September: Redwood Forrest Visit

Day #3 Found us taking a trip to the Redwood Forrest. This was a first time visit to the forrest for Darren and Brett and they were completely amazed by the size of these trees!



We love this place called Stout Grove. It has a great one mile loop that the kids can tolerate and there are plenty of trees for them to explore, climb, and get photographed.




This is definitely my favorite 4 some!

September: Honey Making with the Martins

Night #2 found us harvesting honey from Brian's beehives. We thought our guests might be curious how you take comb and convert it to honey.


Lizzy showed them what a frame of honey looks like.


Andrew showed them that frames could have different colors based on what the bees were collecting.


Brian showed them how to remove the wax caps to release the honey.


Ethan showed them the best techniques of sampling honey.














Then we put the honey frames in the drum and each took turns spinning the drum!





And out popped honey!

September: The Boys and the Big Fish

Day #2 found the men fishing on the famous Rogue River. At 6am they were off to fish, by 3pm we still had not heard if they were successful. Then, we received word they had caught some fish and that the men were happy. Darren was the first to land a big fish. A 25 pound salmon. They had a great day and came home with a ridiculous amount of fish. While the men slaved away on the river, we girls went to lunch and for pedicures...such delight!

September: Valdez & Peterson Visit at LOTW

My sisters Chelsea and Dyana came to Medford for a little retreat from life. We had a wonderful time. We started out by meeting them at Lake of the Woods (LOTW) for some attempted wake boarding, knee boarding, tubing, and island hopping.


We also witnessed the US Forrest Service cutting down trees that were dead to prevent them from falling on houses. Pretty amazing!




The kids did tricks at the dock.





Even Mish came on the boat rides.


Here are the kids with their favorite Nanny in the world! We miss our Chelsea!



Chelsea and Darren


Brett, Dyana, and Bracken




We had a wonderful day complete with sunburns, hotdogs, and tired arms from the boat!

August: Toodie Bee Visit

Toodie's son Kris was married in August. We were unable to make it to the wedding because of Brian's schedule. She was driving out of Monterrey and took a detour north to Medford for an unplanned but loved visit.



While with us Brian took her to the hives to check out the bees. I loved the fact that on the top she was in a full bee suit and on the bottom she was in sandals!


Andrew joined Toodie to check out the bees and they both loved it!


Brian showed them the different colors of pollen, honey frames, and baby bees. It was very educational for Toodie.


I am sure she was saying to herself, "Is this for real? Am I really in a bee suit?"

August: "Lunch & Swim Dates"

How could you not love a summer where you get to go to your friend's pool and go swimming, then follow that swim with a scoop of gourmet ice cream!


Yeah, we are pretty lucky. Thank goodness patients pay our friends with monthly gourmet ice cream supplies sometimes instead of cash!


This is the kids getting their exercise "walking" on the water.


This is me enjoying a lunch from my friend Debbie while the kids swim.


Toodie even happened to be in town for this visit and got to sample the good food.


There are two of my favorite people, Sharon and Debbie.


Debbie I will sit down to a meal with you anytime!