For those of you that are having a hard time believing that we really ARE taking a vacation, here's some visual proof. Mike has already committed to taking a week-and-a-half off from work (!) and is planning on actually taking TWO FULL WEEKS off. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll actually do it!
Lots of new things happening this week. Here's a recap of a few of them.
A tired Violet, hugging her Kora Dog and Orange Kitty on the way through Oregon.
Violet contemplates a dip into the Columbia River.
Getting ready.
Let's go!
On our way to Howard Amon Park.
Violet got to meet Del and Judy Brown (our old neighbors in Kennewick) this evening. Although we sadly did not get any pictures of them, we did get this picture of Violet meeting Brownie, the llama that Del rescued when we lived there.
The rainbow we were greeted with on our way to dinner with Del and Judy tonight. The picture really doesn't do it justice.
We are having a splendid time visiting old friends and relaxing (a bit) in the Tri-Cities. The statement "You have to leave something to appreciate it more" (or something like that...) has come to both of our minds in the past few days. We really like it here, and if the right opportunities present themselves some day, we would certainly consider coming back. But for now, we are simply enjoying our time visiting!
13 comments:
Well something has clearly changed with me, because as well as delighting in seeing you all and Vi, I am mysteriously drawn to notice your choice of baby paraphernalia!
I see you have a Bob. Do you love it? We are planning to get a Revolution. Any tips you have would greatly appreciated!
Glad you are getting away and enjoying your surroundings. Looks like the weather is cooperating.
:)
We have the same Bob... we LOVE it! You can go ANYWHERE. It requires a lot of storage space and is awkward to carry around "folded", but it is not too heavy and it is well worth those inconveniences. Steering is amazingly easy, it has great suspension for bumpy rides, and there are lots of great accessories available (we are fond of the handle-bar cup-holder and kiddo tray. The car-seat adaptor bar didn't work for us though). We put a zip-up "Bundle-Me" in it and Ben is happy and cozy riding around.
We miss you and love seeing your pictures.
Looking forward to seeing you again. The dogs are doing great, Trooper is following Bruce about everywhere around the farm yard and the house.
[Mike responding]
We love our Bob Revolution. Very good as a jogging stroller as well as an all-day adventure stroller. Violet has always been small (still is) and so didn't really fit into it until she was about 14 lbs or so. I spent a lot of time shopping for a good jogger and Bob was the top of the list. Besides, we got it pretty cheap thanks to our REI dividend and the 20% coupon we had. The bottom storage is nice. Get the little drink-holder-zipper-pocket thing, it's worth it. I agree that it takes some real estate to store it in the house (ours lives in the garage). Not heavy at all. I think it folds up much smaller than other jogger-type strollers. We just fold it up and stick it in the trunk of the Jetta with zero hassle. If you take the wheels off it packs down super small and can fit it in our Yakima roof box. Get it! Get it!
[Mike again]
We also suggest getting a $15 umbrella stroller too. They are designed to be disposable and make airports very easy.
We have TONS of baby gear, as I'm sure most parents do. We tried to be diligent about research, both online and via other parents. We'd be more than happy to contribute our two cents regarding any baby fixtures you have questions about:-)
Regarding the umbrella stroller, I suggest getting one that you like in the $50 range. Our $20 one is, as Mike said, designed to be disposable, but is therefore somewhat flimsy and was a bit of a hassle driving all over San Francisco. The $50 range umbrella strollers look a lot more sturdy and comfortable to drive and might actually last as long as you need them to - and therefore won't go into the landfill any time soon!
Wow! Passionate stroller banter! I love it!
Good to know the Bob fits in the Jetta. We do want to get the car seat adapter though so I am hoping it will work.
Thanks all.
My additional unsolicited 3-cents...
The carseat adapter is just a bar and a strap with, literally, a piece of styrofoam to place underneath. Our infant car seat was a ChiccoKeyfit30 not designed to "clip-on" to a stroller bar nor shopping cart bar, etc...). It was incompatable. However, BOB offers a compatability chart for any carseat you buy (http://www.bobgear.com/accessories/accessory.php?accessories_id=6). Unlike us, you will want to consult it prior to purchasing the carseat :) Stroll-on!
my day will come when I need stroller advice and will be able to give my two-cents...alas, I am simply enjoying the photos and wishing I were closer to visit more often! :) Miss you all tons & tons. I send many hugs!!!!!!!!!!
Some more stoller advice... I would second the getting a more expensive umbrella stroller. Spending a little more money gets you some features (i.e. reclining seat) that are key!
From a dad's perspective... a couple critical stroller points are that if you can't steer it with one hand in the store, don't buy it. Gotta have one hand free for your beer and make sure it has good attachment points for jingly noise maker things to keep the varmint happy otherwise they can really get in the way of enjoying the aforementioned beer.
We miss all of you (dogs too) and would love to see more pictures!
12 Comments! I have never had nearly that many comments on Ben's Blog! From now on, all of Ben's Blog Posts will feature a Bob stoller! Rainbows and llamas are good too.
We are glad you are having a great vacation, but we're with Grandmapa... we are eager for more pictures :-)
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