Oregon/Washington Road Trip

We managed to travel a few 1400 miles to reconnect with family at the Hansen Family Reunion.  We camped midway near Tri-Cities, WA and camped at Hood Park campground.  We had site 13 near Lake Wallula.  Mack had fun throwing rocks in the water, running on the path and eating marshmallows.  We packed up early and drove to the family reunion at Kitsap Memorial Sate Park where we met up with my Mom and her family. We had a simple talent show and shared stories while we reconnected with everyone.  Mack wasn't too sure of the saltwater shoreline of Hood Canal.  He tried to keep his feet out of the water when the tide came in.  Saturday we spent our time driving along the Washington coast.  We passed Forks and stopped at La Push beach where Mack experienced his first ocean waves and soft sand.  He really didn't want to leave... but we couldn't stay too long.  We had another stop planned and a long drive ahead of us.  We drove to Hoh rain forest in the Olympic National Park.  The trees are covered in green moss.  It is beautiful to see all of the green fern, moss, nurse logs and tall trees.  We had to wake Mack from his nap to hike, which made for a not so pleasant toddler.  He did okay and managed to hike most of the way along the Hall of Mosses trail.  After eating our peanut butter sandwiches we drove to Portland.  It was a long drive for us and we arrived after Mack's bedtime at 9 pm.  We stayed in a hotel that night, which was a relief as Mack didn't have a very good night the night before.  The next morning we were as good as new.  We took Mack swimming in the hotel pool before breakfast.  He is getting more and more comfortable with the water.  On our way out of Portland we stopped at Voodoo doughnuts, got our pink box of treats and hit the road.  We didn't get too far out of Portland before we came to Multnomah Falls.  We stopped and took Mack up to the bridge view point and got some pictures.  The final drive home was a bit rough for Mack.  He had been in his seat for too long.  When we got home he went wild and was running around the house with his Tonka truck.  It was a lot to see in a weekend and we didn't get to stay at the family reunion as long as we would have liked, but it was definitely worth the time and miles. 

Hood Park Campground

Kitsap Memorial Campground

Loving the drive.  What a view.

La Push Beach

Mack saying No! to leaving the beach.

Our smooth ride

Another stop and view from the highway

Olympic National Park- Hoh Rain Forest

 Voodoo Doughnuts too.  Portland, OR

 Multnomah Falls along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon

Jump Creek Falls

We visited Jump Creek Falls for my birthday.  It is an easy drive and an even easier hike.  It felt like we literally jumped the creek and we were there at the falls.  Very doable with a toddler/baby.  After words we came home and enjoyed fruit pizza for dessert. YUM.

Easter

Happy Easter and General Conference Weekend! We are especially grateful to know that our Savior Jesus Christ, lived and died and was resurrected.  He gives us the gift of life, by providing a way that we might be forgiven of our sins and over come physical death through the resurrection.  I have peace knowing that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and we will be able to be together again.  

 Mack enjoyed his time with baby Jasmine and playing the piano with Nanna.  He also really loved hunting eggs and cracking them open.  Pure excitement!

Castle Rock State Park

 It has been such a crazy warm spring we took to the mountains in March to stay in a yurt at Castle Rock State Park.  I have been wanting to go for years and we finally went only to get sick with viral gastroenteritis.  Mack was sick a few days prior but had gotten over the vomiting and only had occasional diarrhea... Well it wasn't too long after we got to camp that Michael was sick and then in the middle of the night I was sick.  Michael prides himself with not vomiting very often.  The last time he did was probably 6 years ago.  What bad luck it had to fall on this weekend.  I guess it means we will be coming back for sure to finish our adventure next year.  All we did was survive the night and come home... what a pity.  

This kid takes a beating

We have had our fair share of goose eggs, bloody noses, and lacerations.  Here is a picture of Mack's recent injury.  He fell and smacked his nose on the ledge of the window at daycare.  Poor guy.

We bought a House

Replaced laminate floor with tile.

Updated laundry with tile floor, paint, and board and batten wainscot.

Updated bathroom with wainscot and tile in-lay, cleaned and sealed the original tile floors, cement counter top, painted vanity, new light and replaced builder grade mirror with recessed medicine cabinet.

Birthday Boy

The Year Mark

Mack has grown so fast.  Where did that year go? I am so glad that I kept a good photo journal of him along the way.  I almost don't remember what he looked like as a baby.  He continues to amaze me with his sweetness, big appetite, and how his cute smile and gestures... they get me every time.  

Banbury Hot Springs