We're back! A little tired and worn out from being on West Coast time and on the go, but the boys and I are full of stories and memories that we can't help sharing.
Our flight took off last Tuesday morning on time. In fact, we made it to the gate just as they were boarding anyone who needed extra assistance. Yup, I fit in that category with my double stroller and million bags. Our flight was relatively smooth and the boys did great! Over four hours was no problem for two normally busy boys.
We flew into Seattle for a multitude of reasons and ended up driving 3 hours to Portland. A short stop at a beautiful lake and play area rejuvenated the boys after sitting for so long and we were on our way.
After The Jungle Book and part of the way through Frozen, we pulled onto the street where my brother's condo is off of and arrived in time with him getting off work. My sister-in-law came a little later and we sat down for a homemade spaghetti dinner. The boys played with their cat, Kiwi, and my parents left for their hotel with Evan for the night.
The following morning, on Wednesday, my brother and sister-in-law went to work and we headed to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, or OMSI. This place was a gold mine! The first floor had the best dinosaur exhibit we've ever seen! Neon lights, moving dinosaurs, and sounds. It was like being in Jurassic Park!
After the dinosaur exhibit, my dad, Sean, and I went on a submarine tour (we were lucky to be the only ones on the first tour of the day). It was pretty neat being on the submarine and seeing torpedoes!
We met up with Evan and my mom on the second floor which had a huge preschool room, much like the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum. Sean's favorite part was the sand area complete with working trucks. It was hard getting the kids to leave, but it was lunch time and Deschutes Brewery was calling our name.
In the afternoon, after naps, we went to a local park by my brother's condo so the boys could run around for a bit and then we took a tram ride up to the top of the city where my sister-in-law works. The tram is only a five minute walk from their condo and you can see it going up from their patio. It was a beautiful day and we were so lucky to get some great, clear views of the city and Mt. Hood in the distance!
We met up with my sister-in-law and brother and went to a great place for pizza right next to Voodoo Doughnut! So, it was obvious that after dinner, the boys were going to get one of the famous doughnuts! They were so excited to pick them out, but not quite as excited about eating them. That's okay, less fat and calories, right?
Thursday morning we decided to go to the Oregon Zoo. It was another beautiful, clear day and we were told the Northwest section of the zoo was breathtaking with black bears, bald eagles, and salmon. And they were absolutely right! The zoo seems like it's built in the middle of a forest with gorgeous views of super tall trees.
The kids fell asleep in the car and since the Portland Rose Garden in Washington Park was so close to the zoo, my dad volunteered to stay in the car with them so my mom and I could walk around. My brother and sister-in-law got married in the Rose Garden back in August of 2010, the last time I was in Portland, so it was nice to be back and visit.
Back in the van again and we were on our way to get the boys' swimsuits and towels. Jameson Square in downtown Portland is a great spot to take kids on a hot day! They have a fountain that's made out of three layers of rocks (real rocks...dangerous, right?) that kids can climb on with water pouring down them. I was a little weary at first, but when in Portland do as the Porlanders do?
Ice cream across the street and a street car ride back to my brother's and it was time to BBQ burgers for dinner!
The boys went to bed and the adults indulged in some wine and drinks as we were excited to all head to Newport in the morning together! It was a late night with an early start the next day, but it was full of many laughs, that's for sure!
Friday morning we frantically gathered everything we'd need for an overnight trip to Newport. We started with some bananas foster french toast and bacon (did I mention my brother likes to cook??). Then, with a two and a half hour drive ahead of us and a few stops to pick up picnic lunch supplies and some wine, we were on our way!
The drive is so scenic with the first part passing many sections of forest and the second part driving along the coast! We were rushing to get there since low tide is at 1pm. We stopped at Yakina Head where they are known for their tide pools. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I never expected we'd be walking on an extremely rocky beach to see the tide pools full of star fish and anemones.
The kids picked at their picnic lunch (not surprising though). In their defense, look at the distracting views we had!
We decided to tempt our luck at skipping naps and headed over to the famous Oregon Coast Aquarium to see some sharks and sting rays! It was a small place, but very cute and full of sea life!
We moved on to Rogue Brewery across the street for some late afternoon brews and dinner for me and the boys. My parents, brother, and sister-in-law were going out to a seafood restaurant for dinner later and I was anxious to just let the boys check in to the hotel and play on the beach. And that's just what we did. It was a beautiful night just the three of us (minus the 100 wooden steps we had to climb back up after our beach adventure).
The following morning we went out to breakfast for some delicious buttermilk pancakes and decided last minute to do a whale-watching boat cruise late in the morning. I was so excited! The mere thought of seeing a whale had me over the edge. So, we headed down to the pier and waited to board the cruise.
The cruise was perfect in that it encorporated kids into their plans. We left the bay and Sean was able to help put bait in the crab trap for when we get back into the bay. He had to hold a huge dead fish! We left the bay and went out into the ocean with choppier waves that put the boys right to sleep. I guess that's better than them puking from the motion!
We saw and followed a huge grey whale, but they come up to surface so quickly before going back under that by the time I got to a clear spot to see them and take a picture, they were gone. I can say I saw one! I just have no proof. Upon returning to the bay, we pulled out the crab traps and got to hold some crab. Sean and Evan just touched them.
We got off the boat and went to lunch at Mo's (a popular seafood restaurant on the bayfront). Evan tried clam chowder and Sean was just excited that another restaurant served his kid's meal on a frisbee! We decided to go on the beach one last time for some kite flying before driving back to Portland.
That evening my brother and sister-in-law took me out to dinner at a delicious chinese restaurant by their old condo in the Pearl District. It was amazing to be out without the boys and to have a martini with dinner! Yum!
The next day was our last full day in Portland. My sister-in-law had to fly out to San Diego for work, so my brother took us on a bike buggy ride after a quick breakfast at Lovejoy Bakery.
Monday morning we said our goodbyes and made the three hour trek back to Seattle to catch an early afternoon flight home. Another smooth flight that took off on time with two little boys who behaved themselves. We were so excited to see Scott at the airport when we landed! 6 nights was the perfect amount of time to be away, as we were ready to come home and get back on to the schedule of summer vacation!
What a trip! I'm so glad the boys got to spend some time with their uncle and aunt! We are truly blessed.
