Kayaking on Trillium Lake, Mt. Hood Country, Oregon

When the forecast calls for sunny and 70 degrees in late September, it doesn't matter what day of the week it is.  I'm probably gonna go play outside.  We're usually into the rainy season by this time of year.  Yesterday was one of those rare sunny and 70 days, so my brother David Bitton and I loaded the kayak on the roof of the Jeep and headed for the hills.

In the photo, you see David paddling the wood strip-built kayak in Trillium Lake, which sits at the south side of Oregon's magestic Mt. Hood.

It was great to spend time with Dave, who recently moved here to Vancouver from Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife and daughter.  It was also nice to get the boat in the water.  Most of the year, it sits on a shelf in my garage.

Bitton Family 'Best Of' Expedition Launches with Ice Cream Research

One way we've decided to spend more fun time together as a family is to find the "Best Of" things we like.  Today, we started this tradition by seeking out the Best Icecream in Vancouver, Washington.  And we think we found it at Ice Cream Renaissance.

Located in the Uptown Village neighborhood of Vancouver, Ice Cream Renaissance makes all its own ice cream on site.  Its milk is hormone free, and the fruits in its creations come from local farms.  Here's our review:

Mike, who shared one scoop of Honey Vanilla in a bowl with Aubrey, said: "The texture of this ice cream is surprising.  There are tiny chunks of ice in here.  It's a little coarse, but in an enhancing way, not a distracting way."

Aubrey added: "I liked how the taste was.  It was kinda crunchy at first, but then it felt so smooooth!"

Mike also had his own scoop of Caramel Apple in a bowl.  He said: "Wow!  It's kinda like apple pie!"

Jana, who shared one scoop of Strawberries and Cream in a bowl with Ashton, said:

"I liked that it had little ice crystals in it.  I liked the texture.  I also thought the Caramel Apple tasted better than the strawberries and cream."

Ashton added: "There are ice crystals in this.  It makes the ice cream taste creamy instead of syrupy.  The atmosphere here is kind of like Starbucks, but a little more open.  I like that."

We had a great time at Ice Cream Renaissance in Vancouver's Uptown Village.  Where have you had ice cream good enough to blog about?  Let us know by leaving a comment!

Aubrey Catches Bus to First Day of Kindergarten

This morning, Aubrey went to kindergarten for the first time ever.  Here she's waving goodbye to mom and dad (Jana and me) as the bus pulls away from our house.  So proud of the little kid!  She's a lot braver than most.  

Aubrey Rides a Horse, Railroad Ranch, Island Park, Idaho

Aubrey loves horses, and we found a place in Island Park, Idaho, that was willing to give her a ride for free. She loved the walk through the meadow, and plans to return to the same spot next summer for another visit.  Click on the photo to see it REAL BIG.

Mike a Wedding Photographer?

My dear friend Rob Layman is an amazing photographer, and he's asked me to help him shoot a few weddings here in the Portland/Vancouver area. I did another one with him May 31, booked through Hillsboro, Ore.-based Camera Art. The happy couple were Russian, or Ukranian, and tradition plays large roles throughout the day (or days!) of a traditional Russian wedding. All the new traditions made for a very LONG day to the uninitiated.

The work was fun but not easy, and the pay was fair but not great. Those sacrifices are small, though, when I realize that I got to spend so much time with my friend Rob. Thanks for thinking of me, man!

I met Rob about 10 years ago, when we both worked at the Antelope Valley Press, the daily newspaper in Palmdale, Calif. Rob was a staff photojournalist and I was a reporter, and we went on hundreds of assignments together. About a year after I moved from the Antelope Valley to Vancouver, Wash., Rob and his family followed.

Today, Rob works full time at Pro Photo Supply in Portland. As a pro sales employee, it's Rob's job to serve the photographic needs of local clients like Nike, ADIDAS USA, and Columbia Sportswear, as well as others throughout the world.

Aubrey Shines During Dance Recital

Aubrey's dance recital last night had her in two numbers. The first was "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree." The second, which this picture is from, was "Let's Go Fly a Kite." Photo by a very proud dad!

Aubrey the Bunny

Aubrey made her stage debut May 19, 2008, as a bunny in the Children's World of Music production of Snow White.  That's Aubs there in the middle, with the great big ears!

PHOTO BY MIKE BITTON