A Week of Family Fun

 Andria, Nora, Soren, and Susanna departed back to Colorado Springs yesterday (Sunday) after a week here at River Song.  Nick, who came a day earlier, had to leave on Wednesday.  We had a blast catching up, hanging out, and going on little adventures.  It had been a year and a half since Nick and I had seen Andria and the kids, and quite a bit longer for Gail.  Andria's husband Dave couldn't come as he is currently deployed to Bahrain for the year doing USN intel.  He will get to come home in July for 3 weeks.

Soren was immediately drawn to the binoculars.

Susanna adds scale to our big Sitka Spruce.

Susanna was thrilled to find snails in the wild, as snails don't thrive in Colorado.  Back home she has a pet snail and has successfully bred thousands of the mollusks. 

Nora and Daisy checking out the pond.

Badminton was a big hit for all ages.

On Tuesday afternoon, we met Lorie and her dog Juno at the beach.  On the left is Nora, who is wearing a full wetsuit - she came prepared!

Daisy and Juno get along very well and make an amusing couple.

Juno embodies little dog personality and is a bundle of energy.

Susanna loved modeling Gail's hats.

On Nick's last night, Andria graciously treated us to dinner at The Drift Inn.

Gail taught Susanna how to make earrings.  She picked it up quickly and made several pairs.

We gathered around Snuffleupagus for some photo fun.

Susanna chillin' down at the cabana.

Nora enjoyed taking some hikes on her own for the peace and solitude of Yachats Valley.

Susanna and Gail made a couple delicious blackberry pies.

Lorie and Brian (and Juno) joined us for a barbecue on the back deck.  

Brian and Susanna hitting it off. 

The hot tub made a big splash with the kids.

Susanna, Daisy, and I on a walk down the road to see the llamas, alpacas, and peacocks at Starshine Ranch.

Hello Mr. banana slug.

Nick made a lasting impression on these two!

On Friday we all took a hike at Cape Perpetua.  Susanna poses on an awesome stump.

Gail and Susanna had an elegant tea party on Saturday morning.

Andria, Susanna, Gail, and I went to Ocean Beach on Saturday morning to catch one of the lowest tides of the year.  Susanna found several agates, and touched a sea star.

Soren helped out by splitting some logs.

Susanna split a couple, also.

Getting ready to leave on Sunday morning.  Daisy was rewarded with a new "squirrel" for her gentle and calm behavior throughout the week.