Christmas tree + sick kid

Henry missed two days of school last week and has had a yo-yoing fever that goes down after a dose of DayQuil/NyQuil but back up as soon as it starts to wear off. It's awful. Poor kid. What better thing to do than get dressed, go outside, and select a Christmas tree to make yourself feel better, amirite? Was this the best parenting decision? No. But it only took about half an hour and we got a great tree and he did get to breathe some fresh air for a tiny fraction of his day so it all turned out okay. Our little tree is lit and decorated and has presents under it and as soon as it is daytime again I'll update this post with a second pic of what it looks like all finished. For now you can see what our rather tall child looks like standing by our 4-5 foot Christmas tree.

Oregon Zoo Lights

Face of a teenager who does not wish to stop so his mama can take a cute picture, represents compliance while being noncompliant

Octopus!

Obligatory cousin shot

DANG.  Oregon Zoo knows climate change is real and isn't afraid to add it to their Christmas lights display.

Selfie of me and the kid

Just a cool bird

Just a dodo bird

What it looks like when the person tasked with putting up this display doesn't try hard.

Snowman at the zoo!

Important cat update

 

Eleventh grade

 

Proud Democrat

I'm trying not to get too excited but after watching the week-long Democratic National Convention I am full of hope! It was a joyful event.  Kamala will make an excellent POTUS.  

It was good to see our old friends, former Presidents Obama and Clinton and former First Ladies Obama and Clinton, and our new friends, a group of Republicans, including some who had voted for TFG before, who are voting for Harris. I got a little teary-eyed when Senator Warren came out and was given a raucously long ovation that moved her to tears. I enjoyed all the zingers, many of them couch references. (I almost want to try and feel bad for JD Vance but the guy is such a dick I don't.  That guy can sit on a tack.) And I even think it is okay that neither Beyonce or Swift made an appearance. Would've been cool if they had but it is totally fine that they did not.  Kamala didn't need them.  

Vote blue, America.

First Solo Backpacking Trip - Twin Lakes

The two yutes, Henry and Elliot, went on their first overnight backpacking trip A L O N E.  Yep, they trekked in with their backpacks stuffed full of everything they might plus additional food and more water just in case with directions like...

"If there fire is crackling in the woods around you, grab your water bottle and get out."

and

"If you run into anyone that makes you feel uneasy, trust your gut.  Hike back out and come find me*."

and

"Don't play with bear cubs.  Mama bear will be close by and she will kill you."

and 

"Stay on the established path. We want to know the exact route you took so we can find you when, I mean if, you get lost."

By all accounts the trip was a success.  The boys survived the night.  They did use up all their fuel, but now they have learned things like 1. bring more fuel, and b) if there is dehydrated food, make sure you boil the water to rehydrate it before you use a bunch of fuel cooking your hot dogs over an open flame. Next summer, we hope to feel comfortable enough to send them out for a multi-day backpacking trip on their own.

Da boys, heading in / Mt. Hood

*I was camping at a nearby campground just in case.

Hunting rocks in south central Oregon

Central Hotel was a fantastic place to stay and I highly recommend it to anyone who might be considering a visit to this area.

Because you have to stand near this kind of pic when you see it, right?

On our way to the Sunstone Public Collection Area. Note: It is way the heck out there.

A together selfie (is that a thing?) after some successful "mining".  Note: Almost all the rocks we got were laying on the ground and completely visible.

Blue Basin hike.

At the Painted Hills

Prineville Reservoir State Park - an unplanned but entirely lovely evening at the park with a water view!

Hen's Oregon Sunstones haul