And we were off. Since Chris used frequent flyer miles to get my ticket for free, my seat was not near his and the girls. The flight attendants were able to rearrange seating so that I could sit right across the aisle and help him manage Kristen. She didn’t much appreciate being so confined, but didn’t cry non-stop like the little girl behind us. And miracle of miracles, Kristen fell asleep on Chris’ lap, that is until her foot got in the way of Amy changing her tv channel. Yes, the girls got to watch tv on the flight. It was actually a bonus for all of us. It kept them quiet and occupied–pretty much glued to the monitor for the entire flight.
We headed first to Baggage Claim once we landed in Portland and then to Hertz to pick up our rental car. It was a Pontiac G6. Nicer than we expected but still a tight squeeze that was about to get tighter once we picked up a play pen for Kristen for the coast. We didn’t have car seats for the girls yet, fortunately Chris’ parents live only ten minutes from the airport. We were glad to finally arrive. We were able to unload the garment bag and our bigger stroller but exchanged those for a smaller stroller, Kristen’s bed and sand toys for the beach.
Grandma Ball had the dresses for Jenni’s wedding ready for the girls to try on when we arrived. They fit wonderfully, Amy did not want to take hers off. She would have worn all day, every day if we had let her. They were made from a blue satin; they were long and poofy and just like something a princess would wear. We only stayed at the house for about an hour and then we were off to the beach. I had especially been looking forward to some time away as a family, and what better place to be than the beach?
We knew the weather wasn’t going to be too warm so I packed warmer clothes. I think the temperature got up to 70 degrees on Friday, but that was they day we left. After dinner at Dooger’s where Amy tried and liked fresh halibut, we checked in to our Trendwest room 2203 on Tuesday evening. We had originally planned to stay in Lincoln City at an older condo, but were lucky enough to get three nights in a three-bedroom condo right on the beach at Seaside. The condos were about three-years old and come with the usual kitchen, laundry, linens, kitchen ware and just about everything to make our stay comfortable.
Even though it was getting late, we ventured back out to Safeway to get groceries for breakfast and lunch. We figured it would be cheaper just to eat in for those meals. By the time we returned and got the girls in to bed it was getting pretty late our time. The girls quickly acclimated to Pacific Time for sleeping and meals. Amazing how they do that so fast. I ventured down to the first floor to check out the exercise facility and to get some bottled water. Sadly, the exercise room did not open until 6 am (7 am my time) and I felt like I was wasting the day away just waiting until then to get up and exercise since I normally get up at 5:15 am.
We walked around the boardwalk on Wednesday morning checking things out. The girls were raring to go and do anything fun, but Kristen was pretty pooped from all the travel. I was suffering from allergies and took a pill in the morning. I was so exhausted when we were walking around that I fell asleep not too long after returning to the condo. Kristen slept for three hours and Chris took the girls down to some shops to check things out.
We decided to drive to Astoria about a half an hour away on Wednesday afternoon. It was fairly cool and overcast. Chris took us first to the Astoria Column. I’m not really sure what it is for except to get a real great view of the surrounding beauty. People were able to by small balsa-wood airplanes and fly from the top of the column. Amy and Misha quickly picked up on the idea and found airplanes that had landed on the ground and were about to head back up to the top of the column. We caught them and made them come back down before they got too far up. It was quite a climb up many flights of circular stairs. Not something I wanted them to climb on their own without supervision. The girls loved driving down the steep streets of Astoria. It seemed at times that they were almost straight up and down.
We stopped next at a museum on the ocean front and hoped to ride a trolley. Sadly, we missed it by just minutes and had to wait about 40 minutes for it to return. The girls occupied their time by looking at the boats docked in the harbor and by watching the larger ships sailing by. Once we finally got on the trolley, we traveled along the waterfront first to the north and then back to the south. Every time we changed directions, they had us change our seats around as well. Our trolley ride lasted about one hour which was about one half hour too long for Kristen. Couldn’t really hop off though since we would have to walk back to the car. So she squirmed a lot.
Chris wanted to also drive out to Cape Disappointment to see the lighthouse there. We drove across the Astoria bridge and about a half an hour further. Unfortunately, the girls were too young to climb up to the top of the lighthouse, so we just walked around the outside, took pictures, and enjoyed the scenery. Speaking of pictures, we took so many on our trip that the girls will surely be able to remember much of the activities.
