Road Trip

Yesterday, despite the rainstorm, we took a little road trip.  After a hearty breakfast we piled in the swagger wagon and headed towards the Columbia River Gorge.  Our first stop was Bonneville Dam to show the girls the fish ladder and to get a glimpse of Herman the sturgeon. While we were there, we fed the rainbow trout at the fish hatchery.  The girls got a big kick out of seeing the salmon swim up the  ladder and pushing the buttons to the interactive displays at the visitor's center.  Our next stop was Hood River, where we eat some lunch and walked around the town, finally landing at an amazing toy store.  Infact, this morning McKinley asked if we could go back to the toy store for her birthday.  Next, we drove through the Hood River valley and stopped at a couple fruit stands that are part of the famous Fruit Loop.  At Packer's Orchard and Bakery we had some yummy treats and at Kiyokawa Family Orchards we bought some apples.  Our last stop was Timberline Lodge, where the wind, rain and cold temperatures prevented me from taking a picture.  Mountain Hood, as McKinley says it, couldn't be seen as it hid behind the low fog.  On our way home we had burgers for dinner at Calamity Janes in Sandy. Overall, we had an awesome day as a family!

Feeding the rainbow trout.

You can see Bonneville Dam in the background. The girls are holding coloring books they received from the rangers at the visitor's center.

Hood River and Washington State in the background.

Eating ice cream at Packer's Orchard.  Of all of the local flavors, McKinley chooses birthday cake.

Buying apples at Kiyokawa Orchard.

Look at all those varieties! 

From the archives

Here are some summer photos that never got posted, plus a recent shot of Piper during a home cross country meet.  I have such sweet and silly girls!

Mama Llama's Day

So, I just happened to turn 30 and 35 on the same day; 30 weeks pregnant and 35 years old.  Although, I wish it was the other way around, leaving me only 5 more weeks before my due date.  My lower back pain is prominent throughout the entire day, even into the middle of the night.  And the tips of my fingers have developed calluses from all the pricking.  Plus, there's the occasional charlie horse that wakes me from a deep sleep.  Needless to say, I'm ready for Tessa's arrival!  

My birthday was a fun day. We began by taking some family pictures in a sunflower field in Sherwood, something I've always wanted to do.  Then we popped into Trader Joes before having lunch  at the Olive Garden.  After cross country practice Dadda grilled up some delicious cheeseburgers for dinner, while I sautéed some mushrooms and onions for the burgers.  For dessert we ate chocolate chip cheesecake bars that McKinley and I made during naptime. 

Piper was a bit of a grumposaurs rex and wouldn't smile for a single shot. 

Full bellies in front of the Olive Garden.

Big Girl Bike

My big girl has officially graduated from tricycle to bicycle.   Thanks to our good friends, Jered and Carol Lutu, we acquired this little bike after their daughter Jaydin grew out of it.  So, before lunch today, Dadda strapped on the training wheels and gave her a crash course on how to use the brake.  She circled around the garage for a bit, and then while I was at cross country practice, she pedaled a mile all the way down to Crater Elementary School.  She is in love with her new Dora bike!

 

Dadda's Day

Happy 35th Birthday to the world's best husband and Dadda!

We popped in to Beaverton's Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop.

McKinley and I made some homemade blue velvet cupcakes for Dadda to blow out a candle and for us to enjoy.

Dadda grilled up some tasty carne asada for dinner. 

Home again, home again, jiggly jig

We've been home for two weeks, and I just finished unpacking our suitcases.  Boxes from the garage are slowly getting unpacked too.  Benji desperately wants to plant blueberries in our back yard, so he has been working like a maniac to clear a spot for them.  McKinley finally got a haircut and bang trim, which was long overdue.  It's amazing how she can sit completely still and follow instructions for the hairstylist, yet when it comes to me trying to comb her hair with a spray bottle....impossible.  I had another pre-natal appointment, and the nurse gave me paperwork in order to register for the hospital. A couple things come to mind. First, I'm dreading the 45 minute drive to the hospital while in the middle of intense contractions.  And second, I can't believe that in three short months, Tessa will be here. Next week I'll begin my third trimester, and I feel great.  I haven't gained nearly as much weight this pregnancy, and I'm positive the gestational diabetes and CrossFit have everything to do with it. 

New haircut.

Needs a haircut.

They got the gerber daises from our dentist office.

27 weeks.

Photo-bombed by McKinley Ruth!