Balloons over Bend

My Mor (Lisa) has always wanted to go to watch the hot air balloons take off during the Balloons over Bend festival, but since that means we had to get up at 5 am to get ready and then drive to Bend, to get there by 6 am to watch, she said she didn't think she'd ever go... she is like me (NOT early morning people!).

But, since Mommy (Steph) was home for the weekend, we decided to give it a shot! I thought it was SUPER COOL! I was very tired... but, once we got there and I saw what was happening, I LOVED it!

We even went back that night for the "night glow" event where the balloons are filled with hot air, and then they blow "yellow" flames to make the balloons glow! My Mor took some pictures with her cell phone, but she needs to find her USB cable to download the pictures onto the computer... but, she will post those photos when she can!

4th of July 2011

Although it was our intention to be IN the 4th of July Pet Parade in Bend this year with Phoenix and all 3 dogs, it didn't work out. Mommy (Steph) wasn't feeling well, so we were only able to get to Bend to watch the last half of the parade. But, it was the best part... we saw the cows, horses, and best of all the "flying chihuahua"! He is being held aloft with a large bunch of balloons and held by 2 tether leashes, so he doesn't fly away! He even has doggles (dog sunglasses / goggles) on! And a small dog with a bee outfit with motorized wings!

Even though we won't be living in Central Oregon, we have discussed coming back next year, just so that Phoenix can be in the parade with his beloved "Cho, Bo, and Ka" (Nacho, Sable, and Lucky). 

After the parade, we came home and visited Malachai in his inflatable pool in his front yard (photo at the top).
 
Phoenix missed his nap, so he went to bed early... but, before he went to bed we lit a couple of sparklers and some dinosaur fireworks we found that emitted "showers". He was not too sure about it all. He fell asleep before the big fireworks went off at the county fairgrounds.

DD Ranch again!

We (Phoenix and Lisa) go to the DD Ranch in Terrebonne at least once a week, sometimes twice, to help break up the monotony of being home alone, with no "Mommy" (Steph)!

Here we are again at the ranch. Our visits are shorter now that it is getting so hot out (30 minutes to an hour, instead of an hour or two)! 

They've been moving the animals around, so we got to get "close and personal" to the baby cow (calf) and the goats and sheep... with no fence. And, we got to pet the baby pigs who were moved from their corral to the big pig pen area. 

Playing in the Sprinklers

Our next door neighbors have a son who is just 6 months older than Phoenix. His name is Malachai. Here is Phoenix and Steph and Malachai playing in their sprinkler. I (Lisa) was taking most of these photos from a space in our fence, so that they didn't see me... more "natural" playing, instead of hamming it up for the camera! That is, until he saw me at the fence!

Phoenix has several pairs of swim trunks, but I think these might be his favorite, as they have dinosaurs on them!

He's not much for wearing his sunglasses, but we've noticed that he's figured out they're kind of nice when it's really bright out! Steph was a good sport, since she doesn't like getting wet with cold water (even when it's hot out)... but, Phoenix LOVES water (even cold)!