Oh! Oregon Vacation

Words can not describe the fun, amazing experience we had as a family going to visit my sister in Oregon. It was a memorable trip, one that we will not forget. It was special not only because we got to see my sister, but Bryson had studied the state all year for his 5th grade state report. It was fun for him to see all the things he studied about. We toured the coast, the Columbia, on the way there. On the way back we went through Bend...the only bummer, was that we were short on time getting back, that we did not get to see Crater. So I told them there will be a next time. My sister lives in a beautiful state, with many things to do and see. I loved the ocean and the fierceness of it. We were able to stay off the coast and listen to the ocean sounds daily. All I can say, is I love summer vacations!  I loved walking the shoreline in the mornings. It was a peaceful time to be in nature and reflect on my life.  My sister and I climbed the cliffs that overlooked the ocean.  There were some amazing tide pools on the other side and fierce waves.  We brought the family along on the last day to show our discoveries.

 Bryson loved jumping from cliff to cliff.  And the girls loved running on the beach and finding all sorts of sea creatures and shells.  One of my early morning walks to the cliffs...we are Queens of the World! And the cool tide pools with sea cucumbers and starfish (or Patrick) is what Sydney called them.  Bailey loved poking the cucumbers.  She was searching all over the cliffs for some pools so she could poke them!

We did a fire everynight, some by the ocean and one out back of our beach bungelow.  Sydney is enjoying the smore, Bailey enjoying the roasting, and Bryson the scout enjoying the fire building.
 I enjoyed being with my sister.  I wish my sisters lived near me, but at least I have fun places to visit to see them.  Bailey has a special bond with Amber.  She is always interested in what her Aunt and Uncle Mike are doing.  Needless to say, she enjoyed being with Amber.

  I enjoyed the eating out.  We ate at an awesome restaurant overlooking the ocean.  The fish was delish.  Bryson, ate the fish platter.  Now he really enjoys the fish, he could not get enough.  He was in the zone.  The guys also picked up some skim boards.  Mike was a pro, Kurt used his natural skiing skills and caught on quick, and even Bryson enjoyed it and got the hang of it quickly.  Skim boarding was one of his favorite parts of the trip.  I had to publish this pic, because Kurt snapped at the right time of him wiping out!

 The girls of course enjoyed the sand castle building and  playing in the water.  Sydney was terrified of the ocean on the first day.  Who blames her, it is intimidating.  We were trying really hard to get her to like it, I gave her to Kurt and asked him to see if he could warm her up to it.  Right when he put her down to soak her feet in the water, he overestimated the wave, and the wave covered Syd from head to toe.  She was screaming and we were laughing.  And then as she was walking back, some water hit her heals and she went screaming to the shoreline...it was hilarious, we were all laughing so hard at her expense.  Needless to say, she likes the ocean now.

My sister's cute dog Porsha, really wanted to come to the beach with us.  We enjoyed our

snuggles with her dog.  We also had fun in Portland.  We went out the yummiest Hawaiin food place, I was looking forward to that restaurant because I have not found anything in Utah that compares.  We went to the OMSI center.  Kid/Adult heaven. They were in their element with the scientific experiments.  Sydney enjoyed building the arch with them, I got a great picture of the arch falling!  Bryson also enjoyed playing the guitar with Mike.  He picked up on it fast.  I have more pics of our hikes and Portland to come.

Spa Date

 Bailey had her 1st spa date with me a week before her baptism.  We went with our good friends the Halls.  I thought it would be fun to get her toes painted and her nails done.  She was not sure about the ladies touching her feet, but loved getting her nails done.  I laughed as she squirmed around on the chair, and especially when they scrubbed her feet, she laughed hard.  I on the other hand, fall asleep when my feet get scrubbed, touched etc.  She is one determined girl, I had to convince her really hard that she could not have black polish on her nails and toenails for her baptism.  She reluctantly gave in for a pretty pink.  It was a fun afternoon.