Vacation!!

These are just a few of my many, many favorite photos from our vacation.  Some are not posted simply because when the uploaded to iPhoto, they didn't show up as an option to post...a user error for certain. But, given that I am adjusting to the time change and am sleep deprived and was sick almost every cotton-picking-minute of this vacation, I am going to give myself a break.

We were all SO so so excited for this get-away.  The kids kept deliberating as to what their favorite part of the trip would be.  They were beyond excited, especially the 48 hours prior to departing.  So fun!

Our first stop was flying from Raleigh to Portland, Oregon.  Summer along with Conner and Holden, picked us up at the airport.  We drove to their brand spanking new home, less than two hours away and stayed for three days.  They were troopers as they were literally moving into the home when we arrived.  Their house is gorgeous and such a labor of love.  The views from the decks out front are breath-taking.  There is a breeze every afternoon, no humidity, gorgeous pines...I LOVED it.

Unfortunately, that very night, while sleeping, I was aware of pain on swallowing all night long.  I hoped it was an allergy due to the new environment.  Unfortunately, that was not the case....I ended up sick every moment of vacation.  Soooooo bummed about that.  I must've had a bad cold.  Stuffy headed, sore throat, fuller of snot than I have ever been....and from Thursday evening and beyond, I barely tasted or smelled anything.  Such a major bummer.  But,  at least I wasn't sick to the point of bed-bound.  I was able to function daily and take a nyquil at bedtime to get some rest.

In Oregon, Summer and David entertained us to the fullest.  We visited Silver Falls on the 4th for a picnic, hike to the waterfall, and the family played frisbee and soccer.  Fireworks were lit that night.  We went to the coast and spent the better part of the day at the beach, then visited Cape Perpetua before a seafood dinner back in Newport.

We spent a day driving the pacific coast highway into southern Oregon and the Redwood Forest, staying in Northern California.  We stayed overnight and continued our drive the following day into San Francisco visiting the Golden Gate and a bit of fisherman's wharf where we ate dinner.

The next day, we revisited a breakfast place we had found three years ago, run by a Korean family.  They recognized Keith immediately...gave us lunch on the house, before we headed to Alamo Square and the painted ladies.  We also walked Lombard street, walked to various attractions, rode the cable cars and did all things San Fran tourist-y.  It was a blast.  We visited alcatraz and ghriadelli square, covered all corners of Pier 39 and just wore ourselves out having a blast.

Next was on to Las Vegas (by car).  Might I say, it was the LONGEST car day EVER...... a bunch of nothing to look at.  We arrived in Vegas at 10 pm to dad and nicci waiting for us.  We had two full days of visiting, touring casino attractions, riding coasters, visiting famous pawn shops, watching the waterfall show at belagio.  The kids (Kendall specifically) felt out of place...wonder why??  (In your face sexuality and prostitution)......we made the best of the family friendly attractions and were excited for what today brought.

Keith and I flew home on a 10 am flight.  Justin and Kendall met up with Granny & Pappy and Conner and Holden, headed to some local attractions and then the Hoover dam.  They will all stay with Granny and Pappy through the week.  Keith and I will be on our own at home.  They come home Friday evening.

It was a great vacation. Keith and I are happy to be home.  I am unpacked, showered and have laundry started....church tomorrow.   And then, who knows??!!!  It's a fun feeling!!