ASTORIA, OR

On our way back from Vancouver, we decided to take a detour and visit Astoria, OR. That is where the movie Goonies was filmed, and Mark really wanted to see the sites. I figures why not if we were that close. It was a beautiful drive and the kids did pretty well. One of the "sites" was the Astoria Column.

The Column, built in 1926, is 125 feet high and has 164 steps winding to the top.
Mark and Abbi climbed the twisted staircase all the way to the top. Abbi is usually a little more timid than that, but she did it in her new high heel shoes too. Annabelle, Brooks, and I attempted to climb the stairs also, but only made it up 6 steps before Annabelle started crying out of fear from heights. There is a gap between steps, so you can see the ground as you climb. I was TOTALLY great with an excuse not to go to the top.

The column presents a fascinating illustration of the discovery of the Columbia River by Captain Robert Gray in 1792, the establishment of American claims to the Northwest Territory, the winning of the West and the arrival of the Great Northern Railway.

Look Out Baywatch!

Over the weekend we were able to go to my brother Danny's wedding reception in Vancouver, WA. While we were there we were able to see the Tillamook cheese factory, and go to Cannon Beach on the coast. It was wonderful spending time with Danny and his wife Alicia and also with my parents. We love you guys! Danny took the GREAT pics of the girls. Look out baywatch...you've got competition!

The Big Pig Roast

Mark roasted a whole pig for his sales team as an incentive last week. The meat was good, and the experience was unforgetable.

Along with the pig, we had roasted yams and corn on the cobb. The veggies were my favorite part. Good job guys!

It is so beautiful here, it's hard to remember this is earth.

Mark and Brooks were so cute! Annabelle was loving the soda that was a HUGE treat.

Fun Fair

The girls worked all week to earn up tickets for the rides. I really liked being able to bribe them with tickets to do things for me. However, Abbi picked up really fast always asking how many tickets she was going to get for the chore. Now she says, "but mom, I'm not going to get tickets so I don't want to. But thanks!" What a girl. These two are so whitty and smart.