Peach Season

We are in full peach season here at our house.  I love peaches!  And I am especially loving them right now as we've been to a local farm (Jossy Farms in Hillsboro) twice in the last couple of weeks.  The first week we picked 48 pounds of peaches.  Jeff thought we were a bit crazy and was sure we would throw about half of them out because they'd go bad, but I assured him we'd go through them.  So we had a peach pie, peach shortcake, peaches for breakfast, lunch and dinner!  Then I took them out to Camp Meeting and we ate lots out there too.  I also figured out that I could dry peaches with a fruit dryer that Jeff's mom gave to us a few years ago.  My first rounds were a bit funny, but now I have the hang of it.  The second week we picked peaches, we picked 52 pounds.  Again, I think Jeff is wondering if I'm crazy.  But this time I am also freezing peaches as well as drying them.  I have about 4 quart size bags frozen so far, and I plan on continuing to freeze till they are all used up!  We are about half way through the second batch.  Again, we are also eating a lot of peaches, and I think another peach pie may be in our future!  Yum!

Picking the First Time

Our "loot" the Second Week

Step 1:  Peaches

Step 2: Cut

Step 3:  Place in Dryer

Step 4: Several Hours in the Dryer

Step 5: Dried Peaches

Idaho Visit Part 1

A couple of weeks ago, I and the boys drove up to Coeur d'Alene, ID to visit my parents and family.  We had a great relaxing time.  The weather was warm, and the boys were able to play outside a lot.  My parents have a small pool that they spent some of their time in.  They also played with their cousins, Justin and Emma.  One day their friends, Camden and Keaton came and spent the day with them, running around in the backyard, swimming and playing.  Justin set up a giant slip and slide that they had fun with.  The boys picked lots of blueberries and raspberries.  They went for walks in the "100 acre woods" at the edge of my parents' property.  It was a great week!

Daniel on the slip and slide

Kids enjoying the slide

Daniel, Keaton and Justin

Camden and Daniel

Red, White and Blues 5K Run

On July 5, Daniel and Jeff ran a 5K.  This was Daniel's first official race.  He's been talking about wanting to do a race for a while now, so we finally signed him up to do one.  He didn't train at all, but he's so active, that he was ready for the run.  We all got down there early.  The race started at 7:00.  They had a kids fun run that I ran with Simon and Sam.  Then the 5K (and they had a 10K too) started.  Jeff and Daniel took off.  Simon, Sam and I waited.  They finished a little after 32 minutes.  I thought that was great!  He had a lot of fun!

Simon, Sam & I running the kids run

Sam Finishes!

Simon Finishes!

Daniel and Jeff Waiting to Start

Starting

Finishing

All Done!

Final Pic!

Sunday Parkways for Father's Day

On Father's Day this year, we did another Sunday Parkways bike ride.  This ride was through NE Portland.  It was about another 8-9 miles.  And, again, like other parkways bike ride's, it stops along many parks and the kids were able to get out and play.  We rode with Jeff's parents.  Afterwards, we met Debbie and Todd and went out to dinner.  It was a fun way to spend the day.

Gorge Hike

A few Saturdays ago, we decided to go for a hike in the Gorge.  We did the Horsetail Falls hike.  It's a little over 3 miles.  It's a loop, up the side of the mountain and back down again.  It has a water fall a little ways into the hike.  It's been quite warm lately, so it's nice to get somewhere cool.  The trailhead also has a waterfall and little area where the boys could get in and play.  The length of hike is just about right for our boys.  It was a fun hike, and we enjoyed ourselves.