More Visits!

I had to add this picture as an afterthought. I just thought it was funny. Cute girl! She's so crazy about shoes!!

We did all sorts of things while Mom and Dad were here. I probably can't even remember them all. We went to the children's museum and down to the river to throw rocks. Grandpa showed Coleman how to skip flat rocks. We went to Silver Falls and expanded our waterall experience by hiking both directions from the trailhead. The second waterfall was amazing - we walked behind it along a trail - so neat!! We went to OMSI and hung out at Aunt Mackie's house (Coleman really likes all her animal figurines). We went to a birthday party for Jeff's little boy and reconnected with them (after about 15 years). We even had a pre/post birthday party for Coleman and Brooklyn. It was just fun. Between major events, we rested, watched Leave It to Beaver, played Wii (Dad and Tyler were quite the bowlers and archers), read stories, made Costco runs and hung out. It was so great to be together. Dad and Tyler worked on our lawn mower and hung out in the garage and Mom and I chatted and caught up while the kids rested.

My parents came to visit the first week in August. It was so fun to have them. They flew in Tuesday morning and we met them in Gladstone at my great aunt's house. We hung out in Portland and went to lunch at Tebos (a family favorite restaurant) with Mom and Dad and Dad's cousin, Nancy. It was so great to see her too! We had a great time. We drove home squished in our car and hung out for a few minutes 'till Tyler got home. It was wonderful just to have them around. The kids were thrilled to see Grandpa and Grandma and had such a great time playing with them and showing them what they like to do.

Brookie LOVES shoes! She thought Grandpa's were especially neat.

Brookie, Grandpa, Grandma and Cole hanging out at the river.

Coleman learning to skip rocks. (We're mostly happy nobody got bonked on the head and that all the airborn rocks ended up in the water.)

Coleman at the childrens museum climbing in the river in the Chinese room.

Brookie loves the music and the big panda in the China room.

Loves.

At the childrens museum they have a room that shows your shadow in these neat lights. We all had a great time. Coleman espcially loved using the hula hoop.

Grandma is an angel. :)

Coleman making circles with the hoop.

The dino chair at the museum - a definite favorite!

Brookie loves to rock. This chair was her favorite.

Brookie in the bubble room at the museum.

Dad and Brookie walking to the first waterfall at Silver Falls.

Coleman, Mom, Dad, and Brookie at the first waterfall at Silver Falls. We can't wait to see the rest of the falls - there are 10 waterfalls in an 8 mile loop. We're working up to making that happen with our kids. :)

Cole, Grandpa, Grandma and Brookie at Silver Falls

Mom, Grandma and Brookie at the falls.

Grandma, Cole and Grandpa hiking along the trial toward the second waterfall.

Dad and Mom checking out the great views

Hiking

Dad and Brookie behind the waterfall

Grandpa and Cole behind the waterfall chillin' on the bench. What a neat view - and the company was great!

Mmmmmmmm...

Coleman loves cupcakes!!

Cole finally ate his dinner (which he had been holding in his cheek for 30 minutes) so he could have cake. :) We're not sure what is up with his new chipmunk strategy...???

Birthday cake is so yummy!

Opening presents at his birthday party

"Buzz" Coleman Astronaut

Brookie landing the shuttle :)

Brookie Astronaut

Wearing goggles from the chemistry lab at OMSI.

The little mad scientist - he was a scientist, an astronaut and Buzz Lightyear while wearing these at OMSI.

Playing with bubble guns. These kiddos were totally spoiled - not only by Grandpa and Grandma, but Grandma Neff too. They really had a blast with these bubble blower guns. (We're still getting a kick out of them!)