Our Oregon Trail

This is the penultimate vacation post - Hooray!

Yes, this post is all about our trip from California to Oregon. It deserves it's own post because:

1. The drive took just as long as expected
2. The kids were the best on this leg of the trip - no puking and only minimal screaming
3. Beautiful scenery
4. In-N-Out (yes, we plan our vacations around these)

So here we go -

First we had to say goodbye to Papa and Grammy K. And of course Lucky.

We stopped in Redding for lunch. It was our third time visiting this In-N-Out and we only had to make one u-turn without having to stop and ask for directions (note: The Redding In-N-Out is hidden really well and we usually have to drive back and forth for quite a while before we eventually give up and ask someone). Yes, we took pictures eating our lunch. Many, many pictures. We are those kind of people.


In Oregon, we stopped at a logging museum. It was the perfect spot to stretch. For the first time I felt like we were on vacation and not just on a trip to see the family.

"Hi Tractor!"

Please Keep Off Equipment

A Rare Family Photo

Next stop - Bend!

JoAnne & Co.

We didn't get to see James' sister, Joanne, or her son Tre until a couple days before we had to leave because they had been in Tennessee. We tried to make the most of the time we got with them.

The only 2 grandsons on the Gillice side

Tre gives Owen a trumpet lesson

3 children + 1 bucket of choke-ables = endless fun

Who needs cousins when there is a cat around?

JoAnne teaches Zoe some sweet dance moves

Take Me To the River

I have a confession to make: in nearly five years of marriage to a Nevada City Boy, I've never been to the river. Well, maybe once, but it was spring time and much too cold to swim. So, technically I was a Yuba River virgin. Not anymore! On Tuesday, the 7th, we met up with some friends at Bridgeport. The weather was perfect and I was amazed at how wonderful and clear the water is. Owen fell asleep after a while and stayed asleep nearly the whole time, and with Grammy K there to watch the little ones, James and I had fun in the deeper water.

Before heading home, we checked out the covered bridge - for those of you who might not know, it's the longest single span wood arch bridge, and was built in 1862. Pretty neat.

Tuesday night we got together with the Greens, the Counihans, and the Biggs - the girls went out for dessert while the guys stayed home and watched the kids. You'd think since it had been over two years since we had seen some of these people someone would have thought to snap a picture. You would be wrong. Oh well, next time.

Wednesday night we met up with the Greens for an evening swim at the 49 Bridge. It was a bit cooler and the kids were getting tired, but it was nice to hang out in the water one more time (Plus we had Port Of Subs for dinner!). Of course, instead of taking pictures with old friends, the only picture we got was the old bridge.

"I'm Thwee!"

When it came time for Zoe's birthday, we had a nice family dinner. During the day we all saw Up, then we made awesome kabobs with this fabulous marinade (if you haven't tried it, you should). Then we had cake, ice cream, and presents. As far as Zoe's birthday celebrations go, I would definitely put it in the Top 3.

California AND Bust!

A quick note on the car ride to California - it was not that great (I would say it was awful, but the trip home will get that title). Zoe was an angel and kept herself entertained, but Owen was not a happy camper. It took us 12 hours to get out there and we didn't leave until 3 in the afternoon. Both kids threw up - Owen gagging himself on a fry and Zoe got carsick when we turned on the portable DVD player we had brought. Luckily, we were just passing a rest stop and were able to go in the exit. Unfortunately it was a nasty one, didn't have any paper towels, and the sink was the kind you have to push a button with one hand the entire time you want water to come out of the faucet. So for the majority of the trip we were pretty stinky. And we got to spend our first day on vacation hosing down Zoe's carseat and doing laundry.

On to more pleasant subjects - WE LOVE GRASS VALLEY! Friday night (the 3rd) we went to a great BBQ with so many of our friends. Thank you to the Greens for planning it and thank you to the DeMartinis for hosting. Of course we didn't take one single picture.

On the 4th (Bill's birthday) we got up and went to the parade. It was hot, we stood around for hours, and then we didn't even get any candy (because none was thrown). Sheesh! James and I aren't parade people to begin with, so I think we've sworn them off for a while now. Oh well. Zoe enjoyed it and Owen didn't complain too much. Then we went home, rested up, and hit the fairgrounds for Bill's birthday celebration and fireworks. We hit up treat street for dinner and got a great spot to watch the fireworks. I couldn't believe how well the kids did on such little rest. It must have been all that cake and fried food - works every time.

Sunday we went to the good ole Nevada City ward. I can't overstate how wonderful all the people are there. I always feel like I'm coming home, and I've only attended the ward a few times.

Still to come - Zoe's birthday, trips to the river, more missed picture opportunities, and getting down with Aunt JoAnne. And the trip to Oregon.

Long Story Short

We're home! We arrived back in Payson at 1:30 am on Wednesday. What a trip. I'm going to start editing and posting pictures soon, but for now here's a brief recap of the trip:

• 5 states
• 34.5 hours of driving
• 2 incidents involving puke
• 3 grandparents
• 2 great-grandparents
• 2 aunts
• 2 great aunts
• 4 cousins
• 9 dogs
• 3 birthdays
• 3 trips to two rivers
• 1 huge box of vintage Transformers
  
• In-n-out, Sums Mongolian BBQ, and Port of Subs
• 288 pictures
• 2 worn out children
• 2 VERY worn out parents
• 13 days worth of memories!

Pictures will be up as soon as I can get to them. There are some gems!

36 Months (and counting)

Zoe is 3 today! Can you believe it? We certainly can't. We love this wonderful little girl more and more each day. She is getting to be such a big kid. We are so blessed to have her in our home. Here are just a "few" pictures of her over the years.

Random Acts

Things have been great around here. The weather cooperated just long enough to finish swim lessons and squeeze in one awesome trip to the pool. It was at capacity so we had to wait for people to leave before we got in, but when we did we had a great time. Zoe cried when it was time to leave. Owen was crying too, but that had more to do with being hungry and not getting a nap.

James was out of town for work last week. The kids were really great for me and we all stayed alive and happy. Emphasis on alive.

In other news, Owen mastered crawling on his knees and on Sunday he climbed up the stairs by himself. Unfortunately, what goes up must come down. He only fell down one step before I caught him, but he got a pretty good bump on his cute little head (to add to his ever-growing collection of contusions).

Well, that is it for us. Nothing big, but we are enjoying life and looking forward to seeing our family and friends in California. It's been far too long since we've been out there.