Oregon

********READER BEWARE....Travel log coming up****

We decided this year with 4 kids needing clothes and mom always up for a shopping trip that we would drive the few hours down to Portland for some tax free shopping.

The first day we spent in Portland at a great mall and Ryan and Josh were in shopping heaven. In order to make Joel and Jare happy we did spend some time, and money, in the LEGO store. That night was spent in a great hotel with plenty of room and beds for all.

Next day it was on to Woodburn to the Outlets for hours of shopping fun. We then headed over to spend the night on MT. Hood. We thought it was summer so we didn't pack any warm clothes. But when we pulled up at 6:30pm it said that it was 34 degrees outside. What was the first thing the kids wanted to do?? You guessed it...swim!! No big deal right? One problem...the pool is outside. So after eating a great dinner in the lodge, (SOOO yummy) the kids tor off to the room for there swimsuits. Although you can't see it in the pictures, steam was coming off the water so it was a heated pool, but not warm enough for me. The kids loved it. I managed to stay just long enough to get a few pictures and then back to the tiny room for warmth.

All three boys started out in the twin bed put only 2 made it through the night ON it. Ryan had the floor and John and I had the other bed. Tight quarters!!

The next day we went and did the Alpine slides, bumper cars, tube hill, trampoline. Most of the day was spent on the Alpine slide. It was a blast! The kids said that that was the best vacation they have ever had. I even asked if it was better then Disneyland...believe it or not the answer was yes! We all were freezing and John and I had no shoes, just flip flops. The kids all wore there new school shoes and sweatshirts we bought. John wore my old travel sweatshirt. You know the one that is in every ones closet. Your favorite broke in maybe no longer acceptable for public viewing type sweatshirt. and I wore a fleece. It was soo cold but no one seemed to care.

We will definitely go again. The bonus to that is that next time we are bringing are ski gear. You can ski all year round!. You can kind of see the spot in the picture of the fam. It is right by Johns arm. FUN!!!