Visit Home (Portland, OR)

The first stop on our West Coast visit was in Portland, well Hillsboro actually, (my old stomping grounds). We arrived July 3rd, settled in, recovered from the 5.5 hour flight with a squirmy almost 2 year old on our laps , and a 3 hour time difference. Believe me, there was no complaining (think 24 hour journey and 16 hour time change traveling from Hong Kong). The next day was the 4th and having missed celebrating July 4th while in HK, we enjoyed a good ol' small town parade this year.



Reid sitting on one of his favorites a fire truck (or "wee oo wee oo" he might say, the sound the siren makes) with 2 of his cousins from AZ, Kayla and Josh.

A Chris artistic flag shot.

Reid and I at my dad and Valerie's house, in front of their pond and "Buck Island" (an island named after their dog Buck who frequently enjoys a good swim there).

Reid and the boy cousins. piled on the John Deere tractor (for kids).

Grandma Valerie and silly Reid at the 4th of July feast/picnic at their place.

Grandpa John with his grandboys (Reid and my brother's boys, Kaleb and Jayden).

Here is my favorite dog in the world, Buck! Isn't he handsome? He is forever young and full of spirit.

Uncle Ty giving Reid a piggy back (my bro).

All of the cousins from me, my bro and Valerie's son and daughter. They all had such a blast together.

A day of fishing, swimming, and paddle boating at a pond near my dad and Valerie's house.

The grandparents took the kids and all the adults went out to downtown Portland! Ten of us, friends and family were able to enjoy a sushi dinner and Spanish coffees at Hubers. Here is a shot of four of us girls.

A trip to the zoo with the cousins. Here is Reid and Kaleb (my bro's youngest, only 6 weeks apart!).

We played one day at "Out of this World", an indoor kids play mecca where adults could join in too! Cousin Jayden is helping Reid with the intricacies of the perpetual motion scooters.

Happy as clams these 3!

Good old Hare Field, the sight of many of my brother's and my track meets. We reunited for an all comers track meet in which all of our boys could participate! Here is my mom, Ty and his wife Abby, and our 4 boys.

Reid and I enjoying the track meet atmosphere and making our way to his next event.

The softball throw, for 2 and unders. Reid just stepped right up and threw that softball.

Reid and Kaleb sharing a post-race moment after they ran the 50 meter dash.

Ahhh, Uncle Chris relaxing at Ty and Abby's house with Jayden and Reid. It was beautiful weather the entire trip and we had such a wonderful time with my family. We love you all!