Oregon #3

After spending the day at the children's museum, that night we took a drive with Jason to spend time in nature and visit Multnomah Falls.  The boys all fell asleep on the way there.  Jason's coworker Nick and his family met us at the falls.  Everyone was really hungry, so we decided to eat dinner at a fancy restaurant at the base of the falls. It was not the best place to take 7 kids under 10, but it was really the only option.  It took a little longer than expected, so we didn't have much time to hike around the falls before dark.  However, I know I keep saying this, but the beauty of the falls was astonishing.  I just can't believe how beautiful our world is!!  We wanted to hike to the top, but it started getting dark and we decided it would be safer to head back down. 

 The next day I had an exciting adventure planned for the boys.  I took the boys on a jet boat excursion. This boat ride was wild!!  I didn't realize how intense it was going to be.  It went really fast, and then would stop suddenly causing a huge wave of water to splash over the passengers.  It would also do these wild 360 degree turns, making it feel like we were all going to fall into the water.  It went so fast, I could hardly breath at some spots, but it was so memorable and fun.  It was unlike anything I have ever done before.  We got to go under many of Portland's famous bridges, see famous sights, and also see another beautiful waterfall.  A funny story - half way through Chase had to go pee, but there were no restrooms on the boat.  I could tell by the look on his face that he REALLY had to go.  I waved to the boat captain and asked what our options were.  He slowed the boat and allowed Chase to walk to the back deck and pee of the side of the boat.  He continued talking to the passengers so no one even knew why we had slowed down.  Chase got back in his seat and we were back on our way!

Somehow, even with the wild ride, Blake managed to falls asleep half way through

I slathered us all in sunscreen, but I forgot to put some on Blake's thighs.  (when standing his shorts came to his knees, so I didn't think about it). We were in the sun for two hours on the boat, and Blake's poor little legs burned.  Luckily, he didn't seem to care.  

I love how open and loving Portland is. 

The next day we had to check out of the hotel, and I had to find things to do to keep the boys busy until Jason got out of work.  I found a little nature preserve that the boys and I spent a few hours at. We then got lunch, and had a picnic at a rose garden/park with a splash pad.  The rose garden had a HUGE fountain in the middle. The boys loved that fountain, and spent the rest of the day playing in that rather than the splash pad.

That night we drove a few hours north toward Mt. Rainer National Park before heading home.  Jason had some free hotel credits, and we found a cheep little hotel to stay the night.  We checked in, and walked in the room.  Within a minute I started feeling bites on my leg.  I looked down and saw little black specks all over me.  Fleas!!!!  This room was infested with fleas!!!  We notified the hotel management and they gave us a new, flea free room.  They even gave us a free drink from the lobby for our inconvenience ha ha ha.  I was creeped out the entire stay and could hardly sleep that night, just imagining with other critters were lurking in the dark.   I'm all itchy just thinking about that hotel.  Luckily, the rest of our trip was amazing, so stay tuned for the rest of the Oregon posts!