New Years in Bend

Last year for New Years we headed out of town for a last minute camping trip and had so much fun we thought we would get out of town again this New Years, but this time trade in the trailer for a comfortable VRBO. After much consideration on where to go, we decided on Bend, OR. We have been to Bend a couple of times, but always in the summer months. This was our first experience there during the very cold winter months. The location of our VRBO was perfect, walking distance to downtown and views of the Deschutes River. 

View from the outside

The kitchen

The unit

Brisk morning run along the Deschutes River

Bend is known for many things, but it seems best known for its many breweries so we made a point to drink our way through the town, trying a new brewery every day.

First brewery stop: GoodLife Brewing

Second stop: McMenamins Brewery in the Old St. Francis School

Final brewery of the trip and our favorite: Three Creeks Brewing Co. in Sisters, OR

 

Another thing Bend is known for is Mt. Bachelor and backcountry trails so we packed our ski and backcountry gear and explored as much as we could in the few days we were there. We checked out Mt. Bachelor ski resort and did a few climbs while we were there. The conditions were amazing and the snow could not have been better.  

Our first climb to dust off the gear on Mt. Bachelor in bounds hike zone

I sure wouldn't want to do this climb when it was windy!  

Driving to Mt. Bachelor

Luke tearing it up

Luke skiing down one of our favorite spots on the mountain

Sisters mountain range in the distance

Getting ready to climb Potato Hill outside of Sisters, OR

Last few hours of 2012, getting ready for 2013

Gorgeous new Year's day climb on Mt. Tumalo 

Wonderful way to start 2013

Top of Mt. Tumalo, Sisters in the distance

Well earned turns!

Fun little bowl we found

Oregon, we love you! Thanks for another memorable trip.

Christmas

Our families live in Sonoma County and we were lucky enough to spend Christmas with both of them this year. Luke took advantage of all the snow falling in Tahoe and went skiing on Christmas Eve. I had to work that day so couldn’t join him, but was able to sneak away from work a little early to meet my mom for Christmas Eve mass. Luke made it home from Tahoe in time for an amazing Christmas Eve Dinner at my parent’s house. Mom, you really outdid yourself on that meal!

Lots of holiday baking this year!

Peppermint hot cocoa

Luke and Gracie

Mrs. Claus hard at work

Christmas Eve place setting

Christmas morning we were back over at my parent’s house bright and early to see what Santa brought! My sister worked the nightshift at the Vet Hospital on Christmas Eve and got home around 9:30 am exhausted no doubt. We convinced her to stay up for presents and breakfast and then she crawled into bed to get some rest. It has been a few years since we were all together on Christmas day which made it  extra special this year.


My parent's beautiful tree

Stuffed stockings

Frankie Claus

The whole gang - Luke, Katrina, Jimmy, Charlie, Frank, Kristin, Cathy, Doug

After spending the morning at the Conover’s we drove to Bennett Valley to spend the rest of Christmas day with the Youngs and Valtenbergs (where I neglected to take any pictures!). Lilia is almost two years old and it was really fun watching her this Christmas. What a difference a year makes! Last year she wanted nothing to do with presents and didn’t even like the sound of wrapping paper tearing. This year she was helping us all open gifts, handing them out, and playing with her toys (especially all her babies!).

There is no place like home for the holidays! It was a wonderful day, always goes by so fast. Happy holidays from our home to yours!