- In July we logged over 60 hours in the car. We traveled to Cache Valley on the 4th and did fireworks with cousins, watched our neice be baptized, and then spent a week with Grandma and Grandpa while Todd attended conferences/trainings in Salt Lake.
- The first picture shows my kids with their cousins, playing Lego's at grandma-greats house after Sunday dinner. As a child I always had Sunday dinner at Grandma's house, and I loved that my kids had the chance to experience one of my fondest childhood memories.
-Justin ended up getting sick while at Grandma's, and spent three days with a fever and the throw-ups. I took him to the doctor when I learned that strep was going around, but it was just a virus (of course).
-The boys spent time hanging out with cousins in Grandma's "pool".
-On our last night, we built a fire and had roasted peeps and s'mores. Grandma claims it was her first time ever making s'mores.
- We were home for five days (long enough to unpack and re-pack), and then left for our family reunion in Oregon. This was Justin's first time doing a 20+ hour car ride and he did fabulous, as did the other boys.
-On the way to Oregon, we got a speeding ticket, and later we were in a small fender bender. Thankfully everyone was okay, and our car was still driveable so we continued on. This picture shows our $2000 worth of damage. Good grief.
-We attended church in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The small church had the articles of faith carved into the side of the building. I've never seen that before.
-We spent a day at Crater Lake, which was absolutely breathtaking. The rangers told us that many people actually gasp when they see it for the first time. I have never seen water so blue. Because it is in the crater of a volcano, there are no streams going in or out.
-We finally arrived (last, thanks to our accident) at our beach house on Rockaway Beach. There were eight units, and our extended family occupied five of them. We all had our own kitchens, and a big backyard with picnic tables, fire pit, grills, volleyball net, and playground...not to mention the ocean.
-While at Rockaway Beach, we barbecued, toured the Tillamook Cheese factory, rode a Carousel in Seaside, and played on the beach.
-We got up at 5:45 AM to visit some tide pools while the tide was out. The kids loved seeing lots of crabs, including many hermit crabs, eels, starfish, and various ocean plant life.
-There was a charming little train that went past our hotel twice a day. I loved hearing the whistle, and putting coins on the track :o) I can finally cross that off my bucket list...
Here we are at Crater Lake:
Oh, how I love the ocean! The high was 68 degrees, so the water was cold, but it didn't stop the kids for a second.
They played in that water as if we were in California.
The Ocean Rogue Inn. We stayed on the bottom floor of the house on the left, under the porch.
I loved opening the blinds on those windows every morning and letting the sun shine in.
Anything octopus related is an inside joke at our house, so when I found out there was an "Octopus Tree" nearby, I had to get a picture :o). It was pouring rain while we were there, but we still had a great time.
Justin made Crater Lake in the sand (by himself!).
Todd was beaming that our little detour on the way made such an impact on him.
He even made "wizard island" and the "ghost ship".
Todd and his Mom and siblings. It was so fun to have everyone together for a few days.
Thanks, Linda, for giving us this opportunity. We created memories we'll never forget.
