Walking in the Clouds.....

My parents invited us to take a hike up to Mary's Peak today so about 9:30 we headed out. It was as pretty quick drive until you get to the turnoff to go up the mountain. So we slowly twisted and turned our way up up up up the road. About 1/3 of the way up there was a waterfall runoff so we pulled over to let the kids stretch their legs and to take some pictures. They posed very nicely in front of the waterfall

then they were off climbing, throwing rocks, exploring what they could.

We hung out here for about 15 minutes or so then loaded back up and headed back up the winding twisting road. Just before we got the the top there was one more waterfall so Grandma Jo and I hopped out and took a couple shots.

Finally we reached the top! We got the can parked, Poppa got our day parking pass, got our coats on, and cameras ready to go. We took picture of the kids in the snow drifts that still dotted the hillside

then it was time to hike! We hiked up the first part, which got a little steep at times but the kids just plowed right on.

We reached the first plateau and took time to look around and see how far we could see.

We then continued across the field and started up the less steep, partially snow covered, gravel road all the way to the top...

right before we got to the top the kids discovered this "cave."

After some tears and cries from Ally about how her legs are "too short," we finally made it all the way to the top. You could see so much! Off in the far west the waves of the ocean were just visible,

green to the south and the east,

but unfortunately it was a bit too hazy to see any of the mountains. After hanging out at the top and snapping a picture with the 5 of us courtesy of the faux gorilla.podd

we made our way back down to have a late lunch. we had a leisurely lunch in the car then decided to head on home. We stopped one last time at the waterfall on the way out at the request of the kids. It was a beautiful relaxing fun day!

Firemen Day Open House!

I noticed the last couple times I ventured into Lebanon that the Firehouse on Oak was going to be have a Fireman's Day Open House today. We decided what the heck lets go check it out. I was not entirely sure what it was going to be, but it turned out to be TONS of fun! We got there and they had all the trucks out and on display. Inside the station they had lots of tables set up with coloring sheets, stickers, tattoos, and pencils for the kids to fill a bag with to take home. Also inside there was actual firefighting gear for the kids to try on. The only way I could get Dylan to try was to tell him how much Daddy would love to see the pictures of him. He got to try on boots with the pants and a real fireman's helmet, which he informed me was, "really heavy!" Next we headed outside to check out some of the fire trucks. I got the kids to pose in front of one, then we noticed there was a line of people waiting to get a ride on a fire truck!!! We hopped right in line and luckily it stopped raining while we waited for our turn to ride. In all honesty I was probably at least as excited if not more so then the kids!! As we were waiting they were starting to get stuff put away, the kids got to see them lower the HUGE ladder on the ladder truck. Then we realized how close we were to the front and I told Dylan to give me his excited smile.....Finally it was our turn and we were very first in line so we got to ride in the front seat! I got the kids all settled on my lap and wrapped the seat belt around us. Then we were off! We drove around a big loop and as we were coming back up to the fire station the firefighter turned on the outside lights and flipped the sirens. Before we got out I asked the fireman to take a picture of us, I look like a TOTAL dork because I was trying to explain how to take the picture....then SNAP! We hopped down out of the truck and it was really starting to rain so we decided to pack it up and head over to hang out with the cousins. What a blast!

Tulips!

What a beautiful day to spend surrounded by flowers! Today we journeyed up the freeway to Woodburn to one of the last few days of the tulip festival. It was warm and breezy and perfect for a day spent outdoors. After getting there and getting the car parked we headed on over to let the kids run around in the hay bale stack,

swings,

and pipe slide.

The cow train was running and we didn't ride it last year so we thought we would give it a go this year. Ally and I sat in the "caboose,"

while Dylan sat by himself right in front of us.

Hmmm....now I understand why most parents let their kids ride by themselves! Not so comfortable, but it was a really fun ride besides the discomfort. The driver looped in lots of circles and wove back and forth but also drove us down the aisles of tulips. It was a blast and absolutely worth the 2 bucks each!!

After the ride we let the kids play some more trying out the duck races

and the hay bales some more! Also along the way there were lots of signs that the kids could pop their heads through, they were not as cool as all the other stuff but I convinced them to pose for a couple.

By now hunger is taking over so we decide to take a quick break for some lunch. After lunch we decide to walk over to the tulip fields and climb on the old tractors they have on display.

The kids had so much fun "driving" the tractors.

Another of Ally's favorite things to do in the fields was "hug" the flowers.

Dylan wanted me to take a million pictures of him admiring the flowers or sniffing the flowers.

We walked all the way down to the far end of the field where they had old steam tractors on display to climb on and "drive" as well.

After thoroughly examining the tractors we headed over for on last look at the flowers and a photo op in the Wooden Shoes.

As you can see the kids were D.O.N.E. Crabby and tired. So we caught the tram back let them play on the hay and the pipe slide a little longer then onto home. I can't wait until next year!