Dream Home

 

Today, we bought our dream home.  I can not believe I am even typing these words.  I went from saying, "No way! I am not moving!" To, "Yay, we moved!"  I just can not believe this day is finally here.  We jumped through a lot of hoops and put out a ton of small fires, but we did it.  We went and signed the papers to our new home at 9:00 AM and walked in to our new home to a small flood in the laundry room.  It never ends being a home owner, but we couldn't be happier.  This house, this neighborhood, this gorgeous location make it all worth while.  Good-bye 8424 Los Reyes CT NW and Hello 2540 Bosque Entrada Trl NW!

Seven National Parks in Seven States in Fourteen Days; Idaho and The Great Salt Lake

 Olympic National Park was spectacular to say the least.  We were sad to leave.  We had our longest drive on the trip as we headed back through Washington and Oregon.  We made our way down to the Oregon/Idaho boarder.  Melanie grew up in a tiny town on the boarder and her parents still lived there.  Of course, they had a pool.  The kids could not live with out a hot tub or pool at every stop on this trip.  

We cleaned out the van at Melanie's mom's house and just couldn't believe how messy it became after one week.  We had cleaned the van at the beginning of the trip and almost every time we stopped, but living in a van for two weeks is messy.  

We visited with some old Albuquerque friends, Ethan and Aaron Browning who know live in Idaho then we drove to the Great Salt Lake!

Edward loved it.  He had so much fun floating in the lake.  It was a long walk to the lake and flies lived every where near the water.  The salt stung any open wound but it was so cool to just sit in the lake and float.  

We crammed one more night into a tiny hotel room with 9 people, then woke up early to get on a plane and fly home.

This was a trip of a lifetime.  I will never forget the adventures we found in each National Park.  Melanie and I talked and talked and talked.  The miles and hours flew by.  I can not believe how fast two weeks went by with 9 kids in tow.  I know my children will never forget seeing the entire west coast with some of their best friends. 

I can't help but smile looking through all the photos.  So many memories to last a lifetime.

Seven National Parks in Seven States in Fourteen days; Olympic National Park

 After a disappointing day at Crater Lake, we were ready to see more of Oregon and Washington.  We drove up to another of Melanie's aunts house in Washington.  We were surprised to see all the garbage and homelessness in Portland, Oregon.  It was heartbreaking.  As one single person on this planet it often feels like we can't make an impact.  This drive made me reflect more on what I can do as just one person to help the people around me.  

We woke up early and headed out to see as many Oregon and Washington sites as we could before we drove up to Port Angeles in northern Washington.  Of course, we stopped at Multnomah Falls.  

After this waterfall every single child in the car said they are tired of seeing waterfalls! We died laughing.  We drove up to Olympic National Park and stated the night in Port Angeles.  We didn't wait for a clear day to drive up to the top Glacier Point.  It was a must see, so we hit it up first thing.  

 

The next morning we woke up and drove to the beach near La Push, Washington. It was famous for being on a very popular vampire show.  It was weird to be at a beach that was freezing cold.  HA!  The kids still got in the water.  They couldn't help themselves.  

We left the beach for the rain forest! 

We headed over to the Hoh Rain Forest for an unforgettable hike through lush green trees and vines.  We followed a river path about a mile and a half up and back.  The kids loved playing near the water.  Water feeds my soul.