Saturday, Oct. 13
We started the day by leaving our house at 430am. I stayed up all night because I am not a morning person and I knew it'd be hard to wake up that early. I thought I'd sleep in the truck, but I had a hard time. I maybe got an hr. Everyone else did well and slept all the way till we got to Boise where we stopped to get gas and breakfast. The kids ate Sausage Mcmuffins at McDonald's while I nursed Kodes.
We then made it the next leg to Stanfield, OR (about 3 hours from Boise) where we stopped again to top off our gas tank, eat lunch, and feed Kodes again. Along the way, we took some pics, watched a lot of movies, Rhett enjoyed playing J's phone, and I listened to my iPod. We loved the scenery going from the dry land to luscious greenery.
We thought we'd make it to Mandee's from Stanfield, but Kodes was not having that. So we stopped at a rest stop, enjoyed a pretty pic of beautiful OR, topped off Kodes, and headed on our way.
We finally got to Mandee's about 530pm. Even with the time change, and stopping 3 times to feed the baby (which it takes her like an hr each time to eat), I think we made good time...only 14 hours! Even though it was rainy, we were loving it! Mandee and Craig made us yummy potato soup and homemade bread sticks while the kiddos had so much fun playing. I think mostly they were happy to be out of the truck. But even being on the road most the day, they didn't fight, scream, cry, etc. They were so well-behaved...I was shocked. It was finally time to head to bed, and all the girls were so excited for a sleep over! (Mandee did good getting all the cute bedding ready)
While Rhett was excited for a sleep over with us and Kodes! (With a nice cot to sleep on)
Sunday, Oct 14
We started the day by sleeping in a bit and enjoying Mandee's fabulous Stuffed French Toast. It was sooo yummy. Then we all got dressed and went to church. Amazingly, they were so full it filled the entire church and both overflows. So we enjoyed sacrament in the hall and then we all went to class. It was nice to get a break from Primary and actually be in an adult class.
After church, it started to rain. So of course, us Utahns, opened our umbrella to walk to the car. We sure got the craziest looks and ppl knew we were out-of-towners! They are so used to rain, they just go with it.They have late church so we got home about 430pm. They made delish sweet and sour chicken while I made Kenna's bday cake. She's really loving backyardigans so of course she loved her cake. And I am just in love with our kiddos. They were so cute posing for the camera...especially our little girlys.
They were so cute to get Kenna a gift...Zoobles. Both my girls just love these little toys so it was perfect. She loved playing with it.
Monday, Oct 15
We got up and it was cold and rainy...and I just loved it. For me its so relaxing to hear the rain and cozy up in blankets. The girls just LOVED being able to use their raincoats, boots, and umbrellas. I know it seemed crazy to buy all those for our trip, but I had a feeling they'd use them. And they did cause they played outside A LOT. Oh I just love these girls!
We spent the rest of the day going to Costco, getting gas, and checking out the grocery stores while getting ingredients for dinners throughout the week. I made my homemade Chicken Enchiladas, which I think were yummy. And it gave Mandee and Craig their Costa Vida fix. We played a short game, then sent Craig to bed cause he had to leave for a business trip the next day.
Tuesday, Oct 16
We were sad Craig had to leave, but we made the best of it. We all got ready, and headed to Multnomah Falls. But before we left, a bee attacked Jaycee on the patio and she got stung. It was the funniest, yet saddest thing. She kept yelling, "The bees are mean. They don't like little girls." I went out to the patio and a bee came at me. I swatted it and....it died! When I told Jaycee, she said to me, "Dalynne, you are a good smack bee!"
When we finally got to the falls, all I gotta say is, WOW!!! We started by taking pics and then hiked up the 1/4 mile to the bridge up ahead. The kiddos were amazed at how big the leaves were!
After we got up to the bridge, we tourists just had to take more pics. We were just in love with the beauty all around us...just GORGEOUS!!!
We noticed on the bridge there were arches the kiddos kept going by to look through. The scary part is they were not at all covered and big enough for even me to fall through. That was our cue to hike back down. We ended in the gift shop and then back to the house to get ready for our Tupperware/Paparazzi party!
We were lucky to get $5 pizzas from Papa Johns for dinner. Then J watched all the kiddos upstairs while we set up our party. For the first hour no one came and we thought it'd be a bust. But then everyone showed up at once and it became a fun little party. Mandee even signed up some random stranger that happened to drive by. Good thing she put her sign up in the yard. After it was over the kiddos came down and went crazy. Mandee, ever patient, was not bothered at all. I got tense and yelled. Until Mandee reminded me they had been locked upstairs for 3 hours...they needed to unwind. Good thing I have a good sister with a good head on her shoulders. I needed that reminder to be more patient and easy going.
