The kid, being a teenager and all, was a little grumpy about having to tag along with mom and dad. The dog, who usually whines every 15 minutes for a long sniff out an open window, was surprisingly quiet. Things changed once we got there, however.
Showing posts with label Family fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family fun. Show all posts
Sunday, September 16, 2012
SFFD to Cape Perpetua
Our family has been taking lots of road trips around the Pacific Northwest over the last month. On one weekend, we decided to drive out to the coast and spend some time exploring Cape Perpetua. Sandwiches, dog, kid, cameras were loaded into the car and off we went, down highways 22 and 18 to Lincoln City, then south on Hwy 101 until we arrived.
The kid, being a teenager and all, was a little grumpy about having to tag along with mom and dad. The dog, who usually whines every 15 minutes for a long sniff out an open window, was surprisingly quiet. Things changed once we got there, however.
The kid, being a teenager and all, was a little grumpy about having to tag along with mom and dad. The dog, who usually whines every 15 minutes for a long sniff out an open window, was surprisingly quiet. Things changed once we got there, however.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Adopt me please
Frank's plea on a napkin
After wandering around the Portland RV Show a few weeks ago, we stopped at a nearby Denny's for supper. We were seated at our booth minutes after a table of 15 arrived. We were handed menus, followed by water and coffee. And some half-n-half for my coffee.
We placed our orders and waited. Our waiter brought us a pot of coffee and apologized in advance for the wait - 15 orders ahead of ours in an already busy kitchen.
Being restaurant-y people, we understood. We drank more coffee and I ran out of half-n-half, so I wrote this on a napkin and pointed it at the empty containers, hoping to catch someone as they hurried past our booth.
Rachel and I were giddy and silly, as usual, and as soon as the half-n-half arrived, Frank wrote out this plea on the napkin:
"Adopt me please"
Rachel immediately used my napkin to formalize the deal...
After wandering around the Portland RV Show a few weeks ago, we stopped at a nearby Denny's for supper. We were seated at our booth minutes after a table of 15 arrived. We were handed menus, followed by water and coffee. And some half-n-half for my coffee.
We placed our orders and waited. Our waiter brought us a pot of coffee and apologized in advance for the wait - 15 orders ahead of ours in an already busy kitchen.
Being restaurant-y people, we understood. We drank more coffee and I ran out of half-n-half, so I wrote this on a napkin and pointed it at the empty containers, hoping to catch someone as they hurried past our booth.
Rachel and I were giddy and silly, as usual, and as soon as the half-n-half arrived, Frank wrote out this plea on the napkin:
"Adopt me please"
Rachel immediately used my napkin to formalize the deal...
Our waiter stopped by a minute later, saw us snickering, read the note, smiled, then said
"I don't think my dog would like it if I brought home a mutant turtle. Sorry. Good luck, though."
We tucked a 20% tip under the coffee carafe as we left for the night.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
July Camping Trip, part 4
Continuing from yesterday's post, here is what we did while camping at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon.
Mt. Washington seen from the B&B Complex burn area, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
Ahhh, at last.
No matter how much fun you have on vacation, it's always good to come home.
On the way down the mountain we stopped at a viewpoint to admire Mt Bachelor (left) and the Three Sisters.
Sounds like if there's one Bachelor and Three Sisters, there's gonna be a girl fight in the future. Of course, one of the Three Sisters has a bulge and geologists are monitoring it for future volcanic activity...
Hwy 20, west of Bend, Oregon - from our "dash cam" at 55 mph.
Can you imagine living in this house? Oh, what an incredible view to have in your backyard!!
It's about a 2+ hour drive over the Cascade to get home and I want to show you something. This is Mt. Jefferson in the distance:
Heading west on Hwy 22 - heading downhill, riding the brakes, rounding a curve, and oh, what a view. It's hard to see in this photo, but the white bit above the trees in the center of the photo is snow-covered Mt. Jefferson. (In July.)
This photo is out of order from our road trip home, but I wanted to show you what the forests normally look like going over the Cascade mountain range - lush thick forests.
Now take a look at what we encountered near the mountain pass...
