Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig!!!

We arrived home late Sunday night after what seemed like a year away from home. (Actually it was a little over three weeks.) We left on the 7th of August at about 4 pm and drove to Grants Pass. We stayed the night there, getting up the next morning and continuing on to Portland. We got to Portland about 3pm, spent the evening hanging out at my brother's house and getting ready for the next day. Saturday the 9th, we celebrated my littlest nephew, Judah Milo Carlson's first birthday. His actual birthday is the 14th but for sake of family and friends we had the party that Saturday. My brother's church family came and then some of his family and some of my sister in laws family came. We bar-b-qued and played games, but mostly just talked. Then the next day was church. We went to church with them, they go to the Gleason's church in Oregon City. They are very sweet people. I love Sis. Gleason, she always has the kindest words to say. OK, continuing on, Monday was just a play day at the house, Tuesday we took the kids to the Oregon zoo, and that was cool. The kids loved it and it is so big we couldn't do everything in one day. Wednesday, we drove up towards Mt. Hood, stopping at Multnomah Falls. We had a picnic there in the little park at the end of the falls, and then my kids played in the water. It was so perfect. We were the only ones there for quite a while. The kids and Aunt Dani(my sis in law) built a dam in the water, they raced little boats and climbed on the rocks. Then we drove up to Horsetails falls, then took the kids to this really neat place called Blue Lake, there is a splash park there, and the kids had a blast, in fact we had to take them back another day they liked it so much. After we got them all dried up, they keep asking Aunt Dani if they could go to Washington. And being the great auntie that she is, she took them. We went into Vancouver to a little park in the middle of the city. Then we went back into Portland(downtown) to a restaurant called Fire on the Mountain. My brother built this restaurant, and he did an incredible job!! Then we drove through downtown Portland, staying in the car at this point, because it was just Aunt Dani, the kids and myself, and it was dark. We saw all the important buildings, like the World Trade Center, the Oregon Trail Building, The Wells Fargo Center, Nordstrom, Ruths Chris...you get the idea!!! Anyway, it was so cool, because I like all the buildings and I like bridges and I like water and I like shopping....and you can see and do that all in Downtown Portland!!! So the next day, oh I forgot, the reason why it was just Aunt Dani and I, is because Ronnie and Jeremy(my bro) went to Coos Bay to work at my parents house which is being remodeled by my brother. So they came back late Wednesday night. On Thursday, we hung out at the house, then the guys kept the kids and Danielle and I went THRIFTING!!!! I found quite a few things, some really cool books and a purse. Then that night, Danielle's parents came over for dinner, they didn't make it to Judah's birthday party, and since Thursday was his actual birthday, they bought a cake(from Claim Jumper's) and came over. Then Friday we went back to the splash park, then Friday night we took the kids to this place called Bullwinkles (kinda like a John's incredible pizza)except they have outdoor things to do like golf. Saturday we went a few places, went to lunch and then left for Coos Bay where my parents live!
The first week we were in Coos Bay was devoted to Music is for Kids. My kids participated in a play called Livin' Inside Out! Levi and Myles each played a acting part and Elle sang a verse. They did awesome! Ashley was in it but when it cam to the actual play she stomped off the platform during Elle's solo, because Elle was wearing a scarf Ashley thought was hers. So she pouted for about four songs, then on the very last song she decided she was happy and ran back up to finish her act. I was quite embarrassed but other people though it was great! Beth Ezell and her family were there as well and Olivia and Julia were in the play. Olivia sang a verse and did a remarkable job!! Victoria, Susanna, and Alyssa help keep the kids in control, and on Monday(the first day) I was asked to choreograph the songs, Victoria stepped right in and helped me. She is awesome!!! That was a fun week.
The last week we were there, My mom and I took the girls up the coast to Lincoln city, then we drove over to Portland, stayed the night with my sis in law, and spent the day with her on Tuesday, then we drove back home by way of the coast. Both days were absolutely beautiful. Then Wednesday, we hung out at my parents. My kids find all kinds of things to do there, like creating mud slides, picking blackberries, stomping through the forest behind their house, finding golf balls for the neighbor lady and getting $ for them, playing basketball, football, and many more crazy things. Thursday, Ronnie and I took the kids to the park and fed the ducks(and the annoying seagulls) then we drove down to Bandon by the Sea. That night, Ronnie and I left the kids with my mom and went on a date. Friday, we went into town and ate at City Subs, which by the way has the best sandwiches ever!!! Friday night we stayed home, I made minestrone soup and homemade buttermilk biscuits, YUM!! Saturday, I got everything ready to leave and then made dinner, and for dessert, I made a homemade strawberry and blueberry jelly roll, my mom helped, she made the filling but I did the roll part!, Sunday we got up loaded the car and headed home. This time however we went home by way of the coast. We stopped in Eureka for a time(Ronnie lived most of his early life there) the went went through the Redwoods, through the Avenue of the Giants. It was beautiful. But now we are home and trying to get back into the groove!

Comments

Carly said…
Welcome Home Kim:) Glad you had fun visiting with your family! Love you!

PS: your kids are getting so big! Crazy how time flies...
eds thinker said…
howdy! it sure is nice comin home from a nice vucation! i love goin to the zoo! but i already kinda have one on my farm ha ha. im a always takin my 14 kids to fun places where they can look at all the perty animals
James Wilder said…
Sounded like a GREAT summer vacation! Doing lots of everything and much of nothing. Perfect! :)

I heard Music is for Kidz went SWELL!
Melissa said…
It's good to have my neighbor back! I mentioned to Dallas that his friends were home, Levi, Myles, Elle, and Ashley, and Dallas said, "And Kim!" So, he is glad your home too! Glad you had such a great time and made lots of memories with the family.
Kim said…
Carly~ thanks, it's good to be home. love you more...
Eds Thinker~ hummm..Levi is really interested in farming, maybe I ought to bring him out to your place for the real thing. Like a field trip! Only problem is I don't have a clue who you are.
James~ Music is for Kidz was awesome, Sis. King did a marvelous job and so did all the kids!
Melissa~ tell Dallas I missed him! and thank you, I am glad to be back and surrounded by all my wonderful neighbors!!
Vonney said…
Sounds like you guys had a blast!
Welcome back home and back to blogger land! It's hard getting 'back in the groove of things' when you are gone for a long time, but it's nice to get out of the 'groove' for a minute too!

ps...I am dying laughing at this part:
"We saw all the important buildings, like the World Trade Center, the Oregon Trail Building, The Wells Fargo Center, Nordstrom, Ruths Chris...you get the idea!!!"

Nordstroms, and Ruth Chris fall under the 'important' buildings! hahahaha
Music Eloquence said…
Hey Kim, I need your email addy. I need the sanitizer your dad supplies the nursery with. I am now in charge of the nursery here in AL. Thanks. Love you guys.
Von de Leigh
Kim said…
The Nordstrom there is a skyscraper,(I don't think it houses the entire building but I have a picture of it) can you imagine how much time we could spend in there? and $$!! Well, I didn't get the chance to go in there, (I am sure Ronnie very much appreciates this) but I will next time!! hummm...I'm thinking a girls trip...Portland..then Seattle??
Kim said…
Hey Von!!! its kim.marquez@comcast.net
I can have him contact you too, just send me your info! love ya!
Well I am glad you guys enjoyed your time here, I know I did, It was fun. It was funny cause all the things I see everyday, you guys found so exciting, I did too but I the kids were so funny going into WA anyways well I love you all and miss you all. And had tons,tons, and tons of FUN
Kim said…
Aunt Dani is the best aunt ever, because she listens to my kids and obliges their every whim!!! They love her tons!!!

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