A Visit from Oregon & Rain

This morning I'm sitting here in my quiet family room listening to the rain. It is coming down pretty hard out there and I love it! It has been quite some time since we had rain here. We definitely need the rain here in Northern California, but the timing might not be the best since Jason still has about 40% of his ranches waiting to be picked. It is supposed to last just 24 hours, so hopefully the grapes will weather the storm and still be in good shape to pick later this week.
Now it is time for me to buy warm clothes and jackets for the kids and pull my winter stuff out from its summertime hiding place.

Yesterday morning, before the rain, Joe and Bette headed back to Oregon. They came down over the weekend to watch the girls play soccer. The kids were so excited to see them and Cooper was disappointed when we got home from school last night that they were gone. I think the grandparents were amazed to see how big each of the children has gotten since our last visit.

More Pics from Oregon

The Five Donoho Grandchildren at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

Mommy and Cooper at the Tulip Farm - the rain in Oregon is a bit dreary but it sure does make a lovely backdrop for pictures

Emma Jo in the tulips at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm - "Really Dad? Do I have to pose here?"

Cooper kicking back in the Director's Chair at the Portland Children's Museum

Playing dress-up with Cooper - wearing Justin's old Tae Kwon Do safety gear - Justin is great at TKD. He's expected to be a black belt in the next couple of years. When we were visiting he was preparing for a tournament where he had the possibility of being named the top weapon's person in the state for his age group.

The little kids at the Bob the Builder exhibit at the Portland Children's Museum.

Pictures of the old tractors at the Tulip Farm for Grampa.

End of Vacation

We decided to come home from Oregon via the California coast. In Grants Pass we took a left and headed towards the ocean. We had a great drive through the redwoods and ended up in Cresent City. It was a beautiful drive and we arrived in Crescent City in time to explore a little bit. Before dinner we headed to the beach to look for sand dollars (or sand quarters according to Grace). It was very windy and we could only find broken shells, but it was still a nice excursion. We've promised the kids that we will go to the beach more often, especially since Bodega Bay is less than an hour away.

I tried to take a group photo of the kids, but it sure is hard to get them all to cooperate, especially when they are tired and hungry.

Spring Break

It really does rain just about every day in Oregon.
We picked up the kids from school on Thursday and started the 10+ hour drive to Oregon. We made it to Redding on Thursday and headed up to Corvallis on Friday. The kids were happy to be out of the car and Grandma and Grandpa were happy to see the grandkids.

Cooper was amazed to see the huge "Alli's" at Grandma & Grandpa's House.

There is a park across the street from their house and the kids had fun climbing and burning off some bundled up energy. Cooper amazed Grandma by climbing up to the top of the tallest slide and turning around and sliding down feet-first on his belly.

On Saturday, the whole family headed up to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn. It was beautiful with acres and acres of tulips, daffodils and other flowers. It was a little cold and windy, but it was great to feel the fresh air and enjoy all the flowers.

They are currently hosting the annual Tulip Festival so there are games and activities for the children.

Cooper got to sit in a giant wooden shoe and "drive" a little tractor.

Gracie played in a jumpy house with a giant slide and Emma Jo jumped on a huge trampoline/bungee jump.
Today we celebrated Easter at Stacy & Juancho's house with a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.