A Penny for Your Thoughts

We had such a great time on our trip. We started off by camping with Darwin and Nina just a few miles west of Wells, NV. I think we were all a little leery of what we would find at this campground. I mean, it's Nevada. We were pleasantly surprised to find a superb oasis in the middle of the desert. Green grass, tall, tall trees with plenty of shade, a creek, clean bathrooms with showers. It turned out to be a nice stop on our way to Utah. The kids enjoyed seeing the Salt Flats for the first time (that they remember).

We spent a night with our friends the McKeehan's in Utah. They were some of our first friends that we made in Medford 2nd ward. We love them. They have kids that stair-step ours (theirs are all a year older than each of ours) and we always have a good time together. Josh has convinced Ryan to work for Edward Jones - so now we have even more in common! Ha, ha...he has succumbed. Heidi let the kids bake and decorate their own cakes. WOW! What creative little munchkins we've got! Logan loved Jake's scooter. He thought it was pretty awesome.

The kids also had a water balloon fight. No pictures of that - they were vicious! Josh got soaked by Ashley - she's not as innocent as she looks!

On Thursday we drove up to the reunion just outside of Pocatello, ID. We were there until Sunday. I think I saw about 10 minutes worth of Hannah the entire time. She was in heaven - climbing the hill (and sliding back down on her rear), playing the the creek, exploring in the bushes, playing games galore with cousins. She was definitely a busy girl! Logan and cousin Shayanne were two peas in a pod again. They are utterly adorable together. Brynne bounced around between cousins and Hannah and told me her camping mantra "you're supposed to be dirty when you camp". This was said after I offered to wash her hair for her. She didn't take me up on that...imagine!

The kids found lots of cool bugs and birds nests and moths and things. Nature is so fun!

Logan and Shayanne are best pals!


We drove all day Sunday to Richland, WA to spend two nights with the Hathaways. Julia and I became friends at Girls Camp the summer before we turned 16. We've been close ever since and keep in regular contact. Our kids had a blast swimming and playing and enjoying the Hathaway clan. Logan took the opportunity to get some extra nourishment by swallowing a penny (more on that later). Kenna got her first regular naps in a week and enjoyed catching up on her sleep.

Tuesday we drove from Richland to Oregon. We really loved our pit-stop at the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Josh had fun taking photos there. Columbia Gorge Hotel is just a bit outside of Portland. It was built in 1921 as a stopping place for steamship travelers. My parents have stayed there and really enjoyed their visit. It has beautiful grounds on a cliff looking over the Columbia River...including a waterfall cascading down.

Our final resting place was Grants Pass, OR... spending several days with Grandma and Grandpa as our home base. We spent one short day in Medford with our cousins and one friend. Most of the kids' time (and mine) was spent with my sister and her family, and with Grandma and Grandpa. We love visiting them! Josh took two days to visit with clients and work 12 hour days. Poor guy. His vacation ended early.
On Friday Devon drove to Grants Pass and met up with us. She is staying with us for 6 weeks or so.

Saturday morning we headed for home! We were all pretty eager to get back to our own beds and out of the heat...how do you all stand it??!!! We got 20 minutes from Crescent City and were turned back. The road was closed due to forest fires. We were very frustrated as this was a waste of both time and money to have to drive all the way back. We knew we would be welcomed at Grandma's or Jenny's, but we decided we may as well stay in Medford and drive home by I-5. Harmon cousins to the rescue! Valerie welcomed us on short notice and put us up in their little cottage next door to their house. The kids enjoyed the extra playtime with her children. Josh enjoyed chatting with Valerie and Theron (he rarely gets to visit the people *I* play with!!!).

And on Sunday we made it safely home.

So for the penny update. Logan was x-rayed Tuesday and the penny is still in his stomach. The doctor seems surprised that it is still there. It doesn't appear to be bothering him. We're going to give it time to work it's way out.

Never a dull moment around here!