Oregon Vacation 1 of 4

Last week we took a wonderful vacation to Portland, Oregon. This was Jason's first time on a plane. Both my kids are pretty lucky to fly so early. My first time flying I was eighteen years old, not eighteen months old.

Both the kids did great on the plane. Parker enjoyed lacing cards, sticker books and chatting it up with the girl next to us. She was a really good sport about sitting next to a four-year-old. They started playing a game where they called each other granola bars and other silly things. Parker loved it! Here's a view of Mt. Hood out the window of the plane.

After we rented our car, we drove out to my aunt and uncle's home in Beaverton. We ate some lunch and then my Aunt Julie took us to Washington Park. First we went to International Rose Test Gardens.

The kids enjoyed looking at the flowers. Jason tried to smell nearly every flower he saw.

All of the roses were in full bloom and absolutely beautiful. It's amazing to how they all look and smell a little different. After the rose gardens we took the kids over to children's play area and the kids had a blast!

Every evening we were treated to a delicious homemade meal. We played lots of games and most nights we watched an episode of one of my Uncle Alan's favorite shows: The BBC's From Lark Rise to Candleford. Wednesday we hung out in the morning playing games. Parker found some of my cousin's nerf guns, so we had a little target practice.

That afternoon my cousin Stephen was marching in the Jr. Rose Parade, so we all went to watch. The kids loved the clowns, unicyclists, giant bubbles, llamas and the bands. Parker was sitting with my cousin Claire. My cousin Stephen is the trumpet player on the right.

After the parade we took the kids to the Portland LDS Temple grounds. It was a little rainy, but we still enjoyed it. I've always really liked the architecture of the Portland Temple.

That evening we had another fantastic dinner and played more games. We had so much fun on our trip and took so many pictures that I'm going to blog them in sections, so more of our fun and the most scenic pictures are yet to come.