Black Butte Ranch, Thomas-style

Back to my childhood mecca - Black Butte Ranch. Mike and I drove the kiddos over to central Oregon for a weekend of sun, fun and family! Black Butte is positively gorgeous....see?

The boys hit the driving range shortly after we arrived... 

Matthew and Noah are one month apart, best buddies and golfing partners...

It was really cold and windy (what happened to HOT central Oregon?)

Matthew had a solution for his top quarter, but is getting too tall for his own good - his belly was cold!

Matthew, Noah and Andrew enjoying the driving range.

Serious golfing.

Andrew caught on pretty well! He's hoping for some golf lessons in the future.

Matthew could use a little assistance on his form.

Mike is always a great teacher.

My handsome athelete, using his shoulder one last time.

Andrew digging up tees while Matthew chills.

Mike, Papa Robin and Glenn retrieve some nearby balls.

Matthew gives up, takes a siesta while the big boys finish up.

My cutie patootie on the putting green.

I love central Oregon.

Stopped at a playground near the lodge for some fun before lunch.

Sunset

The determined one.

No idea what this was all about.

This is what fresh air looks like.

Again - no clue what the horses are all about, but the boys enjoyed roping them!

Ponderosa pinecones.

Time to go in for the night.

Not without some wrestle time first!

Black Butte Ranch

Unfortunately, our trip was cut short. After a wonderful birthday celebration for Andrew - pizza, cake AND pie, we cozied up and hit the hay. Andrew was a little stuffy at bedtime, but I didn't think twice....until he started wheezing and waking up every 10 minutes. After over a dozen wakeups before 2 am, Mike and I decided to scoop the kiddos up and get them home. We were anticipating much more illness in our future, and wanted to be home if it happened. Plus, Mike needed to rest well before his surgery just days later! NanaDee and Papa got up (yes, at 2 in the morning!) and helped us load up. We drove the kiddos home - they slept the whole way - and wonderul Auntie Mel and Maisha took over in the morning once the boys woke up so Mike and I could sleep in. Turns out Andrew was just croupy, most likely due to the very dry air in central Oregon - but it was good that we played it safe. Looking forward to the next family trip that we can fully participate in! Thank you all for a wonderful time, for Andrew's very special celebration and for understanding our early departure. I'm telling you...we are SO blessed!