Benjamin at Crown Point

Last Saturday was a beautiful Fall day. My sister, Sarah, was here visiting from Sacramento, and we decided that we needed to take advantage of such a day. Matt was able to come along too! We drove over to Troutdale, and hooked up with my parents and my brother, Nate, and we all drove out the Historic Columbia Highway to Crown Point, overlooking the beautiful gorge. It was Benjamin's first time to Crown Point -- a place that I have been to many, many times in my life. I remember going there when I was a kid. We used to call it the Windy House, because it is usually very windy there -- sitting out in the middle of the gorge. I remember running around, going to the little gift shop, seeing the view from the top, and of course the thrill of almost being knocked over by the wind. The Vista House just recently re-opened after undergoing some renevations and restorations. I hope that when Ben is older he also will have fond memories of visiting the Windy House.

Farmer Ben

Benjamin picked just the right pumpkin for our fall decorations. Who knows -- maybe he will help to carve it . . hmmmm. . . maybe not yet.

Family

I love having family over. I want Benjamin to grow up knowing his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and (hopefully some day) his cousins. I grew up in Portland with six aunts, six uncles and 15 cousins. I wouldn't have had it any other way (except maybe to have my aunt, uncle and two cousins that lived in California move up, so that I could have spent more time with them). We all got together for birthdays, holidays, and sometimes for no occasion. Of course now that we're grown, a lot of cousins (and even siblings) have moved away. I guess that's what makes holidays even more special now -- because we don't get to see those family members all year round anymore.
We have been fortunate to be able to see a little bit more of our families, now that there is a baby to draw them. I look forward to watching the next generation of kids grow up in our family (now we're just waiting for Benjamin's cousins).
:-)
Here's a picture of Ben with his grandpa Hadley