Thanksgiving/Conference trip to Oregon

"On the Road Again" should have been our theme song for 2010 as we made 2 road trips to Oregon and back as well as one to the Great Lakes. This second trip to Oregon was not decided until only a couple weeks before we left as we had just been in Oregon, but Doug was able to participate in a conference in Portland the week after Thanksgiving, so it seemed like a good opportunity to spend the holiday with my family. Of all the road trips this one was the most challenging with snow/ice on the roads the entire 1200 miles heading West. We luckily did not have any problems, but saw several other holiday travelers who weren't so fortunate. Our first night we planned to make it from home to Twin Falls, ID, but upon reaching Ogden we were hit by a severe white out and were forced to stay overnight, which meant we had a pretty good push to make the next day to reach my parents house. With it being below freezing and snowy most of the trip, McDonalds with playlands (indoor ones) were our best friends as they were the only outlet for the kids energy. The sunset on the highway as we were beginning the drop down into Pendleton, OR

Rachel got a couple early Christmas presents from her Auntie Erin, all horse related, a perfect fit for both of them.

Riding her "Austin" around the house

Caleb's early Christmas gift, a rumble tractor and some cowboy clothes (not shown)

Playing Rock Band

Going for a Jeep ride with Grandpa after a horse riding session

Playing at the beach in Lincoln City while the big boys went surfing

Joel, Doug and Tim talking to Ilana before they head back up the beach for more surfing

Playing in the foamy bubbles as the sun is making an appearance

Posing with Auntie Erin

Surfing on land signing "Ho daddy ho"

Busting out his super super rad moves

Caleb, Rachel, Dylan and Jonah forcasting the weather at OMSI

Rachel and Dylan loved the water table...what kid doesn't

Caleb building a sand wheel structure in the sand box

Ready for blast off

Taking a bath/going for a swim in Grandma and Grandpa's bath tub

In line for the zoo light train in Portland

On the train with Uncle Joel

The alligator was one of our favorite light displays

Going for a hike above my parents house, towing the kids on the garden wagon