Wednesday, Oct.17
I vowed I'd be up and ready to go early. But me and Mandee stayed up till like 4am talking and wrapping up our business on the computer. When we finally got ready, we made the pretty trip to Cannon Beach. Ry rode with Mandee and Jaycee because those 2 were inseparable. And I tell ya...I could drive these long trips anytime with scenery as pretty as WA. When we went over the long bridge, Kenna loved it. She said, "Look! We're going on the tranny bridge. A longy one!" Not sure what a tranny bridge is, but it was cute she was so excited.
When we got to the beach, the kiddos were so excited. I was so happy to get some much needed therapy. I just love the serenity and waves and calmness of the beach. And we were pretty lucky the tide was extremely LOW! J took the kiddos out to look for shells and sand dollars while I fed Kodes...we didn't think they'd find many but they found 12!
Then the kiddos had fun building sand castles, decorating them with twigs and shells, and of course sand angels, LOL! (I had a video of the girls doing sand angels, but sadly I think they got erased)
We stayed at the beach for about 3 hours until the sun set and it dropped about 15 degrees pretty quickly. We ended up eating at a diner in Astoria and headed back home.
Thursday, Oct. 18
We decided to drive to Portland to see the temple. Before we left, Jacyee asked me to brush her hair. Then I decided to do her hair in twistys like my girls. She didn't cry or fidget. When I was done, she said, "Wow, Dalynne. My Mom needs a magic "toothpick" like yours. Yours doesn't hurt!" It was so funny, but I was glad she thought that. When we got to the temple, it was definitely so worth it. And the kids loved being able to walk around the temple and touch it.
While I fed Kodes, they all went to the visitor's center. After, we did a mini photo session and got some really cute pics. Of course Ry and Jaycee were all into posing!
After the temple, we decided to go by the airport and go to Ikea...which is now my favorite store. They really do have everything and we got some fun things. Since Craig was flying home that night, he met us at Ikea and we headed over to Red Robin. I'm usually not a big fan because here in UT, they are slow and not very nice. But this Red Robin in Portland was the best service and food we've had. It was so yummy!!!
Friday, Oct 19
Since Craig was back, we decided to head to the Ape Caves...caves hollowed out by lava from the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. (the south side) Again a beautiful drive through WA, but me, Ry, and Rhett got sick from all the turns. We had to stop to get some air, and take a pic.
We knew it'd be super cold below in the caves, so we were sure to pack coats, gloves, and hats. I was glad Craig packed lanterns because it was super dark...literally. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face. But it was super cool and the kiddos had fun.
After we got out of the caves, we took the trail to the clearing. It was too rainy and foggy to see Mt. St. Helens, but it was fun to see the lava rock and Craig really looked the part for a hike!
Saturday, Oct. 20
For our last day, we decided to have a lazy day and hang out. Since it started out a clear day, everyone went to the park and feed the ducks while I fed Kodes. They had a lot of fun.
When they got back home, we decided to make Pulled Pork sandwiches for dinner. While it cooked, me and Mandee looked at houses for sale in the area. I don't know if we'd ever move, but it was still fun to look. I'm told I'm too picky...but I love our house and area and if we were to pack up and leave, I'd have to find something pretty perfect!After dinner, we decided to play games (Office Clue and Ticket To Ride) before bed. I was going to stay awake again because we were going to leave pretty early. Everyone was pretty tired and crazy, but still a good time.
Sunday, Oct. 21
It was time we had to leave. We got all packed up and left about 530am WA time. I was pretty tired this time and actually slept until we got to Stanfield. I fed Kodes, we ate breakfast at McDonald's again, and then left for Boise. When we got to Boise, I fed Kodes again while J and the kiddos ran around the parking lot. Then we hit the final stretch home. The older 3 kids were again so well-behaved but Kodes was having a hard time. She passed the time with sleeping and playing with the water bottle...her new obsession.
We pulled in the driveway at 7pm! Again, J did all the driving and I think we made great time. It was so bittersweet being home because we had the BEST time. Craig and Mandee are the best hosts and tour guides...so patient, kind, and gracious. So Thank You Parker Clan for an amazing trip. We hope we can get back really soon. The girls are non-stop about moving up there! Silly girls! And I'm sure I need to spread my magic again to Jaycee's "toothpick."
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