This was an absolutely AMAZING trip! The weather was perfect! We were all able to do what we wanted because we were there so long. We were able to relax as well. And it was a great opportunity to spend a lot of quality time with Uncle Dude, Mimi, and Papa Jay.
Our first day, we went to Washington Park and played at their playground.
We also were able to spend some time with other friends and family on the fourth of July!
Mom and dad got to go out for our anniversary! We had a blast going to the BLUES fest on the river, a super yummy dinner at El Guacho (I had FRESH local salmon that was by far the best salmon I have ever tasted!) and stayed overnight at the famous Heathman hotel! It was so great to be able to spend so much time alone. And the boys had a good time with Papa Jay going to Oaks Amusement Park and out to a "pizzeria" with games.
Jack and I went on 2 hikes, one with cousin Matt's girlfriend Alyssa and another one with Uncle Dude (which was much more rigorous!) With Alyssa we went to Vista Point then hiked Latourell Falls. Withe Dude we went to Multnomah Falls and Horsetail Falls. Jack had a great time, and was super brave! Such a tough guy "explorer". Of course, he told us that "bruder" had done it all already :) He loved the waterfalls-as do we all! One day we also went to Mt. Hood (Jack kept calling it Mountain Hood, or "the bolcano" . We went to an Adventure park where Jack rode the Go Karts and jumped on the reverse bugee trampoline over and over and over....and mom joined in for a try as well!
We spent 2 nights at the beach house in Seaside. before we left, I went to the Saturday Market, which I love! (and went by myself so I had some mommy time!) Jack got to ride the train, and sit in the top of the car! The first night at the beach house we rode the carousal and went out to eat. The Second day we went on a day trip to Tillamook. I love their cheese, so that was for me :) It ended up being a fun trip! The factory was very interesting to Jack, so was the free sampling at the end :) Then we ate fresh grilled cheese sandwiches and had the most delicious and large quantity of ice cream I have ever had! After the facory, we went to a wine and cheese tasting farm called The Blue Heron. Jack really enjoyed the petting zoo, and especially all of the old tractors and farm equipment! It was another beautiful day, and Mommy, Mimi, and Charlie all had a great time too! The following day we went to Canon Beach to see Haystack Rock. We ate outside right on the water at a place called Moe's. My kind of "happy place'! It was perfect, view of the ocean and Haystack rock, perfect weather, margaritas, and FRESH local seafood! I was able to east Oregon/Washington oysters, and Oregon Bay shrimp. Charlie actually LOVED the shrimp!
At the house, we went on many, many walks to "the train tracks", he played a lot of basketball in the driveway. John pretty much lived in the theater room with Uncle Dude and Jack while we were home:)
One night mommy and daddy went out to hear music with Uncle Dude and our friend Jordan. I kept saying it was great to be able to be a "real person" again and go out with John and other adults :) Another night Alyssa babysat the boys while the rest of us, including Mimi, went to hear their favorite band at a free concert in the park. It was great! We danced and had a blast!
Thank you for hosting us for such a long time :)
Anxiously awaiting our flight!
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| vacation mode! |
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| This is the only moment he slept, for maybe 30 minutes or so. But he did great overall! |
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| playing with the toys in Jack's room! |
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| Basketball with Uncle Dude. Jack got much better! |
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| View from my running path.. |
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| playing cars together :) |
Playground at Washington Park
Lunch at the Food Trucks!
One of many daily walks. You can see why Jack was addicted!
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| Jack painted my nails for my anniversary date. Jack kept calling it our "wedding" :) |
BLUES fest! It was unbelievable how organized and not crowded it was! We could sit under the shade, have a lot of room around us, get local micro-brews easily, and hear great zydeco music! I was impressed that even the bathrooms/Port-a-potties were clean and organized!! And they let you bring in your own water bottles, and they have water filling stations! So Portland
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(our drunk selfies were terrible ;-) |
Trip to Mt. Hood aka Mountain Hood aka 'the bolcano"
First Timberline...
Next stop? Mr. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl
Charlie had a blast climbing up the stairs! The dogs LOVED when Charlie was eating, and Charlie just loved the dogs -I think he thought they were the same as him :)
Jack's other favorite walk was to the dog beach
Island Cafe
The TRAIN!
