Trip to Oregon

Sorry to anyone that had been looking forward to my Thrifty Thursday post last week (or do I even dare think anyone cares about those? =), but we were gone in Oregon visiting relatives for several days. Benjamin did incredibly well, considering he still has a lot of issues during car rides. Because of multiple stops, the normally 3 hour and 20 minute drive ended up taking us over 6 1/2 to 7 hours each way. But that was actually better than I thought it might go!

There were several reasons I'd been wanting to make the trip to Dallas: (1) I love it there and I love to visit my relatives! =), (2) My grandma has been wanting to meet baby Ben, and (3) my Grandma had recently moved into a retirement home and my uncle is soon to put her house up for rent. I have many fond childhood memories that took place at my grandparents house...Walking with Grandpa out to his garden to dig up a few garlic and potatoes. Spending the night with my cousin Jayne on the incredibly uncomfortable antiquish pink "davenport" (as my grandparents called the couch). Playing the card game Flinch with my Grandma. Running through the sprinklers in the front yard with my cousins. Walking through the cherry orchard. Walking in the door to see Grandpa sitting in his recliner, munching on popcorn from his bright red popcorn bowl. Sitting on the front porch in the evenings visiting with my grandparents...Yes, there are lots of good times that occured in that house. And so, I kind of felt a need to say good-bye to the place before it all changed. And even though I doubt Abby will remember it, for some reason I wanted her to be apart of it as well. So, I walked around the place, pointing things out to Abby and telling her stories about "way back when."

Standing in front of (what will always be to me) Grandpa's Christmas trees.

Walking out toward the wheat field next to where Grandpa's garden used to be.

Smelling Grandma's roses out along the front sidewalk.

My uncle and aunt had offered for us to stay at their house even though they were gone on a hunting trip, but I had declined, wanting to stay at my Grandma's house one more time. Well, that plan was quickly revised as I found a bat in the bathroom and my mom and I decided there was no way we were going to deal with a bat or sleep in the same house as a bat! So down the road to Paul and Sandi's we went. Abby remembered staying there (the last time was in February I believe) and was excited at the prospect of sleeping in a big bed for the first time since baby Ben was to take the crib where she normally slept. I, too, thought this might be a perfect way to start the transition for her out of the crib and into a bed.

On the big bed, getting ready for bedtime stories.

But it was not to be. Once the light went out, it was obvious Abby was not ready for the big bed and we were glad we'd brought a play pen along.

The next day, during Ben's morning nap, I showed Abby around the farm. We searched high and low for the elusive cat that we'd seen the night before. We said good morning to the cows. I tried to take Abby's picture on a tractor, but she was definitely not into it.

Getting a picture on the bales of hay was a little better, but she still wasn't very fond of that - I think we need to be visiting my farming relatives a bit more! ;o)

We then enjoyed a visit from my cousin Jayne and her three children. The kids played on the swing set and then we picked tomatoes in Aunt Sandi's garden.

Abby enjoying a freshly picked cherry tomato.

Then we all headed over to eat lunch with Grandma out in the gazebo at her retirement home. The kids provided plenty of entertainment. And Abby once again learned something new from her more adventurous cousins - to climb rails.

Ben carried on a conversation with Grandma for at least five minutes, filled with coos and giggles, much to Grandma's delight.

In the late afternoon, we dropped by my cousin John's house for a quick visit. I especially enjoyed getting to meet Jamin, the precious baby I blogged about a few weeks back (here, here, here and here).

Cousin John with sons Jacob, Josiah and Josh.

Not the best picture, but I love how it shows the size difference between Ben and Jamin!

And throughout our stay, we, of course, visited Grandma several times.

Checking out the garden at the retirement home with Grandma and cousin Kim our first night in Dallas.

Hanging out with Grandma in her room.

I enjoyed the break from home and wish we could/would have stayed longer. Abby is still talking about Great-Grandma's house, the pink potty chair and bathtub at Aunt Sandi's =), and eating tomatoes from Aunt Sandi's garden. Hopefully, our next visit will not be so long away.