Trip to the Oregon Coast

We went to Oregon over Labor Day weekend. We stayed with our awesome friends the Lowe's, who live in Eugene. It was an all day exhausting drive. The kids did really well.

After arriving at the Lowe's home, Scott and Jamie took off to the river to do some fishing. A couple hours later I received this text from Scott!



















This is the biggest fish Scott has ever caught in his entire life. It was a steel head (like salmon). Great Catch!

The second day we woke to an awesome crepes breakfast. Our kids haven't ever had crepes and they were loving it!! So naturally I had to get the recipe. After breakfast, we drove over to the coast and stayed the night in New Port. Our hotel was right off the beach, our kids loved it! I was happy the hotel had a decent weight room so I could work out. I was feeling real sluggish after all the car riding we've done. This is my view out the gym window. HEAVEN!!!


We had a great time playing at the beach, building sand castles, walking in town, seeing the seals. I love the beach and the ocean. It is such a serene place for me.

Eileen helping the boys bury Paige!

Scott and Emmett

Emmett loving the beach

Eileen walking with Lalia

Trent and Dylan

Garhett and Emmett

Emmett running from me

Garhett and Wyatt

Garhett

Emmett enjoying the sand

Emmett

Trent

Look at all those SEALS!

After our fun at the beach we drove back to the Lowe's home in Eugene. The kids were bummed that we weren't able to have a bonfire at the beach, so Jamie was nice enough to make a fire in the backyard for the kids. So here are the kids gathered around the fire - making smores. Notice that my kids don't have their shoes on.

Garhett roasting marshmallows

Emmett kicking it on the Lowe's garden bench

 Thank you Jamie, Eileen, Wyatt, Dylan, and Lalia for hosting us at your home. As always, we had such a great time.

On our way out of town, I begged for some shopping time at the outlets and IKEA. Whenever we are that close to either I must stop. We first did a little shopping at the outlet mall. Scott slept in the car with Emmett, while Garhett, Trent, Paige and I hit the stores. I LOVE TO SHOP!!! After the outlets we went to IKEA!

 





What a great Labor Day Weekend!

Mexico

Scott and I just got back from a much needed get-away. My favorite place to vacation is Mexico, so we were able to book a last minute 5 day get-away to Cancun. We arrived at our hotel and had a beautiful ocean view. I love to hear to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, it is so relaxing.

Our first day we decided to take a day trip to Cozumel, we haven't ever been there. So we took a 40 minute ferry ride across the ocean over to Cozumel. After arriving, we got on a little fishing/glass bottom boat and rode out to the reefs. We snorkeled on 3 different reefs. The ocean was so clear and warm. As we snorkeled we saw a barracuda, a sea turtle, and some beautiful amazing fish. Here is a picture of Scott and I under water with the fish.

Our second day, we thought we would take it easy. Just lay around, eat, and then we took a trip over to Isla Muerjles. We rode the city bus through downtown Cancun over to another ferry to take us across the ocean to the island. The weather was a little windy and a rainstorm was brewing, so all the water sports had been cancelled for the day. We decided to rent a  golf cart for the day and go around the island on our own. We watched people zip line across the sea, walked to the top of a light house and looked over the sea, watched an iguana, found our vacation home "Casa de Morgan", laid on the most beautiful beach until it started to rain, and had the best fish-n-chips. What a great day (aside from the rain).

After snorkeling, Scott felt like he had water trapped in his good ear. That made it hard for him to hear and he had lots of pressure. So after our day in Isla Muerjes, Scott was feeling crummy. He went back to the room to rest and I hit the beach for some reading and relaxation. I am so proud of myself, I read 1 1/2 books on this vacation. I never read, I never had time to read or haven't really found anything to keep my interest.  I  read on the plane, laying out at the pool, sitting out on the window seal of our hotel room. I laughed and I cried, I forgot how much I do enjoy reading (the right book when I have time).

We have been to Cancun three times now and I can tell you I am not tired of it and we haven't seen everything there is to see yet. The main thing we wanted to do on this trip was visit the ruin Tulum. So we took an excursion group down to Tulum. This is the only ruin that was built on a cliff's edge over looking the beautiful Caribbean Ocean. Below the ruin is the most gorgeous white sand beach. We love visiting the ruins and learning about the history.

