Multnomah Falls

The kids and I went to Multnomah Falls last month.  They were out of school for a teacher workday and we headed out to see the falls.  You might remember that we drove past it on our way into Portland this summer, but did not stop because I already needed to go potty.  Well, I have discovered they actually have bathrooms near the gift shop, so we could have stopped and saved myself some discomfort...

We found the most interesting caterpillar on our way up to the bridge.

Here's Claire in her new-to-us stroller and that funny "cat-a-pilla".

When Jacob was born, we took pictures on this same bench.  Katy was younger than Amanda and Jacob was in the backpack.  Since it would require my finding and scanning that one, you'll just have to imagine it.

We sat there for about 20 minutes, watching the water fall and the leaves.  The falling leaves were my favorite part.  Absolutely beautiful leaves were falling from the trees up on top of the clliffs and floating down like big orange snowflakes.  I tried taking pictures, but none of them show how special it was. 

I guess you'll have to imagine that one too.

I had a great time with the kids. I think I'll take them up to Mt. Hood next, looks like there is already snow up there on that guy. 

(We've been reading a lot of Junie B. Jones around here lately!)

Double Arches

I think my favorite part of Arches National Park was feeling small. These huge orange and brown rocks against a bright blue sky with a few white clouds.

“Oh. Beautiful. Wish you were here.” – French Kiss

When the Lord started talking to us about leaving Texas, Chuck had a word about “being sent out from the center, like a dandelion being blown away”… or something like that.

In the middle of the Utah desert was a small oasis of green…and probably the largest Dandelion I’ve ever seen.

Since it was 100 degrees, we only took the family on one hike – Double Arch.

When we got closer, Claire kept telling me "namebow" ... rainbow.

Yeah! We all made it.

I am standing in about the same place for both of these pictures…. do you see how small Darren is in the 2nd one. The blue spot to his right is Jacob.

Emily and Becca got to go a little higher as well, but on the other side of this arch is a cliff dropping straight down…. a LONG WAYS DOWN. So we didn’t get to close to the edge!

Now you are looking back out to the cars. Nana volunteered to stay in the cool van with Layla (no pets on the trails). Can you see them?

Hurry, hurry, hurry. Time for one last picture before the battery dies.

Here's a few other pics we took... it's really beautiful, there just isn't much grass. Being a big problem for Layla... made it a problem for me.
Just pee on the rocks! And their were plenty of those.





Quote of the day: I think I have sand in my mouth. -Emily