some of my favorite days

 

a few months ago, Papa Rob, Grandpa Jim and I started scheming about a trip to Oregon.
It was (and still is) important to me that Max get to see his grandparents

and the area where his dad grew up.
and all Max wanted was to see Grandpa Jim! (and maybe his pacifier).
so we went. and it was one of my most favorite times ever as a family.
I tried to lower my expectations since we were traveling with a toddler.

but, we managed to fit in everything!
it was perfect with all its imperfections.

 

 

 

 

we walked to the splash pad. 

we played in the spray!

I saw pure joy on Max's face.

He loved climbing on the rocks.

He loved the teeter totter at the playground.

 

 

 

 

turns out grandparents have lots of fun new toys.

Max loved the water table.

Especially the waterslides on the table.

And dumping water out of the table.

And having multiple outfit changes a day.

 

 

We drove the coast.

I got to walk on my beloved Cannon Beach and squish my sand between my toes.

Papa Rob found me a BIG starfish!

We showed Max lots of tidepools with green sea anemones.

We touched all the mussel shells.

We watched Papa Rob splash in the cold surf up to his knees.

We spied on puffins and common muirs (life birds for me!)

We ate at Moe's...yummy clam chowder for Papa Rob!

 

 

 

 

 

We explored the Oregon Zoo.

It was hot, hot hot.

Max fell in love with goats all over again.

We saw the Condor exhibit.

Of course we went to the photobooth.

 

 

 

We got to spend time in the Columbia employee store. 

Somehow I didn't buy a thing...but Papa Rob and Max got some great deals!

Lunched at Deschutes Brewery.

Walked a bit in the Pearl.

Hit up the Ducks store for some new Oregon gear!

Tried on a foam finger :)

Shopped the local farmers market.

Oregon Berries are so fresh and yummy!!

 

 

Got to shop at Bridgeport.

Spent twenty minutes alone in Anthropologie...just browsing..it was heaven.

Played around at the toy store.

Got free balloons...and hours of fun!

Ate frozen yogurt :)

 

 

 lots of cousin time.

Met new family and made new friends.

enjoyed coffee

and strolling.

 

 

 

 

 

we enjoyed each other.

we enjoyed fresh peas from the garden.

and special peanut butter.

And delicious ranch dressing (thanks for the recipe Grandma Sugar!)

Max discovered bean dip and tortilla chips and ate his weight in them.

 

 

we held hands

we drank

we laughed

we relaxed (Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sugar's deck is amazing!!)

we explored.

we loved with big hearts.

it was so hard to leave....

and I'm already dreaming of our next trip.

XOxo