Jason's Fourth of July

While the kids and I stayed in Denver for the 4th, Jason was working hard.  He had just one day off.  He spent it on the coast with his brother Eric and his wife Kathleen, and his sister Alisa and her husband Rich with their families.  The called us about a month before we left on our trip to say that they were coming up.  It was really inconvenient that it was for the exact same time that I was going to be down their way with the kids.  Hopefully we communicate better next time so all the cousins can see each other.  My kids LOVE Eric's and Alisa's kids.

I'm glad that at least Jason got to see them, and spend the Fourth of July with them.

They spent the morning at the tide pools.

Alison & Rande

 Amy

Alisa and Rich

Owen, who is a few months older than Bennett.

Amy

Rande, who is a couple months older than Lily.

Mignon, holding her starfishes.

The teenagers.  

Jaidyn, Mary, Richard and Robert.  

Mary belongs to Eric, the others are Alisa's.  Mary is a month older than Glenn.  I really love these kids.  Robert was a newborn at my wedding.  I can't believe how old they all are now.

Then they went to lunch.

Jason in the car with Alison and Owen.

After lunch Eric rented some sand boards to take to the dunes.

Eric has some moves!

Alisa giving it a try.

Kathleen

Burying the kids.

 I don't think Owen liked it, but Rande was a great brother to be there for him.

Amy

Mignon

Jason sent me this picture on our last day gone.  This was his way of telling me he had a rough and out of control patient.  That's a lot of Diprivan!

On their last night together they ran some errands.  Just a man and his dog.

Crazy Weather

We have had some crazy weather here in the Portland Metro area this Spring!

Here is an example of what it has been like.

Over the course of a week - 7 days, we have 70 degree's and sunshine to snow, to ice, hail and slush, then the sun will come back out.  Some times all of this can happen in the course of 1 day!

A couple weeks ago - Thursday, beautiful Sunshine!  We drove around with the windows down.

 What do you think Harrison does in gorgeous weather with the windows down?

He waves at everyone, and yell's out to them, "HELLO!"  "HAVE A NICE DAY!"  People walking down the street, in the cars next to us at stop lights with their windows down, construction guys etc.  He got lots of smiles and 'Hellos' back.  He loved it, and it entertained Jason and I. 

 The kids came home from school and changed into 'Summer' clothes, and ate fudgcicles.

The next day the forecast was the same, so we took off to the coast.  Click HERE to read about our day trip to Astoria - thinking we would take advantage of all the nice weather.

The next whole week after that was cold and rainy.  By the next weekend we had snow.

On Sunday our church looked like this.

It felt like we should be singing Christmas hymns in church that day.

On the way home from church a hail storm hit hard.  The roads were really bad.  I was going 35 MPH in a 55 MPH zone.  Lily took this picture right after my van fishtailed.  

After that happened two full sized pick up trucks spun out in front of us, banged into each other, then both went sliding off the road, very quickly.  It's a good thing we were at this part of the highway where the median area is so big and spread out.

You can tell by the sky in the above picture that the sun was coming out.  The hail storm was over by the time we got home, and the sun was shining another 5 minutes after that.  

Crazy Weather!!!

Spring Break - Second 1/2 of Day 7

After Tillamook, none of us felt like going home yet.  So we drove up the coast and ended up in Astoria.  We actually crossed the huge bridge into Washington, where Jason bought some crab cocktail.

Astoria is one of our favorite places on Earth!  Jason has family there, his mom grew up there off and on.  We go there whenever we can!

On this trip it was really rainy and we had given his Aunt no notice of us coming.  I felt way too bad to stop in and dump our 5 children in her adorable and always spotless home.  So, we drove around a bit and then got some Bow Picker for dinner.  Bow Picker is the best Fish & Chips in Oregon, and probably beyond!  Go there!  Try it! 

(These pictures were taken August 2010)

It is a small family business managed out of a small boat parked in an old parking lot.  It is on the main drag, facing the Columbia River, across from the Maritime Museum (also a GREAT place to visit!)  They use fresh tuna steaks and a secret recipe that they will give me NO hints to!  When I was pregnant with Bennett, I craved it often and we had to make special trips so mama could get her some Bow Picker!

It was a yummy dinner and easy to eat in the car.  Right Bailey?

(In the Summertime we pick up some fish and Chips, then take it to the beach.  The two go really well together!)

The kids were super tired and fell asleep, and, or cried on the way home.

You can see the heavy rain pounding on the windows.  I love road trips in our cozy vehicle, in the rain.

Don't worry, he fell asleep after doing this for about 5 minutes, though it felt like 30 minutes to all who were in the car with him.  Aren't you glad that there is no sound with this picture?

THE END

Spring Break Days 6 & 7

After spending the afernoon at JJ Jump with the kids......... (Mom, sorry I took no pictures.  I forgot.  I sat and read my book instead!)

On Wednesday, halfway through Spring Break, Lily and I got out for a girls ONLY night.  We went to a friends house for a bow making party.  Lily was a bit sour in the beginning, and not her usual sweet self.  But in the end it turned out great.  We had a good time and came home with new pretty, homemade clips for our hair!  We felt very accomplished.

On Thursday, Jason was home but we kidnapped Bailey again anyways.  We headed to Tillamook, OR.  It is on the coast and famous for it's Dairy.  We like to go to the cheese factory to sample the cheese and buy an ice cream cone.  This was Bennett's first visit.  Bailey refused to bring in the stroller because she wanted to carry him.  I think she regretted it just after getting in the door.  I tried to tell her!  That boy is HEAVY!

Waiting in line for free cheese samples.  We really love this part!

Watching the cheese factory workers do their job.  Harrison told me he wants to make cheese when he gets big.

I Scream, YOU Scream!  We ALL SCREAM for Ice Cream!!!

Sugar Coma