Memorial Day Weekend

Mark and I needed to get out of town this weekend and do some serious playing! Nothing rejuvenates us like a trip to the coast. Mark was craving some clam chowder from the Chowder Bowl and Karlee wanted to "go to the beach" so we left town. Our first stop, the Oregon Aquarium where Max the seal was celebrating his 21st birthday! There were all sorts of festivities including face painting. We stood in line for 45 mintues! Yes, it was worth it...for them.

This looks like a mug shot! Why isn't anyone smiling?!?!?

Okay! Some smiles.

Second stop, the Chowder Bowl for Fish'n Chips and Clam Chowder. YUM! Then down to the beach to play in the water (which was freezing). Karlee was the only one playing in it. Macy was off collecting seashells. Next, we drove up to Lincoln City to hit the outlets and grab some Tillamock ice cream. On the way back, we stopped to watch the sunset and waves crashing in Depoe Bay. So beautiful! The kids fell asleep on the car ride home which is always a sign of a good, long, fun day! It was the perfect break from our ordinary, everyday lives and a way for us to fall back in love with Oregon (since we've had way too much rain this year to have much good to say about it). ;-)

Silver Falls

Upper South Falls

122 foot drop

On Monday morning, we up and went hiking at Silver Falls State Park. The kids were so excited! This was to be our first hiking adventure as a family! Everyone is finally getting old enough that an outing like this is somewhat doable. It was raining the whole way up but once we got to the park, the sun came out and it was perfect (a little chilly) but absolutely a gorgeous day to be out in nature! Silver Falls has to be one of the prettiest places on earth. It is so lush and green. We were reminded, once again, all that there is to LOVE about Oregon.

We saw the Southern Falls. Apparently, there are ten waterfalls in all, but we just saw two of them and made about a two mile walking loop! The kids were troopers. There was a little whining and complaining about the mud on their shoes and "knees hurting" from walking so much but we made it!

You actually get to walk down behind the waterfalls. The mist and water is spraying in your face. It's awesome!

Karlee insisted on wearing her rain boots. She was probably the smartest one because the trail was a little muddy in parts. However, every puddle she came to, she contemplated whether to walk through it or around it. In this picture, Nicholas is telling Karlee to just walk through it. What did she do? Of course, the opposite. This girl was cracking us up the whole time! I think it's her red hair!

The Lower South Falls Waterfall

93 ft.

Love the skinny jeans and rainboots. Those boots were made for walking!

Butterfly Farm

Macy's friend invited us along on their school field trip to the butterfly farm called Wings of Wonder in Independence. I have been wanting to go for a long time. It was a gorgeous day! The gardens were beautiful and it was so neat to go inside and have butterflies flying all around you. Nicholas was scared to death! I had to hold him the entire time. The rest of us loved it! We learned a lot about butterflies that day.

In the gardens, doing sidewalk chalk, playing and having snacks!