Like my cup holder?

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up at the normal time-my blackout shade didn't help me!
  • Running to the grocery store with Mom
  • Helping make cookies-Mom wouldn't let me help much but she did keep handing me stuff to eat
  • Swinging and sliding outside with Dad
  • Eating a Chicago style pizza for lunch
  • An afternoon nap and bath
  • Spending the night at Cash's house-we played outside, ate supper (again), took a bath, read books and went to bed

Pizza All the Way from Chicago!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)

  • Sleeping in late this morning-my new blackout shade must work!
  • Running to the store with Mom
  • Helping Mom make lots and lots of tiny cookies
  • Asking to take a break from cooking to play outside
  • Swinging and sliding with Dad
  • Eating a big Chicago style pizza for lunch
  • A long afternoon nap and then a bath
  • Spending the night at Lilly's house while Mom and Dad were at the Rep (my first sleepover)

Playing and Eating at Nonna & Pops!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Getting ready early this morning and picking Dad up at work
  • Jumping on the couch at the revenue office
  • Eating cookies with Dad before taking him back to work
  • Wearing my other princess dress (Mom was washing my favorite dress)
  • Playing legos with Anderson until lunch time
  • Not taking a nap today-so I just laid in bed and talked to Mom while she tried to sleep
  • Taking a really quick bath so we could go to Nonna's house
  • Playing with Pops and Nonna until Mom and Dad came to pick me up

Is this a Potty Seat?

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Getting ready early this morning
  • Seeing Dad and hanging out at the revenue office for a little bit
  • Eating cookies before taking Dad back to work
  • Playing legos with Reagan
  • Becoming very upset when Mom wouldn't let me take the shopping cart outside-if it couldn't go outside then I wasn't going to go either
  • Lunch and then napping
  • Taking a quick bath and then going to Nonna and Pop's house
  • Playing until Mom and Dad picked us up and heading to straight to bed

Cool Shades!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • My last day in Ms. Clarice and Ms. Leslie's class at school-I am moving on up!
  • Eating ice cream from Cold Stone with Nonna and Pops
  • Playing legos with Reagan all afternoon
  • Waiting outside for Dad to come home
  • Eating everything on my plate for supper-I eat less now so that was a big deal. Actually, I just save room for my popsicles
  • Playing with Dad all evening while Mom was at Bunko

Tall Tower of Legos!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • My last day in Ms. Julie, Elenor and Marie's class-Mom is really excited about my next class-we do things in it!
  • Being surprised by Nonna and Pops riding in our van this afternoon
  • Eating ice cream at Cold Stone
  • Playing legos and watching cooking shows all afternoon
  • Waiting outside for Dad to come home
  • Playing with Dad all evening while Mom was at Bunko

Cooking with Anderson!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Making croissants with Mom and Anderson this morning
  • Playing with our tunnel while Mom cleaned her closet
  • Climbing up and down Mom's step stool for almost 1 hour
  • Watching my movie while Anderson took a morning nap
  • Eating 2 popsicles after lunch
  • Playing with blocks until naptime
  • Watching the ladies (Rachel Ray and Paula Deen) cook -I was excited when Mom told me that there was a lady cooking on tv. I really like to see them make cakes
  • Eating supper at Grannymom's house tonight and playing with toys until bedtime
  • Yes, I have been wearing my princess dress for days-but I have changed my underwear and socks!

I Can Cook Too!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Making croissants with Mom and Reagan this morning-They let me help! I was good at sprinkling the cinnamon and rolling (or wading) up the dough
  • Playing with our tunnel while Mom cleaned her closet
  • Climbing up and down Mom's step stool for nearly an hour
  • A morning nap and then lunch
  • Playing with my cars and trucks
  • Not taking an afternoon nap but watching tv with Mom
  • A late but short afternoon nap after my snack
  • Eating supper at Grannymom's house and playing until bedtime

Princess Reagan Sitting on the Couch!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Another day at school-I walked right in my class and headed to my rocking chair (where I was when Mom picked me up!)
  • Coming home and asking to eat a snack-powdered doughnuts
  • Helping Mom get some of the toys ready for the new baby
  • Eating pizza for supper and then watching my movies
  • Reading books after Anderson went to bed

