Labor Day

For Labor Day we were invited by a couple in our ward to hike to some beautiful waterfalls in the Gorge. The Gorge refers to the area east of Portland where the Columbia river flows and I-84 drives into the city. It's a gorgeous area with waterfalls, hikes and great views. Our last hike to Multnomah Falls was in the Gorge.

The falls we went to this time was Punchbowl Falls. There were three couples total with five kids between us. It was the perfect sized group and we had a great time chatting together on the two mile hike up.

Ben carried Nayeli in the Kelty

She braved the cold water and loved it

Upper punchbowl falls. Ben decided he wanted to swim to the falls...

so of course the two other men weren't going to be left behind. We women opted to stay with the kids. That water was COLD!

Nayeli's obsession: dogs. She recently learned to say "dog-gie".

The falls are beautiful but carry a hefty fine if you jump around them- $300. Apparently there have been some deaths of people jumping from the 60-80 foot cliffs above these falls.

However the lower falls are free game. 

I don't think I have to mention that Ben was the instigator for this jump.

And he did the 20 foot ropeswing. I love having Ben as my husband. He keeps me young... and on my toes :)

As we hiked back down Ben told me, "That was my favorite place we've been to so far!" He loves adventures. I love that about him. 

Thanks to the Gough and Clark families for a great Labor Day hike!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving this year was short-lived but sweet. Short-lived because Ben had to work 10 hours on Wednesday and Friday, but sweet because of the family we got to be with. We ate with my family on Wednesday night then spent Thursday with the Petersen's. 

If you've never seen the way my mom decorates for Thanksgiving, it should go on your bucket list. It's always phenomenal. Behold:

The kids table

The dessert table

The appetizer table

The drink table

The adult table

Each place setting had its own turkey name-tag, charger and fabric napkin

The older kids table- she decorated all the way up to the chandelier

My wonderful parents with Nayeli. Isn't she just the cutest?

Thursday was also wonderful. We left early to drive to Ben's mom's house, spent the day eating, playing ping-pong and Settlers of Catan, then drove to Ogden to be with his Dad and grandparent's. It was an exhausting and wonderful day. The holidays always are, but they're always worth it.