Life and Times of the Walkers: July 2009

Our great trip to Oregon started with early morning flights that lasted all day long. The girls really were great the whole (or at least most) of the trip. (see the "Happenings" for this week for details of the trip.)

When Grammy Judy and Poppa Ken picked us up we drove to the Oregon coast and had a great time. We went to the light house and were able to go up to the top and see how it worked and got great views.

The girls had a great time just playing on the beach. Rachel is happy anywhere she can pick up dirt, sand, rocks or anything she can sift through and let run through her fingers.

While the Oregon coast is not your typical "beach". It has beautiful views! We were very lucky to get wonderful weather while we were there. Couldn't ask for more.

They were a bit difficult to spot because they blend right into the rocks, but take a look at the next picture.

The sea lions were all over the rocks.

More beautiful views.

Paul and Claire were the big rock climbers....

...while Rachel and Poppa Ken just dug and played in the sand.

We tried making sand castles and fish prints.

And of course we all did cartwheels on the beach...

...even Rachel

Even with sunny weather, the water is coooold!

We wore Poppa Ken out right away and he had to take a snooze on the beach.

The coast also has beautiful flowers and plants. Of course Rachel was very cooperative about taking a photo.

But finally- I couldn't ask for a better one!

And of course on this trip there was lots of traveling in the car.

While walking around the streets of Bandon, Rachel got tired and conned Poppa Ken into giving her a shoulder ride.

Claire found that her astro pop doubled as a unicorn horn.

So Rachel had to try it out too.

I thought this flower was fake, but upon closer inspection, it was real and so unique.

And of course, what fun is TV in a hotel room.

We also went to a zoo in which you could feed many of the animals. When you walked in with a ice cream cone full of feed, we were literally attacked by the animals and I ended up throwing the away from me to keep from being trampled and butted by antlers and horns.

Claire loved feeding the animals.

Rachel was a little nervous, but Claire took a special liking to the little donkeys and the goats. In fact she chased a few down and would follow them around the zoo.

Poppa Ken did a great job carting Maggie around.

We waited in line for a bit to be able to pet a baby leopard. It was adorable. So soft, cute and playful.

We then also were able to see an adult one also. I think big cats are so beautiful.

Mountain lions.

Brown bears.

Tigers.

Peacocks.

Poppa Ken got to wait in line again with Maggie in order for us to get to pet a baby lion.

Once again, cute, soft, but boy did he have sharp claws.

Rachel just got tired after awhile and decided to just take a seat wherever she was. Unfortunately, I was afraid she was going to be trampled by the hungry animals.

Back in the car, we had a few tired souls.

Before heading to Klamath Falls, we met Paul's brother Alan's family at a park to visit for a bit.

Claire and Rachel had a great time visiting with their cousins.

Paul, me, Maggie, Leilani, Rachel, Alan, Elisabeth, Lisa, Claire, Emilyanne and Benjamin.

Back row: Leilani, Elisabeth, Claire, Emilyanne
Front row: Maggie, Rachel, Benjamin

Maggie loved the swings.

Of course Claire and Rachel always love swings!

Once in Klamath, we took a trip to the cabin at Lake of the Woods. This is one of my favorite places in the world. I hope my kids love it as much as I do. I can't think of a better place to go. Woods, water, sun, boats, trees, just everything!!!

Grammy Judy knew how to make Maggie relax and have fun.

Paul, Claire and Emilia swimming in from the end of the dock.

Tildon and Isabela taking a ride on the innertube with a little help from Paul....

...and Claire and Millie.

While we were swimming around the dock, a momma and her chicks came swimming right up to us and hung out for a bit. I've never seen them come up that close before. The momma sure kept a close tab on her babies.