End of Summer

Most of you know that we took a very long vacation recently which is why I have not blogged in awhile. We left Idaho mid-July and headed to Seattle where Joe had a race. The boys and I tromped around Seattle. Visited the Pacific Science Museum, Northwest Trex and spent some time with two of my friends: Hilary Colloff from High School and Charlyne Allen formerly from Idaho. It was a great week with lots of fabulous sunny weather. Charlyne went to the race track with us and met Joe's driver Antron Brown. It was loud but exciting and the food, of course, was top notch! Mason kept telling everyone his Daddy cooks for Antron Brown. It was really cute.

Our next week, we were in Marin as Joe had a race at Sears Point/Infineon. It was great to spend lots of time with my parents and my friends. I hiked a lot and I think the high light for the boys was visiting Sponge Bob at a local mall. :) Talan played hacky sac with Sponge Bob and I have some very cute video to prove it! :)

We then headed North to camp along the Oregon Coast. We spent a half day in Ashland on the way up. The town has grown and changed since I was last there but we did explore Lithia park as well as swam in the creek (it was 104 degrees that day). After Ashland, the weather started to become cold and foggy but we still lucked out for the most part and were able to really enjoy ourselves. We met some wonderful people at both campsites which made the boys happy and engaged. From what everyone told us, we really lucked out in terms of which part of the Oregon Coast we hit. Apparently, the Northern Coast is very touristy as this is where the folks from Portland tend to go. We spent three days at Carter Lake, just South of Florence and then four nights at Beachside which was two miles South of Waldport. We did take an excursion up the the Aquarium in Newport. We also stopped in the coastal town of Depoe on our way back to Idaho where we saw Harbor seals and whales. Talan hiked 3 miles to Heceta Head lighthouse. This was a major milestone for Talan as he likes to be carried everywhere rather than walk! Mason loved all the tide pools we explored and so did I. The hiking, beaches, sand dunes and tide pools were heavenly. It truly was spectacular. I have never seen so many dead jellyfish in my life and Mason and Talan were mesmerized by them for the better part of our first day.

We have been home now less than a week and finally back into our routine. Joe left Tuesday for work. I have less than two weeks before school starts. Mason's school starts two weeks after mine so I am going to have to make some crazy arrangements for him. Talan's teachers are coming over today for a home visit. We are excited to meet them. Talan is very proud that he is going to school at Momma's college, which he calls "KeKe's school" as my dear neighbor Keira works there and Talan just adores her. They may be carpooling! I am going to need all the help I can get these next 22 months!

I am sure I have left out tons of details but I figured I should write what comes to mind rather than procrastinate to avoid being precise or thorough. I have far too many photographs from the trip. I have attached just a few.