The Long Drive Home

 We left Washington July 20.  It was raining when we needed to pack the van, so Brian backed the car into my mom and dad's garage to load everything up.

Brian took this picture with his phone.  I was probably packing up last minute stuff.  Doing Lauren's hair?  Packing the cooler?

When we left, starting our drive away from Grandpa and Grandma's, Caroline said wistfully, "That was fun..."

It took us a looooong time to get out of WA.  We hit traffic.  Kids had to go potty.  It was time for lunch.  Then, it was still raining, so our plans for a picnic lunch went by the wayside.  We ate lunch at McDonalds instead! 

Stopped that afternoon (still in WA!) at Starbucks for a treat.  Caroline's van door was open and everyone else was out already.  She noticed a motorcycle parked in the next spot, and said, "Lauren!  Get on it!"  LOL  Where she got that idea, I don't know!!

We arrived at the Red Lion Inn in Eugene, OR, late.  We ended up eating our picnic lunch for dinner in our hotel room at 9:30 (!!!) at night.  Craziness.  It seems we are alway late getting into our hotels, and there is no time to swim in the pool.  This pool closed at 10 pm, so we hurried to finish our dinner and went to the pool minutes before closing.  No one enforced the closing time though, so it ended up working out nicely, that we got to swim for awhile before bed.

We left right after breakfast the next morning.  Lunch was at a rest stop in southern OR.  It was hot!  We were thankful for our picnic table in the shade.

Picnic lunch

We are all so thankful for Dramamine!  Lauren took the chewable tablets, and didn't throw up once this whole trip.  Typically she gets carsick.  She made several happy comments how the medicine was helping, b/c "usually I would be sick by now!"  She also traded seats with Julia--Julia sat in back with Austin, and Lauren sat in the middle row--which may have helped too.

Brian played Simon Says with the little girls.  Such a good dad, trying to break up the monotony of such a long drive with a little game!

Every time we stopped for a bathroom break, Caroline said, quite seriously, "I will be brave."  she doesn't like going potty in public restrooms and refuses to even sit when the toilets flush "by themselves".

I thought this was a pretty picture of Julia.  :)

Obliging me with a smile for the camera--still wearing his Boeing cap.

Austin played Angry Birds on Brian's phone every chance he could.  He had to share with Lauren as she likes to play too!

It was my actual birthday this day, so Brian took this picture of me with the kids.

And, back in the car!  The kids watch hours and hours of movies when we drive to/from WA!  I call them little TV junkies!  But, it is so nice to have peace in the car.  I can read a magazine, work on portable projects, etc., (get a a little break!). 

Brian drove every bit of our trip up and back.  A couple times we talked about me driving, but he doesn't mind it, and I don't mind sitting and reading or working on my little projects, so it works out.  He'd rather not deal with who gets what snack, figure out where each snack is, find a sticker book for somebody, etc...

Since it was my birthday, Brian said we would stop for a birthday treat.  We were in Redding, had to get gas anyway, so stopped at Dairy Queen for ice cream.  Yum!  And it was soooo hot!  Perfect day to have ice cream.  Lauren and Julia both had mini Blizzards (Lauren's looks big here!).

That night we stayed in Sacramento, at another Hampton Inn (they are Brian's favorite hotel, and are very nice, plus we all get a free, full hot breakfast).   We made good time traveling this day, but still got in late.  We planned to go to Gold Country the next morning for a few hours, but the kids said they'd rather swim in the hotel pool, so we did that instead.  I have to say that plan was much more relaxing!

I always like to see these cute little wild sunflowers growing in the ugliest areas.  They brighten up ugly, barren "fields", ugly, brown hills, ugly stone walls by freeways...

Ugly brown hills.  But I did think they looked kind of pretty and golden with the sun shining on them, contrasting with the bright blue sky.  It is so boring driving down I-5,  when all you see are ugly brown hills for miles and miles!

Getting close to home!  Hello, ocean!  Hello, Pismo Pier!  Hello, seagulls.  Hello, fog bank!  ;)

Hello, palm trees.  See the fog bank?!  I was glad to see the fog--after travelling through in the heat the last day and a half!

Hello, bells on "our" freeway.  These are all along "our" stretch of Highway 101.  I don't know where they (and Historic El Camino Real, maybe most of 101/1?) start and end, but they are a welcome sight after being away for so long.


We got home about 6-6:30, I think.  Right away we set to work unpacking a few things.  I had to clean up Pongo's hairballs (two of them--yuck!!!).  Then I made soup for dinner.  Soup out of a can; there wasn't a whole lot of effort put in. ;)  We were all glad to sleep in our own beds that night.  We had a great vacation, but it's always nice to come home.


