Just another blessing Sunday .

Since Adele got upgraded with a new bike at her 4th birthday , biking had become a daily routine after our dinner .  Im glad to see that she is growing up each day and getting just like her dad , an outdoor lover .

Today , instead of biking to the playground as usual , Adele was the only one who pedaled  , and 2 of us walking her down to a small lake that is about half of a mile from our house .

we couldn't even believe this is fall ...Oh how I love this kind of weather ,  sunny  in the  daytime  and it gets chilly in the evening and its such a perfect day for walking

Its a very small , slow and quiet town that we're happy we landed  here ,and that we thank God every day for a simple , peaceful life ...

... today , Adele learnt  her big lesson : biking down the hill . It was enough for my daughter to say she was a little nervous

There was no one but us ,,,,we felt this is all ours :)

Here we comes to the  lake ...
Huhmmm.. i was really disappointed to review the pictures i took . I wonder how come they didn't turn out as good as i expected . Maybe ...a big drop few days ago caused this  ? Looks like i really need to get a new camera soon  :-P hehehe

 After 15 minutes of a quick break here , it was time to walk back home ...

Honestly , I started feeling tired at this moment , but wow ...look at the little one, she was still energetic ...such a tough cookie !

We touched the front door at  8:30pm . Did we really spend  an hour and half  !!! Time is sure gone fast with lots of fun talking and laughing along the way that i hardly spend 30 minutes of running on my elliptical at home
Such a  great way to exercise and have a good bond with my loved ones  . Now I hope this weather to stay  with us forever :)

Labor Day 2012

Isn't it nice to have a long weekend to celebrate before fall comes . No more yard work or shopping this year , we headed to visit The McKenzie River and to enjoy the nature .   The weather treated us nice , warm during the day and a bit cold at night . Overall , everything was great !

Day 1 : 10am: ready -set -go 

On the way to Belknap , it was a beautiful drive  ......

After a quick lunch, Adele felt asleep ....

3 1/2 hours gone by quick with lots of fun conversations ...and here comes the place

Belknap Hot Springs is a beautiful place . One of many other things i liked about this place is being soaked in the natural mineral hot springs . Ohhhh how i missed this place  ....Thanks Connie for a great recommendation .

a corner of the garden

Front entrance

Right after the check-in , Tim and Adele were  ready to explore ....

Our camp spot in the evening  :)

The hot springs emerge from a small cave . You can even boil eggs in here . They are piped into  swimming pools and the temperature gets a bit cooler 

viewing the McKenzie River from the footbridge

This way leads to the garden and the campground ..

Day 2 : Sister's family and their friends came join the fun

Yep , loading all the stuff down by using the wheelbarrow ...

It was quite a pain but fun LOL

Kids even felt much better after soaking in the hot springs. They loved it ...

I always love to watch them having fun and  getting along

Property viewing from the upper pool

In the afternoon , we decided to experience the rafting adventure - an exciting 14 mile class III whitewater trip . I had to admit i got scared at first but as soon as we paddled a few feet along , i felt it wasn't too bad and started enjoying it ..... Its scenery is lush and green.  We see the forest towering over us and in its trees, eagles, ospreys and  hawks.

All along the way, we frequently see occupied osprey nests, mom and dad osprey fishing, old bridge abutments of huge moss-covered logs, distinctive covered bridges ....Always, there's the feeling that one is on a great adventure.
( Pictures coming as soon as i received them in the mail)

The hot springs are a fantastic place to soak away anxiety and stress that you may have brought with you from the city.  This is such a great place to relax and help us feel much better after a long day of rafting . Couldn't think of a better way to end a productive day :)

Day 3 : GoodBye Belknap .  Next stops :  Sahalee & Koosah Falls , Clear lake and Detroit Lake

Surprisingly nice weather

Adele and Jayden getting hurry to snack while parents loading up

Located on highway 126 . The fall looks dazzling

Quick picnic lunch on the go ....

Happy kids again  right after their stomach filled up ...

The McKenzie River is beautiful!  Its water , is so clear and cold

 It stretches from it's headwaters at Clear Lake and flows down to Eugene where it merges with the Willamette River on its way to the mighty Columbia River and out to sea

Now lets come to Detroit Late . Its located beautifully in the Cascade mountains , a perfect spot for all types of water sports like fishing , boating , swimming , water skiing ... We already know where to camp at next year ;-)

Great cousin love :)

Adele : Comon' Jayden , those 2 little ducklings are waiting for us  ....hehee....

Jayden : I want no duckies
Adele : how about these splashes ? lol

uhm...im all wet ..i need a change 

Hey Jayden , Im nice and clean now . You need a change too . 

Jayden : Uh oh come play with me 

      Adele : NOooo , dont get my dress wet 

That was it ! Hope everyone had a safe and great long weekend .