September
It was a windy day so we took the Dan out for a sail. So much fun when the boat hops over the waves!
Lovely sunset out on the river
Took Julian and some friends for a last hurrah before school started. Julian isn't a big fan of large group gatherings but I keep forcing them on him so he has a nice group to fall back on if he ever decides to have friends:)
How many teenagers can fit on one paddle board? Took the twins and some friends out on the boat for some fun before school started back up.
Not really sure what's going on here...but they are having fun!
The very last "first day of school" photo for these boys. First day as Seniors in High School. I am so happy school is back in person this year...even if they have to wear masks all day!
First day of 7th grade! No more Elementary School for the Durtschi family. Julian was super excited to be back at school in person!!
Peter is always there for those of us that need a little extra love:)
Getting as much sailing in before we take the boat out of the water for the season.
Got my hair cut...something I do about every 3 years or so:)
Terrible photo but I went to a Randy Rainbow concert with a friend. So much fun. I truly believe Randy Rainbow is the only way I survived 4 years of Donald Trump as president 😆
Hyrum and Jason took the Dan to Government Island for an overnighter
Chilly morning on the river
Hyrum and I bought season tickets to the "Broadway in Portland" shows. It was so fantastic to be back in the theater for a show. The whole audience seemed so glad to be back together. What a fantastic show too! I performed in this show in High School so I basically sung along to all the songs...super fun:)
October
Since kids are back in school a group of ladies decided to get together for a hike. We started with the 4 T's Trail. We were doing great until we came to the "Tram" part of the trail only to find out it was closed due to Covid...so we had to hike all the way down to the waterfront from OHSU...adventure is out there!
On another day we hiked around Washington Park up to the Pittock Mansion. We had to laugh at this sign that says "An Amazing View" because you couldn't see anything at all!
Petey found a cozy spot on a cold morning
Spent a week in Las Vegas hanging out with Paige and the boys
Got some wiggles out a this fun indoor playground
Remy found a friend to play with
Paige was having some crazy contractions one night so we spent the night in the ER. Zach had to fly home early from his trip to North Dakota just in case baby decided to show up:)
Story time a the animal sanctuary
Bath time...with soapy paint to play with:)
Remy getting ready for a school Halloween party
Cecil is such a snuggle bug
Having fun at the Springs Nature Preserve
Happy Halloween from the Hundred Acre Wood. These guys win for the cutest family costume ever!!
A nice fall walk around Rood Bridge Park (with Jacob)
My October book club. We read "A Study in Scarlet" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Went to the pumpkin patch to pick out some pumpkins...it was the day before Halloween but it's better late than never!
We hired a photographer to take the twins Senior Photos and we decided to go ahead and take a family photo. This was our very first professional family photo in 15 years! I think it turned out pretty good!
The twins photos turned out great too:)
Guess who decided to come a week early? Alistair Magnus DeShetler! I got a phone call at 3:00 on November 4th asking if I could hop on a plane to get down to Vegas so I could help with the big boys while Zach and Paige were at the hospital. My flight left around 1:00 AM, I landed about 3:00 AM and little Alistair was born about 3:30 AM on November 5th. It was such a joy to be there to help with the boys so Zach and Paige could stay together at the hospital and focus all their love on this new little man.
The boys were my helpers while I attempted to make pancakes...they didn't turn out great but I get points for trying to cook:)
We decorated the house to welcome baby Alistair home
Holding a brand new baby is the best thing in the whole world
Mommy and Daddy and 4 BOYS!
It wall take a bit of time to learn the flow of how this new family dynamic works but everyone is happy to have a new addition to love.
It's always so hard to go when I have to fly home. I love these little guys so much!
Our Second Broadway in Portland show.
Annual trip to Great Wolf Lodge
I'm so glad Julian has Jacob for a friend
After Great Wolf Lodge the kids drove home with one car and I took another car up to visit my friend Kari. They had recently moved and I wanted to see their new house. It was so much fun hanging out with her family, even for just a few days.
They have a great little space to set up their family band...I don't play any instruments so I got to do back up vocals:)
Aaron and Kari make the BEST sushi!
Happy Birthday to this guy! Love you Hyrum:)
The twins and I were on a quick trip to Utah so Julian got to go with Daddy to the Portland Symphony
A beautiful sunset on the way home from Portland
A breakfast adventure at Camp 18 with Jacob
Thanksgiving at Mt. Hood. Jason joined us this year for a night. We love this family tradition of visiting Mt. Hood for the holiday.
We have to go to the Ratskeller for dinner at least once while on Mt. Hood
Everyone was super happy the outdoor pool and hot tub was once again open this year!
On a little walk around Government Camp. There wasn't any snow this year, which is always a bit sad, but we still had a great time together for the holiday.