B&B Complex burn area
It's a shock to drive through mile after mile of lush forest, then go around a bend and see this. These trees were part of the B&B Complex burn that devastated the area a few years ago.
Mt. Washington seen from the B&B Complex burn area, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
The B&B Complex was an extreme forest fire that raged through this area in 2003.
There is a pullout on the highway where you can park and walk to a viewpoint. There they also have signs that explain what happened. I'll let the signs do the talking:
Ahhh, at last.
No matter how much fun you have on vacation, it's always good to come home.
Highway 22 coming into Salem
I love zooming down this hill.
Shot at 55mph from the "Dash Cam" - this is usually one of the prettiest views of Salem. (Not so great when your windshield is dirty, but still very nice.)
The cats babysat themselves.
Since we were only going to be gone for two nights, we just put out a huge bucket of water for the cats and filled up two pie plates with food. I guess we overestimated their appetites, but at least they didn't starve for anything more than attention.
Monday, November 23, 2009
July Camping Trip, part 3
Continuing from yesterday's post, here is what we did while camping at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon.
Yes. S'mores for breakfast.
Why not?
We're on our first vacation in many many years.
Enjoy the fire now while it's actually burning. One thing we learned about building campfires is that we suck at building campfires.
...until the camp host told us to douse all the kindling and wood with lots of starter fluid first...
...too late for this fire...
Yes. S'mores for breakfast.
Why not?
We're on our first vacation in many many years.
It seems most of our camping time was spent building fires and managing meals. That was fun, though.
What surprised us was the climate on the mountain. Again, we were at an elevation of about 6400 ft in a part of Oregon called the High Desert. Of course, this is a very arid part of the state and the sun is intense.
This photo was taken at about 6am and the outside temp was only 50 degrees. Everyone was bundled up in sweatshirts and heavy pants to keep warm. Pam had been pulling things out of the cooler and placed a hershey bar on the table. In about 30 minutes the sun melted the hershey bar into chocolate soup.
Rachel's Cabin
The kiddo opted out of sleeping in the tent with the snoring adults, so we laid down the back seat and slid her twin air mattress into the car. Yes, in our little car! It wasn't super warm (the mattress was cold) but it was cozy and quiet.
And she was safe from bears!
We forgot some kind of blanket or pad for the pooch to lay on, but he seemed happy sunning himself in the dirt.
He got a good bath at East Lake before we packed up the car and left the mountain.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
July Camping Trip, part 2
Continuing from yesterday's post, here is what we did while camping at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon.
One fun camping activity was to have the teenager take self portraits while Mom and Dad were loading up the car to go swimming. Please note how straight her hair is; it squiggled up into tight curls as soon as it got wet.
We brought some games to play in the afternoon. Of course, since we knew we were camping on a mountain in bear and cougar country, we had to bring along the Survival Game. According to the game, we all died.
I think his finger is stuck up his nose...?
(Yes, mom, that's a box of Twinkies in the food bag.)
Ooh, which reminds me to ask: Have you ever tried cooking Twinkies over a campfire? Just stab one with your weenie roasting stick and roast until golden brown.
MmmmmMmmm!
At dusk, we had a contest to see who could take the scariest picture of themselves.
Frank wins because he's smoking.
He quit smoking a month later, but that's another story.
Check out our sunburn!
And no camping trip is complete without S'mores.
...Mere seconds before she burned her fingers on the metal prongs.
Here's a video she shot moments later.
Dusk at the campground, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
Dusk at the campground
Highlights:
Unhappy Caesar makes a nest in the dirt
Dad acts normal (for him anyway)
Mom acts like a mom
Rachel shows off her burnt fingers
Coming up next: More camping fun
Saturday, November 21, 2009
July Camping Trip, part 1
It occurred to me today that you haven't seen the photos from our camping trip in July. It's been pretty hectic around here since, so that's no surprise.
Without further ado, here they are...
Our very first-ever camping trip as a family was a 3-day weekend at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon.
We had a blast.
(Figuratively, not geologically...)
Without further ado, here they are...
Our very first-ever camping trip as a family was a 3-day weekend at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon.
