The 2009 Pear Family Togetherness Vacation :)

This is what it looked like on our side of the mountain, fresh snow, the boys were delighted.

And here's either Mt. Bachelor or Jefferson not sure which but it's on the dry side of things.

We took a snack break for Jeffy along the Descutes River in Warm Springs.

We made it to the resort early evening after a stop in Bend at Costco to pick up some supplies, and were joined for dinner by Kate and Family. These two little cousins are almost the same size inspite of a 3 month age gap.
Jeffy's got that little foot cocked and ready for somethin'?! "Come a little closer with that camera Momma and I'll give it the boot!"

Leroy telling Mr. Elliott "Boo"

Bumpa, Amma, and Aunt Tete arrived a bit after dinner and that was every one who could come this year.
Phi snitched Bumpa's hat that's been around since U. Dave was Phi's size. He loves hats.

Miss Kate helping her Mommy prep for their breakfast.

We tried out the High Desert Museum that first day and it was pretty interesting. As a bonus it was not too crowded since we were mid week. It even had some toddler friendly exhibits.

Leroy being a turtle.

A skunk and an otter climbing rocks together. There was a slide at the top of the rocks that started in a eagles nest. It kept them busy for a few minutes anyway.

Some kind of toad, the place was sort of like a zoo with many live and some stuffed animals all natives to the high desert side of OR.

Don't be alarmed this was the stuffed side of the zoo.

Elliott leading the way.

Indoors was a neat interactive time line that you walked through starting with explorers and trappers and ending with a settlement town. Outdoors was a replica settlers claim with all the amenities, i.e. root celler, corral, barn , gardens , and livestock.

Leroy having a chat with the hens.

For some reason this held great fascination to these three...probably largely because the seat was nailed down and it lacked the typical odor. Not sure what they're thinking here?! :) I think the door was closed and we just reopened it.

That was the way they wanted it "close da door", their own private little fort!

There was also an old fashioned saw mill run by steam (I think it was) and a bit of old logging equip.

Trying to help out the logging tractor.

Mr. Ellieo all cozy.

It was far past nap time by this point and who knew what these two would think of next.

There were a lot of bronze statues through out the museum.

This mare and foal were cleverly made from barbed wire and were realistic enough from a distance to scare Phi.

There was also a birds of prey house with a few different raptors.

Golden Eagle

Bald Eagle

and tons of these little guys running around collecting bits of this and that.

And then there was this manly display out front.... oh yeah and the elk were cool too. :)

One of the upsides to vacationing with Bumpa and Amma, we actual spend some kidless time together.

And one of the little wild things himself.

The grandkids harassing Bumpa back at the resort.

Friday AM we all took a hike along the Descutes River which runs by down in the canyon below the resort. We are very glad for double strollers and trails wide enough to use them on!

The diverse scenery is so amazing.

The lovely Aunt Tete whom we can't do with out!

Love the mix of colors!

Phi and Bumpa exploring.

More uniqueness.

Amma and Bumpa

The last leaf has almost fallen.

Rather random, we came around a bend to find these to swans feeding in the water.

And what looks to be a Painted Lady butterfly.

That evening we got to visit U. Jon and A. Ruth who live in town. I missed getting any good pix of the evening but this pretty much sums up Phi's favorite part anyway. Aside from all the exciting new and different toys they had A. Ruth had *SUCKERS* the absolute best kind of sugar in his mind.

The resort had a very cool gym that all us "kids" tried out while Bumpa and Amma watched the real kids.
Saturday morning some friendly resident deer came over to see what we had to offer for a snack. As you'll see if you watch the video at the end the kids and Bumpa had a blast feeding them.
The deer looks a bit skeptical about all this noise.

Elliott snuggling with Jeffy.

Jeffy being touchy. Poor Ellieo

Looks like he survived and with the way he's growing will be holding his own quite well.

We stopped to see the Cove Palisades Park on the way home. It was very different as you were driving through flat farm fields and all the sudden the road dropped down and next thing you knew you appear to have driven out on one of the hills at the top of the Columbia Gorge. Very interesting place.

So ended another fun vacation.

Deer, Deer.