Spring Break 2014

  We just had the most fun Spring Break.  It started by thinking it would be fun to go see Ryan's family in Seattle - the last time we were there I was pregnant with Logan!  And he's 6!  It turned out that their kids weren't on Spring Break that week, so we decided to spend some time on the Oregon Coast during the week and then get to Seattle by Friday afternoon to see them.  John and Sandy came along for the ride with our crazy family, along with my nephew Zack.  We packed up some cars, kids, and a ton of snacks and hit the road!

  We left Tuesday morning and drove to Portland.  We stopped at the awesome Multnomah Falls.  It was raining, letting us know we were going to be wet for the next 5 days.

 

Multnomah Falls

 

    Next, we drove into downtown Portland and I attempted to take us all on a self-guided walking tour of the fountains in Portland.  The rain was coming down in buckets, but we were not to be discouraged.   First fountain, no water (beside the standing water in the bottom from the downpour),  but no water coming from the fountain.  On we went to the next, and the next, and the next.  Apparently they don't turn on the fountains in March - now we know.

 

Self-guided walking tour of fountains:  fail

 

 

   Next we promised the kids an awesome tram ride that goes over Portland.  They were so excited - it was the number 1 thing they wanted to do in Portland.  So we find it, hop on, and quickly realize this is more of a public transport system, than a sight seeing tram.  We even figured that out before it stopped at the hospital and a ton of doctors and nurses got on!  Definitely public transport, but still fun. 

On the tram

 

    The next morning we left rainy Portland to head to the rainy coast. 

Our happy kids!  We logged some serious hours in the car!

 

  When we got close to the coast, it was raining and raining, so we decided to go to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Us and our closest million other friends.  We did the self-guided tour (that place is awesome!) and of course ended the tour with some Tillamook ice cream.

YUM!

 

   We stopped by Fred Meyer's, picked up some poncho's, and were off for some wet fun.  We went to the Cape Meares Lighthouse, and saw the famous Octopus Tree.   Next, our friends had told us about this great hike south of Tillamook.  We parked the cars, and headed off hiking in the pouring rain.  It was a 1/4 of mile hike, through the greenest forest, and ended at this amazing waterfall.  I LOVED this hike - it was awesome.

  Then we headed to Lincoln City where we had rented a house. The house was awesome - always a gamble when you rent online.  But this one did not disappoint.  It was fantastic.  The next morning we were off to the beach.  In coats and swim suits.  Yes, coats and swim suits.  The kids wanted to wade, but knew it was too cold to go all in.  It was 50 degrees, so yeah, too cold.  I was there wearing a hat and gloves!

  Bailey was trying to outrun one of the waves, and tripped.  The wave just rolled right over her - she was soaked.  She was most disappointed that she had to go back to the house to change, and miss more time in the waves.

Luckily her dad showed a lot of sympathy.

 

The lowlight of the trip was getting a ticket for Derek driving while on his cell phone - put up some signs saying that's illegal Oregon!!  I'm sure they make a killing during Spring Break with drivers who don't know, $170 ticket at a time.  Lame.

Busted

I told the girls to give me their best worried looks - not hard for Emmy!

We went into Newport, and went on a whale watching tour.  The swells were too high to go far enough out to see whales, so no whales for us. 

On the boat

  The captain, who has been on The Deadliest Catch (!), let the kids drive the boat.  They loved it. 

 

Captains Bailey and Emmy

 

The coolest part of the tour was when they let the kids help set a crab pot.  They showed them the pot, the bait, and how it trapped crabs. 

Emmy throwing over the pot.

On the boat

 

After driving around a while, we came back for our pot.  Hoping we caught some crabs!

Pulling up the pot!

 

 

And oh yes, did we get crabs!

Friday morning we left the coast and headed north - on to Ryan's house!  The best part of the timing of this trip was that Friday night was Mitchell's Eagle Court of Honor.  It was awesome to be there for it.  For his Eagle project he built a huge firepit  on their church's property.  So his Court of Honor was outside, right at the firepit.  It was so great!  Brenda had done such a great job of decorating and food.  For refreshments everyone got to cook s'mores - how perfect!

  Saturday we went into Seattle for the day.  We went to Pike's Place Market - and the kids were draw-dropped at the crowds and fish throwing!  Then we did the Duck Tour.  I LOVE a duck tour - we did one in Boston and this one was just as great.  You get this great tour of the city, on road and water, with all of this great info - and all of the cheesiest humor you can handle.  Our kids loved our tour guide, with his silly hats, wigs, and music. 

After the Duck Tour we got on a ferry and headed to Bainbridge Island.  We drove to Paulsbo - a Norwegian town that Derek served in on his mission. We can't go to Seattle without going to Paulsbo, and getting donuts (or Viking Cups - a must) from Sluy's Bakery. 
  Then we headed back to Ryan's for games all night. The next morning we loaded up the kids (again!) and headed home.  It was such a great trip.  Just wishing Spring Break was longer ...