Multnomah Falls

The kids had a couple days off school this month for a teachers conference. So, we packed up our bags and headed to Oregon/Washington to visit Lowe's sister, Jenna, and her family. Jenna's youngest two are girls who are 10 months older and 10 months younger than Chloe. She always loves to visit them. Number one on Emerson's to do list was to play with their Wii. Number one on my list was to do some good hiking in a place that actually had greenery. Jenna lives in Washington, but just across the Columbia River is Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge, and several awesome waterfall hikes.



I remembered a great waterfall hike just about 45 mins away. Actually, it was just across the river, but the closest bridge was twenty minutes away. There are two waterfalls close to each other. The first was Wakeenah Falls, pictured at left. The road runs right by the bottom of the falls, where we took that picture. We parked the car and hiked half a mile to Multnomah Falls.



Don't quote me on this, but I believe that Multnomah Falls is the third tallest waterfall in the US. I don't remember if that is the whole US or just the continental US. We found a space to eat our picnic lunch, provided and packed by Jenna. (You are awesome Jen!) It started to drizzle a little, but we could barely feel it. The welcome center actually has "loaner" umbrellas. Of course the kids tried to talk me into using them, but we just braved it.



We met a docent who A) was obviously a Grandpa and B) hadn't had a captive audience in a while. He answered the kids' questions, gave them stickers and maps, showed them Salmon roe, a rattlesnake skin, a bobcat hide and taught them the difference between horns and antlers. The kids would have stayed their all day, but I was anxious to get to the hike.

We hiked to the bridge at the bottom of the falls in about 10 mins. The kids hammed it up for the camera and then we moved on to the top of the falls. So I took two kids, a toddler, a backpack full of leftover lunch, snacks, diapers, and 4 waterbottles and our video camera on a 1 mile hike that ascended 620 feet. What was I thinking?! (Flashback to the time that I decided to walk to the San Diego airport from the waterfront with a 4 year-old and a 1 year-old. I can see it from here-how far can it be?)



Actually the kids were troopers and in good spirits the whole way. I gave them several chances to go back, but they wanted to get to the top. Emerson found walking sticks for everyone, including Maia. Another treasure was the giant maple leaves they found. A few even made it all the way back to Utah, although one met an untimely end at the security checkpoint of PDX airport. We also found an awesome spiderweb about 2 feet in diameter, complete with resident spider. We tried so hard to get a picture, but the web was so delicate, it wouldn't show on the camera.An hour and a half and about seven rest stops later, we made it to the top. The kids were so proud of themselves, they danced a little "we did it dance." It was fun to watch. We made it back down in 20 mins. We picked up the pace on the way down to accommodate two young bladders, but we did stop to admire the spider web one more time. I was sure that the kids would be so exhausted that they would fall asleep on the way home, but they stayed wide-eyed, even Maia!



The mommy on the other hand, suffered a little more wear and tear. Luckily, Jenna lent me her jetted tub and I had a nice good soak. I expected to be really sore the next, espcially in the shoulders. I basically carried Maia on my shoulders the entire hike. But, it wasn't too bad, and the view from the top was definitely worth it. I actually had a great time. It was good for the kids to build some good memories together. I was glad that we didn't go to Disneyland this year, and you know how I feel about Disneyland!

Fall is my favorite season! While I do really miss fall in New York, with all it colors, Utah's fall has its own advantages. To begin with, it is October 26th and we are still having beautiful weather. Yesterday, I was working in the yard in short sleeves.

Granted, we have had snow already, but it never stayed on the ground. I just know it will get cold this week, but I will enjoy it while I can. It seems to stay nice until the day before Halloween, and then Mother Nature says "Ha! You will have to wear a coat over that costume after all!

The Greatest Show on Earth

We went to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey's circus last Wednesday. It was the first time I have been to the circus since I was about ten or eleven and we got tickets through the "Teen Center." (Remember the Teen Center, Dave and Aly?) It was the first time for the rest of the fam, including Lowe.

When it first started, they turned down the lights which freaked Maia out. She spent the first 10 minutes crying. When the fireworks started, I thought she was going to lose it, but apparently it signaled to her that this was going to be interesting. So, she cocked her head and kind of watched while snuggling for a while and then THE HORSES CAME OUT. She was totally into it after that.