This was our first trip in 12 years where we didn't bring the stroller, the Pack-n-Play, or diapers!  This is definitely noteworthy!!!  Also a huge amount of space was freed up in the van!  Somehow we managed to fill the extra space with birthday party supplies going up and trains going back, (or something!!)  because it still seemed like the van was packed full, with no extra room.  The last 2-3 years we have taken a sleeping bag for one of the older kids, because most hotels don't have room for all of us to sleep in beds!  Or, if they have room, those rooms are already booked.  We've had to reserve rooms well in advance in order for there to be a bed for everyone.  It's always an adventure!

Last Night

July 20 was our last day in WA.  That night we had a get together at my mom and dad's house.  My dad grilled salmon.  Yum!!

Dad after dinner with his usual cup of coffee, and a cupcake that Colleen brought.

Goofy guys, Marty and Scott!

Julia and Grandma Sharon

Cousins, Alyssa and Annika. 

I forgot to tell our 911 story that happened at their house the previous week.  Annette answered the phone, and it was the Bellingham Police Dept., asking if everyone was ok there, b/c someone had called 911. 

Of course, all the kids said they didn't do it.  Except Caroline.  Turns out they were all telling the truth!  Caroline said she called Grandma Sharon on the phone:  "Lauren told me the numbers!"

I asked Lauren if that was true.  Lauren, glaring, irrittated, sheepishly nodded.  I asked her what number she told Caroline to dial.

Lauren:  "...You already know....  Pout, pout pout.

After dinner, the kids wanted to put on a show.

Alyssa said she was the star of the show.  I think all these girls wanted to be the star of the show!  Oh my, it was the funniest thing to watch!

The adults couldn't really figure out the subject of the "show".  It sort of began having a plot.  Then I don't know what happened.  All the kids started running around crazy, and would come up with "lines" for the show now and then.  Silly!!

Blurry picture, but it was absolute silliness going on!

This is the show? ;)

Lauren decided she wanted to sing a song for the group.  And did.  Then she asked for song requests.  Here, Doug is raising his hand to request a song.  Alyssa sang a song; she and Annika did motions to the music.  The kids sang Veggie Tale songs.  It was quite entertaining!

This went on (and on and on and on) for quite awhile!  Finally, Marty told the kids the next part of their show was to play dead.  Ha ha ha!!!  You can see who all paid attention to that.  Austin was down, but got right back up.

Lauren with Uncle Marty and Aunt Colleen

This party was July 19th.  My birthday is July 21.  Brian bought a small chocolate cake and a small carrot cake.  Colleen brought her cupcakes she made.  Annette brought a chocolate cherry cake.  (No one knew anyone else was bringing cake!)  We had plenty of cake!  Of course almost all of us had to try each kind of cake! 

Annette brought candles, and they put 3 in one cake, and 5 in the other--to make "35".  I think that was a good plan--and easier to blow out than 35 candles would be!

It was a fun way to end our big trip to Washington!

Trip, 2nd Week

Sunday the 15th, we went to church with my mom and dad.  We all took naps that afternoon.  Well, I don't think Austin and Julia did.  When everyone was up again, the kids went outside to blow bubbles.  I love Caroline's expression here!

All the kids blew bubbles in the yard.

That night we went to visit my Grandpa Andy.  We had such a good visit with him.  He told us lots of stories!  He talked about  liking the song, Letter Edged in Black, and how he might want someone to sing it at his 90th birthday party--and he might sing along.  Brian found the song on You Tube.  Grandpa held the phone to his ear like he was listening to a transistor radio.  :)

 My dad, my kids and me, with their great grandpa.

 My mom, dad, sister, and me with Grandpa.

Monday the 16th, we went to Lake Padden with my mom, dad, and Colleen.  We all hiked along the path around the lake.  At first Caroline and I were lagging aways behind everyone else (short little legs!).

Aunty Colleen got the kids to run, including Caroline.  Then they were all racing way ahead of us and it was hard to keep up with them!  Until they stopped for a break.  At least everyone could keep up a good pace this way.

Near the end of the hike, we stopped at the playground so the kids could play.  This is a funny picture of Austin and me!  It looks like he was in trouble and getting reprimanded!  When really I think we were discussing where to go for lunch!

Aunty Colleen nicely pushed Caroline on her swing...

Cute sisters

Cute Austin

Lauren having a little visit with Grandpa and Grandma...

We ended up going to Dairy Queen for lunch.  The kids always want to go there!  They love getting ice cream with their kids meals!

We stopped at my dad's work so he could introduce us (show off his grandkids!!) to his coworkers.

