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!  

First Annual Crab Feed

Some of you have pointed out my neglect to the blog lately! Yes, it is true! Between the holidays, finishing up 2012, and jumping right into 2013, the blog has fallen to the wayside. Well, it is time for some long overdue posts before I forget what happened in December and January!

The holidays are always a wonderful time of year and this year was no exception. Luke booked us a crab fishing trip out of Bodega Bay on the New Sea Angler for the second Saturday in December. We really lucked out on the weather that day - crisp, clear day at the coast with very little wind. It was a fun and very full day that earned us 12 huge crabs totaling 20 pounds. After getting home with 20 pounds of crab, it didn't take us long to decide that the only way to eat all that crab was to invite our friends and family over for a very impromptu crab feed! With the help of Luke’s parents who had recently spent some time on the Oregon Coast crabbing and their huge crab boiling pot, we were able to clean, boil, and crack all the crab. The result was an amazing dinner party and super fun night. The best part was how little thought and planning it took, plus it was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and catch up with friends and family. Everyone had so much fun, we are seriously considering make it an annual event!

First Annual Young Crab Feed

Early morning departure from Bodega Bay

New Sea Angler

Looking towards the back of the boat



Bringing up the crab pots



Beautiful morning to catch some crab

 

Making sure each crab is big enough

This was filled to the top by the end of the trip



Greg cracking all the crab

All 14 of us plus 2 babies around one dining room table

 

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving day in Sonoma County was absolutely gorgeous. I started off the holiday with an early morning bootcamp. It felt great to burn some calories before the afternoon of feasting began. Luke and I spent Thanksgiving afternoon at my parent's house with my parents, brother (flew in from Arizona!), sister, Uncle Matt, and the Cindereys. My mom slaved away all day and served up a delicious meal. She even made two turkeys - one in the oven and one on the BBQ! There was more than enough food, I barely had room for dessert (and I always leave room for dessert)!

Annual picture from top of the water tower

Enjoying the sunset from the water tower

Our Thanksgiving dinner table

Dad carving the bird

It was such a wonderful day filled with amazing weather, delicious food, and great company.

Friday morning we got up early, but skipped the Black Friday deals and headed straight to the cabin. That night we watched the new Warren Miller film at the Bear Valley Lodge - always a fun way to get pumped up for the upcoming snow season. We were hoping to get in our first day of backcountry skiing while we were at the cabin, but unfortunately the last storm was far too warm and brought rain instead of snow to the higher elevations. We traded out our ski boots for hiking boots and enjoyed the weekend just the same. As always, we didn't want to leave when Sunday afternoon rolled around!  

Luke and Ellie in front of Lake Mont

The beautiful Stanislaus River by Boy Scout Camp



Sea Ranch with the Youngs

This past weekend Carol and Greg got the family together for an early Thanksgiving celebration at Sea Ranch. Sam, Lisa, and their little one, Lilia, came as well as Luke's grandma and aunt from Carson City. Carol and Greg found a wonderful house to accommodate all nine of us with spectacular ocean front views to boot.


View from the house

The weekend was quite relaxing and the weather could not have been better. We spent Saturday reading books on the deck in the sun, walking along the bluff and looking at the ocean and sea life, playing cards, and eating and drinking lots of great food and wine. Luke brought his diving stuff and was disappointed on Saturday when the ocean was too rough to dive. However, he was rewarded on Sunday with the flattest ocean he has seen in a long time and nearly 20 feet visibility. He was able to hop in the water right outside of the house we stayed at and get three decent size abalone in less than thirty minutes.

Morning walk along the bluff

Luke and his poke pole

Poke poling

Seals sunning themselves

Wildlife spotted

Lisa and Carol reading on the deck

The ladies - Carol, Gladys, Katrina and Lisa

Miss Lilia really enjoyed stacking the blocks

And knocking them down!

 

Homemade apple pie

 

We spotted a bobcat right outside the front door



On our way to the beach to dig in the sand



Sam, Lilia, Luke, and Lisa walking to the beach



Sam and his co-pilot



Lisa and Lilia enjoying some beach time

It was especially good that Carol and Greg planned this early Thanksgiving because they were just deployed with the Red Cross to New York to help those affected by hurricane Sandy and will no longer be with us on Thanksgiving day as originally planned. Their selflessness and last minute trip to NY over the holiday has caused me to stop and reflect on all the blessings in my life. I know millions are still without power on the east coast and I hope they are at least able to have a warm meal and place to sleep for the holiday and I know Carol, Greg and crew will help make that happen for many. I will certainly be thinking of the people affected by Sandy and wish Carol and Greg a safe and productive trip.

It was a very nice weekend and good to all be together. I'm in the fall spirit now and ready for my favorite holiday of the year - THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!