Oregon...continued

Thursday: May 14

This was the day I was quite excited for...for multiple reasons. This trip we had a packed schedule of things we had wanted do, but just hadn't had the time in previous trips. I had always said that the most I had seen of Portland was the airport, and a glance as we drove out of the city, so I really wanted to go into downtown Portland on this trip.

Well, things didn't go exactly as planned this day. We got out late, were short on time, didn't eat breakfast, and decided to grab a smoothie and oatmeal at Jamba Juice on the way into Portland. Unfortunately the people at Jamba Juice hadn't put the lids on very well, and as I got to the car and went to hand Eric his smoothie, it spilled all over my new white shirt (the one from family pictures), so then we spent half an hour trying to get the bright pink out of my white shirt. So by the time we actually got into Portland we only had an hour or so, before we had to be back out to Aloha. Then not thinking that it was going to cost us $10 to park anywhere in downtown Portland we drove around trying to find somewhere cheaper, or something to do or see quickly. By the end of it all everyone was frustrated so we gave up on the attempt to see Portland and headed out to Aloha to meet Sister Miller. So now I can say I've SEEN downtown Portland. :)

One of my friends from high school is serving her mission in the Oregon Portland Mission, so we had arranged with her Mission President to meet up with her, and take her and her companion to lunch. (We were early, so luckily we were able to stop at Old Navy and buy me a clean shirt, before we met up with them. And Michelle and Dennis bought Hallie a darling 4th of July outfit!) So after tracking the sisters down at the church building, we took them to lunch at Pepita's Mexican Restaurant. It was so fun to see her, and meet her companion. You can just tell that she is an amazing missionary, and loves the work.

Sister Anderson, Sister Miller, and Kylie

Michelle and Dennis at Pepita's

Saying goodbye to the sisters

After lunch, we headed back to pack up to stay the night at the beach with Jer and Rose. Then headed straight to Alice's Cafe, where we met up with Jer and Rose for an early dinner. We split the "Challenge Burger" between all of us.

The Challenge Burger

Then we realized there was still daylight, and decided to see if we could make it out to the coast to watch the sunset. After taking some back roads we made it in time to watch the sun disappear over the ocean at Barview Jetty.

The infamous jetty that Eric tried to swim to when he nearly drown

After watching the sunset, Michelle and Dennis headed home, and we headed to the hotel on the beach with Jer and Rose. We played Scrabble, talked wedding plans, watched TV, ate Tillamook ice cream, and just enjoyed the night. It was a very busy, mostly fun filled day.

Jer was the only exception to the facial hair rule we discovered with Hallie,
she snuggled right up with him. (We found out the Hallie does not like facial hair, she would scream and scream, but I guess Jer is the exception)

Friday: May 15

We woke up to the beautiful Rockaway Beach, had a wonderful breakfast, and went for a walk. It was such a beautiful day, there were not very many people out and about, and it was nice just to relax and enjoy the scenery. Though I am sure we drove Jer and Rose crazy with our massive picture taking. But it was Hallie's first trip to the beach and we had to document it. :) She even got to put her feet in the freezing water.

After our walk, we went back to the hotel, packed up and drove up to the Manzinita lookout. After which, we said goodbye to Jer and Rose, and headed out to Seaside to visit Eric's cousin, Loren. We went to Big Foot Cafe for lunch, and even had a Big Foot sighting.

Then we took Loren with us to Ecola State Park. We went to Indian Beach, which is my favorite. (It is also where part of Twilight is filmed)

We wished we could have spent some more time with Loren, but unfortunately he had to go to work. But we were happy we were able to spend a few hours with him. After we dropped him off at work we did some shopping at the outlets in Seaside, and Eric had to stop at a few thriftstores to look for ties. :) (I discovered he and Goodwill are the best of friends). But then it was back on the road, to head to Vernonia to spend the night with Clayton and Corrie.

We happened to time it just right, that we could go to Cheyenne's ballet recital. Hallie had had enough sitting, so Eric and I had to take turns out in the hall with her, but Cheyenne did such a good job!After the recital we talked with one of Eric's friends from high school and went to see her house she is building after the flood. (And if you are an Ax Men fan, we even saw Mike Pihl) Then we went back to Clayton and Corrie's for Eric's favorite dinner...Corrie's steak sandwiches. Then once again spent the night talking, only to have to get up early the next day.