Labor Day Trip PART 1

Every year we go up to Oregon to visit with Jake's parents for Labor Day. This year was our 5th year going up (we've been there a few more times for other occasions). The first year we went as a dating couple, then as a married couple, then I was pregnant, then with Shyla as an 8 month old, and this year with Shyla as a 20 month old. It's been fun to think back to how far we've come from the year before.

Shyla liked to wear Malachi's jammies that are too small for him.

This time around we've left Shyla up there for a few weeks. His parents will be coming down to visit us at the end of the month and they will bring Shyla back then. At first for some reason I thought it was only going to be 2 1/2 weeks and I thought it wasn't going to be too bad, but then I realized that it's really 3 1/2 weeks! It's been about 5 days since we've seen her and I totally miss her. I know she's having a BLAST up there so I'm not overly worried. She's getting to play with her cousin Malachi, he's 1 year older than her. The other thing I like is that each year we go up there, Malachi is the age Shyla will be the next time we are there. It's like a mini glimpse into her future.

When we first started going to Oregon we used to sleep in the house. Then we got a tent one year so now when we go we set up our tent and sleep in there. Last year Shyla slept in the tent with us but since the new office is done being built she sleeps in there, undisturbed when we get ready to go to sleep. Our "bedroom".

The weather had been fairly hot like it was in Antioch, but maybe we bring the cold weather. The first night wasn't too bad, but the next few nights it was pretty cold at night. We started off with a sheet and 2 blankets, the next night we had 3 blankets, and by the end we had a blanket under us on the air mattress, a sheet and 5 blankets on top of us. Brrr.

A new goat was added to the property while we were visiting. His name is Merlin (like the magician) because he's making all the grass disappear! They will never have to mow the grass on their property anymore. The kids loved him. Maybe because he isn't much bigger than they are.

During the weekend we learned that Jake's grandma, grandpa, and aunt were going to be coming up for a few days as well. We only got to see them twice but it was still a fun surprise. They live in San Jose and we joked about how we all have to drive to Oregon just to see each other! We went out to eat at a Chinese buffet place called Tin Tin. It was yum yum!

Here is Shyla looking at the Koi fish in the pond before sitting down to eat.

Malachi eating octapus, blech!

Shyla enjoying her first ice cream cone. She's had ice cream before but not in a cone. The cones makes all the difference!

The kids being goofy after dinner.

Our trip wouldn't be complete without seeing a deer. On our way back home, we had just left the house and hadn't even made it to the main road when a momma deer crosses our path. Baby was just behind her.

Every year we take a picture of what level the water is at Shasta Lake. This year is the lowest we've seen it. Areas that are normally covered in water had trucks and boats parked on it.

Goodbye Oregon, Hello CALIFORNIA!