Who doesn't enjoy some 4th of July fun?? This 4th was quite amazing. I was way excited to go home because I wasn't able to go home last year and I missed out :) BUT, this year was most definitely a memorable occasion!! With eight kids and eight adults, the house was full of commotion....Alan and Mary came with their kids, Adrienne and Jason came with their kids. It was just a bit crazy, but at the same time not quite crazy enough. We spent some time at some places I hadn't been in a long while and then a fireworks show to finish everything off. I love spending time with the family, even if all of the kids wear me out (one of the advantages of being single is that I don't have to deal with kids all the time-except for during the school year). When I got there we went to the zoo and this is my newest niece Amanda, first time I had seen her!
She is so adorable, and a very happy baby.
We went to the beach and then decided to stop by Camp 18, which is a restaurant. Outside of the restaurant is a stream (I guess it could be a river...) Anyways, here is a picture of me and the grandkids present on the 4th.
We also took a trip downtown and walked along the waterfront. We saw some ships, watched the bridges go up several times, and enjoyed the view. I love the colors of Portland, and often miss them while living in the desert of Vegas :)
Me with Alan's kids at the waterfront.
My most wonderful parents and I
Yet again, did I mention how much I absolutely LOVE the scenes of Oregon??
At the beach :) Brian (my brother in law) claims that I don't enjoy the beach because I didn't grow up around the "real" beach. (such as California where he grew up) I agree that it is probably true. The middle of the summer and we were FREEZING hanging out on the beach for just a hour or so...but you have to admit it is quite beautiful!
Me with Amanda again, she is so cute!!
And then my other niece Abby, she is going into fourth grade this year and it is hard to imagine that I could be her teacher (since I am teaching 4th this year) Wow, how my nieces and nephews are growing up, I remember when I held them as little babies....memories :)
A trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory is a favorite. I refuse to eat any other cheese than Tillamook, even though it is a bit more expensive ;)
And then we get to the main event. Here we are loading shells into the mortars for the big show! Coming from Vegas my family was making fun of me because I actually was getting cold on the 4th while they were all sweating and hot...
And the crew. You have me, my dad, Alan (brother) Noland (friend of Alan's), David (brother), and George (friend of David's) It is true, I am the only girl in the picture....We didn't realize I was the only girl shooting until the pictures were being taken...I guess that is another benefit of being single, I don't have any kids to look after so I can be free to do as I would like!!
Overall, a wonderful trip. I have to say that I am grateful to my parents because it sure is a lot of work to not only have so many people in town at their house, but to also prepare for the fireworks show. We had a LOT of fun, I am so glad I went, and I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful family....even if we are on occasion slightly dysfunctional (which family isn't?? I take it as a sign of love :)
She is so adorable, and a very happy baby.
We went to the beach and then decided to stop by Camp 18, which is a restaurant. Outside of the restaurant is a stream (I guess it could be a river...) Anyways, here is a picture of me and the grandkids present on the 4th.
We also took a trip downtown and walked along the waterfront. We saw some ships, watched the bridges go up several times, and enjoyed the view. I love the colors of Portland, and often miss them while living in the desert of Vegas :)
Me with Alan's kids at the waterfront.
My most wonderful parents and I
Yet again, did I mention how much I absolutely LOVE the scenes of Oregon??
At the beach :) Brian (my brother in law) claims that I don't enjoy the beach because I didn't grow up around the "real" beach. (such as California where he grew up) I agree that it is probably true. The middle of the summer and we were FREEZING hanging out on the beach for just a hour or so...but you have to admit it is quite beautiful!
Me with Amanda again, she is so cute!!
And then my other niece Abby, she is going into fourth grade this year and it is hard to imagine that I could be her teacher (since I am teaching 4th this year) Wow, how my nieces and nephews are growing up, I remember when I held them as little babies....memories :)
A trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory is a favorite. I refuse to eat any other cheese than Tillamook, even though it is a bit more expensive ;)
And then we get to the main event. Here we are loading shells into the mortars for the big show! Coming from Vegas my family was making fun of me because I actually was getting cold on the 4th while they were all sweating and hot...
And the crew. You have me, my dad, Alan (brother) Noland (friend of Alan's), David (brother), and George (friend of David's) It is true, I am the only girl in the picture....We didn't realize I was the only girl shooting until the pictures were being taken...I guess that is another benefit of being single, I don't have any kids to look after so I can be free to do as I would like!!
Overall, a wonderful trip. I have to say that I am grateful to my parents because it sure is a lot of work to not only have so many people in town at their house, but to also prepare for the fireworks show. We had a LOT of fun, I am so glad I went, and I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful family....even if we are on occasion slightly dysfunctional (which family isn't?? I take it as a sign of love :)
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