The local Ice Cream "man/person" is alive and well

As grandparents we felt we MUST indulge our grandkids with the wares of the local ice cream vendor. Now Soonita selected Sponge Bob--but Priveen wanted a multi-flavored snow cone (he loves crushed ice)!! Too cute don't you think???

Outside our window-neighbor Patty's beautiful flowers!

Summer in Oregon affords us with the opportunity to be in one of the most perfect of climates, an array of many shades of greens that dot the landscapes and the most incredible displays of blooming flowers. We are fortunate to be able to park in our son's driveway which allows us to be privy to the fruits of his neighbor Patty's much appreciated green thumb. Each morning as we gaze out our RV windows we are gifted with such pleasant sights of her hard work.

Summer with the Grandkids--each day a wonder

Every year as winter gives way to spring we return to our origins, our family, our friends and familiar places. Of course grandkids top the priority list, and this year has been a special treat as the youngest enjoy the pleasure of playgrounds, amusement parks, museums and zoos. Our joy is spending time with them as they give us the opportunity to think we are young once again and allow us to definitely be filled with the pleasures of being grandparents!

Some Birthdays come in 3's

July is the month of birthdays for the Gruelles. Dianne on the 20th, youngest daughter Melissa on the 21st and oldest son, Frankie Jr, the 22nd. So it has been tradition for many years now that we all celebrated it together. Each year one of us picks the place and the rest of the family joins us in festivities.

So this year it was the Montage,which is a one of a kind place where, when you step in the door, you're not quite sure where you are. We do know it is located in the heart of the central eastside industrial district of Portland & is said to be one of Portland's quirkiest restaurants. We all dined on communal linen-covered tables, and did enjoy a wide variety of meals, oyster shooters, hush puppies, frog leg linguine, alligator bites, & rock shrimp jambalaya!

Upon leaving the Boomerang at Lake Chelan, we thought we'd like to visit one of our Thousand Trails membership parks just outside of Leavenworth, WA since we had not been there before. The park is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains, and located within 20 miles of the nearby village of Leavenworth, with its Bavarian architecture, unique German restaurants, specialty shops and art galleries. We had not visited the town of Leavenworth since our youngest kids were in high school, we were ready for a revisit.
Happily to our surprise, Dan & Jenny Sheppard were head there as well. So we traveled together and were able to spend several days together in the park as well as Dianne's 60th birthday in Leavenworh.
Now there was a certain squirrel who seem to think that he/she should also share in our food & games, and did invite him/herself whenever we where outside. Tame like I have never seen.

Leavenworth is a truly unique city that reinvented itself4 decades ago. The odds of a dying timber and rail town successfully converting itself into a tourist mecca, much less an alpine Bavarian village were pretty slim. Nonetheless, the townspeople of Leavenworth found a way to do it. During the early 1960’s Leavenworth found itself declining in employment, population and interest. In a last-chance effort to turn a struggling town around, the leaders of the community decided to change Leavenworth’s appearance, hoping to bring tourism into the area. Using the beautiful backdrop of the surrounding Alpine hills to their advantage, the town agreed to remodel their hamlet in the form of a Bavarian village. Hoping to create more than a mere facelift, the entire community rallied to create the illusion of Bavaria in the middle of Washington state. The story of Leavenworth is a testament to the determination of the human spirit. And today it thrives and is visited by thousands.

Boomerang happening--Lake Chelan, WA

Although, we have lived in the Northwest for most of our adult lives, we had never spent time in the Lake Chelan area. So when Diane Baker & Jim Fisher proposed a "Boomerang" in the area--we were all over it.

Jim & Diane also live the life of full-timers, but a few years ago they purchased a wonderful home on a lot in Manson, WA, which is just a few miles outside Lake Chelan, so they could take advantage of the spectacular summers.
They planned and organized a "Boomerang" and christen it with a fantastic Mardi Gras theme. There were special hats to be worn, parades throwing beads, home cooked Louisiana style foods, happy hours on their deck overlooking the lake, pool parties, winery tours, walks, dinners out, shopping, farmer markets, special pies from Blueberry Hill Diner and way too much laughter.

We had so much fun--this was one of the best Boomerangs we have attend. Kudos to Jim & Diane!!

Independance Day in Tigard Or

Last year we were in Gillette, WY to celebrated the 4th of July--this year we are in Oregon with family.
Small town America fireworks displays can be the best. Picnics, games and an amazing display of fireworks illuminated the evening skies and we were there.