Road Trip: Our trip to Sunriver, Oregon

So for the Christmas season, Jeff's work gives their employees a good old fashioned Christmas party.  They server dinner and do a raffle for the employees to win prizes.  The year of 2010 Jeff won a houseboat trip on Lake Roosevelt that was fun, yet exhausting.  We went on the boat trip during the rainy season of early summer and storms kept up from fully relaxing.  Christmas of 2012 he won again with a trip to Sunriver, Oregon.  We were so glad it was a trip to dry ground and something we could really enjoy.  We took the trip in last August and we had a BLAST!  Here is a recap of our Sunriver stay.

Before leaving, Jeff and I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee on the back porch area of our Hiatt house.  It was a wonderful way to sit and enjoy the moment before taking off for five days.

The drive over to Sunriver from the Willamette Valley takes you over the Cascade Mountain Range.  It's one of the most beautiful drives I've ever been on.

Three Finger Jack Mountain

We stopped in to the viewing area of The B and B Complex wildfire summit.  It's an area in the Cascade Mountains that burned more than 100 square miles in 2003.  While we were there, a curious lizard wanted to be in on the picture-taking action.

We drove on and stopped off at the view of Three Sisters Volcano Peaks.

After about a four hour drive we made it to Sunriver!  And as soon as we made the turn there were deer grazing.

We saw so many deer throughout the five days we were there.  It was amazing!

They just bedded down right in the front yards of the vacation homes there.  It was so beautiful to watch them.

We rolled up to the house and immediately checked it out.  I loved the big kitchen area!

The backyard and "man cave."  

We spent most of the time in the man cave/game room.  It had everything!

Skylar and Jeff had ping pong wars!

I spent most of my time in the hot tub with a drink while they battled it out.  And all three of us enjoyed it in the evenings when we got back to the house for the night.

We had a blast with the Jacuzzi tub too.  We went a bit overboard with the bubbles though.  Ha!

The day after we got to Sunriver we ate dinner at the Black Bear Diner in Bend, Oregon.

And we enjoyed the night life of Bend too.

As we made our way through Bend I about screamed with delight when we found the Townshend's Tea House where my most favorite of all tea is made.

If you haven't tried this tea, you are really missing out.  Unfortunately, it's only available in Northwest at the moment.  I plan to pack a few in my family's Christmas boxes this year.  I hope they love it as much as I do!

The next morning we got up and made our drive back through Bend and made tee time at 2:00 p.m. at Widgi Creek Golf Course.  We passed a lot of fun things, but this rock bicycle rider at the Pine Mountain Sports caught my eye.  How interesting is that?

Widgi Creek Golf Course looked amazing this time of year!  

I finally got to use my Patty Berg vintage gold set and I was so thrilled!  I picked them up at an estate sale two years ago and was told they are from the 1950s.  Love them!

Skylar got to play too and boy did he do a good job!  He did a lot better than mommy, that's for sure!

A flock of Canadian Geese landed on the course while we were there!

We had a great time!

 

On our drive back through Sisters, Oregon we stopped off for a little snack and some pictures.

Skylar found Mr. Krabs while we were in the little food shop and he was not happy about it either.  :(

We passed the stock of lava rock that is used to cover the roads in the winter months.  They use lava rock instead of pea gravel or de-icer.

We took the dogs with us on this trip so we made a doggie stop at Fernview Campground for them to take a potty break.

The views of the creek were pretty that time of day too.

We had a great time in Sunriver.  We visited the Lava Lands, High Desert Museum and took a hike around Sunriver while we were there too (Pictures to follow of those).  We can't wait to go back to Sunriver when we can.  It has definitely been added to our "must do again" trips book!

Eco-Tip:  For a cheap and eco-friendly way to pack, use newspaper.  It's a great material to use for breakable items, but also can be recycled after use.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me:  Go Green.

My little boy turns 10

I woke up this morning and a scary feeling came over me.  I realized my little boy turns 10 tomorrow!  10!  It's been 10 years that he has been on this planet and through everything we have endured together, he is still the very best thing that's come into my life.  He makes everyday better and makes my world a better place.  He has taught me to slow down, enjoy the little things, and smile even when I feel my very worst.

