My sous chef is a dog...and other SR stories

Ahhh…just hitting the mountain pass and approaching the high desert flips my internal relaxation switch instantly.

A few weekends ago, we loaded the bikes, packed up the car, accidentally forgot the refrigerator groceries, and headed to Sunriver. Meanwhile, up in Seattle, Emily and Greg packed their car with baby, dogger, guitar, and God Bless America beer. With delicious, multi-course meals planned and a to-do list a mile long, we met nowhere near the middle of our homes, but we celebrated one last get-together before Emily heads back to work in August.

Is there really anything better than summertime?

Hours of daylight.
No need for sweaters or jackets.
Barbecues.
Impromptu happy hours.
Deck-sitting.
Shorts, tank tops, and sundresses.
Bike rides.
Swimming.
Sunbathing.
Fishing (for Taylor, not me).

The only thing possibly better is doing these things in Sunriver.

Sometimes it feels like we need a vacation from our vacations after jam-packed weekends away, but it's always totally worth it, and I just have to remind myself of that when I'm sitting at work the next morning annoyed I don't have groceries but have endless loads of laundry instead.

Highlights of the weekend included the standard triple-D (dinners, drinks, and duets), a group-effort half-marathon, our first mojitos of the season, plenty of baby time, cheering on the half-Ironmen and women, fishing for the boys, mountain biking for the boys, and soaking up the Central Oregon sun.

Roll that footage...

Just another walk to the pool, Bambi in tow.

Sunriver brewery happy hour. Necessity. 

He fell asleep in this position, with his feet on the ottoman.

Serenading the "neighborhood."

Dinner night 1.

Thanks for your help, Luca...while the boys were biking and fishing, you and I were holding down the fort in the kitchen for Team Bethell.

Just a little godfather time.

Dirt & Doll's current favorite duet. 

In his element.

Luckily, Greg was up for almost anything. Took one for the team on more than one occasion, too.

Pretty cute race spectator you got there, G. 

High-fiving Lily's foot on the half course.

Thanks for your support, Taylor.

Pretty pumped to spot Em at the finish. Can you tell?

Thanks for making me pose with this medal, Emily.

I mean...can you get any cuter?

I *really* wanted to wear my American pride swimsuit while drinking a God Bless America Budwiser. Mission accomplished. Right in front of Lily, too. Great role model. 

My favorite place to be. Ahhh. God's country.

Note: Not just handy for keeping breast milk cold. ;)

Making use of that bar set and whipping out the mojitos like it was his job...ladies and gentlemen: Gregger John. Team Lag's dinner was an Asian-inspired feast. Mmm. Thanks, y'all. 

More Fourth of July festive drink attire.

THE rock pics always mean goodbye. :(

Love the new additions from the last B-L trip to SR.

The newlyweds...

Until our next adventure...we love you, G, E, and L!