It was getting late by the time we got back to Astoria but decided to go back toward Seaside for dinner. We took a wrong turn and somehow ended back in Astoria after a lot of driving around. By now the kids were starving so we stopped at a place called the Pig n’ Pancake. An all-day breakfast, IHOP-type restaurant.
Thursday was another brisk weather day. We spent much of the morning shopping at the outlet mall in Seaside. I am sure the girls weren’t too thrilled with out choice of activity, but I got a lot of new clothes and had fun. We chose to eat at Taco Time for lunch and then purchased a pizza for dinner that night. The girls had been begging to go swimming at the pool at Trendwest. We tried to put them off as long as possible since it wasn’t very warm, but finally gave in Thursday afternoon. The wading pool was quite chilly otherwise Kristen would have enjoyed playing in it. The main pool was fairly warm and enjoyable and Amy and Misha had fun playing. They kept finding goggles left by the side of the pool and quoting to me “Finders, Keepers, Losers, Weepers” figured they could keep them. I told them “no” but every time I turned around, they were wearing them.
Chris, I and Kristen headed to the hot tub. The moment Kristen felt the water she relaxed and floated on her back while Christopher held her. I made her sit out of the water every so often so she wouldn’t get overheated, but she just loved it.
In order to cover all of the activities that the girls were hoping to accomplish, we then headed down to the beach. Kristen wasn’t thrilled at all by the sand and sat on my lap or Christopher’s lap the whole time. Misha and Amy ventured into the water to check it out. Misha even took a turn tasting it and pronounced it salty. Chris had to walk all the way back to the bathroom with Misha and shortly after that I had to go back with Amy. By the time we arrived back, Chris was ready to head back and get supper. I readily agreed, Amy and Misha didn’t. Chris and I won.
Misha was covered in sand and I ended up giving her a bath while Chris and Amy headed back to Safeway to pick up pizza and a movie-Barbie something or other. Woohoo. Misha wanted to go back to ride the bumper cars, but Chris said he didn’t want to spend his money on them. Misha queried, “Can you use Mom’s money?”
Our last night at the beach favored us with a beautiful sunset. I took a number of pictures as it set and we just lazed around watching tv and a movie. We woke to a somewhat sunnier day on Friday, but it was still pretty chilly with the breeze. I started laundry and packing to return to Portland and the girls finally got to do the bumper cars with Chris. Everything opens after 10 or 11 am in Seaside and then rarely on time so there wasn’t much to do Friday morning but walk around. After the bumper cars at 11, we hurried back to the condo for lunch and to pack everything up. We had to check out at noon. Our trip inland to Becky’s house was to take about an hour and a half and within minutes of getting in the car, all three girls were soundly asleep. Nice peaceful drive for Chris and I.
We were earlier than expecting getting to Becky’s in Aloha so we stopped at Tiffany’s nails and let Misha and Amy get their nails-fingers and toes-painted. They thought it was wonderful though probably a little too much sitting still for Misha. We cautioned them that they were not allowed to pick the polish off. From there we headed over to Becky’s. She wasn’t home yet from being at her mom’s so we waited outside for a couple of minutes. What a shock to walk in to her home though, it was hot as could be with no air conditioning and quite dirty. I felt badly for leaving my children. Becky had arranged for two babysitters to come and watch her kids and our kids while we attended the temple with Jenni as she received her endowments. Food, dishes, clothes all over the place–what a mess. When we arrived back at her house the kids complained mostly of being sweaty and didn’t waste any time rushing out to the car.
We headed back to Vancouver to Chris’ parents’ house for a family dinner. BBQed chicken, corn on the cob, hamburger, hotdogs. Lots to eat. Sadly Jenni’s fiancé’s family didn’t show. They were not in favor of the wedding and expressed their displeasure in many ways. It wasn’t until the last minute that the dad even said that he would come. Stinky parents I say.
I put the girls to bed and Chris headed off with the rest of the family to finish decorating the church. There was plenty of cleanup to take care of at the house, and since I was the one left to watch my kids, I made sure the kitchen was tidy.