Can't Catch Me!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Going to school late this morning (actually on time, but late for us) Mom was off today so we didn't have to hurry
  • Helping Mom rearrange our toys this afternoon-she would move them one place and I would put them somewhere else
  • Shaking my head "no" when Mom asked about a nap
  • Eating pizza for supper
  • Reading books until an early bedtime-I was exhausted

Train Up a Child...to Put the Dishes Up!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Sleeping in this morning-it was a holiday! But fussing a little bit around 5 this morning!
  • Running a few errands to Walmart and Bed Bath and Beyond
  • Helping Mom get ready for our cookout-I am good at emptying the dishwasher
  • Celebrating Memorial Day with hamburgers for the whole familiy-Dennies, Brocks, Jason and the Heifners
  • Playing outside with Cash until everyone left (and I was sad) and then taking a bath
  • Having a long nap and reading my books with Mom
  • Eating leftovers for supper and then playing with my toys
  • Going to the car wash with Mom and Dad (I didn't really like it!)

Memorial Day Picnic!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up and watching a movie downstairs all by myself
  • Running errands to Bed Bath and Beyond and Walmart
  • Helping Mom get ready for our cookout
  • Eating hamburgers with the whole family-Dennies, Brocks, Jason and Heifners
  • Playing with Lilly outside and then a bath before my nap
  • Running to Krogers with Dad-I picked out doughnuts for my snack!
  • Leftovers for supper and more playing
  • A quick visit to the car wash before bed-I loved it!

Beans! Beans!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Wanting to wear my princess dress to church and not the one with turtles on it
  • Enjoying Sunday School since Nonna was in my class
  • Eating lunch at Grannymom and Grandpa's house and playing with Lilly
  • Wearing my princess dress during naptime
  • Running a few errands and buying food for lunch tomorrow
  • Helping Mom make baked beans before bedtime

Cleaning the Couch!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • A few pictures of our new minivan
  • Waking up first this morning and trying to go back to sleep in bed with Mom and Dad-I liked to lay on Mom's head!
  • Spending the morning at church-I even took a nap
  • Lunch at Grannymom and Grandpa's house and playing with Cash
  • A long afternoon nap
  • Running a few errands before supper
  • Eating a very big supper and then playing with Dad until bedtime

I Love This Slide!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Sleeping with Nonna and Pops last night-I slept well! They may not have!
  • Playing in my pretty princess dress and with my pretty princess shoes all morning long
  • Eating lunch at Nonnas and riding in our new van-we even watched a movie!
  • Celebrating Kennedy and Camryn's birthday. I had so much fun-we jumped and jumped! My favorite part was the big, big slide-Dad and I went down it 1,000 times! (click here for Video #1) (click here for Video #2)
  • Coming home to eat supper and then watching a movie
  • Going to bed at 7:00-we were very tired!

Having a Ball! (at Camryn's Party)

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up at Nonna and Pop's house
  • Playing all morning long and taking a nap with Pops
  • Having lots of fun at Kennedy and Camryn's birthday party-we jumped, played ball and I even went down the slide a few times (I loved the slide but I hated it too-it scared me a little) (Click here for a video)
  • Riding in our new van-we even watched a movie in it!
  • Eating supper and then going to bed (we were all very tired)

Doctor Visit #5

We were in and out at this doctor's visit. Everything looks good-baby and Mom wise. The Dr. Phillips asked if we wanted to have the baby in mid-July after his vacation. We said was would wait a few more weeks after that. We don't have to go back for 4 more weeks so that is a good thing.

Doctor Visit #5

We were in and out at this doctor's visit. Everything looks good-baby and Mom wise. The Dr. Phillips asked if we wanted to have the baby in mid-July after his vacation. We said was would wait a few more weeks after that. We don't have to go back for 4 more weeks so that is a good thing.

Negotiating a car deal - over crackers!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Playing at Grannymom's house this morning while Mom was at her Doctor's appointment
  • Holding a big box for Mom while waiting in a long line at the post office
  • Eating a picnic lunch and not getting to slide-but Mom said we would go back
  • A short aftenoon nap
  • Helping Mom and Dad buy a car-we were there a long time but Pops came to play with us too
  • Spening the night at Nonna and Pop's house-I played and played and even took a bath!

