Nine lives?

Well, I thought cats only had nine lives, but I am pretty sure Tashi has nine too. Or maybe she is really a cat? Either way, the poor thing has been recovering since last Monday when we think she got hit by a car.

It was a full moon, pitch black outside and Tashi is nowhere to be found. We whistled for her and called for her with no avail and so Spencer and Paul started the search. As I am suiting up Sahalie, I look out the back door one more time....just in case. And sure enough, here she comes pushing herself on her belly with only her back legs. I swept her up and brought her inside to check her out. Her breathing was erratic, she couldn't move her front legs, her eyes were wild, her chin was bleeding and she wouldn't move. Emergency vet here we come. After a couple x-rays, there was no broken bones which was amazing, but the swelling was so bad internally we didn't know if she would make it through the night. I slept on the couch with my hand resting on her belly to make sure she was breathing and although she didn't move an inch, she woke up wagging her tail in the morning. Tough old girl.
The swelling has gone done which is good, but the nerve damage was pretty bad to her front left side. They said to give the leg six weeks to see if the nerves repair, and if they don't she will most likely be a tripod. And if any dog I know can do it, Tashi can.

It took her a couple days to actually get up on her own and it was such a sad sight to see her struggle just to take a couple of steps. A week later and here she is moving around pretty darn good don't you think? You go sweet girl!

The Gang on Halloween

Hope you got more treats than tricks!

140 miles

What can you do in 140 miles with a Previa van complete with a working sliding door, two small children, two black dogs, one husband, Ed Emberly's book about thumbprint art, and the novel idea of not being in a hurry? Check it out.


Peru? No....just the Dee Wright observatory overlooking the lava flow on McKenzie Pass.

Spencer's castle!



Sahalie at Sahalie Falls


A warm dip in Deer Creek hot springs with the McKenzie River as our backdrop.


Still smiling after a full day!

The seasons they are a changin'

I took the kiddos out today to splash in the leaves and take some photos, of course, because for the next five to ten days is how long "fall" will last in Bend. Spencer told me today, "It is finally fall, Mama!." Why? I asked. Because all the leaves are falling. Right....leave to the 4 year old to have all the good answers.

That look

I wonder if she learned it from Spencer? Or Paul?

El Cuatro!

Spencer turned 4 on Thursday, so we tricked him into thinking he wanted his birthday party at the pub.
In actuality, we all got what we wanted. Mimi made Spencer a crown and Chad Berg whipped up a large 'cake thing' that, when it arrived at the table, inspired a moment's silence from the little ones. It was like the Holy Ghost appearing or something. Anyway, all the kids ran around, spilled milk, and chowed on sweets while the adults drank beer and laughed at (with?) them.

Training.

The Eastern Oregon Model Train club opened up their land for visitors the other day.
I tried to picture what it must be like on a 'normal' weekend for them, with all their male clubmates dressed up in engineer outfits discussing model trains. I didn't see any of them snorting liqour from flasks. They must just really like little trains!
For one day, however, it's pretty fun.

child labor

Our neighbors let us in on their rented splitter last weekend...
Spencer was pretty intrigued, so I let him run it for a while.

Yardwork

Last weekend.....


....and this weekend

Let it snow

We woke up to full flurries this morning and after it was all said and done, we accumulated about 6 inches. Perfect for snowball fights and a warm soak in the hot tub.

First Snow of the Season

Yup.

Our last paddle of the season

We spent last friday evening on Hosmer Lake with the last of the warm weather. It was late enough that no one else was on the lake and the kokanee were a jumpin'.

oh captain, my captain....

did you see the size of that fish?

can you hear me now?

A play date

One of our more creative invitations....

Radio Tower part deux

Spencer and I took some guy time to drive up to the radio tower at the top of the ridge behind our house. We visited this spot last year as the snow approached, and while there wasn't much geology talked about this time, we did toss a number of cool looking rocks down the hill. Check out the storm over Bend in the 'thumbs up' photo. Ha ha. We'll get ours soon enough.

Morning jam session

I think they were playing "Stairway to Heaven"....

Papa's girl

Raise your hand if you LOVE Elk Lake

I like to call this one "Elk Lake Bliss" because I forget how much I really love those last warm days of summer in the afternoon. Just trying to cram it all in.....

Afternoon tea party

Just like the old days

Our first night away together since Sahalie was born and we did one of our old favorites...canoe camping on Sparks Lake. Uninterrupted conversation, a sunset, swimming underneath the stars, a fire on the beach, and a morning all to myself. Ahhh, the simple things.

Man and his dog

Our version of an infinity pool

"Oh yeah, baby"

That is Spencer's new phrase, especially every week at soccer. As a WA state high school championship soccer player, Paul was nominated to be the coach and I must say they are pretty cute out there. Yesterday was the first "scrimmage" game which was nothing short of every single kid chasing the ball as fast as they could trying to kick it. No one knew who was on their team and I don't think it mattered a bit. Spencer scored five goals and he was proud. So was I. Suitin up.

Coach Papa

Spencer's cheer squad, biggest fan, and future hopeful.

Go Sahalie...it's your birthday

It's hard to believe our baby is already a year old. Thanks to all who helped celebrate!!