The big day finally arrived. The ceremony was scheduled for noon, so we had plenty of time to get ready in the morning. Amy had her hair styled and thought that was the coolest thing. I went for a manicure and pedicure. It took longer than expected so once that was finished we hurried back to grandma’s house to get dressed. Amy, of course, was already in her dress, even though we asked her to wear different clothes. We arrived at the temple with plenty of time to spare but ended up waiting on Becky and Kyle. They had arranged for a friend to come to the temple and stay with all of our kids again. She brought her minivan with a dvd player. What a blessing. They sat and watched a movie and ate snacks and had a great time, and Chris and I were able to enjoy being in the temple.
Linda made dresses for all of the granddaughters and skirts for herself, the sisters, and myself. She has been a pretty busy lady. Not my favorite style or color of skirt, but it was doable. Pictures took awhile, we got a lot of cute ones of our girls, and then we were finally able to leave. We stopped at McDonald’s to get some food since we were starving and then headed back to Grandma’s for more food. She had friends from the ward prepare food for us-pretty casual but nice.
Chris and I had a couple of hours in the afternoon where Grandma was willing to watch the girls. We took off for a little while to the mall. Just nice to have some time to ourselves. We returned thinking we had plenty of time, but Linda had changed plans and wanted all of us dressed and at the church for pictures by 6:30. Another scramble but we made it. Lori and Sam didn’t get the message or something and they didn’t arrive until 7 pm. Linda, being a bundle of nerves and tears and hormones already, was doing her best to hold back the tears. After pictures, the girls were ready to attack the refreshments-dipping chocolate with pretzels, cake, nuts, fruit, etc for dipping. We had a few juice spills and chocolate down the front of the dress moments but all in all they did great. We finally opened up the nursery to let them play and to keep them from running all over the gym.
After Jenni and Kenny left the reception, the fun really began with cleanup. The girls were so tired, but I don’t think we even left the church until 11:30 our time. What an exhausting, long day. It was nice to have Sunday to look forward to for a little relaxation and quiet. Church was from 9 am to 12 noon. Misha was ready in time to go with Grandma in her Miata which didn’t make Amy too happy, but she was consoled with knowing she could ride home with Grandma after church. Amy was excited to attend Primary as a visitor because they would sing a special Welcome song to her. I also heard after church that she also volunteered to say the opening prayer. Misha wasn’t so thrilled about an unfamiliar Primary and was happy when I let her stay in Amy’s class with her.
After long Sunday afternoon naps, we visited with Renee and Alan Rhyasen at their home. Renee and my dad are cousins, and Chris and I usually try to fit in a visit to their home when we are visiting in Vancouver.
Monday was our day to spend with Kevin and his family. We decided to visit the Children’s Museum in Portland. Our girls had a great time playing in a miniature store and diner, in a gravel (rubber) pit, and with water. After a couple of hours, we were all hungry. We found a pizza place a short distance away and left for lunch. We had our hands stamped at the museum before we left allowing us to return after lunch for a couple more hours. The kids played with clay, made arts and crafts, painted their faces (as did Kevin) and were pooped by the time we decided to leave. Grandma Ball had wanted to spend the day playing with us as well but had to be in a training session at school most of the day.
She would be able to spend the evening with our children though since Chris and I and Kevin and Candace were going on a dinner cruise on “Portland Spirit”. It was a lot spendy but something we wouldn’t normally do and was a nice way to celebrate our anniversary. We were able to board the ship at 6:30 and it left dock at 7 pm. We then enjoyed the beautiful Wallamette River for the next 2 ½ hours. It was a nice way to end our trip to the coast.
Grandma was pretty sad to see us leave on Tuesday morning. I was just thinking how much I wanted another flight with Kristen. I would have to say that she was much more of a pill on this flight. I think after a week of so much that was different and of missing naps and late bedtimes, she was tired and in no mood to sit still in a tiny little space. Ah well, what can you do? She did fall asleep in my arms for a short time but woke when she tried to change positions and couldn’t. We were glad to get back to our own spacious van and be on our way home. We stopped in Brighton for a very late lunch at 3:30 and to pick up groceries at Walmart.
The house was pretty warm when we arrived home and it took the air conditioner all evening to cool it down to our normal temperature. But it sure was good to be home.
Wednesday morning dawned bright and early for two little girls who had to be up at 7 am for the first day of school. Everything was ready to go. We had been trying to prepare Misha for need for speed, but she is still slow when it comes to eating breakfast on her first day of school. Chris came with me to help get both girls to their classes along with all the supplies that are required–paper towels, hand sanitizer, boxes of kleenex-that’s on top of all the school supplies that they need.