Want a Lollipop?

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Playing at Grannymom's house for a few minutes this morning while Mom was at the Doctor
  • Carrying Mom's money for her at the post office
  • Eating a picnic lunch and being very upset that the playground was closed when we went to play
  • A short afternoon nap
  • Helping Mom and Dad buy our new car-a minivan! On the way home, I pointed out a van and said "there is a man in a red van in front of us"-Mom had to explain that was Dad in our new van
  • Spending the evening at Nonna and Pop's house and going to sleep wearing my princess dress

Wearing my other Princess Dress!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • "Playing, going outside, eating lunch and going potty" was my day at school
  • Eating a big snack in the car since we were good at school
  • Disagreeing that Nonna and Grannymom were my grandmothers-they are "my friends"
  • Watching my movies while Anderson took a nap
  • Supper with Anderson and Mom (Dad had to work late.)
  • Staying up really late - Dad let me stay up until 8:30 while Mom was at Bunko. We watched Word World and ate pretzels and peanut butter!

Who is Ginger?

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Spending the morning at school-my teachers said they are going to miss me when I move up to my big boy class
  • Eating cookies and a special drink in the car since we were good at school
  • Helping Mom unload the car and taking an afternoon nap
  • Supper with Reagan and Mom (Dad had to work late :(
  • Playing with Reagan and Dad while Mom went to Bunko

I Love This ChooChoo!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Wearing my hat all morning long
  • Strolling around the zoo with Carter and Millie-we rode the train but I was a little bit afraid this time. Mom had to hold me
  • Laughing and being a clown while eating with all of the kids at the picnic table
  • Playing with Millie and Carter and showing them all of my toys
  • A long afternoon nap
  • Eating supper and playing with Mom and Dad until bed

Back to the Zoo!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up excited about going to the zoo
  • Spending all morning at the zoo with my friends Carter and Millie-we even rode the train. My favorite animal at the zoo this time was the lion
  • Picking up lunch and telling Mom that Ms. Amy didn't watch us. Mom had ran in to pick up our lunch and left us in the car so Amy had parked behind us to watch us-but I didn't think she was there since I couldn't see her
  • Eating lunch at my house and showing Carter and Millie my toys
  • Taking a long afternoon nap
  • Eating supper and then playing with Mom and Dad until bedtime

One Day I'll Grow Up and Vote!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Playing outside at school today-big news: I am going to be in a new class this summer. Mom is pretty excited because they have a schedule and it is the class that I go to early in the morning now. I call it the "cracker class" since the lady gives me a cracker each morning
  • Shopping for the McGuire girl's birthday presents at Target
  • Coming home and wrapping the presents with Mom
  • Watching a movie until Dad came home
  • Eating chicken wings for supper and then going to vote
  • Jumping on Mom and Dad's bed until bedtime

I Could Get Out If I Wanted To!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Another day at school-big news: I am going to be in Reagan's class this summer (she is moving up)
  • Shopping at Target for the McGuire girl's birthday presents
  • Taking a short afternoon nap and wanting only Mom to hold me when I woke up
  • Eating chicken wings for supper-I liked the beans and fries better
  • Jumping on Mom and Dad's bed before bedtime

"Boo" I See You!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Guzzling all of my milk and eating all of my applesauce for breakfast
  • Playing outside before it was too hot
  • Glueing leaves on my paper-I really just liked to stick my fingers in the glue
  • A very long morning nap since I was a little bit fussy
  • Lunch and then getting a spanking for walking on Mom's clean laundry piles
  • Another short nap and getting the mail and watching tv with Mom
  • Taking my bath and eating supper
  • Playing until bedtime

Higher Daddy!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up too early for a Monday morning
  • Standing and waiting for Mom to get out of the shower (this is the morning routine now-everyone waits in the bathroom for Mom despite her pleas for them to go and play!)
  • Playing outside for a bit and glueing leaves on a tree
  • Learing how to play Sequence with Mom
  • Eating leftovers for lunch and then working on the laundry
  • An afternoon nap then a quick bath
  • Supper and playing with my toys and watching tv until bedtime

