Where in Oregon Have the Bagels Been?*

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...so why do I still write so dang much? In this post, I am challenging myself to say as much as possible with as few words as possible. I'm going to attempt to let my pictures do the talking...well, most of the talking. So, here below lies the two-week time line of my Oregon saga, complete with photographic journaling and video proof of occurrence.

(All images are mine unless otherwise noted)

Thursday - August 14, 2008
Arrived in Oregon.

The Amity First Baptist Church est. 1858. Very cool.

Friday - August 15, 2008
Picked up Chub and Auntie from the birth center. Took them home.




Saturday - August 16, 2008
Took the boys to Scotty's Playhouse at Church on the Hill in McMinnville. It's free. Have I mentioned that before?

Sunday - August 17, 2008
Attended church then took the boys to Glacier Rock followed by meadow exploring. Fresh air, beautiful scenery, exertion in the great outdoors - what more could one ask for to feel close to our Creator?

Jumping contest on Glacier Rock

Monday - August 18, 2008
Stayed home all day and wanted to shoot myself at the end of the day. Don't think I was the only one who felt that way.

Tuesday - August 19, 2008
Took a trip to the beach and lighthouse at Yaquina Head, towing five boys through squall-like conditions. It was cold...and wet...and miserable...and very memorable. It was the definition of adventure. Felt like a sheep herder by the end of the day. Actually, Auntie's description is probably more accurate - it was like herding cats. Stubborn cats.

Photo (above) by Ratchet

Photo (above) by Ratchet

I saw a few random mailboxes. This one cracked me up.

Wednesday - August 20, 2008
Played with the boys at home while Auntie took Chub to a check-up with the midwife and Ratchet went for a massage. Much better "home day" this go-round.

Thursday - August 21, 2008
Took the boys to Scotty's Playhouse again. Nearly got trampled by the stampede of children charging through the open doors. Left after a little while for lack of breathing room. (Weekends must be better there). Called Ratchet on the way home, picked him up as we drove by the house, kept going in the direction of the river. The three little guys had a blast throwing rocks and wading in the river they had all to themselves. I had a blast photographically chronicling the unabashed display of testosterone. Boys will be boys...and I love it.

Friday - August 22, 2008
Took the boys to Discovery Meadows Park - every child's dream park. It was hot. The boys had red faces and sandy bottoms by the time we left, but they enjoyed every minute of it! Picked up The Chief at the airport that night.

Discovery Meadow's Park

Saturday - August 23, 2008
Took the boys to Silver Falls with The Chief. Hiked the South Falls. Couldn't have managed it without The Chief. Steep drop offs and slippery pavement wasn't what we were expecting. Found out later that Auntie and Ratchet had hiked the North Falls. Oops. Thank heaven for The Chief and the stroller that contained the two little guys. Buddha has a problem with not watching where he's going when he walks/runs. He nearly ran straight off the edge to plummet to his death. I screamed at him and he stopped just short of the side. I scared him. He scared me.

North Falls pic by The Chief

Sunday - August 24, 2008
Spent a lovely afternoon just chillin' with my family. Took The Chief to the airport that night. Sniff sniff.

Monday - August 25, 2008
Took the kids to an orchard for a photo shoot in the morning. Ratchet knew of the perfect place. It was beautiful and mysterious and, well, perfect. Bugga played in some rocks and discovered some runny doggy poopy...all over himself. Held him at arms length all the way to the car, frantically dug for wipes, then stripped him down. Three boys took a quick bath at home then we were off to the airport again. Picked up Unkey Dino at the airport and headed to Multnomah Falls - second tallest continuous waterfall in the continental U.S. Another scary hike and adventure with the stroller. Unkey Dino went alone to the top. I walked next to Buddha the whole time with him on the inside of the path - not taking any chances this time. We made it to the bottom alive. Breathe.

"Yucky, Mommy, yucky."

Say Multnomah

Tuesday - August 26, 2008
Went to see Auntie's Naturepath doctor against my will. :) He gave me some great treatment plans for dealing with my eczema. I have yet to start them because I'm too busy (and afraid) to take a 15 minute shower while alternating between cold and hot water every three minutes. Yikes! Must have courage. Thanks Auntie and Ratchet! Played with Unkey Dino.

Do more "pull ups" Unkey Dino!

Unkey Dino

Wednesday - August 27, 2008
Took the boys to Pacific City Beach with Unkey Dino. It was misty and rainy with billowing grey clouds threatening to overtake our tiny section of beach. Eventually they did. We ate snacks in the car. It stopped raining and we explored another section of the beach. Kiwanda Rock was a formidable site and the rest of the seascape was breathtaking. The boys were properly worn out and, as planned, fell asleep for the car ride home. Unkey Dino and I talked about the Twilight series as we wound our way back home through dense, encroaching, moss-covered forest.

Unkey Dino's Crab Act

Thursday - August 28, 2008
Came back home. Back to the daily grind. Miss the little guys we left behind. Love San Diego.

*...Perhaps it would be easier to ask where haven't we been now?