Portland Zoo

Last Sunday, when our family had fully recovered from the flu, we headed to the Portland Zoo. We met our friends, Ben and Alli, and their little boy, Clark, as well as Doug and Vanessa. Doug, Ryan (he had a sleep-over the night before at Uncle Doug's), and Vanessa met us at our apartment so that we could take the MAX to the zoo (as per Ryan's request).

Ryan sleeping in his fort at Doug and Vanessa's

When we arrived at the zoo, Ryan and Uncle Doug saw these two bears and had to have a picture with them. I don't know if Doug or the bears are bigger. Either way, I love this picture.

Next, we walked through the Pacific Northwest area of the zoo. The greenery was beautiful. Phil captured this great shot of the trees.

Doug and Vanessa

Ryan crawling through a log

Next we saw some turtles, ducks, and frogs. Clark was checking everything out through the glass. I love this picture with Clark's reflection.

Ben was helping Ryan see the animals

Phil and I realized that we only have two pictures of the 4 of us and decided that the zoo was a great place for a family photograph. As you can tell by Ryan's squirming and expression, he did not really agree.

Ryan and Jack loved the petting zoo and tractor the most. I think it felt the most like home. I love this moment of Ryan giving Jack a hug, although I'm sure seconds after this picture was snapped, Jack started squealing because Ryan was holding him too tight.

The boys liked the goats so, so much. Unfortunately, I've been fighting blogger to upload these pictures for days, and for whatever reason, it didn't like the goat pictures. Ryan wants us to get a goat if we ever move to the country. He also wants us to get a baby tiger and a giraffe for our country home.

In the petting zoo

The zoo also had a dinosaur exhibit going on. We didn't pay extra to go through it because the boys overwhelmed enough with the regular zoo. Ryan really liked that there were dinosaurs all over the zoo and wanted to know how we could make them un-extinct.

The elephant in the Asia exhibit was next. I love elephants. They look so gentle, even though they are huge.

Next, we went to the Africa exhibit and saw the lions. They were gorgeous. There were several female lions and one beautiful male lion.

Ryan found this safari jeep and loved it, of course. He could have stayed there a lot longer.

After the giraffe and the Africa exhibit, Jack had fallen asleep and Ryan was seconds away from a meltdown since we were a good 2 hours past nap time. On the way out, we saw the Lorikeet exhibit and knew we had to stop there. Ryan and I had been to a Lorikeet exhibit with Malisa when we went to South Carolina, but Ryan didn't remember it. We bought the little juice cups and headed in to feed the birds.

Jack wanted to grab the birds in the worst way so we had to constantly convince him that he just needed to look. Ryan immediately found a little bird friend that started drinking from his juice cup. He accidentally spilled it and tried desperately to fight of the tirade of tired tears that had built up from not napping. Finally they overwhelmed him and he fell on the ground and sobbed. I dashed out to the nice man at the juice cup booth, got him another cup, and in no time, Ryan and his bird friend were fast friends again.

I love Ryan peering over the top of his glasses in this picture

The Lorikeets were our last stop before catching the MAX and heading home. We had a great time and hope to go back again on our next visit. Portland was a great vacation for us and I feel like we only got a taste of the city. With so many of our friends now living in the area, we hope we have many excuses to go back.

Jamison Square

The flu lasted for 2 days for me. Phil started getting sick when I started feeling better. I was just thankful we weren't both sick at the same time because I don't know how we would have taken care of the boys. Unfortunately, we were sick for Doug's birthday party, which is one of the reasons we chose to visit Portland that particular week. Anyway, when Phil was convalescing and I was feeling better, I asked around for a park to take the boys to. We were closest to Jamison square, which we had been to on our last visit, but I hadn't remembered where it was. I walked the boys over to the park and I saw the water play area. First I just rolled up their jeans and took off their shoes. Ryan pleaded with me to let him get soaked and Jack made it clear that he was going to throw himself into the water weather I liked it or not. I took off Ryan's shirt and let him soak his jeans and I stripped Jack down to his diaper. They both squealed with glee and took off for the wading area. It was great. We made 2 visits to this park and loved every second of it.

The water would bubble up over the steps and fill the area in front, then would slowly receded like a wave and do it again. It was very cool.

Jack in his diaper

Ryan in his soaked jeans

On our trip 2 years ago to Portland, we had been lost and had discovered a wonderful cupcake place. We wanted to go there again, but didn't know the name or where it was. Lucky for us, on our way to Jamison square, we found Cupcake Jones. On our second trip to the water area, we made sure to stop off for a fabulous red velvet cream cheese filled cupcake. It was to die for. This park is in the neighborhood called the Pearl and I absolutely love this area of town. It is very family friendly, has great restaurants, and Anthropologie, where I did some damage on the credit card, but it sure was fun. Anyway, I can't wait to go back and visit this neighborhood again.