We had a blast.
(Figuratively, not geologically...)
The car was full and we were anxious to get the heck on the road.
No chairs of any sort made it to the campground.
Oh well...
Mmmmm, bacon
There were absolutely no mosquitoes to worry about, but there were lots of moths. Lucky for us (maybe lucky?) Caesar kept the tent moth-free.
Of course, there were a few slimy half-chewed moth carcasses left behind on the air mattress.
Our campsite among the ponderosa pines
At the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Our campsite elevation was over 6400 feet. We all experienced a few symptoms of altitude sickness, which surprised us, but on the upside it forced is to take it easy and relax. After all, it was a vacation.
The tent
Set up for the first time... in the dark... without instructions.
It didn't collapse on us, so we must have gotten it right!
Here's a video Rachel took that first morning.
First morning at camp, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
Highlights:
Caesar drinking water... and more water
Dad sitting under a tree with coffee
Our pathetic campfire
Mom's clown shoes
Coming next: Camping activities
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Seventeenth
This month on the 17th we're going to have one of our traditional Pot Luck and Board Game Nights at our place.
Yes, I complained earlier that it's too small, but we're going to give it a try. We recently had a birthday party here with 14 people and there was enough room for everyone, so I think we can do it.
For more info, go to http://salem17th.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 17, 2009
The 17th
If you're paying very very close attention, you'll have noticed that the thing we talked about for the 17th (that's today) didn't happen.
With the new job and all, I'm pooped.
Besides August 17th is on a Monday and I just never feel like doing anything on a Monday.
Blah.
We're going to start up our thing on the 17th next month. Stay tuned for more info on joining us at Oktoberfest in September in Mt. Angel (September 17 is their first day!)
With the new job and all, I'm pooped.
Besides August 17th is on a Monday and I just never feel like doing anything on a Monday.
Blah.
We're going to start up our thing on the 17th next month. Stay tuned for more info on joining us at Oktoberfest in September in Mt. Angel (September 17 is their first day!)
Monday, August 10, 2009
The 17th...
Inexpensive family fun
A few years ago, when we lived in an actual house, we would invite everyone we know to come over for pot luck dinner and board game night. It was always a lot of fun. In our dinky condo we just don't have the space to invite more than two or three people over any more, and it stinks because we have a really hard time getting everyone together.
Rachel and I have hatched a plan to kind of revive the regular parties...
We've had a lot of great suggestions including many (ok, most of these) from my friend Todd:
Our answer: Yes, please!
A few years ago, when we lived in an actual house, we would invite everyone we know to come over for pot luck dinner and board game night. It was always a lot of fun. In our dinky condo we just don't have the space to invite more than two or three people over any more, and it stinks because we have a really hard time getting everyone together.
Rachel and I have hatched a plan to kind of revive the regular parties...
- Every month we would invite everyone we know to join us or meet up with us somewhere to have some fun. This would be on the same date each month, so the day of the week (and time of day) would vary. That way if you can't make it to the event one month, there's a chance you could make it next month. Also this makes it easier for people to know when the next event will be held.
- Events need to be inexpensive and no hassle in getting there.
- Events need to be family friendly.
- We picked the 17th of each month because it doesn't interfere with any other holidays (except St. Pat's Day and occasionally Easter.) Plus it's a prime number and for some weird reason that appeals to us.
Our first event will be Monday Aug 17th. Following that, we have Thursday Sept 17, Saturday Oct 17th, Tuesday Nov 17th, and Thursday Dec 17th.
Where will we meet up on the 17th?We've had a lot of great suggestions including many (ok, most of these) from my friend Todd:
- Game wise, I vote Apples to Apples one night! I even have a big party hardy game pack thingymabobber. Ooo another thing is like some sort of card game competition, like a speed war or something with rounds and the winners of each battle battle away until only one is left standing…there can only be one highlander!!…oh man. Fun stuff.
