more Bend, more birthday!

 

Tuesday was another day of outdoor fun, good food, and lovely family time. We walked to the Village Bakery to pick up some loaves of raisin walnut bread (a favorite) and some breakfast pastries. Liesl and I got matching marionberry danishes and mochas.

 

And then we all went for a walk along the Deschutes River trail. It was somewhat warm, definitely sunny, and delightful. We chased Jasper along the trails and jumped over logs and threw pinecones at each other. Seb staged multiple chase scenes which he then edited into a cool video of Jasper romping in the forest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch, Liesl and I clambered on the cruiser bikes that came with our rental house and tootled around town on the paved riverfront trails. The bikes reminded Liesl of the Sound of Music, so we sang loudly as we pedaled.

 

Fun murals in the Old Mill section of town! I posed with a dragon for my dragon year. Steve came to meet us as we biked home, groaning about the single-speed, too-small bike and the effort it took to pedal.

Liesl made a chocolate cake for my birthday, decorated with purple, googly-eyed monsters. There were sparklers that lit up like crazy, and everyone sang off-key. Birthday day 2 was a good one.

 

  

 

my birthday (in Bend!)

 

We drove down to Bend on Sunday, to spend part of our spring break hanging out and enjoying Central Oregon. We rented a good-size house right in downtown Bend, a few blocks from the river and all of our favorite restaurants. Monday was my birthday, and it was lovely. Liesl and I got lattes at Backporch Coffee, and then Steve, Jasper, and I went for a trail run on the Deschutes River, starting at Lava Island.

 

 

 

 

Back home for hot showers and breakfast and birthday presents -- Liesl made an amazing photo book for me, and Seb bought some lovely purple tulips. 

In the afternoon, lunch at Spork (Steve is combining work and play this week and was on a firm call during lunch)) and then outdoor play at a park -- we played softball and soccer and hit balls for Jasper to chase.

We had dinner at a Thai restaurant and gelato from Bonta, and returned home to play Cranium - Steve and Liesl against me and Seb. Seb's imitation of Elvis might have been the highlight. Or maybe Steve's blindfolded drawing of a boxing glove, which Liesl guessed in less than 5 seconds.

Such a good, happy day, with my favorite people (and dog).

trilliums

Jasper and I spent a lovely Saturday morning in Forest Park, wandering the trails around Firelane 7. The trilliums have bloomed! 

Portland adventures

On Wednesday night we saw an outstanding dance performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. It was spectacular -- moving, lyrical, powerful, funny, graceful. I'm so glad we went.

Liesl made a smoothie with spinach and blueberries and almond butter and cocoa nibs. It was quite tasty, to my/our surprise!

Jasper in the rain, waiting for Liesl to come out of ballet.

Jasper in the sun, waiting for Liesl's soccer game to be over.

 Random goofiness

On Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, the leprechauns visited us and wreaked some naughty havoc around the house. But they also left treasures for us! We went to Paddy's on the waterfront for some Irish dancing, bagpiping, corned beef, and beer.