Day Trip to the Woods

So during the middle of the month (yes, August) we took a trip up to the woods just for the day to look around and have a picnic.  We went up White Pass and had a really good day.  Brad knew of this waterfall that he and his dad had seen when they went snowmobiling last winter.  So that was the plan.  Lunch at a campsite, check - then hike down to the waterfall and of course take some pictures!

Trying out more flower pictures

My little family

The kids look SO small on this stump

Mushroom

Maddie being a goof

South Fork Falls

The Waterfall.  There was so much spray we were drenched

My hubby living the good life

Pony Rides

So the kids got to go on some pony rides through the MOMS Club I joined over here.  It was a hot and muggy day, but the kids still had a blast.  They loved feeding the horses, seeing a huge pot bellied pig, seeing the donkey, the chickens, and of course riding the ponies.  Josh was a true natural at riding and Maddie was a little timid at first, but still did great!  Love watching my kids enjoy and try new things.

Pumba the pot bellied pig

Maddie feeding one of the horses

My ladies man :)

Watching the horses

He had SO much fun!

See, he is a natural.

Maddie's 1st time being on a pony

Watching out for his sister.

She loved it, even though she was a little timid.

Our 7th Anniversary in Seattle

So we decided to go up to Seattle for our 7th Anniversary.  Brad took the day off and thought we'd much rather be busy doing something than staying home.   So off to Seattle we went.  We went the the Space Needle, which didn't go the way I had planned - since the weather was kind of crappy and the kids didn't/couldn't appreciate it.  But we went nonetheless.  We also went to the aquarium, since we'd never been there before.  We normally only go to the zoo, so we thought we'd try a few new things this time.  The kids had fun, Brad and I had an OK time - we wished we could have eaten at the restaurant in the Space Needle.  But that is definitely something to do WITHOUT kids!  Next time, next time!!

View from the top.

Looking up

I have no idea why they posed like this, but they did.  Can't you just see the excitement on Josh's face?

Good picture of the 3 of them.

Then it was my turn.

Starfish at the Aquarium.

Dory and Nemo :)

Had to get them in front of the sign

Silly kids

Inside the Dome.

The Seals

Evergreen Air Museum

So on our way home from the beach we stopped in McMinnville at the Evergreen Air Museum.  I thought at first, ok, only an hour here tops!  But the more we looked, the better it was. We ended up staying at least 2 hours, so it was a nice break with a lot of information!  Plus, I thought the kids would just run around like lunatics and start yelling, etc.  But they didn't.  We had a blast and I'm really glad we stopped to see all of the airplanes, read about a bunch of war facts, and seen the one and only Spruce Goose!  And a water park included with an airplane on top of the building is supposed to open next year - so maybe we will be back!  We also missed out on the IMAX theater.  So much to see!

They had to sit in the airplane seats :)

Had to get a picture of this!

The Alley Cat Airplane

Josh "flying" a helicopter

The magnificant "Spruce Goose"  That thing was huge!

A water bucket that helicopters use to put fires out.  Didn't think they were this big!

The Beach

So we went to Lincoln City, OR with Brad's parents during the 3rd week in July. It was the first time the kids have ever been to the beach, so that was pretty exciting.  The only downer - the weather.  It was so cold and windy.  I've been to the Oregon Coast many times growing up with my family, albiet it was Cannon Beach or Seaside area, but I have never known it to be as windy as it was when we went!  Craziness.  So we got there on a Wednesday (traveled most of the day) and left on Sunday.  We went to the aqauarium down in Newport on Thursday, went to the beach and outlet mall on Friday (which I'm glad we did since we thought it was going to be nicer on Saturday - oh no, we thought wrong), and then tried to go to the beach on Saturday...but we mainly just hung around the house.  We rented a beach house, so that was nice!  We bought some food, did a few meals at home, the kids shared a bed, we had a DVD player, etc.  Wish it had been a little closer to the beach, but oh well :)  We had a good time even though the weather didn't hold out - the kids loved going to get taffy!  It went by too quick, but have plans to go to maybe a warmer beach next year???

Maddie wanted to stay by Grandma since she was pretty cold!

Josh loved the water and running from the waves.

Love this one with their reflections.

Grandma and Grandpa were cold too!

Maddie in her sweats trying to stay warm!

Our first day at the beach.

Our meager attempt at a sandcastle as the wind was blowing sand in our faces.

Needed to make this OUR family tradition :)