- Billiards at The Cue Ball (they're open to all ages)
- Bowling
- Hiking at silver falls
- Picnic at Minto Brown park possibly a scavenger hunt
- This mini golf is old school. Auburn Center Miniature Golf at 220 Center St NE Salem, OR 97317-3219 (503) 363-4404
- Of course there is always Best Little Roadhouse and Garden Golf
- We could all grab hold of our inner child and go to Pietro’s for pizza and mini golf.
- Go to a movie (Pam's note: I vote to go to The Palace Theatre in Silverton!)
- Go to the Northern Lights Theatre Pub
- Listen to Live music at Whatever Lefty’s is now known as (Pam's note: it's Roxxy)
- Do a barbecue in a park with one of those grill thingies
- Frisbee Golf
- Game night … but please save this for the crummy winter months
- We could do a murder mystery party our group seems eccentric enough for this
- We could go to a play at Pentacle Theatre or The Elsinore
- If 17th falls on a Wed, Elsinore shows movie classics for just a few bucks and frequently has live pipe organ music prior to the shows
- We could do wine tasting at a vineyard
- If it falls on a weekend we could make a run to the coast. It's only an hour and we could carpool
- Oh yes Spirit Mountain Casino
- Restaurant lottery, you make a list of unique restaurants you would like to try and draw one out of a fishbowl at random.
- Do a Halloween Haunt there are several through October
- Oktoberfest in September in Mt. Angel (September 17 is their first day!)
- Oh Mission Mill at Christmastime is very special
- Hallie Ford Art Museum
- The new Kroc Center will have water slides
- We Could do a Themed potluck; there are some good cooks in your group
Our answer: Yes, please!
So... d'ya want to join us? Mark your calendar for August 17 and stay tuned here to find out where to go!
PS: Comment here if you want to join us or if you have more activity suggestions...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Where should we go? What should we do?
We live in So Lame Salem and there's nothing to do in town.
Actually, that's what the 13 year old tells me.
If you're from Salem, please comment with a list of inexpensive things a family with a 13 year old would be interested in doing. She's a tomboy who likes punk rock, dogs, and artsy fartsy stuff. DO NOT mention the Carousel or Wunderland. Those have been done to death.
My sister Sharon once referred to a family outing as "Super Family Fun Day!!" I first heard this when the kids (hers and mine) were grumbling about whatever kids tend to grumble about when the family's trying to have some fun.
We don't go have enough fun, and really need to find cheap or free things to do for a Super Family Fun Day. On a couple Sundays each month, when all the chores are done, we pile in the car and hit the road with a goal to go play.
Even if you're not from Salem, got any cheap or free ideas for a Super Family Fun Day with a teenager?
Actually, that's what the 13 year old tells me.
If you're from Salem, please comment with a list of inexpensive things a family with a 13 year old would be interested in doing. She's a tomboy who likes punk rock, dogs, and artsy fartsy stuff. DO NOT mention the Carousel or Wunderland. Those have been done to death.
My sister Sharon once referred to a family outing as "Super Family Fun Day!!" I first heard this when the kids (hers and mine) were grumbling about whatever kids tend to grumble about when the family's trying to have some fun.
We don't go have enough fun, and really need to find cheap or free things to do for a Super Family Fun Day. On a couple Sundays each month, when all the chores are done, we pile in the car and hit the road with a goal to go play.
Even if you're not from Salem, got any cheap or free ideas for a Super Family Fun Day with a teenager?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Blogwarming Party - Day 6
Hello and welcome to our Blogwarming Party!
For more info on everything we're doing this week, check our our party invitation here.
+ + + + +
Pear Gorgonzola Salad with Dijon (shown here)
Here are two more recipes from this blog and Frank's blog:
Grab a plate and come along for the tour of our new place. Don't forget to sign our guestbook!
+ + + + +
Today we can't wait to show you The Pam Cam:
- Interesting newspaper categories
- Which one is it?
- A pipe smokin' dude and his Critter-In-A-Filebox
- No Thumbs Up
- Almost Magical
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Today's bloggy activity is Super Family Fun Day!!
One day, the three of us and the dog went over the mountains to get to Lincoln City on the Oregon coast. While there, where we did some beach combing, picked up some really cool rocks, found a huge 8" fossil, froze our tushies off (it was windy and gloomy and co-o-o-o-old,) then went to a nearby restaurant to have supper before heading home.