Tractor Time with Pops!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Wearing my pretty dress to church today-I told Dad that I was a princess
  • Eating lunch at Nonna and Pops-they had strawberries
  • Visiting with Beebee and Papaw and riding on the tractor for a few minutes
  • An afternoon nap and then playing with Dad and Anderson
  • Eating pizza at US Pizza before chuch
  • Telling Anderson to "wait a minute"-I was trying to talk to Mom and he was making Indian sounds. He was just tired of hearing me since I talk constantly in the car now

Pops and Me!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waving bye to my friends at Sunday School as I left this morning
  • Lunch at Nonna and Pops-I rode the tractor with Pops!
  • A long afternoon nap and then playing with Reagan and Dad
  • A quick visit to US Pizza for supper
  • Spending more time at church tonight
  • Coming home and going straight to bed

Burgers at Lilly's!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up early (6:30) and then laying in bed with Mom and Dad while they slept-I was awake and laid still for an hour before Dad finally got up with me
  • Playing outside while Dad ran on the treadmill. I played in my house, blew bubbles and wrote my name with chalk (not really)
  • Watching Dad get his haircut, eating strawberry ice cream at Cold Stone and shopping at Target
  • A quick lunch and then a short nap
  • Watching Ramona Quimby at the Children's Theater-I enjoyed it more than the last one
  • Eating supper on Lilly's deck, swingings, riding in the wagon and playing with Lilly's kitchen

Wagon Ride with Cash

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Playing with Dad and Reagan early this morning
  • Blowing bubbles and playing house on the deck
  • Watching Dad get his haircut, ice cream and then shopping at Target
  • Hot dogs for lunch and then an afternoon nap
  • Hanging out with Dad and playing by myself outside
  • Supper with Cash on his deck, swinging and riding in the wagon
  • Coming home and going straight to bed

Happy 89th Birthday Papaw!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Playing outside this morning-Reagan couldn't find me one time and got a little panicy-I was just blowing bubbles
  • Helping Mom sweep the floor
  • Taking a short morning nap before leftover pizza for lunch
  • Shopping at Krogers and crying when a stranger talked to me!
  • Eating lots of snacks at Beebee and Papaws-it was Papaw's birthday
  • Taking a long afternoon nap and then eating supper with Mom and Dad
  • Playing with the shopping cart and baby doll until bedtime

Happy Birthday Papaw!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Playing outside early this morning
  • Helping Mom clean the bathrooms-my favorite was cleaning the pottys
  • Learing how to play Uno with Mom-I like Boggle better (we just roll and see what letters we get)
  • Pizza leftovers for lunch
  • Buying cookies for Papaw
  • Celebrating Papaw's 89th birthday by eating his cookies, strawberries and M&Ms
  • Taking a long afternoon nap and then watching Mom and Dad cook supper
  • Playing and watching my movies all evening long

More Cheese Please!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Having a great day at school-my teachers love me!
  • Eating ice cream with Nonna and Pops
  • Wrestling with Pops until my nap time
  • Picking up Dad from work and then eating lots and lots of pizza
  • Delivering Grannymom's mother's day gift (a little late) and playing in the wagon
  • Coming home and going straight to bed

What Should I Order?

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Talking to my teachers today at school-a first!
  • Eating ice cream with Nonna and Pops and showing them all of my toys
  • Helping Pops check the mail and getting ready to go and pick up Dad
  • Picking Dad up from work and eating lots and lots of pizza (click here to view a quick video)
  • Delivering Grannymom's mother's day present-finally! And playing at Grannymom's until bedtime
  • Coming home and going straight to bed

17 Months of Smiling!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up first this morning-we are getting back on the central time zone-slowly
  • Helping Mom clean the chairs. I spent most of my time getting in trouble for climbing in the chairs
  • Riding in the new shopping carts at Krogers-it was a little car on the front of the buggy! It had a horn and I honked at everyone who got in our way
  • Coming home to eat an early lunch and then taking a short afternoon nap
  • Watching Mom and Reagan get their hair cut
  • Waiting on Dad outside while pushing the recycling bin around the yard
  • Hot dogs for supper and then playing farm until bedtime