He has brought me laughter, joy, and just an unbelievable satisfaction I never knew I could feel.  I am so proud of who he has become in 10 years and everything he has taught me throughout his life.

Skylar-Braden, I am so glad you're my son.  You give me so much more than you know!  I love you!

My Little Boy

© Sabrina A. Hernandez

No amount of gold could ever compare, to the gift of love that my son shares.
I've been blind and I couldn't see that all the love I've wanted is right here in front of me.
He gives reason to get through another day.
Maybe it's how he loves me in his special little way.
And when it gets hard for me to sleep at night....
He wraps his little arms around me and says God will make things right!
From sweet gentle touches to his bear hugs and a kiss...
He makes this hell on earth seem more like a peaceful bliss.
That great big kool-aid smile and the twinkle in his eyes....
Every time I look at him it makes me want to cry.
But they're not tears of sorrow; they're tears of pride and joy....
To know that all the love in heaven is wrapped around my little boy

Source

Five on Friday!

I have joined in on the fun over at Carolina Charm with her Five on Friday linkup.  I adore linkups and this one is a lot of fun.  It's similar to the Spark of Loves this Week post that I have been doing already, but this time it will be five things I am loving.  In the process, I get to do the Friday loves with a whole slew of ladies that love to blog too.  So without further ado, here are my Five on Friday loves.

1.  This Starling.

Because he was dancing in the rain and just putting on the cutest show.  Here in Oregon Starlings are a nuisance, but this one was showing that he was more than just an annoying little bird, he also has some skills.

2.  Our Homeschooling Room.

This year I have finally done what I have wanted to do since Skylar started school, homeschooling.  We have had such a great time with it so far and I hope we can continue for the following years after.  We set up a small section on the far part of our dining room and it's working out just great!  Skylar even picked a name out for our little school, The Rain Valley School and our mascot is the Red Snails.  Ha!

3.  This Hike.

For Worldwide Day of Play, Skylar and I headed out to McDowell Creek Park to hike to the waterfall.  We had a great day and my legs and back got a VERY good workout!

We even got to see a small rainbow on the drive back home.

4.  These Invitations.

Skylar is celebrating his 10-year birthday this year and for that we are having a small mini-golf party for him at Lake Shore Lanes Miniature Golf Course on Sunday!  I can't wait to see all of his little friends and him putting the golf balls around the course.  I just hope the Oregon rain stays away that afternoon, if not, we will be doing some bowling at LSL instead.  

5.  This Curl.

With all the rain of Oregon lately my hair has been displaying its natural curls.  This little curl was at the end of my ponytail and I loved how perfect it looked.  

What's Cooking Wednesdays; Quick and easy meatless quesadillas

I've started linking up with What's Cooking?  Wednesdays over at Going the Distance Blog with Jenn.  You can link up as well, every Wednesday with your own recipes to add to the mix.  And while you are over there, visit some of the other blogs that have linked to find out new and exciting recipes.  

These are one of my favorite things to make for Meatless Monday, or just a lazy dinner night in our house.  Everyone loves them and they are so quick and fast to make.

Here's what you'll need:

• Regular cheddar jack or 'Mexican" cheese blend shredded cheese

• Flour Tortillas

• Taco Seasoning Mix ( You can also make your own)

• 8 oz. Sour Cream (Fat Free)

And here's the process:

Combine the taco seasoning package (1.25 oz.) to the 8 oz of sour cream and combine completely.  Let sit for about 10 minutes to incorporate the seasonings into the sour cream.

Meanwhile, on an electric griddle, lay two of the flour tortillas and allow to heat thoroughly.  Don't allow to brown completely though.  And then flip over.

Coat the entire surface of your tortilla with the taco seasoning mixture.

Add the cheese......

Cheese is my weakness so I always add a lot.

Add another tortilla on top and allow to brown on both sides.  Flip only once and then cut with a pizza cutter into 4-equal triangles.  

Or, flip the side over for half a quesadilla and serve with the sour cream mixture, salsa, or guacamole.

Have you ever tried pineapple on the grill, or how about avocado on the grill?  It's rather tasty and I do recommend it.  The two pair nicely with the recipe from above!

Enjoy!

Eco-Tip:  Be sure and insulate your windows for the upcoming winter season.  Insulating your exterior openings can really help cut down on the lost of heat this season.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me:  Go Green!