Sunriver 2014

Every year, we have a family reunion with my mom's side of the extended family. We do all sorts of amazing things. Last year we spent half the week sticking around the Seattle area and then finished off in Suncadia, a resort in Eastern Washington. One of the BEST vacations of my life to date was our reunion in 2012, which included Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. Another time we went on a Disney cruise to Alaska, which I never blogged about (and funny enough we went to the town that my husband is from. We were in the exact same place two months before we met!) 

One of our favorite traditions is renting a home in Sunriver, Oregon for a week. We've been going to this place off and on since I was 9 years old, and some of my favorite memories have happened at this place. We rarely get to snag the same home we've gotten in previous years, but this time we were able to rent the same place we stayed in the last time we were here, which was the summer after I graduated high school. THAT is weird to think about.

Let me preface this post by saying I HAD TO SPEND THIS WHOLE WEEK SEPARATED FROM RYAN. Unfortunately that amazingly smart and talented guy was finishing up his internship and coming upon the time where, if he had performed well over the three months, they would offer him a salary position. My husband didn't want to give them any reason to not extend him that offer, so he stayed home and worked.

IT STUNK.

But fantastic news regarding that later. [:

And besides, being without Ryan but getting to be with family is a trade I can live with. 

BUT only for a week. [: Seriously. It was the longest we've been apart ever!

Anyways.

On a lovely Monday in June I boarded a plane and hopped from SLC to Portland, 

then Portland to Bend. PS I flew standby thanks to the Grays, which was so wonderfully cheap,

but HOLYCOWstressful. I luckily made every flight I wanted, sometimes just by a single seat. 

Miracles happen, people.

 When I caught sight of these bad boys I couldn't help but smile. 

I was back in the Pacific Northwest and it felt oh so good.

Then it was on to the adventures with these people! (Not all pictured.)

We went on lots of bike rides in the woods, played night games at the park and went to an Austin Healey car show,

 did lots of kayaking on the beautiful Deschutes River,

(This is Margaret the duck, who followed us for at least an hour.)

The first home we ever rented at Sunriver! Bittersweet to pass by it on the river.

 Family flotilla!

 Biked to the beautiful Benham Falls (I'm proud of that biking selfie),

 Did Iron Chef, Conger style,

 Minigolfed like pros,

Love this family of mine! But missing Ryan ): Also, it was so weird knowing that this was Merritt's last reunion for 2 years. His reporting date was July 2nd, the following week.

 Got excited about massive pondos spotted while biking some more,

 And more Deschutes River lovin. Not pictured: waterparks; game nights; Reverse Charades; discussing late into the night the differences between sauces, condiments, dressings, and spreads; and water fights. All in all a wonderful week with amazing people in a beautiful place.

 Then it was home for our last weekend with Merr before he left for the MTC. 

At Merritt's open house following his incredible farewell talk. My sisters are so beautiful!

 Panda's shoe obsession rages on... And I couldn't get over waking up to these towering over me. Ahh! [:

 Long runs and icing in the river (50 degrees. Hurts so good!) after. So many memories here!

So lucky to have this in our backyard.

 Walks with Gryff and fresh raspberries! The definition of summer.

 More playtime with this happy boy.

 Family run! Yes, every one of us. Krops are weird like that. But also really awesome.

I love my family. I also missed Ryan so much that I literally couldn't sit still for most of my flight to Salt Lake. It was SO AWESOME to be back home with him. But as much as I love Provo and BYU, my heart will always be here in perfect Seattle. Life is good.