Portland!

Ross and I just returned from a pretty fabulous trip to Oregon for Sam's wedding.  I had been looking forward to it for a loooong time.  I did miss my kids. (I'll be honest, not too much the first couple of days.)  I really needed the break.   Also they were in good hands.  Ross' mom and brother's family and sister and husband all helped in taking care of them at some point.  So I knew they were probably having way more fun with them anyway!

This was my first time experiencing the NW.  Holy cow it is so beautiful!  So lush and green.  Enormous amounts of flowers everywhere.  It rained about half of the time or so, but we got really lucky with the timing.  No rain at all on the wedding day.    

Photos taken with both my big camera and my iphone.  

First day.  The most incredible views and waterfalls along Historic Columbia River Highway:

Second Day. We went to the Rose Gardens.  Not many of the roses were in bloom, but there were a few gems.  Also just gorgeous flowers all over:

We also went downtown that day for a couple of hours, ate at a food cart and went to Powell's Books and Finnegan's (toy store) but apparently I didn't take any pictures?

Third day we drove to the coast and went on a hike-- Cape Lookout.  Pretty much amazing.

And then to the beach.  Which was also awesome.  It was a little cold though.

That night we played a 'ninja destruction' game. Haha.  Sam learned it on his mission.  It was fun. But boys hit hard!  (The point is to slap each other's hands in one movement...  I could give more of an explanation, but I'm guessing no one cares too much about that :)) 

Fourth day.  Wedding! It was so fun to see many of my Aunts and Uncles and my Grandma who I haven't seen in a long time.  It was a really joyful day.  We're so glad to have Kia in our family.  I'm glad to have another girl in the family.  Help even the odds a bit.  

I'm really grateful for such a wonderful trip.  And for a wonderful family.