun looked like. I couldn't remember the feeling of warm skin. I thought for sure my flip flops would never come out again.

But then we woke up on the morning of July 4th to blue sky and radiant light. The next day, to celebrate the arrival of summer (and my bro's bday...happy bday Bear!), I got in some climbing with Anne.

Anne, my awesome rope-gun

Anne silhouetted against blue sky 

(no clouds...where are we?!?)

Now, you may notice that my silhouette is less slim, 

a bit more bulgy. 

Ha, ha! Not too shabby for 8 months pregnant! :)

Cannon Beach Family Reunion

The Long family reunion was, as always, a great time. They have picked fun locations for these gatherings, where there is something for everyone. The 2012 reunion was held in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

The Long Family 

(minus the Kern group and a few others who arrived later)

The only negative was that it rained. A lot. Oh well, this is June in the Pacific Northwest. We didn't let it stop us!

Yes, we are dripping wet from the rain/sea mist. It was a nice walk anyway.

 When the rain broke for an hour, folks pulled together a game of softball.

 We even managed a few hours without rain for a 

beach bonfire, including s'mores of course.

The elder generation:

Patsy, Harold, Norwood, Jack, Dick, and Bill

-still full of fun and good tales!

Our personal fave elder, Harry or 'HK',

who laughs so hard at his own jokes that he tears up.

With the rain falling outside, we spent more time chatting it up with family we don't see often...which is sort of the whole point of a reunion anyway. ;)

 Harry, Lillian, and Sheena

We played a very serious round of Bingo one evening.

And we ate a lot of good food. 

H and the C monkey

On the day we were driving home, the sun came out! So we spent a couple hours basking in its warmth (65 degrees?!?) and enjoying the beach.

H and the P monkey

T pulled out the 'World's Smallest Kite' and it flew quite well.

Sheena & C-bear

C gazes in awe at the amazing kite flown by his mother.

A few more Long folks that were tardy for the first pic.