Adventures in the Great Outdoors

Ok so maybe it's only the backyard, but it still was a great adventure. Greg dug a fire pit and we roasted hot dogs and made s’mores. The girls camped with dad until about 4am when the birds decided to wake up. KJ loved it and kept saying it was just like real camping and she forgot that we were at home. It was good quality time that we spent together as a family. We had a mini lesson on the heavens; constellations, craters in the moon and the like. My favorite was KJ's comment about Meat Eaters(meteors) making the craters in the moon.







Nothing beats a hot dog and corn on the cob




Teaching them young so they'll be ready for girls camp






Mmmmmmmm



S'mores

Aint She Sweet!

Kajaani has been in dance for a year now, crazy! Wednesday night she had her first recital at the Grand Sierra Resort. She did a great job! I think I was more nervous than her, I forgot the camera and a few other things. I'm so proud of her, she did excellent. Luckily I borrowed a camera and was able to get a photo of KJ backstage before the big show. KJ is looking forward to starting dance again in the fall and this year she will have a friend.....Raija.



Backstage getting ready to tap

The Rain Falls Down

It was a fantastic trip to Oregon. Although it rained on us everyday we found it to our advantage. The waterfalls that we hiked to see were about twice the size they would have been without all the rain; there were very few people at the activities that we enjoyed and almost no one on the trails. We were the only crazy ones to start hiking when the skies were dark and the rain was coming down at a steady pace. It made for great family memories and spectacular adventures.


First Stop- Portland Zoo





Raija liked the big mama gorilla



Anton loved the huge fish



I absolutely loved watching the hippos! I have never seen them out of water walking around. It was a real treat



The St. John's bridge- we stayed on a little peninsula called St. John's so whenever we went somewhere and came home we would cross over this cool bridge. We took one afternoon after dinner and walked across it


Stop #2- Portland Temple




We loved to see the temple- look at these huge wooden doors. This was the entry to the baptistery









I don't want to grow up!





Stop #3- Fort Vancouver










A nice easy hike to Mirror Lake




You get a line, I'll get a pole, we'll go fish'n at the crawdad hole






Dang craw daddies! Mom, I'm not catching anything



Hey you guys, wait for me. Hot dog anyone?



You were supposed to be able to see Mt.Hood reflected in the lake, but alas, it was cloudy and rainy. I guess we will just have to come back and try it again.





Stop #4- HEAVEN- Well Ok, close- The Tillamook Cheese Factory

Ah yes, the cheese, glorious cheese. If you can't tell, I'm obsessed. We sampled lots of different cheese, indulged in decadent ice cream, picked up a few souvenirs and topped it all of with a nice juicy cheeseburger for lunch. Greg's favorite was the squeaky cheese- you will have to ask him about it. In fact, he still has some if you want a sample :)








Stop #5- Meares Lighthouse and Octopus Tree







This is the octopus tree- It is a sitka spruce standing at 105ft and is guessed to be 250-300 years old.


Stop #6- Multnomah Falls






Looking at the falls through the bridge







Stop #7- Fish Hatchery



Feeding and touching the trout was neat-o! We found out later you weren't supposed to touch them, they bite. YIKES!


Stop #8- Chinese Gardens

A place for peace, reflection, inner harmony and three screaming, hungry kids??










Stop #9- Rose Gardens




It is said that a rose is God's autograph











Stop #10- Ten Falls Hike

What kind of Irish woman would I be if I didn't have of picture of the massive clovers growing in the forest?



North Falls- Normally you can walk behind this waterfall but, because of all the extra rain it was blocked off due to hazardous conditions….did this stop the Burst family? No, we took the kids directly behind the falls and watched the mass of water crashing down and Greg and I took turns making our way to the other side.



View of North Falls from the other side



Double Falls



Oregon Fern



Kajaani saw this bench and she said, "Mom, look a skateboard." I thought that was very creative, not to mention hilarious :)


South Falls



Anton refused to hold anyone's hand except Raija's- so precious


Last Stop- Blurney Falls