Oregon Trip 6 of 9: Drive to Newport

On the drive from Tillamook to Newport, OR we stopped to get a few pictures. 

 This is the first time that we saw the ocean on the drive.

I guess you are wondering where Lydia and Arlee are. They both took much needed naps. So we got some pictures in before they woke up.

 We got back in the car to Lydia like this and....

Arlee still like this. Off we went until the next stop!

Oregon Trip 5 of 9: Tillamook Cheese Factory

We went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook, OR. It was great fun. We came up with this at breakfast once again. We talked to a guy about it. He just got back from there and said it was great. So we decided to go before heading to Newport.

 Arlee

 Abbie, Matt and Arlee

 Me, Lydia, Hans and Arlee

 Arlee and Lydia

 Me and Hans

 Abbie and Matt

 Watching people make the cheese.

We ate at the cafe. It was delicious!

Oregon Trip 4 of 9: THE TRAM and Hotel

When Hans took me and Arlee to the airport last October I saw the tram from the freeway and really wanted to go on it the next time we were able to.

Well we went on it. It was AWESOME- not. It was pretty much a maybe 4 minute ride that was $4 per person for the adults and the kiddos were free. Once you were in the car it would take you from one hospital to the next. Can you say lame, well other than the view I mean seriously! You can see all of Portland from up there. I know that $4 isn't much, but the pamphlet that we got while eating breakfast at the hotel was very misleading. Go up there for the view- or drive! And save yourself the $4 per person. But other than that, not much really to do. 

 The Monsons. Can you see the storm coming in? YIKES!

I love getting pictures of the girls together. I actually don't really have much of a choice if I didn't. If I try and take one of Lydia, Arlee jumps in. If I try and take one of Arlee she runs away. I am hoping this phase of Arlee running away will end soon, I just love her little face and I would like to capture it more.

Oregon Trip 3 of 9: Portland Temple

About a week before we went on our trip we called and asked Abbie and Matt if they would like to go to the temple and we would just switch off watching the girls. Matt and Abbie were going to do a session while we went and found Hans some pants since he forgot to pack any for the temple. They missed the session by 5 minutes and were going to do sealings, but there weren't any spot open until later. They decided to do initiatories instead since we were waiting for our turn. 

While they were in temple Lydia was doing this

 And Arlee was doing this. I couldn't wait for our turn. I needed some peace and that is exactly what I got. Abbie made the appointment for us (the one that was later) and we were able to do them. This was my first time doing sealings and it was just what I needed. It was a great experience and I can't wait to get another chance to go back.

 While we were waiting for Abbie and Matt to come out we got a few pictures of the temple.

 I think this is another favorite of mine. Hans and I aren't sure which one of us took it, but it is beautiful.

 Abbie and Matt

 Being their goofy selves. *This is what I remember of their wedding day. Totally cheesy, but completely in love.

 I told Abbie to do the foot pop by the way. Haha

 Hey look! I am wearing the dress that I bought at the mall.

We tried to get another picture of us with the whole temple, but then the wind really started blowing and it was freezing cold. Lydia was getting hungry too.

Thank you Abbie and Matt for watching our children while we went to the temple. It was a great time.

Oregon Trip 2 of 9: Washington Park

The next day (Wednesday) Abbie and Matt flew in. After we picked them up we went back to the hotel and  Matt slept after working his seven days on. While he was sleeping we went to the park. Hans talked about this park when we would talk about our plans for Portland.  Well we finally went there and it was pretty cool. It is called Washington Park oddly enough. There were trails everywhere. You could see all sorts of trees too. I loved it. 

 Arlee, Abbie and Lydia

 While we on the trail Arlee had to go to the bathroom. I tried getting her to go in the bush and she wasn't having it. I have taught her well, but in this instance I told her it was okay.  Nope she wouldn't do it. So we left, got some lunch and went to the bathroom. Then we went back to the park and went back on the trails. (story to come in another post about bush bathrooms)

 Abbie, Lydia and Arlee

 I thought this was pretty cool. A bird with a red eye. Vampire bird?

 We loved looking at this tree. It is called a monkey puzzle. It reminded me of a pineapple. The way that they trunk was. Amazing and completely off the wall. Maybe it belongs in a Dr. Seuss book.

 Looking up into the tree tops

 Lydia just started holding her bottle. This is one of the ways she does it. She hugs it and makes a lot of noise while she eats. Mostly when she is pretty darn hungry.

Oregon Trip 1 of 9: Clackamas, OR

This is where our vacation pretty much started. Well at least for me. We went shopping. I found a dress that I don't have a picture of in this one, but it will be mentioned with a picture in a post following. 

 Arlee loves these picture things that you can step on and it will make ripples in the picture.

 They had a little play area at the mall and Arlee was in heaven after being in the car for a few hours.

 Lydia miss.

Hey I am in a picture, what do you know.