We wanted to go see family in the Pacific Northwest, after consulting the calendar we could only come up with one consecutive week that would work, so we went for a whirlwind trip and saw who we could. Friday we drove for 18 hours to Portland. We visited Dad and Claudia in Tigard and saw some of the local sights.
Emma dressed up at the End of Trail Museum in Oregon City. The kids enjoyed playing games the pioneer kids would play. They also dipped candles and enjoyed some old fashioned candy.
We took the trolley and enjoyed learning about the city.
We took the municipal elevator that was originally installed so that people could go from their homes in the bluffs down to the factory by the river easier.
We had asked the kids what they wanted to do when we were in Portland and they said they wanted to ride the MAX. So we went to downtown Portland and rode around the city.
We walked along the river walk and were able to see lots of boats and we were even able to see a drawbridge go up for a sailboat.
We also went to the international rose testing garden. We were a little after peak, but it was still very beautiful.
On Monday, we drove down to Corvallis to see Mom and Dad Blake. We went to the Finley Wildlife Refuge and saw eagles, herons, pelicans, frogs and inch worms.
We also went to their pool and played at the park. Frisbee golf with five kids and three adults was ah . . .pretty interesting. We only lost one. we are used to playing with a Frisbee in Wyoming where the plant growth isn't as prolific.
We then went to the coast and drove up to Tillamook which Dan has been wanting to visit since we got married. We enjoyed touring the factory and the free samples of cheese and ice cream. We couldn't pass up getting sundaes and ice cream cones and it was delicious.
We then continued up the coast to Fort Stevens where we set up camp. We then visited Ft Clatsop where Lewis and Clark wintered when they got to the Pacific coast. We walked to see the Peter Irondale shipwreck and camped the night.
The next morning we went and saw Melissa, Owen and Nigel. Sam was working, so we missed him, but maybe next time we'll catch him. We then drove up to Everett and visited with Rebecca and Jerry and their kids. We wish we could have spent more time with everybody, but we needed to travel back home.
Dan, Emma, Ben and Eliza went to Salt Lake to see General Conference in person. They were able to get tickets for the Sunday morning session. They had a good experience and enjoyed being in the same room as the prophet and apostles even if it was with about 20,000 plus other people.
Eliza turned eight a while ago, but I just downloaded the pictures and realized I never posted about it. She decided to forego a birthday party in favor of a "try scuba" experience in Fort Collins. Dan drove her down and they both got in the pool and got to use scuba equipment. She loved it and can't wait to get certified. 
I was looking for something of Gabby's in her room when I found a receipt and a bunch of twenties. I asked Eliza about it and she had taken a $100 bill from our money stash in our dresser and bought the terrarium and a chocolate calculator. I asked her if she knew that it was wrong. She replied that she knew, but it was okay because she hadn't been baptized yet. It took her over ten months to pay us back, but she has done it and she did not get to keep the terrarium. We think she learned her lesson.
Emma dressed up at the End of Trail Museum in Oregon City. The kids enjoyed playing games the pioneer kids would play. They also dipped candles and enjoyed some old fashioned candy. 
We took the trolley and enjoyed learning about the city.
We took the municipal elevator that was originally installed so that people could go from their homes in the bluffs down to the factory by the river easier.
We had asked the kids what they wanted to do when we were in Portland and they said they wanted to ride the MAX. So we went to downtown Portland and rode around the city.
We walked along the river walk and were able to see lots of boats and we were even able to see a drawbridge go up for a sailboat.
We also went to the international rose testing garden. We were a little after peak, but it was still very beautiful.
On Monday, we drove down to Corvallis to see Mom and Dad Blake. We went to the Finley Wildlife Refuge and saw eagles, herons, pelicans, frogs and inch worms.
We also went to their pool and played at the park. Frisbee golf with five kids and three adults was ah . . .pretty interesting. We only lost one. we are used to playing with a Frisbee in Wyoming where the plant growth isn't as prolific. 
We then went to the coast and drove up to Tillamook which Dan has been wanting to visit since we got married. We enjoyed touring the factory and the free samples of cheese and ice cream. We couldn't pass up getting sundaes and ice cream cones and it was delicious.
We then continued up the coast to Fort Stevens where we set up camp. We then visited Ft Clatsop where Lewis and Clark wintered when they got to the Pacific coast. We walked to see the Peter Irondale shipwreck and camped the night. 
The next morning we went and saw Melissa, Owen and Nigel. Sam was working, so we missed him, but maybe next time we'll catch him. We then drove up to Everett and visited with Rebecca and Jerry and their kids. We wish we could have spent more time with everybody, but we needed to travel back home.
