The Odyssey Part One: Oregon

Traveling with a toddler and an infant is... fun? stressful? exhausting? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. At least this trip was worth every headached, sleep deprived, allergy-ridden moment. Not only did we get to visit two of our favorite states, we also got to see a bunch of our favorite people. And we got to eat at some of our favorite restaurants. Yum.

Our two week odyssey began at the Detroit airport where I had the pleasure of fighting crowds and TSA people along with tears- I am not a fan of leaving my Grizz behind. But eventually we made it through and to the gate. All along the way Ellie was telling anyone who would listen that she was going to visit Grandma and Papa and that Daddy was at work. Bless her little heart, she can always make me smile.

Now, you may not believe this, but my girls were absolutely amazing on our 6 hour flight journey. We had one stop over in Chicago, but on both flights my girls either slept or played quietly. So many people commented on how amazing they were. I was a proud mama.

Anyway... we finally got to Oregon. Here is a bullet list of things we did with some corresponding pictures:

The flight:

(Ev's face is asking me how I could let her crazy sister hold her...)

Bath time in the kitchen sink at Auntie's house:

Ellie's first cello lesson with Uncle Corey:

Ev just soaking in some Oregon sunshine:

Cousin cuddles with Addie:

Welcoming Grandpa at the front door:

Me going through the first of mannny boxes- my parents requested that I go through all my childhood memories and take them home with me. Among the treasures I found were several old dance costumes (Ellie was thrilled), my old cast (seriously disgusting), a million pieces of "art" from kindergarten (the recycling box was well fed that day), and some pretty hilarious notes that I kept from friends.

Modeling my Mrs. Bunny costume from kindergarten:

This is one of my faves- Ellie got an old witch costume from her cousin Addie and wore it a LOT. One day her other cousin Brooke came over and they were chasing each other in the backyard. I love this picture because it looks like Ellie is terrorizing Brooke.

See, though, they're really friends in real life:

My nephew, Carter, and girlfriend on the trampoline. Is it weird that my baby nephew is now a teenager with a girlfriend? yes indeed.

Grandpa and his girls:

One day we went to voodoo doughnuts. Scott's face in this pictures says "stop taking pictures, you look like a tourist."

We also got to go to the zoo! (with our voodoo doughnuts...)

Scott found his fellow Grizzly bear:

Ev was pretty stylin'

On our last day we made a final stop at Burgerville. yumm.

My flowers from Mothers day:

Grandma and her girls:

Well my friends, those are all the pictures I have of Oregon. We had a GREAT time!

As a side note, Ellie was singing along to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" yesterday in the car. So. Funny.