Emerson liked the tigers and the motorcycles driving upside down in the cage. Chloe loved everything, but I think her favorite part was before the circus started, we got to go down on the floor and see some of the performers and animals. It was really great and totally worth the ticket price. But I am glad that I waited until my kids were a little older to take them. They were just old enough to appreciate it all. I was just as disappointed as the kids were that we had to leave early because it was a school night. The kids asked if we could go again net year, but on a Friday night. I think we just might.

Sick-O Emerson

Well Emerson is home and recovering! He's not quite as a chipper as he appears in this photo. I made him smile. But he is doing great considering.

He had the titanium rods in his leg removed. For those not entirely in the loop, the rods were inserted in his leg (in the center, where the bone marrow goes) to stabilize his femur after he broke it in half last summer. He asked the doctor if he could have the rods once they were out! Some souvenir. I am amazed at how much stuff they do as out patient procedures these days. But I guess if the operation where they took Lowe's ear off and reattached it was outpatient, then why shouldn't this be?

So he is once again confined to bed and sentenced to a couple of days of Disney movies and video games. I can tell that this time around, he is not quite as content with his fate. He has a friend from school coming over tomorrow to help while away the time, so that should help. He should be walking again by Friday.

The hardest part this time is keeping Maia away from him. She loves him so much she wants to hang out. But that also means climbing all over him, stealing his drink (he gets the good stuff-Sprite), and bouncing on the futon. Last summer she barely mobile, so it wasn't a problem. Now, every time I turn around, she is on top of him!

Summer Playgroup at Mrs.Cavanaugh's

Today our summer playgroup went on a tour of Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate Factory. They were slightly disappointed when I explained that this chocolate factory isn't QUITE the same as Willy Wonka's. Still, they had a blast. How could you not have fun when free Mindy Mints are involved?



We started in the lobby packed full of chocolate delights. Maia quickly found her favorite-chocolate covered pretzels. The older kids just wanted to sample everything! We got to peek in at the hand-dipping chocolate process. If any one remembers the old I Love Lucy sketch where she plays in the chocolate with her hands, it is pretty accurate. The kids thought that was the job to have!


We went upstairs where the kids (and grown-ups) got to try a sample of Mrs. Cavanaugh's famous chocolates.

Most popular, of course was, was the Mindy Mints, followed by Pecan and Caramel. I forget what they where called.







Next, we got an overview of the factory floor. Unfortunately, the enrobers, the machines that pour chocolate over the centers, weren't running today. But, the kids got to see a really fun video about how the process works. The guide says that during the fall and Christmas, the factory is much busier. So, if you want to see the place really hopping, I suggest going then.


Finally, the kids got to see a short video about cacao beans. I couldn't believe how big those pods are in real life! Then the kids were introduced to I Love Lucy. They were falling off their chairs, they were laughing so much. If anyone wants to look up the chocolate episode online, I think it is called "Job Switching." Anyway, we walked away fat and happy, which always makes for a good summer day. Definitely a 4 star experience as far as play groups go. I recommend it if you ever get the chance to stop in. They do tours 10-3 on Mon-Thurs!


Another exciting outcome was that Chloe has found a new vocation! She says that she wants to be a tour guide when she grows up. Honestly, I don't know where she gets it from. :)

Niagara Falls

We finally made it to Niagara Falls after spending a day in the JFK airport and another day waiting for our luggage. We also got to visit some LDS history sites at Palmyra NY. But alas no luggage meant no camera for that adventure.

I would try to describe Niagara Falls, but you really have to see it to believe it. The kids absolutely loved the Maid of the Mist boat tour that took us to the bottom of the falls. They want to go back again sometime to experience some of the other Falls attractions and to ride the Maid again. The few blocks before the Falls were like the cheesiest Midway attractions I have seen in my life-think Frankenstein's castle and Block World. But the kids were in sensory overload heaven. I think the hotel pool and in-room whirlpool tub also scored some extra points with the young ones.

The kids got to pick the destination for this summer's vacation. It was our little experiment in empowerment. I think it lived up to most of their expectations and I am glad.

Sunday at Temple Square

I don't know who I was trying to kid, thinking I would get some lovely spring photos at Temple Square. Check out this movie to see what happens when my fantasy meets reality.