32 Months of Smiling!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Helping Mom clean the kitchen
  • Shopping at Krogers-we had lots of buy
  • Eating lunch very early this morning-we had beans, hot dogs, pineapples (no one liked them except Mom), cheese, crackers and peanut butter
  • A short afternoon nap
  • Getting my bangs cut from Ms. Tammy-I was very good and Mom gave me smarties, tang and a cookie
  • Waiting outside for Dad to come home and then driving his car
  • Hot dogs for supper and then playing farm until bedtime

Our Singing Star!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Going to school this morning-I didn't fuss but Mom had to push me in the door!
  • Eating a snack before my afternoon nap
  • Waiting on Dad to come home from work
  • Not waiting patiently for my pizza supper
  • Playing with all my toys until bedtime

Pretty Brown Eyes!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Spending the day at school-I was delighted to be back in school
  • Helping Mom unpack our school bags
  • Playing games with Mom
  • Watching my movie while everyone else took a nap
  • Waiting on Dad to come home
  • Eating pizza and playing before bedtime

Princess Reagan!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Sleeping until 9 this morning and watching a new movie
  • Playing dress-up all day long
  • Lunch and then helping Mom with the laundry
  • A long afternoon nap and then playing Memory with Mom
  • Taking my bath and then eating supper
  • Playing "baker" until bedtime (6:30 tonight-we have to wake up early for school)

Can I Fix It?

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Sleeping until 9 this morning
  • Playing around the house until a mid morning snack-veggies. I saw them in the refrigerator and had to have them
  • Dressing up like a construction worker
  • A long afternoon nap
  • Taking my bath and then eating supper and popsicles
  • Wrestling with Dad until bedtime (6:30-we have to wake up early for school tomorrow)

Let's Eat!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Sleeping very well last night-traveling is tough-we even slept through church
  • Making Mom a Mother's Day card with markers!
  • Playing farm with Dad until Mom came home
  • Lunch with Nonna, Pops and Jason at Famous Daves
  • Seeing Grandpa-his knee is better already and giving him his birthday gift
  • Taking a long afternoon nap-over 3 hours. Dad finally woke me up
  • Eating supper and popsicles before bed again

Home Again and Happy Mother's Day!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Waking up at 6:30 (4:30 pacific time) but getting in bed with Mom and Dad
  • Sleeping through church with the boys and then playing princess with Dad
  • Making Mom a Mother's Day card
  • Lunch with Nonna, Pops and Jason at Famous Daves-we had corn on the cob!
  • Seeing Grandpa-his knee is better and giving him his birthday present
  • An afternoon nap-almost 3 hours-we are tired around here
  • Doing laundry until supper and then going back to bed

State #48 - Oregon! plus Washington and California

Day 1 (5/2/08) - click here for pictures: We are anxious for a vacation and the kids are very excited. We've had two trips in between their last trip to Savannah and Charleston. Dad took us to the airport for our 2:40 flight from Little Rock to Denver. It was a fairly smooth flight and we landed around 4:20 local time. We grabbed supper at Schlotzsky's and then caught our flight from Denver to Portland. The kids did great on the plane. Anderson finally went to sleep the last 5 minutes before we landed in Portland. Robby went to get our rental car and we were on the way to the hotel by 9:15 local time (or 11:15 CST). Kids are still going strong as I type and it's past midnight in Little Rock. We're here at the Radisson for 3 nights. Planning to sightsee in and around Portland tomorrow.

