Roatrip 2009

We are finally back from our long, fun-filled roadtrip to Oregon. Unfortunately I can't say it was a FAMILY vacation because Matt wasn't able to come with us, but I took the kids and we cruised on up to good ol' Oregon. Along the way we picked up some strays and they came along with us too. OK, so they're not really strays, they are the Sommers - some of our bestest friends ever! We stopped in Fallon, NV (anyone know where that is?) to rest from our weary travels for a couple days and then the Sommers joined us the rest of the way. We had such a great time with the Sommers and my family and friends! I hadn't been back home for over two years, so it was so great to see everyone again!

This is my Grandma Kirby, Tori's great-grandma! Isn't she such a cutie?! I was so happy that I was able to see her while I was there!

Grandpa Larry built a tire swing in the backyard and the kids spent hours back there on that thing! You can definitely see that Jaxon loved it!

We spent a couple of days at the beach - it was so beautiful while we were there! I grew up going to Lincoln City several times a year with my dad, so it is such a nostalgic place for me, full of fun childhood memories! I loved experiencing everything with my kids and passing the memories on to them!

And the beach isn't a successful destination unless Jacob finds a living organism - in this case, a hermit crab.

We trekked down to the beach at low tide when we could explore the tidepools and search for agates. It's so fun to see and touch! There were tons of starfish and sea anemones for the kids to feel.

The BRAT PACK - can you believe two women traveled for 12 hours with this gang?

The high tide created this little "lake" that was shallow and warm. Jaxon spent most of his time playing here instead of the freezing ocean.

We found some beautiful deer grazing in the grass in the backyard of the beach house.

I think this was my only picture of our camping trip in the mountains of Central Oregon. We took a "hike" to the head of a little river where the river just comes right out of a rock. Nature is so incredible! Thanks, Mom and Larry, for the fun camping trip!

One of the highlights of the trip was reconnecting with my oldest friend, Karin. We have known each other since the third grade! That means we've been friends for 24 years!!! She wouldn't allow me to post the picture of her, so I decided to post the picture of her daughter, Sydney chomping on apples with Jaxon. We picked some apples that afternoon and the little ones couldn't help but eat away! What a cute pair - maybe we will have some matchmaking in our futures?!

Yes, Jaxon is in his underwear (he usually is these days), but this video is too cute not to post! Notice in the very beginning how he is taunting Grandpa Larry. They played this game over and over and it always ended the same...

Apparently I wasn't a very good photographer on this trip, as there are so many fun adventures that I don't have documented! We had such a great time and I already miss my family so much! My official apologies to the Millers for not seeing them one last time. I owe you big, Kevin! Love you guys!