Playing in the Cascades

Hello all,

Life has sure been busy in the bone - but we have found some time to steal away and play in some other parts of the Cascades. Summer in Oregon is like nothing else - and should be enjoyed to the FULLEST!

Murphy and I met some friends at Lake Billy Chinook for a day of wake boarding. Murph didn't wake board - but did go swimming... Great times!
We then headed up to Mt Hood and went for a sweet hike with Sara and our dog friends Rita and Nemo. The views were beautiful and we hiked among wildflowers and snow. Amazing.

Beautiful Mount Hood

Joe came with Murphy and I the next week - and we ventured back up to Mt Hood to visit friends and explore. We took a sunset drive up some back roads in our friend Rob's jeep.

Katie and Sara watching the sun set on the mountain

Joe, Connor and I just got back from a few days in Central Oregon - visiting some of our favorite places and catching up with friends. We spent a night canoeing and camping on Sparks Lake and spent a night visiting in Bend with folks. It was a great trip - and very refreshing.



Life is good - the sun is shining, the days still long. Hope to see you all very soon.

Much love,
Katie and Joe

Jawbone July

Hello all,

Summer has found us here - and it has been awesome. The sun is high in the sky, the days long, the swimming fantastic, and the forest abloom in summer color.

We returned from the east coast in enough time to celebrate the 4th and all our freedoms here in Jawbone. We picked Connor (our nephew) up from the airport on the 3rd and gathered all the supplies for our BBQ and 4th of July festivities. Here's a few pics of the 4th, including preparing for our patriotic parade that even Murphy and Minute got dressed up for.


We have been busy with lots of projects around Jawbone, and hosting a 10 Day Wilderness First Responder class. Adam and Joe have been working on leveling a cabin across the street - with the help of many other Jawbonese. This week Connor helped Joe and Adam build a porch for Cabin 8.
And a couple shots of Joe - one during our fire drill this week testing hoses and equipment, and one with the saw collecting firewood for this winter.

Hope you are all doing well, enjoying the summer sun and eating lots of fresh summer fruits and veggies.

Much love,
Katie and Joe

Trip to NY

Hello all,

We have just returned from a fabulous trip to the east coast. We visited lots of family, saw Joe's cousin Tom get married and our nephew Connor graduate from high school! We watched the fireflies, ate salt potatoes, and relaxed by my parent's pool. We visited the St Lawrence river staying on Basswood Island - Joe spent many summers here as a kid, and it is always great to head back and visit again. Lots and lots of Murphys!

Here are a few shots of our trip - crazy families, crazy times, lots and lots of laughs. We love you all and it was SO good to see everyone! We are getting ready for our summer season to begin - and Connor Ryan arrives tomorrow for 5 weeks. There are lots of other Ryans on the visiting docket for 2008 and we look forward to seeing you all.



It is great to be home in Oregon - and our little Murphy was VERY excited to see us!

Much love to you all! Hope to see you soon.

Love, Katie and Joe