A GREAT TWO DAYS IN PORTLAND

On Wednesday Ron and I drove to Portland to see the kids. We stayed at Ron and Amy's. Amy had a knitting class the first night. She had left us delicious chicken soup and we visited and took a walk.

On Thursday Ron and I bought a new car, a Lexus SUV. It is my dream car. It is breakwater blue with a ivory interior. We then had lunch with Rick and May at La Bonita's. In the evening Amy and I went to the movies to see LE VIE EN ROSE, the story of Edith Piaf's life. We had a little tapas after then went home to bed.

Then this morning Rick, May, Ronnie, Amy, Ron and I all headed to Ashland to enjoy the weekend. Before we left I took pictures of Amy's gorgeous garden.

More to follow.

SCOTT, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU

Last Sunday Lisa left for Italy in the early am. Patty was due to take the train back to San Luis Obispo from Klamath Falls. On the way to the train station we stopped by to see our friends, Sue and Dick, who were staying at Fish Lake for the month of August.

We may have found Scott's dream place. The lake is beautiful and full of fish. Dick was kind enough to show his catch to us. Between Fish Lake and Klamath Falls we stopped by the Running Y. We stood on the huge deck overlooking the golf course. It was absolutely gorgeous.

All I can say is " I wish you had been with us, Scott" We talked about you the whole time.

LISA LEAVES ONCE AGAIN FOR ROME

At 5:30 this morning we left Lisa at the airport for her flights back to Rome. What can I say? My sadness at her departure is just barely taken care of by my joy at all the opportunities she has to enrich her life.

It was however heavenly having her here. She was sweet enough to spend so much time with Ron and me. We walked often, shared meals and movies. Just being together and visiting was the best. Then these last two weeks she was able to see her extended family at the family reunion and have some real quality time with Aunt Patty, Melissa, Matt, Angela and Mason too.

I missed getting the snapshot of her as I last saw with her braids, backpack, and computer checking herself through security. It is etched forever in my memory... that sweet smile. I guess no matter how old our children get we always ache to be close to them and having them half way around the world is painful. (Enjoy yourself, my Lee Lee)

MATT AND MELISSA'S LAST COUPLE OF DAYS IN ASHLAND

Matt and Melissa left last night. We enjoyed their visit so much. Aside from all the great work Matt did for us, we just had so much fun having them here.

Friday night as an anniversary gift Ron, Patty and I gave Matt and Melissa tickets to "Smokey Joe's Cafe". They got all decked out and went off for a nice evening. They said they really liked the show.

Saturday morning Angela helped me stir up some eggs for breakfast. The face painting picture was too cute not to post. Uncle Ron enjoyed his dances with Angela who really got into dancing after we took her to the Shakespearean Green show of ballet. Don't they bow cutely? It's difficult to get pictures of Mason because he is always on the run. We did catch him with his little pitchfork during a diaper change.

Then after dinner last at Gepettoe's the precious little McComb left to for the long drive home. The house began to empty out. How sad!

ANOTHER HALF DAY FOR MATT

So today we once again convinced Matt to take time off to go see the Rogue River. It is such fun to watch Matt with Angela and Mason. He took a walk along the river with Mason. Before bed at night he reads both children a book. I slipped in to take their picture. He is such a great father.

Then this evening Natalie stopped by and Matt and Melissa decided to go out for sushi with Nat and Lisa. (Kind of like a little date).

A SUNDAY BREAK

We finally convinced Matt to take a little time off. On Sunday afternoon we drove to Jacksonville. We had lunch at La Fiesta Mexican restaurant. Yummy!

The kids fell asleep in the car and looked so cute.

I am adding a picture of our finished floor and new appliances. Wow! I appreciate Matt's work so very much. Isn't it great?

BACK IN ASHLAND FRIDAY

Today after our visit to the Inner Child Cafe we to the Waterpark. Angela and Mason love all the water play. Our weather has been lovely and perfect for outdoor play.

While we all play Matt continues to work, this time installing a sliding glass door in our bedroom to our back deck. The kitchen floor is partially done. Ron even got in on the job by painting the outside of the house.

BACK IN ASHLAND The Inner Child Cafe

We made an amazing discovery here in Ashland. It is called The Inner Child Cafe. What a great place! It is set up as the ideal place for kids to play. There are such fun playthings. There is half of a old car, a play house, a huge wooden ship and a castle.

Mason and Angela had such a nice time playing there. While the children play there is coffee, tea and delicious food to eat. The moms can sit around on couches or at tables visiting. There are different activities for each day of the week. They bring people in to teach Spanish, do face painting, give the children various classes . Sometimes there is even a woman there giving massages. They're even starting a group called "Wild and Wise Grandmothers". Patty and I intend to check that one out tomorrow. It is so cool that Melissa is thinking of trying to open such a place in the San Luis area. We think this could be a hit anywhere.

BACK IN ASHLAND WITH THE MCCOMBS

We are so blessed to have Matt, the family contractor, available to do some of our remodeling. Melissa and the kids are staying here with him, more blessings for us. I even talked Patty into staying with us also after the family reunion. How great is that?

We went to Lithia Park and Angela and Mason played on all the equipment. My favorite part was when Mason pushed Angela on the merry-go-round. He is quite strong with all those little muscles. Matt kept to the house working hard on our new kitchen floors. It is easy to see where Mason gets his strength.

Angela makes the perfect princess. Patty, Melissa, and I enjoy mojitos on the deck. We ended that day with dinner at Senior Sams. See how Mason is enjoying his meal out.

MORE PICTURES FROM OUR GREAT WEEKEND

Just couldn't resist sticking in some varied pictures that needed to be seen. We did have a little gnat problem our last evening.