Cancun was heavenly! Poor Scott ended up having a massive ear infection and lost hearing in the only ear he can hear out of. His airplane ride home was miserable.

We owe a huge thank you to grandma and grandpa for watching the kids. They love to spend time with them. We have a great time, can't wait to go again. I love the warmth, the sunshine, and the beach!

Some Track Break Fun!!!

This year track break was changed from December to November! The kids always get excited for track break because it means we get to take a trip and do fun activities!!! Well track break didn't start off so fun for the kids. They found out exactly what I do while they are in school, I run Emmett from therapy to therapy and from doctor to doctor appointment. No fun!!!

Garhett and Trent quickly lost interest in always going and asked if they could stay home. One problem, we don't have a home phone. So how would they reach me or I them if there was a problem? Quick solve, we got them a cell phone. GASP!!!! It is our stay home phone only. This way I felt a little more at ease of leaving the boys at home and occasionally Paige joined them.

Garhett and Trent quickly lost interest in always getting left at home as well. "Mom, can't we do anything fun this track break? Can't we go on an airplane somewhere?", they would ask. I have to admit I was getting the itch as well. I wanted to get out of the cold and go somewhere. Small problem, Scott still has to work. In fact this time of the year is when he gets crazy busy. So my hopes weren't to high of us going anywhere.

Track break is slowing winding down and Scott came home from work Wednesday night and said, "Let's get out of here for a few days and go to Arizona". OKAY!!!, don't have to ask or tell me twice. Because planning ahead isn't Scott's strong suite (love ya honey!), we couldn't fly (well we didn't want to pay the airfare that goes along with the non-planning), so we drove. GASP!!!!!!

We were going to leave Thursday night when Scott got off work and drive to my parents house, but I wasn't quite finished with the packing. It was less than 24 hours since he announced that we were going to Arizona. I finished the laundry but not getting everyone packed up. So we decided to leave early Friday morning and drive straight through to Las Vegas (a 10 hour drive).

The kids did amazing. We packed the Wii along with movies to keep the kids entertained through the long drive. It was fun to watch them play Wii in the car, we have the game Sing It where you basically karaoke a song. We had the singing throughout the speakers in the car, it was hilarious to hear the kids in "stereo".

When we got to Vegas we grabbed a bite to eat, some yummy custard at Nielsen's Frozen Custard, swam at the hotel and then went to bed.The next morning, we were up, fed, and on the road by 8:30am. We drove over the Hoover Dam and headed toward Phoenix. Another day of driving that kids were awesome at. We are so blessed to have such good travelers.

We stayed with our dear friends the Martinez's in Arizona. We have been friends with them for 14 1/2 years. I was Amy's visiting teacher and have been friends ever since. We bought our first homes by each other. Struggled through infertility together. Truly an amazing family. It was so nice to be able to just hang out like the days before children. Our kids played so well together. Emmett only broke a couple of things, which is an achievement in itself. Sorry Amy and John. Thanks for the good times, the great conversation, and the place to stay. We love you and miss you tons. (The unfortunate thing is that we were all having so much fun together, that I forgot to get out the camera and take pictures. :o( bummer).

This is Paige finding some dress up clothes among all the boy toys!

Here are the kids at the park. As soon as the kids stepped out of the car, Trent asked, "Is is summer here while it is winter at our house?". Scott told them that this was there winter!!! Our kids were loving it!!!

On Sunday, we were able to go visit a friend of mine from High School. It is so fun to catch up with friends after all these years. We have stayed in touch over the years haven't seen each other since we lived in Utah (quite a while ago). Thanks Juli for the fun visit. You have a beautiful family and a lovely home. Paige was in heaven finally being able to play with girls on our vacation. So thank you!!

Monday, Amy and John were back at work and the kids were back in school, so we took our family to the Phoenix Zoo. It was a fun zoo, with a lot of great animals and things to see. The kids enjoyed going on the carousel, riding the tractors, miking the cows, and seeing all the animals that we don't get to see at the Boise Zoo.

What a great spur of the moment trip this was. Our kids are getting used to the last minute get aways, that they can't wait for the next track break to see where the next place will be. Good times, good friends, and a great family memories!!!