Portland Zoo

Julie and I had talked about taking the kids to the Portland Zoo and decided to take them on a Tuesday that would have reduced admittance prices.  Everyone else wanted to go to the zoo that day too!  The line just to get on the shuttle bus that would take us to the zoo because the zoo parking lot was already full was HUGE!  We decided we weren't that crazy and that we would try the next day instead, full prices and all.  As we were waiting in line to buy our tickets to get into the zoo, a man approached us and said he was from some kind of kids summer camp program that was over and they had lots of free children's tickets that were left over and they were just trying to give them away so they wouldn't go to waist.  He asked how many kids we had with us.  We told him 8, the two babies got in free anyway.  He gave us 8 tickets and went on to the next group of people.  We only had to pay admission for two adults!  It was amazing!!!  And we had a great time!

 

 

This first picture is Spencer's reaction to seeing a bear for the first time.  He was quite excited!

Stephen and Annie both were great help!  What would I do without my big kids???

OMSI

We spent one hot day at the OMSI!  There were so many fun things to do and play with!  How did I only end up with a few pictures?  I guess we were just busy having fun!

 

Canon Beach

Like I mentioned earlier, the week we stayed at Mark and Julie's house was HOT!  So one day we went back to the coast, but to Cannon Beach this time.  The temperature in Portland/Vancouver was right around 100 degrees.  In the town of Cannon Beach the temp was probably 75 degrees, but right on the beach itself the temp could not have been more that 70 with a very cool breeze coming in off the ocean. 

 

Halloween 2010

These pictures were taken as we got home from our ward halloween party so the kids were ready to put on their jammies and eat some candy!

Stephen - a caver

Annie - a sea witch
Ellen - a frog
Naomi - a monkey
Noah - a cowboy

Sorting the loot.

Our Year in Pictures: Part 1

Even though I haven't been keeping up with the blog this year like I wanted to, we did keep living and I don't want to forget any of it.  So, the next few posts or so will just be a bunch of pictures.  I will try to add little comments here and there, but won't be able to write everything out.  (sigh!)  Want to guess what one of my New Year's resolutions is?  Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding!!!  You got it!  I'm planning to be a more regular blogger!!!  Now on to the pictures.....



The 4th of July...in our pajamas.

Ferdinand's Ice Cream for Family Home Evening Treat.  It is the very best ice cream around!

The kids got crazy, creative, and cool with ice one day. 

We planted a garden, and most of it actually grew!  It was super exciting to all of us. 

 We even got this one really crazy zucchini.

 And Noah drank more milk than all the rest of us put together. 

Zip Line

While we were camping James and Tyler set up a very fun zip line for the kids.  All the kids tried it (except for Noah) and loved it.  Even Lida who celebrated her 2nd birthday while we were camping had a blast.

Stephen all ready to go.

Annie flying by.

Annie on her way down.

Naomi

It took lots of help to hold the rope down low enough to get someone hooked in and ready to be pulled to the top. 

Ellen

Lynsey and Joseph

When I came home from Minnesota Lynsey and Joseph (my sister-in-law and nephew) came home with me!  We had a long day of traveling (three separate flights) and we didn't get home till about 11pm, but it sure was nice to have someone to travel with.  Joseph was such a good traveler!  And it was really nice to be able to spend so much time chatting with Lynsey. 

Lynsey and Joseph were able to stay at our house for almost two weeks!  It was so fun to have them!  We don't get to see them nearly often enough, so a nice long visit like that was wonderful!!!  We did lots of fun things together. 

Ben was even able to join us for a few days!

We went to the Palouse Discovery Science Center and worked our brain muscles.

We went to see the Giant Cedar.  It was really rainy that day, but we did have a break in the rain right when we needed.  We got a little sprinkled on while we were walking around, then about 30 seconds after we got back in the van it started pouring again.

We also went to the WSU creamery to watch how they make cheese, and to eat some really yummy ice cream!

Lynsey took most of these pictures...Thanks, Lyns!