Day 2 (5/3/08) - click here for pictures: We all woke up around 7 this morning and left the hotel around 7:45. Our first stop was Wal-Mart (since we don't have any at home). We loaded up on picnic supplies, diapers, drinks and even had to buy another ice chest for our stuff (we will be here a week). We drove up to the Pittock Mansion and walked around the grounds. The view of Portland was pretty and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. We then drove around Washington Park and the Japenese Gardens. The kids loved the Oregon Zoo-even though they were ready for a nap. Reagan's favorite animal was the elephant and Anderson's was the otter (click here for a quick video). After the zoo, we had a picnic lunch at the Rose Garden Children's Park. We played on the playground and slides (fun for Reagan and not so much fun for Anderson). Right after lunch, we stopped at the Chinatown Gates and Voodoo Doughnuts. McMinneville was our next stop to see Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Aviation Museum. It was a perfect time for a museum since it was raining pretty good by then. We had supper at the Daily Cafe in the Pearl District back in Portland and then headed to St. Cupcakes for another dessert. We were completely stuffed by then and called it a night.
Day 3 (5/4/08) - click here for pictures: We all slept until 8 this morning but quickly headed to our first stop-Mt. St. Helens. We toured the visitor center at Silver Lake (still 50ish miles from the mountain-the other visitor centers were still closed for winter). There we watched a movie, took a failed back picture and had our picnic lunch. Then we headed to Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. After circling for 10 minutes we were able to find a parking spot and see the waterfall. We hiked to the bridge but decided not to hike to the top of the falls which was another 3/4 miles away. Fort Vancouver in Vancouver, WA was our next step. The fort is famous for its Pearson airfield and other things I am sure! The kids enjoyed the slides and swings. It was suppertime and we saw a great place for supper nearby our hotel-IKEA. After supper we did a little bit of shopping (we should be able to get everything home). We then gave Reagan the choice between driving back into Portland (20ish miles) for a chocolate shop or going swimming. She picked swimming and Anderson seemed to agree. They were delighted to strip down, put on their suits and run down the hall (even though Anderson probably doesn't even remember going swimming from last summer). They both had a great time and after baths and a little bit of repacking they are sound asleep. We plan on waking up early and heading to Astoria to begin our trek down the Oregon coast.
Day 4 (5/5/08) - click here for pictures: Our alarm cried around 6:10 this morning and we were leaving the hotel by 7:30. During our drive to Astoria the weather was dreary-we battled clouds all day long but no rain. After a few bathroom stops along the way, we made it to the Astoria column. Since the weather was cloudy we decided not to climb the column (and it was closed). Fort Clatsop, home to Lewis and Clark for a winter, was next. Rob and I took our pictures by the Seaside sign and the end of the Lewis and Clark trail. The kids touched the Pacific Ocean for the first time at Cannon Beach near Haystack Rock and ran off a little energy (click here for video #1) (click here for video #2). Our mid-afternoon stop was at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The kids were very interested watching the cheese in the factory and they loved the samples. Reagan passed on the ice cream for more cheese but Anderson loved everybit of his ice cream. After leaving the cheese factory, we stopped at Devil's Punchbowl for a few pictures. Then we only had a short drive to the Yaquina Head lighthouse. The wind there was crazy so Reagan did not enjoy it. Our hotel was nearby and it had a pool so our evening was spent swimming and taking baths before bed. The first planned stop tomorrow is the Oregon State Aquarium which opens at 10-but maybe we will find something to do before then.

Day 5 (5/6/08) - click here for pictures: The kids didn't stir until around 8:30 this morning but we still managed to eat breakfast and arrive at the Oregon State Aquarium by 10. The highlights were seeing the otters and seals. Robby and Reagan jumped out of the car to look for whales at Strawberry Hill-but they didn't think they saw any. We saw many lighthouses today-the Haceta Head, Umpqua and Bandon lighthouses-to name a few. The favorite stop of the day was at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. We hiked up a sand dune-Rob carried Anderson down and Reagan and Tara had to slide down on their rears. The kids chased the water (click here for a video), Anderson loved the sand and we all struggled to climb back up the dune. In Coos Bay, we had a late lunch at Abby's Pizza. Anderson needed a break so we walked around the windy Pistol River viewpoint before heading into California. At the state line, Reagan had her picture made and then chatted on the phone for a bit with Nonna and Grannymom (click here for a video). Our hotel was right on the strip and we were eating our supper before 8 this evening.

Day 6 (5/7/08) - click here for pictures: Our day began a little of the fussy side with one wanting their juice and the other not wanting to be buckled in their car seat. Things soon calmed down with a scenic drive through the Redwood State and National Parks. After driving down an unpaved road for several miles, we took a 3/4 mile walk around Stout Grove (click here for a video). Next, the kids soon fell asleep and we drove South through the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. After a chilly picnic lunch, we walked the 1 mile loop to see where the park was dedicated by Lady Bird. Our next stop was the Tour Thru Tree in Klamath. We drove through the tree 4 times and only scratched our mirror once! (click here for a video) We were the last people in the Trees of Mystery. Which included a walk (nearly a mile) and then a gondola ride to the top of a mountain for a scenic overlook. We were all exhausted by then and grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to the hotel.

