Mini-vacay

Before Kent and I left for our cruise we drove the girls over to Vancouver to stay with my sister.  (Brayden stayed in Spokane with Grandma Phillips so he wouldn't miss a week of school).  It was so nice to have that extra time with Dani and Ellie, but oh so weird (and much easier) to only have two to take care of.  We decided that we were going to make the 6+ hour road trip as fun as possible, which is nearly an impossible feat.   We stopped a few times and tried to break up the trip.  One of the stops was Multnomah Falls.  It was a perfect day, 70 degrees and clear skies!  We got out, walked up to the bridge, took our touristy picture and Dani asked if we were going to go to the top.  I said, "Sure, (thrilled that she was interested), ask Dad."  Kent was all in.......

 we hiked and we hiked......Danielle did amazing!  She has legs like me, twice as long as everyone elses.....Kent and Ellie scurried along, but Ellie tuckered out about halfway up, which was surprising because she is usually more active and energetic.  Eventually we all made it to the top, without any tears, (from the girls at least)  I saw Kent wiping his face a few times...
 We were all thrilled to take a break at the top and rest for maybe 3 minutes before they wanted to head back down.  Very fun memories!

 We had a whole day at my parent's before we flew out.  We crammed a bunch of things in the day.  First off:  Ellie learned to ride a two wheeler!  No training wheels!  She couldn't be more proud.  It really could have happened a while ago, we just never took her training wheels off at our house.  Sorry girl, we're holding you back again!

 After a morning bike ride we headed to Portland's Saturday Market.  No matter how many times I go, I still love it!  So much to see, so much to do, we got to ride the Max, which is the best part for the kids.  I bought a new purse, which I LOVE!  Maybe I'll have a whole post on my new, fabulous purse....try to contain your excitement.

 Next we went to Washington Park in NW Portland.  LOVE that park, I think mostly because I used to take the kids I nannied there, and I have lots of fun memories.  The girls loved it too, they are getting so big, they can PUMP now!  What is a mom to do when her kids can pump and play and climb all by themselves???  I actually had a whole conversation with Kent...it went something like this:
After walking out of the bathroom, Kent says:  "Did you girls just go to the bathroom?"
Me:  "Yes, you just saw us walk out of it."
Kent: "Did you tinkle and then wipe?"
Me (flabbergasted and indignant):  "YES!  That is generally what we do!"
Kent:  "Did you notice that the toilet paper was wet?"
Me: "Yes, it made it difficult to get off the roll and to find a spot that was dry enough to use."
Kent:  "Did you notice how far away from the sink the rolls were?"
Me, thinking, what the hell??: "Noticed, didn't think much of it."
Kent:  "How do you think the TP got wet?"
Me: "IDK!! Maybe they carried it into the bathroom when it was raining!  We ARE in Portland!"
Kent: "NO, some guy peed all over them!  Did you notice how it was unevenly dispersed and it was on the
floor!"
Me, dumbfounded, tears forming in my eyes, : "Are you telling me I just wiped my little girls and myself with someone Else's pee??? We are all going to have infections and diseases!!!"

The question herein lies:  Girls, Would you have thought that that was possible, or would that possibility even have crossed your minds?  Every girl I have told the story to did NOT predict that, HOWEVER every BOY has!  Dirty, Dirty boys, this is why we have our own bathrooms!! 
And no, none of us got an infection, but I am still totally grossed out by it all!

After the park we headed to Papa Haydn's where I got a fabulous peanut butter/chocolate dessert!  I intended on sharing it, but with the possibility of infection and disease, I decided I  might as well live it up!  We then headed to Voodoo donuts.   I have to be honest, I had never heard of this  place until I saw it on The Amazing Race.  It's famous for its crazy donuts.  It was a fun Portlandy atmosphere and the girls tried a few donuts, but I don't know that we will have to go back.  All in all, it was a VERY memorable day spent with our girls.  We all missed Brayden very much though.