Ft. Vancouver with Auntie Amy

Ft. Vancouver was our destination for today. Not too much to see but the boys loved running around the grounds and exploring the buildings. As you can see, their favorite thing was the cannons. There was also a beautiful vegetable and flower garden outside the fort...

It was closed...but we tried.

We had lunch on the deck at Who Song & Larry's. Brody's lunch consisted of a large bowl of beans...Maimie was very brave carrying him on her shoulders after that.

Yes Grandma, Maimie did have Brody on her back AND shoulders

even though you lectured her about her bad back...

I never knew this tree existed but it's near the end of the path/land bridge

from Ft. Vancouver to the waterfront by Who Song & Larry's...

A picture of the land bridge...a great place to walk and you're right under the path of the airplanes...lots of jets, planes and helicopters buzz overhead...

After lunch we found this amazing park in downtown Vancouver

and the kids played in the fountain...

Audubon Society & Pittock Mansion

For our adventure today, the kids and I went to the Audubon Society on Cornell Rd. I had never been here before and would highly recommend it to anyone. There is a nature room that has real "stuffed" animals from around Oregon. The kids were fascinated by the animals and a little freaked at first. After a visit to the Care Center, we went hiking along the trails. It was a great adventure and very kid-friendly.

There were even some hands-on activities...

Brody's nemesis...the raccoon.

We were able to go into the Care Center to see some live birds (turkey vulture, owls, etc.). We were also able to peek into the bird hospital. The kids loved this.

The pond along Jay Trail was teeming with salamanders. See the little fella below the rock?...

The hiking trails were great. Lots of small elevation changes, bridges and water...

We brought flip flops along so the kids could take their shoes off and play in the creek...

After visiting the Audubon Society,

we went to the Pittock Mansion for a picnic and to tour the house...

The dining room...

Cooper on the grand staircase inside the Mansion...

Brody & Spencer Camping

While Coop & mom stayed in Portland, dad and Brody were up on Mt. Hood camping. Stretch & Spencer joined them for a "restful" night in the woods...

Lake Oswego Farmer's Market & Stuff

Cooper and I went to the Lake Oswego Farmer's Market and Art Fair with Papa and Auntie Amy. What a great day....good company....great food and the sun!

Wormy Apple statue...

We hit some balls at Lake Oswego muni....

Cooper ending the busy day in the hot tub...with a gun of course...

Explore Downtown Portland & Letterboxing

Angie & I took the boys on a public transportation adventure downtown and to ride the OHSU tram. We parked at the zoo, boarded the max & rode downtown, switched to the streetcar & rode that to the end of the line where we took the tram up to OHSU. Our main goal on this adventure was to find our first Letterbox (www.letterboxing.org). Go to the website if you haven't heard of this: letterboxes are hidden throughout the country and you go to their website to get clues in order to find letterboxes. Once you have found a letterbox, you sign your name and stamp your letterbox "passport". After successfully finding our first Letterbox, we went to Pioneer Courthouse Square where there was a skateboard demonstration and then on to the mall for lunch.

Aboard the tram....



Their first Letterbox...

Signing the Letterbox...



Can't end the day without some candy....