But wait, there's more!

And not to be forgotten, there were other outings like:

Fishing at Paulina Lake

And other visits last summer, like one from Kerry's parents (and Shasta!)

And then there was Kerry's new horse love: Baron. He is an Arabian Stallion, just like the horse she had growing up.

A true representation of his demeanor and character:

When the weather is nice enough, Kerry makes it out to work with him 2-3 times per week. He is owned and boarded by MJ, horse-trainer extraordinaire and friend of Kerry's.

We used every last bit of the nice weather in September and October, knowing that a REAL winter lay ahead, and for each of us it would be for the first time in years. So, what did we do?

We went camping, of course...

This is Elk Lake, high on the Cascade Lakes Hwy in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor and the South Sister (above).

and here's Mt. Bachelor, free of snow for maybe one month a year...

We went hiking on a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, and found a shallow high mountain lake. So of course, Marcus had to swim...

with Mom and Dad Gillette's trusty mountain dog Tilley, who is a part of many of our stateside adventures.

On Labor Day weekend, we went hiking with the parents, up toward Broken Top, a craggy mountain in between Mt. Bachelor and South Sister.

And Broken Top...

So as you can see, September and the first part of October were busy months for us. Somewhere in there, Marcus started his job as a banker at the La Pine US Bank, just a mile down the road (not pictured, haha). While he was busy getting into a routine, Kerry was doing what Kerry does best: playing! 

The wives club (Kerry and Jane) borrowed kayaks from our neighbors and hit a local lake.

You can tell they were not having any fun, at all.

Random Summer Adventures and Pictures

The rest of the summer was filled with all sorts of fun Oregon and Gillette family activities and adventures, like:

Central Oregon thunder storms...

Hiking with our new friends Ben & Angie to the top of Cultus Butte...

This is Ben and their middle daughter (of 3) Libby

Picnicking at the headwaters of Fall River...

Paddling the Deschutes together...

Hiking to the top of Paulina Peak...

...with miscreant creatures.

Since Marcus was only "sprinkled" as a child, and had never made the choice since, he decided it was time to be baptized. But of course, knowing him, he wasn't satisfied to do it inside a building or a pool, which is why he didn't do it in Egypt. Here he is with his Dad and Pastor Terry O'Casey at the Little Deschutes River.

On our 2nd Anniversary, we hiked 6 or 7 miles up Paulina Creek to the Paulina Lake Lodge. It was a very fun day!

And of course, with summer comes Summer Festivals. Here is Marcus with his oldest niece Alexis at La Pine's local "Frontier Days"

River Guide

Last summer Marcus flew back to Oregon from Egypt a little earlier so that he could join a week of white water rafting guide training with a Non-profit organization called Discover Outfitters. Check them out at www.discoveroutfitters.org

Training was held in Northern Oregon's lower Deschutes River, near Maupin, Oregon, a familiar stretch of river to the Gillettes. It rained at least a little just about every day of guide training, so wet suits and rain gear were essential with how much time we spent getting wet. Also included in the week was a lot of great food, camping out, great fellowship, new friendships, and getting tossed out of the boat into a Class 4 rapid for the first time! What fun! Guide training was also followed soon after by a swift water rescue certification course. Afterward, Marcus felt about as comfortable as a fish in the water. 

It was by far, very worthwhile. 

Eventually, the weather (and water) warmed up and he got to participate in guiding a few trips throughout the summer. 

"The Guide"

Fighting with boats on the trailer.

Eager to test his ability, on his first trip Marcus was assigned to captain a boat of rather "green" and light-paddling middle school girls.

But, fear not, this group was worked into one fine-tuned paddling machine by the time we hit the big boys.

 

It's Wedding Season!!

We were privileged to be at 2 weddings in June and July. First, Marcus was a groomsman in his buddy Dan's wedding to the wonderful Alison. Dan and Marcus go way back... to preschool in fact. They know things about each other nobody else should know, like about the pink Converse All-Stars Marcus sported in Kindergarten. 

The rehearsal dinner-turned Ho-Down.

The happy couple.

The wedding was held at a winery/vineyard outside Marcus and Dan's home town of Dallas, 

Oregon.

Someone stole the camera and snapped a few.

Then in July, on the way back from Yosemite, we attended Hilary and Dom's wedding reception at a country club in Santa Rosa, CA. They were married in France (darn!) earlier in the year. We got to reunite with many friends from college there, and had a great time!

Kerry with Hil and Lynn

The ladies... a stunning group, don't you think!

While all of these photos were being taken on the balcony, Marcus was desperately searching the surrounding area for Shasta, Mom & Dad McGuigan's delightfully disobedient German Shephard, who decided to squeeze out the half-open window of the car. She was later found after proceeding to hassle a select group of country-club members on the course. Ball! Ball!

And then there was the after party, with:

Brandon and Rachael, whose wedding we'll be visiting this coming July...

Ashley and Paul, who are now engaged as well, and getting married the same day as Rachael and Brandon...

And Lynn and Melissa. Which one is next?