Summer 2013 part 2 Utah and Oregon

The last two weeks of July me and the kids, while Cort stayed home to work and study, escaped the heat and headed north. We spent one week in Utah and the other in Oregon. Our first stop along the way was in St. George when we spent the night. And the Pizza Factory was a must for sure while we were there. That's right I took all 5 of my kids by myself out to dinner. I'm basically super mom. ;)

After dinner we went and checked into our hotel and did a little swimming that night and again the next morning before we left for Salt Lake. 

Avery practicing her float 

I ❤ these kids. 5 kids on one full size bed. Nice and cozy!

Utah was so much fun. As it always is. 

First night there went out to eat with the Hafens who we hadn't seen in almost a year. Taylor and Paige so happy to be together again!

Here are some other highlights from our trip while we were there. 

Spent one of our days there in down town Salt lake. 2 moms + 8 kids = fun times for sure!

I love to see the temple 

Salt Lake Temple Visitor Center.

LDS church museum downtown. Playing with the pioneer toys was a huge hit.

Pretty girls

Did some Swimming with the Peterson cousins at Grandpa's house that Saturday while we were there and then had a picnic in his backyard the next day. Love Utah in the summertime. The weather was perfect. 

We stayed at Tyson's house while we were there because my dad was remodeling his kitchen. Loved being there and spending time with him and Mikail and being so close to family and friends there in Herriman. 

Trying to pass the time at Tyson's while Avery took her naps was a little tricky. But we got creative. Massage anyone?

Or how about a friendly game of chess?

Avery was a horrible sleeper at night while we were there. After trying for over two hours one night to get her to go to sleep she finally fell asleep on the floor. 

My sister Whitney rented a bounce house one of the last days we were there and that was so fun. The kids loved it. Always a good time with Whitney.

We met up with My friend Leslie at a park one day too while we were there. So good to see her again. We have basically known each other forever. Here's our youngest kids playing together.

After a week there Cort finally flew up and we left early the next morning for our 10 hour drive to Portland Oregon where we spent 5 fabulous days with our good friends the Buchanans there. 

The girls Hanging out in the car while waiting for lunch in Boise along the way.

It was a very long drive 

After about a 11 hour drive we finally made it! And these two and the rest of everyone couldn't have been more happy to be together again. 

Our first day there we Made a quick stop at the Lake Oswego Farmers Market on our way to the coast. Seriously could it be prettier there?!

First stop once we got to the coast Seaside Aquarium to feed the seals

Audrey's mom house was a dream. So much to do and explore.

Got us some real fresh fish and chips for dinner that first night. Yum!

And then took our oldest girls for some shopping on the Seaside Boardwalk. 

The Next day we headed over to Cannon beach about five minutes away. Star fish and tide pools galore!

Plus some real good fun on these bikes we rented. While the kids played us adults enjoyed some clam chowder right there on the beach. Couldn't think of a better way for us to have spend that day. 

Our last night at the coast we had s'mores by the camp fire and the girls had their final camp out in the backyard. 

We spend our last day there at the lake in Lake Oswego. 

We left for home the next day. Always so hard to say good bye. We had plans to stop and break up the drive but when Avery broke out in huge welted hives after about 5 hours of driving we decided to take turns and drive 21 hours straight through. We went though California on our way home. The last four hours were brutal, but we made it. Such a fun and wonderful trip. Now back to reality this week. The kids start school in 3 days. Eek! 

The latest with Easton

At the beginning of July Easton got his tonsils and adenoids out. Because they were crazy big and causing breathing problems for him when he would sleep and when he would get sick.
He did so good. When it was time for his surgery he went back with his doctor all by himself, didn't hesitate at all. Sometimes it's so easy to forget that he's 3 because he acts so much older. The surgery lasted about 30 minutes and then he was in recovery for about a hour and a half where he had at least 3 Popsicles. He was pretty loopy, so drugged up, which made the waiting in recovery pretty entertaining. Then we were admitted for an overnight stay at the hospital just so the doctor could keep a eye on him since he is so young. But it was a total waste of time cause he was pretty much normal Easton. although im sure the pain meds he was on helped a lot with that. i mean he was eating macaroni and cheese for lunch that day. Which surprised his doctor as well His nurses. for the next week or so easton was on pain meds pretty consistently which instead of making him tired, amped him up. so the days were easy, it was the nights when his pain meds would start to wear off that things got hard. but After about 10 days post surgery he was back to his regular old self. Making messes where ever he would go! Grateful to have the whole ordeal behind us and that he didn't have any complications and healed up so quickly.  We all sure love our Easty!

Right before he headed back for his surgery

My big boy heading back for his surgery

After his surgery in recovery. Easton was in Popsicle heaven!

VisitIng with Easton in his hospital room after we were admitted.

Heading home the next day. I love this pic. This kid was so drugged up! 

good night, sleep tight

I don't know what I am thinking its 12:15 am and I'm still up. My days usually start around 6:30-7:00 am these days, so probably not the wisest choice on my part to stay up so late. I'm going to be tired tomorrow!

But as i went and checked on each of my kids right now, I couldn't help but take a picture of each one of them. They are changing and growing so fast.

These three have asked to have a sleepover every night this summer. I don't think Chase has slept in his bed once, since school got out. I love how close they all are and how much they love each other. And that they still want to have sleepovers together. 

Easton just had his tonsils and adenoids out on Monday. He's been doing really well it, except for the fact that I think the pain meds make him hyper and silly instead of sleepy. Trying to get him to rest or even "take it easy" is a joke. Anyway he fell asleep with his precious daddy tonight in our bed. No matter how hard I try I will never be number one in this boys eyes. He is a daddy's boy through and through. 

Earlier tonight I found Avery playing, yes playing with her baby doll when I was desperately trying to get her to go to sleep, so that I could go to sleep, (ya that was almost three hours ago!) she was giving her baby kisses and holding her. Sigh. I guess she's growing up too. If you look closely you can see that very baby having a sleepover with Avery as well.