#33

February means a lot of things to a lot of people and probably the thing that it means to most people is Valentine's Day. However, February to me means ignoring Valentine's Day and saving all that merriment for the real holiday of the month--my birthday.  Welcome #33!

Now, we had an awesome week planned: a couple of days at a rental cabin in Sunriver with Ryan and Dacia, skiing with Julia on V-Day and then I was going to spend my birthday all by my lonesome getting a mani/pedi and shopping.  February had other plans.

First, our sweet little someone up and got a double ear infection on us, so we had to cancel our Sunriver trip.  Then, I got sick so I spent my whole week off, cooped up in the house with Kate trying to nurse us back to health.  But, by the time Friday rolled around, things were staring to look up.  February was finally on our side and gave me a lovely birthday present: sunshine and 60 degrees.

I immediately canceled my day 'o Gayle and we took Kate to the park and followed that with a bike ride to get some birthday fro-yo.  Welcome #33 indeed.

A day to ourselves

No kids, no husbands, just two girls and their skis for a day on the mountain.

Thanks to Super Dad B. and Super Friend Katie who watched the three little girls, Julia and I escaped on Valentine's Day with our skis.  Talk about some mountain love!

Wintertime Sunshine

Ok, I'll admit it.  This winter has been pretty sunny so far (and now I've jinxed it, shoot) and we have been enjoying more outside time than usual. Since the sun was out again last weekend, we wanted to take full advantage and head out for a hike.  We invited the Lodge girls to join us and we headed for Cape Horn on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge.

We've hiked the Cape Horn Trail before, but that was about a year ago and Kate was still small enough (and tolerant enough) to be hiked around comfortably in her backpack.  Well, nine more months have not only added more weight, but also more independence.  People, she wants to WALK. Do NOT get in her way.  However, even with an adult to toddler ratio of 3 to 3, we still didn't think they would make the whole hike. Instead of stopping at the trailhead, we drove straight to the top of Cape Horn where we could handle a short hike stroll out to the overlook.

The day was chilly, but sunny and gorgeous.  We loved watching our girls experience nature as they scampered about looking at rocks and watching for eagles.

Sunshine, feel free to stay as long as you'd like.  We don't mind one bit.

Ski Date

This ski date is sponsored by Gail Strauss and A Child's Dream Daycare and Playhouse.  Without which a day on the mountain by ourselves would never be possible.