Portland continued

Many photos. Don't want to forget a trip like this.

Terri took us to the Rose Gardens. I thought I had an idea of what a Rose Garden would look like...but I was not prepared for this...

Hills and rows of every type of species and color of rose imaginable.


Impossible not to stop and smell the roses in a place like this.


Why is Kyleigh so smiley and happy, you ask?
She was staring right at her great Aunt Terri. Terri is so incredibly good with children...they have no 'getting to know you before i like you' phase. It was instant, unrestrained likeability. The picture holds the proof...


This is the year they started crowning a Queen at the Rose Parade.


You think Kyleigh liked Aunt Terri?? Well, look what she found for Brenden.....!!!!!!!!


We were tight on time to get Meagan and be at Lee's for dinner...but Terri pulled over, unbuckled Brenden, took him by the hand and led him up to this big piece of metal.

If it wasn't for the train rides that mom and dad take him on at the Zoo back home, this kid would've sold us out for his Aunt Terri without the slightest hesitation.


Conductor B


By the time we got back into the car...this is what we found. I guess driving for 12 hours, under 5 hours of sleep and keeping up with 2 kids under 3 got to the poor man.


After picking up Meagan and her family, we headed over to Lee and Kathy's for ribs, potatoes, rolls and apple pie. And they did this within a days notice (and still able to get a golf game in as well). Thank you for having us over.


Apparently we need to teach Brenden what it means when we say 'smile'. Their house sits on a hill and has an amazing view. They are in the middle of selling it though since it has alot of stairs which are getting hard and a little dangerous for Gpa Lee. It was so nice to see Meagan and her family after many, many, many years. Her little boy is a good and very handsome little man.


One of B's favorite things to do now. It's mostly how Trent is able to persuade him to come to bed...take him for a 'horse' ride. Trent says his neck gets a good workout.


Baby Kyleigh did exceptionally well traveling and sleeping in a new place. She slept in the car during our travel time as well as in Terri's pack n play. Any mom or dad knows how important nap and sleep times are for the happiness and well-being of everyone involved. We all benefited from her good sleep behavior.



Monday morning Terri and I drove to the airport to the Beaverton Bakery to get Maple Bars for breakfast. They were just as good as they look.


Maple Bars and fresh OREGON strawberries (there is a marked difference in produce between Oregon and Utah/Nevada/Arizona).
Everyone say 'Ahhhh'....


On our way back, we decided to make a long trip just a little longer with a slight detour to see the Portland temple. Our Stake President challenged us to take our family and touch the walls of the temple before Conference...so why not make that as many temples as we can fit in?
Portland temple is gorgeous. Beautiful white architecture and the grounds were like walking through a miniature, manicured forest. Worth the detour.


As Brenden was walking up to check the temple out, he saw these two young girls...stopped...checked them out and then casually walked right up to the fountain and climbed up to see the water. He later met up with these same girls around the backside of the temple at another pond. He had no problem walking right up to them, not to play with them, but just to be next to them and observe.






More girls???


Ducks lived in this water. Cool little pond. Wouldn't see such an overabundance of water like these 2 ponds/fountains in Vegas. All this talk of water is making me anxious for Grandma and Poppy to finish up their pool in the backyard. 4 more weeks???


El Capitan


In the backseat with a sticker book that Aunt Terri gave him. She is a Grandma now and has a couple cool kid toys like this on hand. As we were walking out the door with the car packed, she grabbed this gem out from her goody basket and gave it to B. It entertained him well.


Until he teased his sissy with it....


But that move didn't quite pay out as well as he had anticipated....


Near the end of the trip, she kept hitting her head....over and over.....
Baby girl, we feel your pain.


But eventually we arrived home, unpacked, and slept extremely well that night. It was such a great trip. I, ok, we all miss Aunt Terri and would drive again to see her tomorrow....if only she was a wee bit closer.