Beau served his mission in Oregon about eleven years ago, and we had the chance last week to go back and take in all the sights. We met up with the Wilhelm's; Beau and Bud were there at the same time. (Beau and Bud--doesn't that sound like a couple of redneck hillbillies?!) Anyhoo, we had tons of fun. Our girls and the Wilhelm's took right to each other, and my girls are missing them now!
The airplane ride. Belle ready to go.
After we landed she told me how she had big time butterflies before we took off. She was funny--the whole flight she kept saying how this was the best vacation ever. Crackers?! This is the best vacation ever! Sprite?! This is the best vacation ever! We can see the grand canyon?! This is the best vacation ever! A light above my head?! And a vent?! This is the best vacation ever...you get the idea. If I'd have only known that ride was all it would take her to make her so happy!
Sisters!
We need your picture too mom!
Take two.
Our view from the plane.
The Grand Canyon.
Mt. Hood.
This is how the daddy's swim.
Hotel pool.
So much green grass...what to do? what to do?
The girls need to break in the camera.Emma
Hannah
Isabelle
Hup, two, three, four.
Playing with the DS.
Ava checkin' out all the trees. We're pretty sure Sasquatch is in there somewhere!
I thought we went on vacation to avoid this!
Sea Lions Cave It was totally awesome. (But stinky Isabelle wants me to add!)
Waiting to go down to the cave overlooking the ocean.
The cave was very cool.
There were so many sea lions. It was very loud, and as Belle already pointed out, very stinky as well! Sea lions look like they're kinda aggressive.
Readin' up on all the facts.
The trail back.
Bud and Emma
Bud and Mariah--too cute!
Melanie (yes, Bud's wife was Melanie too--my the Elders of '96 to '98 have good taste!) and Mariah
Belle looking at more sea lions.
The Wilhelm's
Belle and dad
What'ya think? Me, no?
We had dinner one night with a family from Florence, an area Bud served in, the Winona's. They were a fun couple and they suggested this cool place to dine! I LOVED it!Check it out--it was an old gas station converted to a sea food joint.
I loved the decor--kind of a Goonies meets Pirates of the Caribbean feel!
I had the fish 'n chips combo plate with a fish taco. Let's just say they should steer clear of the Mexican and stick to what they're good at! The fish 'n chips were yummy!!
The Wilhelm's with Lyn Winona--I never got a shot with Steve.
Ava was cracking us up in the car the next day. As we drove along the coast, we asked the girls what they liked the best so far. Ava immediately piped up and said it was "the house what (she uses the word what in lou of that) had the tiger, what had stripes, what had a button to push and it furred (purred)." What are you talking about kid? "You know, the house what had a cherry tree, and a cool backyard. And what had the rides (they rode their three wheelers)." OH--you mean the
A random wild turkey...and why not?
The Newport beach. It was overcast and extremely windy, but still fun!
Collecting shells.
Superman?! What are you doing here?
Jellyfish were all over.
Digging for....buried treasure?
That water is FREEZING!
Ahhh!
Adorable.
Shots out the window as we drove along the coast. The views were to die for--I can't possibly do it justice.
As we were going along, Ava reached over and flicked Isabelle right in the eye--saw the whole thing. Then, a minute later, after having been scolded about the deed, she turns to Isabelle, who is still crying mind you, and asks, in a very consoling and loving tone, "What's wrong, Bella (for some reason she has started calling her this). Do you have an eyeflash in your eye?"
Um, NO!
We stopped for a little breather and stretch in this pretty forest, and found...
this poor fellow, who apparently wandered a little farther than he realized.
Aquarium time.
Gotta love this shot!
Ava and Hannah
Shark tunnel.
Those crabs are huge!
Just looking at them is making me a little hungry.
Let's stop for some crab!!The crab cooker (in case you couldn't tell.)
Sorting beach finds while we wait.
Mm, mm.
Posing.
Tillamook cheese factory.
Watching the process.
Tillie the cow.
More pool time.
On the way to Multnomah Falls we stopped at a little grocery store to get some food. Very cool place--mainly because the ladies inside thought I was someone famous! But, I loved the sign hanging on the window outside!
The vista house on the way to Multnomah Falls.
Emma doin' a little exploring.
Ava loved it!
Hiking.
Ava adamantly refused to pose for me anymore. Finally I coaxed her into it--she jumped up, smiled sweetly for a brief second, jumped back down with a humpf and 'no more!'
Multnomah Falls
The girls.
Ava is in awe at something finally!
We were able to spend some time where Beau served too! We loved getting to see everybody!Aurea
Fitting, no?
Me and my 'little' friends :) Beecha and her daughter Anni. For some reason they thought I was like the jolly green giant or something!
Junior
Amy and Jose.
The park.
I told Viri I would give her all the money in my wallet if she would lay down in the stream.
Hey, seven bucks is seven bucks!But, she's not going down alone!
All the guys at the asada...
and the women! Did you notice what I did?
The girls loved the food, and set up their own picnic.
Loteria--not to be confused with Bingo. But you could have fooled me!
Andres showcasing the jewelry!
Later, we went to Viri and Aurea's soccer game. They are awesome--even if they didn't win.
Their dad is the coach--too cool!
The ride home.
Little miss independent made sure she went down the escalator by herself at the airport. (Sorry it's a little blury, I was in a hurry to get the picture!) Notice the hand on the hip!
Home again!
2 comments:
That WAS a lot of pictures! Weren't you just in Oregon? This makes me even more excited to go! We go July 24th - Aug 3rd. Ya!
Looks like so much fun! I'm drooling over those crabs. That's funny the ladies thought you were famous, probably because you're so gorgeous!
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