Since Lisa moved in April I have been planning a trip to vist her this summer. Mom, the kids and I hit the road at 4am Tuesday morning to begin the 12 hour journey to Vancouver. Surprisingly the kids did very well for the length of time in the car. They worked their way through almost everything mom and I packed to keep them entertained.
To split up the travel we stopped in Spokane at a little place called Cat Tales. It is a rescue zoo for larger cats and I thought Sean would enjoy it. For some reason I didn't get any pictures of the actual animals but they had 4 bobcats, a family of lions and tigers and they even had a bear.
Sean had to use the bathroom and when he saw the soap dispenser he said "They have fish soap! I want to use it so my hands smell like fish." Probably the only person on the face of the earth that has said that. Especially when they are at a zoo that has large cats!
Mikayla had enough of her car seat and was anxious the last 3 hours but we made it! The kids were glad to be out of the car and enjoyed playing with Gwen's toys.
The next day was Lisa's birthday. We went shopping for items for the new house and got pedicures. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and had birthday cake too.
The next day we headed down through Portland to Cannon Beach.
This beach was where I first saw the ocean. I took a work trip to Portland and my coworkers were kind enough to make sure we made it to the beach. It was very cold and I was 7 months pregnant with Sean.
Sean's first time putting his feet in the sand. I wish I would have been in front of him so I could have captured his face when he first saw the ocean, it was priceless.
Mikayla was not sure if she liked the sand or not.
The water was a little better temperature this year. Sean was afraid to turn his back to the water so I could take a picture. He thought it would grab him and take him away.
He soon warmed up to it and enjoyed it.
Mikayla is like her dad and doesn't care for selfies.
We traveled to SeaSide where we had a picnic lunch and enjoyed more time in the sand. Along with some yummy gelato from a local shoppe.
Sean's sand angel.
Getting a good picture of everyone is near impossible I have decided.
After this we headed home and enjoyed a nice dinner and relax time.
Friday we headed to the Portland Zoo. Unless Sean's interests change one of my bucket list items may be to visit every zoo. This was a beautiful zoo and a lot of fun to visit. It was a cooler day so the animals were out playing and they all looked so healthy.
Of course climbing anything she can.
Cougar enjoying a nap.
Sean got to feed and pet goats and we all touched a snake!
They had a unique exhibit at the lions. They had a truck where the front was in the lions cage so they could stand on it and then on the other side of the glass was the back of the truck that the kids could climb in. Sean is planning his adventure using the zoo map.
My favorite animal! Sean was just as excited as I was.
At the end of our visit we got to ride the train. I'm glad Sean convinced us to do it as we got to travel by the elephants and when we visited them the first time there was only one. This time there were four enjoying their new habitat.
Train time!
Another great day and another great zoo marked off the list.
The next day we "relaxed" around the house and helped Mike and Lisa finish putting up their pictures and decorating the house. Mike, Lisa and I made a quick run to town to get a dining room table they had their eyes on. We thought it would fit in the Pathfinder, it did but it was an interesting ride home with me sitting on the table box and leaning against a bed linen set they also found. Glad Mike got me home safely! Mom then took us out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse.
Sunday was our last day there, we visited a local park that had a pond and a splash pad. The kids loved the pond. Mikayla ran and ran in the water and Gwen loved splashing. Sean of course was a sea creature creeping through the water.
Mike gave Lisa tickets to a concert for her birthday so mom and I got to babysit Gwen while they enjoyed the concert. She finally started to let me hold her without crying!
Monday morning we headed to Boise to visit the Deitchler family. My cousins have grandkids that are Sean and Mikayla's age and my cousin Kim has a pool. The kids had a great time playing with the kids and swimming in the pool. I had not visited in at least 10 years so it was nice to see everyone and all the new houses! We stopped at La Grande, OR and walked around Walmart to break up the trip. They found the clearance isle in toys and the toy area.
Mikayla found a toy phone in the clearance isle and I guess it made a good pillow.
Wednesday morning we hit the road again to make our way home. We stopped in Idaho Falls and visited a cute little zoo. It was great because the only animals they had that were the same as the Portland Zoo were lions and a monkey.
This was a fun exhibit that let you see what it would be like to be a researcher in the field studying animals.
When we got home Mikayla and Sean headed out to play. I guess Mikayla didn't have enough time in the car.
It was a wonderful vacation and I am so thankful that we have such wonderful family and friends that let my crazy kids take over their house!
Jon in his element and with his favorite tool, his camera. 
I prefer to be on the other side of the camera thank you!
To the first meadow. Indiana chasing the gophers but they are too fast for him. He still has a spring in his step but this old boy will soon realize he needs to learn to pace himself.
The flowers were very vibrant this year. The Indian Paint Brush is very red.
A glimpse back in time. An old fence around one of the cabins.
True craftsmanship.
A bathroom in the woods. This is the broiler to heat the water.
For the shower and...
the tub. I can say I probably would not have minded either of these as the view was great.
Almost to the place we made it last time. 
The old boy is getting worn out. He never used to stop on these hiking trips.
Another snap shot in time. Old mining equipment just left to be. This is where Ethan and I hiked to last time. This time we continued up the trail. 
Here is the high mountain meadow. 
Looking down into the valley.
And this is the top. Looking down into the valley again. We were so high we found snow.
This was looking over the other side of the mountain. Next time maybe we'll come from the other side and take the road. 
Interesting vegetation at such high elevations.
I feel short.
Thank you honey.
