Our Trip to Oregon

We did it!  We were finally able to make a trip up to Oregon!  It has been so long since we've been able to go up there, due to work responsibilities and finances.  A trip up there was long overdue.  Since Matt works on Saturdays, we planned to leave after he got off work on Saturday the 17th, and drive to Boise where we would spend the night, then finish the drive to Salem on Sunday.  I had planned to take the kids to the McEwan family Christmas party while Matt was working on Saturday.  It all worked according to plan, except Matt got off a little early and came to the party with us!  We had a good time at the party, as usual.  We decorated cookies, made ornaments for the tree, played Christmas bingo, ate lunch, chatted, and opened presents.  Sydney always loves playing with Jocelyn, and the kids always love to see Grandma Great.  I love watching them talk to her.  Cooper asked her if she wanted to go camping with him... and I busted up laughing.  My grandma wasn't a camper even in her younger years. Isn't he darling to think of her though? 

On a side note:  The kids have been obsessed with the idea of camping lately.  Sydney asks, practically every day if we can go camping "tomorrow when it's summer" because I told her we couldn't go in the winter.  It's so cute she says, "Mommy, I have a great idea.  How about we go camping tomorrow when it's summer? I think it's getting warmer today!"

We left the McEwan party, and headed straight to Boise.  It was actually nice to have had a nice lunch in our tummies, instead of the typical "road trip fast food."  I believe we made it to Boise with only one stop... a bathroom break.  When we got to the Motel 6 to check in, Matt went inside while I waited in the car with the kids.  Someone pulled up next to us, and Sydney asked where they were from.  I said I didn't know, and she said, "oh, maybe Jupiter."  Ha ha... probably not.

Sydney and Cooper had a great time at the hotel.  They were so happy to be out of the car, and enjoyed exploring and playing a little bit.  We watched some tv and went to bed.  Luckily we had a room with two beds, so the kids shared and of course Cooper fell off the bed twice, getting a nice bruise on his forehead, even though he was on the side right up next to the wall.  I'm really not sure how that happened.

We got up in the morning, grabbed some breakfast at McDonalds and were on our way.  The drive was long... so long.  But we had optimal weather.  No rain, snow, nothing.  The kids, of course would get restless, so we tried to take breaks, but not too many, so we could make good time.  It was a hard balance.  They took a few naps, watched a lot of movies, and had lots of snacks...3 definite necessities for a road trip!  Sydney kept telling us, "I want to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house!"  And we would tell her that is where we were going.  She'd say, "no, now!"  Really overall, they did great.

Always holding Bootsy and Yankee Bear

It was so exciting once we finally got there.  We walked up to the door, rang the doorbell and gave hugs galore!  Matt pretty much headed straight out the door to go to Jeff's football banquet with Molly, Alex, and Kenin, and the kids and I stayed with Grandma.  Cooper was so excited to be out of the car that he ran around in circles for about 15 minutes straight.  The kids loved seeing all the things they could play with... nativities, doll houses, stuffed toys.  They played with those toys all week, and loved every second of it!

It was a nice, relaxing week.  Matt played a lot of X-box with his brothers.  The kids loved playing with toys and family.  I did a lot of reading (Finally started reading my birthday present, The Help.  It was great and I'd highly recommend it!)

Highlights include: Cooper watching Megamind with Grandpa~ Sydney playing "cakes" on the I-pad~ making cookies with Grandma~ going out to eat... Walrey's and Mo's~ a trip to the beach~ shopping~ hanging out together~ Pizza with friends ~ Seeing the Moores~  Sydney playing with Lucy~ family pictures~ sewing and shopping for material with Missy~ reading the Christmas story and opening Christmas presents!

We were so spoiled with our Christmas presents, and enjoyed being able to open them all together.  Matt got a Logitech Revue, the kids got toys and some clothes, and I got a sewing machine!  I am so excited to learn a bit about sewing and start some projects :)  The kids have loved playing with their toys.  And Matt can't get enough of his Logitech Revue.  So perfect.

Family Pictures

Being spoiled by grandparents... riding little rides that parents almost always say "no" to.

Grandpa and Grandma!

the beach

When it was time to leave, we woke up to "Boat Pancakes" YUM!  After a nice breakfast, we began the long trek home... planning on doing the whole drive in one day this time.  Our drive home was pretty uneventful.  It was LONG, and boring.  We had great weather (again!) and Cooper bawled the last hour.  Nothing would console him.  Not snacks.  Not a movie.  Nothing.  He just begged and begged to get out.  Luckily it was the end of the drive.  It was late when we got home.  The kids went straight to bed, and Matt and I crawled in bed around 2:30 (early Christmas Eve).

We had such a great time!  It really went by so quickly and we were sad to see it end.  It was fun to celebrate a little of Christmas with Matt's family and to just spend time with them.  Thanks for everything Kenin and Missy!