You can read the blog post and see all the pictures here.
Please share your own Super Family Fun Day with us? Please comment below with the URL to a post where you have stories and pictures from a recent fun day with your family. The link must go to the post, not your general blog address.
+ + + + +
Today's door prize is a box of Chocolats Christina
($20 value)
I love chocolates. Who doesn't? Today's door prize is a box of Chocolats Christina with a variety of beautiful chocolates inside. Yummmm...
Don't forget to enter today's giveaway!
Here are four ways to enter:
+1 comment below to say hello
+1 follow our blog and comment
+1 subscribe (with the little orange thingy
or by email) and comment+1 post the URL to your own blog's Super Family Fun Day in another comment
(BTW, all comments here are "do follow")
Only comments from today's date are eligible for this prize. Be sure to include a way for us to let you know if you're the winner. You don't need a blog to enter, but you'll need to have a mailing address in the US or Canada. If you have already won a prize during this party, you may continue to participate but you will not be eligible for other prizes from this week's party. Thanks for understanding.
+ + + + +
Today's badge:
Collect all seven badges and you will be entered to win a special prize!
This is separate from today's door prize.
*For rules and complete details, click here.
This is separate from today's door prize.
*For rules and complete details, click here.
+ + + + +
That's it!
Be sure to come back tomorrow for more blog party fun!
PS to Kevin in Massachusetts: Happy Birthday!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Kyle's Birthday Present
This past weekend we went to a birthday party for our nephew Kyle. He and Rachel are only about a year and a half apart in age and they're very good friends.
For his gift, we got him a Tie Dye kit and all kinds of (white) things that he can tie dye.
We can never do anything normal. Instead of packing it all together in one box, we wrapped each thing separately, with instructions to open each thing in numerical order. We figured he should open the tie dye kit last, after opening all the white things to be dyed.
Getting ready to wrap #4, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
For his gift, we got him a Tie Dye kit and all kinds of (white) things that he can tie dye.
We can never do anything normal. Instead of packing it all together in one box, we wrapped each thing separately, with instructions to open each thing in numerical order. We figured he should open the tie dye kit last, after opening all the white things to be dyed.
Getting ready to wrap #4, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
In this picture, Rachel and I are getting ready to wrap #4.
Here mom, cut this for me, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
"Here mom, cut this for me."
Rachel's job was to draw numbers, Pam wrapped the gifts and cut out the numbers. (Rachel failed scissors class. No really, she's a lefty and cutting out shapes is a pain in the butt for her.) The package was given back to her to glue the number on it.
Rachel's job was to draw numbers, Pam wrapped the gifts and cut out the numbers. (Rachel failed scissors class. No really, she's a lefty and cutting out shapes is a pain in the butt for her.) The package was given back to her to glue the number on it.
#4 is bandanas. Rachel added goofy drawings to each number, too., originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
For my entertainment (I think?) Rachel added goofy drawings to each number, too.
(You should see her science notebook in school. Her teacher showed us during Parent-Teacher conferences and it was a HOOT!)
(You should see her science notebook in school. Her teacher showed us during Parent-Teacher conferences and it was a HOOT!)
Everything is boxed and wrapped and ready for the next step., originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
Everything is boxed and wrapped and ready for the next step.
These are very cool looking as-is. (The black and white paper is from Ikea, of course.)
These are very cool looking as-is. (The black and white paper is from Ikea, of course.)
All the numbered gifts were placed in another white pillowcase, with #7 on the bottom, #1 on top, and all other boxes in between. Spaces were filled in with packing peanuts because it's not only fun to unwrap a lot of presents, but it's fun to make a mess!
We packed everything in a pillowcase... with packing peanuts, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.
(Yes, Rachel and I immediately cleaned up the mess after he opened it.)
You know how boys are, they don't verbalize liking stuff, especially when asked by the weird Aunt, but we both got the feeling he really liked this gift. If we see him wearing a tie dye shirt this summer, we'll know we picked a winner...
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