Portland Children's Museum

Portland... Day 2

Day 2, we woke up refreshed and ready to do something with the boys. I had read about the Portland Children's Museum and Ryan and I had looked at pictures of the museum on the website. I was really excited to go as was Ryan. Not only were we going to the museum, but we were going there on the MAX train. Public Transportation. And Ryan was THRILLED. I don't know which was more exciting for him, because he was positively giddy about all of it. The first exhibit when we walked in was the water center. The kids walked in and got to put on a rain coat, then play at all the water centers. Jack LOVES water and was thrilled that he could splash and get wet. Despite the slicker, he got his clothes wet.

One of the water gadgets

Jack splashing at the water table

Phil and I taking a self portrait

Another water contraption

More water gadgets

Another favorite at the museum for the boys was the Vroom Vroom Room. It had a bus and an ambulance to play in, as well as a huge wooden train set. The boys were in heaven.

Jack driving the bus

Ryan driving the ambulance

Next, we visited the pet hospital, where the kids could dress up as veterinarians and care for stuffed animals. There were bandages, collars, leashes, a bathing center, and a dog walking park, as well as an examination table. Ryan loved it.

Ryan entering information into the computer about his pet

Last, we found the "dirt" room. The "dirt" was some kind of foam material that looked like rocks and pebbles, but wasn't dirty. I loved this. The boys were thrilled at the amount of trucks and digging equipment available.

Jack playing in the dirt

Ryan collecting rocks

We also visited a little area for kids under 3 that was perfect for Jack, but I didn't get an pictures. There was also a building room, a stage where kids could dress up and put on a performance, and a boat. It was the coolest place.

As we road home on the MAX, I started to feel nauseous. By the time we got home, I knew I had the flu bug I had so desperately tried to avoid the week before when Ryan had it. This was not good timing for our vacation.

I'm Back!...

from Portland and to the blogging world. Our computer's charging cord was left behind in the amazing apartment we rented so my blogging is long overdue.

Our flight to Portland got us there around midnight, after which we had to pick up luggage, rent a car, and drive to our apartment in the city. Everything went really smoothly, despite the late hour. When we walked into our rental, we were amazed and in love with our surroundings. Everything looked as good as the rental's website. The views of the city were fantastic. We were so tired, but giddy. We got to bed around 2am, and were awoken at 7am by the boys. Apparently staying up later did not help them to sleep in later. Our day was spent figuring out where we were, finding a park for the boys to play in (one of Ryan's first comments regarding Portland was, "Where's the dirt?"), drinking a lot of coffee at Stumptown, and taking a nap.

Our living room

View from the dining area

The website for our rental had promised a rooftop deck, on site movie theater, gym, and 24 hour concierge service. Everything looked just as good in person.

rooftop lounge

Phil sitting in the rooftop lounge

Phil and I on the roof

After we fully checked our our digs for the week, Phil told me that all my internet research for places to stay had really paid off. We loved it.

Happy Birthday Jack!

What a difference a year makes! I can't believe my little guy is one today. Happy birthday Jack!

Jack's first birthday

We celebrated Jack's birthday today. His actual birthday is on Tuesday, but today was easier for our family to be able to get together. I have been working hard getting everything together for his party this week, while also planning and preparing for teaching preschool VBS next week (50 pre-k!). Jack had a great time. Here are some pictures of our get together.

Jack's little birthday cake

All the cakes

Jack's own cake again

The birthday banner outside. It was hot today, despite earlier temperatures this week.

Other tables outside

The birthday boy with his brother

Jack and his new trike

All his gifts

Aunt Julie and Jack

Pa and Jack

Jack and his friend Josh

Jack had lots of help opening gifts

Jack liked his net for catching things and Ryan thought it was good for catching Jack (thanks Katie!)

Jack and his cute new sandals and his color changer cars

Jack started out being hesitant towards the cake...

First a nibble...

Then a handful...

Aggressive smooshing...

And finally, the cake board!

Happy birthday Jack! We love you and look forward to many more years.

A Priviledge

Ryan has been very interested in heaven for quite some time now and has been asking how he can go there. This past weekend, we were driving to Fresno, and we had this conversation again. I told him that he needed to pray that he was sorry for the wrong things that he did and he needed to tell Jesus that he believed in Him. He told me that he hadn't done any bad things that day so he didn't need to say sorry. During the weekend when he was disobedient or defiant, I would point it out to him and tell Ryan that those things were wrong and were sin and that is what he needed to say sorry for. He thought about it all weekend long.

Yesterday, we were driving to the store and he wanted to have the conversation again. I started to explain what he needed to pray to go to heaven. He told me that he prayed the "God our Father" prayer (which is a song the kids sing at church to bless their snack time). I told him that this was a good prayer, but not the prayer he needed to pray to be able to go to heaven. I again told him what he needed to pray. He told me he was scared to pray that and asked me to pray it with him. I of course said I would. I guided him through praying that he was sorry for the wrong things he did, that he believed in Jesus, and that he was thankful that Jesus died on the cross for him, and he repeated them after me. I was so emotional and happy, but I was driving the whole time. I immediately made a wrong turn after his prayer because I was so excited. I am so thankful for Ryan and his heart and that he asked me to pray with him. There is no greater thing that I can wish for my children than for them to accept their salvation and to become Christians. I am so grateful for this moment.

Ryan became a Christian June 8th, 2010