Our destination was Grant's Pass, Oregon (southern Oregon- along the California border) where we were attending the Johnson Family Reunion. The quickest way to get there would've been to drive through Nevada and such, but we never believe in doing things the easy/quick way... We did the "scenic" route and headed up to Northern Oregon first (only adding 5-6 hours to our already-long drive!).
We left on the 19th after Joe got off work (and built a "lid" for Bade's truck that we were borrowing) and headed to Ontario, Oregon where we were going to stay with my dad at a Holiday Inn Express. *I tell you- that is one good thing about trying to coordinate your vacation schedule with my dad- you can always stay in his hotel room for free. ;) It was such a nice hotel too, with a yummy breakfast (cause it's all about the free food, my friends). We pulled in pretty late with a fussy little munchkin, but it was so nice to just hit the sack in a nice, comfy bed. Ahhhh.
The next morning we were off to Oregon/Washington to drive along the Columbia River Gorge. I love this area- it is so beautiful. If I could move there, I would. It's the main reason we took the much longer "scenic" route. The gorge has all sorts of waterfalls and little hikes and is just gorgeous. I just really wanted see this area with Joey and our little munchkin. We even managed to talk all my siblings into doing it with us, which made it even better (cause who likes to travel with just your spouse and baby?!...laaaame) ;) lol
We met up with them at Horsetail falls and did a "little" hike (or so I thought). I thought this was a 20 minute hike, so packed nothing for Ellie. Nothing. I had no diapers, no blanket, no snacks for us or water or anything. Ya, I'm smart. Little did we know, it was five miles. Woops! It was beautiful though. We started at Horsetail falls, hiked up to Ponytail Falls and then to an overlook of Triple Falls. They were all beautiful, even if it was all uphill!
*Sidenote* Well, as most people know, babies eat every three hours and right as we had another 2 miles to go, Ellie was hungry. This wouldn't usually be a problem except that it was getting late and starting to rain. Not fun. So Ellie got a little "eating on the go." We adjusted her in the snugli and I fed her while I walked downhill to our car, in flip-flops even! That was quite an adventure. Luckily that path wasn't well traveled that day and I didn't have to flash anyone. :) Emily was kind enough to swap me shoes half way down so then I got to hike down in shorts, socks and tennis shoes. Oh, what a beautiful sight I was to behold. *end note*
After our little hike, we went over to Multnomah Falls, hopped out of the car, snapped a few pics and then hopped back in. They are just breathtaking. Love it! Wish we could've spent more time, but unfortunately it was cold, late and everyone was really hungry.
Afterwards we all headed to the Red Robin in Vancouver Washington (why-because Alan was around of course, and we never do anything but Red Robin when he is around). He mostly wanted to go because he had a free birthday burger, so I guess I can't blame him.