That night we went to Marty and Colleen's for a spaghetti dinner.  Austin played Star Wars Lego video games, and the girls, my mom, Colleen and I did Just Dance/Kids Dance.  Fun!

The next day we went to Boulevard Park in Bellingham with my mom and dad and Colleen.  We went on a hike along the bay.  Right at the start of our hike, Austin and Lauren had to go climb on these rocks.  Of course.  :)

It was another lovely, warm day.  We saw boats on the water.

You can see the boardwalk/path we walked on.

Colleen striking a pose!

Caroline did not run way ahead on this walk.  She got tired and wanted to be carried a lot, going both directions.  It's always fun to get a ride on Daddy's shoulders!  You can see my mom (white top) way ahead.  My dad was ahead of her somewhere.  And I think Austin and Lauren were even farther ahead!  No leisurely stroll back to the car for them!  They probably wanted to hurry back so we could get lunch faster.  Who knows?

Lauren by the park sign, before we left to get lunch.  This time we didn't go to Dairy Queen. ;)  We went to a little Mexican restaurant in Fairhaven.

 Wednesday, we went to my Grandma Arlene's house for lunch, and to visit with her.  Colleen joined us.  We all had a really good visit with Grandma.  She always fixes us a nice (and tasty!) lunch when we go see her.

She has started going through my grandpa's trains.  Grandma said Austin was the only descendant who was really interested in trains like Grandpa, and how Austin always liked to come see the trains when we were up visiting. 

Since Grandpa died last year, she is going to sell the trains.  But she wanted Austin to choose whatever he wanted (!!!) first.  Very generous of her!  Austin really wanted this locomotive and tender.  He also chose a few train cars.  He especially wanted the "money car", a car Grandpa Bill had made, and glued photocopied money on the sides.

We also took a handful of train people.  Please take special notice of these people.  Especially the 2nd and 3rd men...  When I was in high school, Grandpa Bill wanted me to sew clothes for these (and others!!) little men.  He'd bring me a few men:  cowboys, astronauts, soldiers..  

I was to sew clothes, including hats--with no pattern--for them.  I'd finish a few outfits, Grandpa would pay me a little, and bring me more toy men to outfit.  I was glad to not have this job anymore when I got married and moved away.  Then Colleen got the job!  Notice the lady in the middle.  Well, that is actually a Luke Skywalker man, with a broken light saber, that Colleen turned into a lady!  Guess she thought their needed to be some women in the train village too!

Anyway, we also came home with some miscellaneous track pieces and a control panel.  Austin wants to get it all set up outside!  Like right away wehen we got home to our house, Austin was ready to set up the trains.  :)

I should have taken a picture of Grandma Arlene; and Austin running the trains.  He had so much fun running them in Grandpa Bill's big train room!  We were so busy visiting and sorting trains and boxes, that I didn't take any pictures the whole day.  We were there a long time!

Semiahmoo

Saturday, July 14, we were just hanging out at my mom and dad's house, recovering from our late night at Caroline's party.  Doug called, inviting us to the circus.  His neighbor gave their family free tickets.  We decided to go.  Our kids have never been to a circus before (well, except for the circus that is pretty much everyday at our own house!!).

Annaliese and Caroline buddied up right away.  So cute!

It was a fun outing.  The kids liked being with their cousins and watching the circus.  These elephants performed at the end of the show.

That night we went to Semiahmoo again.  Scott organized a get together with a lot of our family.  It was fun to see everyone!

Austin and some of the other kids started building a bridge to Canada.

 Lauren playing with Uncle Scott

Lauren found a large shell and said it was her "shell phone".  She carried on a long conversation, talking on her shell phone.  Ha ha ha!!!!  Here Uncle Scott is talking on the shell phone.

The tide was in, much higher than when we were at this same beach Monday.

Here are the kids, making progress on their bridge to Canada!

Scott brought his guitar and played songs while everyone else sang.  That was very nice!  Julia said her favorite part of our whole trip was visiting with everyone.  She got to do a lot of visiting (as did the rest of us)!

Austin got to play with boys again!  These are my cousin Andy and Shelly's boys.

The sun going down...

Beutiful sunset!

Everyone brought their own meat to the picnic.  We roasted hotdogs--easy!  Everyone also brought somthing to share.  A lot of us made s'mores.  Yummy!  And messy!  Caroline had marshmallow all over her face and even in her hair.

I took some girls to the rest room and when we returned to the group, wasn't happy to find my kids putting 1/2 of a Hershey bar on their s'mores!  They all had plenty of sugar this night, for sure! 

The sticky, dirty kids went straight into the tub when we got home. :)

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One more sunset picture before we went home.  It was a beautiful night--very warm again!