Day 7 (5/8/08) - click here for pictures: We slept in this morning until almost 8:30. After packing up and a quick trip to Safeway, we were on the road on Hwy. 199 through Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Medford. We stopped at the corporate headquarters of Harry and David's. The tour through their candy making operation and produce packing area was quite interesting - a lot of manual work goes into all those gift packages. After the tour, we made a few purchases from the company store including a peanut butter chocolate cheesecake for dessert tonight. We ate a late lunch at McGrath's Fish House where Tara opted for the crab cakes and Robby for the fish tacos and clam chowder. Anderson was so tired he laid his head on the table. We were back on the road after lunch and headed to Ft. Klamath where we are spending the night. We made it to the Aspen Inn around 5:00. It's a little country motel in the middle of the High Cascade Mountains. It is quite quaint - only about 12 rooms - plus we are their only guests tonight. Not many options in this area but it's only 7 miles from the entrance of Crater Lake National Park - our destination tomorrow. After we unloaded the van, we played outside for awhile before coming in for supper. After turkey tortillas, we enjoyed the cheesecake from Harry and David's. Anderson went on to sleep and Reagan is watching a movie.

Day 8 (5/9/08) - click here for pictures: We packed up and headed to Crater Lake National Park this morning. They are just now getting out of their snow season - they average 45 feet of snow a year. In fact, the Rim Drive won't be open until the first week of July. It takes the park crew from April to July to clear the 33-mile drive around the lake. We visited the information center and had a nice view of the lake. We made the scenic drive from the park to Eugene, Oregon for a late lunch at Roaring Rapids Pizza where they had a carousel and games. After eating, we stopped at a nice city park for the kids to run off some energy. We made the final hour drive from Eugune to Salem (passing Obama's caravan en route to Eugene). We are spending the night at the Red Lion Hotel.


Day 9 (5/10/08) - click here for pictures: 1,514 miles in a mini-van and 3,514 miles in airplanes and we are back home. We packed up this morning and made two quick stops in Salem - the State Capitol and Governor's Mansion. We made the drive back to Portland for a stop at Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe where Reagan opted for a kitty cat chocolate and the grown ups and Anderson had milkshakes. Next door was a Hallmark and Anderson spotted himself a cow backpack - he needed one since he had been jealous of Reagan's duck backpack. We returned the mini-van and checked in at the airport without any problems. Anderson was so proud walking through the airport with his new backpack. A bit of delay leaving Portland so we had to book it to our connecting flight in Denver. They were waiting on us when we boarded the plane. The flight from Denver to Little Rock was quick (1.5 hours) with a great tailwind. Tom was waiting on us when we arrived and then Nonna and Jason were soon to arrive at our house for a quick greeting. Everyone was glad to be home!

Vacationing on the Oregon Trail (or somewhere close!)

We're on vacation this week to my 22nd, 23rd and 24th states! (Oregon, Washington and California)
Be sure to click here to check out the pictures each day!

~ Reagan

We're on Vacation in Oregon! and Washington! and California!

We're on vacation this week to my 11th, 12th and 13th states!
Be sure to
click here to check out the pictures each day!


~ Anderson

Good Night Little Boy!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • My teacher at school said that I was her favorite little boy! They are impressed at what a good helper I am
  • Playing at Nonna and Pops all afternoon long-I ate lots and lots of strawberries!
  • Seeing Grannymom and Grandpa and playing there until bedtime
  • Daddy tucking me in bed tonight and thinking about my airplane trip tomorrow
  • Having Dad take my pictures after I had already been resting!

Good Night Sweetheart!

Highlights from today: (click here for the pictures)
  • Playing with my friends at school
  • Spending the whole afternoon with Nonna and Pops-we saw Beebee and Papaw, ate, played and ate some more
  • Eating again at Grannymom and Grandpa's house and then playing there until bedtime
  • Letting Dad tuck me in bed tonight and getting very excited about our trip-I wanted him to tell me the story of our trip before bed