Then it was off to my Aunt's house where we all stayed the night. I thought it was rather amusing that the Johnson clan took over her house. All four of us siblings and our families were staying at her house while she wasn't. Thanks Moose! Poor Joey though- he couldn't breathe in her house due to the fact that she has two cats and had to sleep in the truck that night. I slept peacefully though, as did little Ellie-burr. :)
That morning, we made a few stops and were on our way to the Umpqua Lighthouse State park. We got in relatively early and set up camp. Yes, that's right...camp. I took my two month-old baby camping. I don't know what I was thinking. We met up with most of my extended family there. (I think it's funny that we plan these reunions for a few days and then end up meeting up with everyone before then anyways. :) The camping wasn't that bad, actually. That little girl is a heater, I tell you! She kept me warm all night. :) The only not-fun thing about it was feeding her two-three times during the night and having to get out of my sleeping bag and being cold. Brr. Yes, I know, there are easier ways to feed a baby other than sitting up freezing your back off while she stays warm all bundled up, but of course it took me three nights of camping first, to figure it out. But at least I figured it out by the end of the trip. :) She slept quite well around the campsite- and looked just like a little monkey in the snugli. And lucky for us, Bug came prepared and even had a hat for Ellie in the morning when it was really cold and I had nothing but a blanket...hey- first time mom here! ;)
That was an especially fun campsite because we were right in front of a hill where Alan set up a zip line for the kids. They had a blast.We werne't sure if it was allowed, but figured better to ask forgiveness than permission. And Joey even pulled out the little "fiddy" to take Aaron and Caden for rides before he found out it was not allowed and that he could be fined 200 bucks. Whoops! Luckily, he didn't get caught. ;)
The next day we went down to the beach. Joey took his bike out on the sand dunes for a bit while I went crabbing with Alan and Emily and their families. It was actually really fun! It was cute to see how excited the kids got every time Alan pulled the rings out of the water with lots of little crabs in them. It was also fun to see Jen stick the hooks through frozen-stiff bait! Ha ha- she's a tough cookie (either that, or she likes dead, frozen fish bait). I wouldn't touch that nasty, dead, frozen, stinky fish. It was especially fun to see the kids squirm as they tried to hold the crabs for a picture (and how Jaxon wouldn't touch them without a big, leather glove, while Anya held it with pride in her bare hands). It wasn't fun though that I wasn't very prepared for this trip. I didn't have a hat for Ellie and had to just keep her wrapped in a blanket so she wouldn't get sun-burned. Bad mommy! I tried very hard, and succeeded...partially. She only got a little red on one side of her face. The side that wasn't covered by the blanket and exposed to the sun when I stood a certain way. doh. Oh well. She didn't complain much and she looked even cuter with ONE red cheek. :)
After the crabbing, we went and sat at the beach with Bug, Topher and Grace. It was SO windy and not much fun to sit there with a sleeping baby as the sand blows around you and covers every inch of your body in a fine layer of sand. It was Ellie's first time at the beach though and she managed to sleep through most of it. Feeding her in the sand wasn't much fun either, but what can I say- she is a hungry girl and aparently wants to eat...all the time. This little girl is becoming so well travelled and well-fed (meaning, I have fed her EVERYWHERE!) I have no shame apparently since I really do feed her everywhere. lol
The rest of the bunch joined us a little later and played in the water and sand while we watched and made lunches. Topher even pulled out his kite because Buggy wanted to fly it. After he set it all up and she saw how strong the wind was, she decided she didn't really want to fly it. She then was very grateful for her decision, as we all watched Topher get dragged down the beach, digging his heals into the sand the whole way. It was so funny to watch- he literally flew down the entire beach! Luckily, he stayed on his feet most of the time and no bones were broken, only a few scratches in his feet. Gotta love Bug and Topher who bring all the fun toys (and had to buy a roof rack while they were there because they had so much stuff piled in their car!)
After the beach, we hopped in the car and headed to Grant's Pass for the reunion site. We got to the Lodge and were very pleasantly surprised! First of all, it wasn't out in the middle of nowhere (which tends to be a recurring theme in our reunions...) and secondly, it was huge and the perfect place to accomodate our large group. And somehow, the "reunion gods" smiled upon us since we got the royal suite! We had to share a loft with Em and her family, but it was HUGE! The biggest room, by far. We had our own little kitchen and living area as well as our own bathroom and jetted tub (complete with a twisting swan-neck pouring spout) and bay windows all around our king-size bed (well, we got a king-size bed, Em and boys got a futon and blow-up mattress. tee hee hee. Before you judge me and say I'm a horrible sister, know that her spousy wasn't there yet and wouldn't be until the last day and she was kind enough to let us take the bed). It was awesome and so nice to have a little privacy and a place where I could lay Ellie down for naps, undisturbed (and where we could hide out when we were "family'd out"). tee hee hee.
Well, this has turned into a pretty long post and I doubt most people have made it through this far, so I'll end for now and post another portion later. Stay tuned, it gets good. :)
