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Whew, we’ve been on the go!  We’ve been spending tons of time with friends and family over the last week.  We spent 3 nights in Hermiston, Oregon with Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Linda, Uncle Joe,  Crystal and Lisa, and Aunt Linda and Uncle Pat.  Good time had by all but especially Zoey who totally glommed onto 14 yr old Crystal as her newest idol J.  Hermiston is a small town in Eastern Oregon, so rolling hills and farmlands.  We were outside the town so had lots of cows, horses, sheep, goats, dogs and even some buffalo around us and had a wonderful place to stay with Aunt Linda and Uncle Jimmy, thanks!  A day after hiking in the snow in Bend we were splashing in the Hermiston pool on their opening day.  And did I mention 4 wheeling?  We did a lot of it, especially Zoey.  It was so much fun.  Something Zoey and I had never done before.  That’s all Zoey really wanted to do – go 4-wheeling.  I think she even wore Crystal out!  She says when she grows up she wants a yellow 4-wheeler just like Crystal.  It was so wonderful seeing everyone.  We continue to eat lots of good food, thanks everyone!,  and our waistlines are definitely showing it L.

Then we headed through the Columbia Gorge to Portland to visit Joclyn, Jeff and Henry for a night (steak) and then Joe’s cousin Todd and his family Meagan, Tyler and Gibson (salmon).  Zoey hadn’t been around other young kids since Santa Barbara so it was really nice for her to have Henry and Tyler to play with so we adults could catch up.  We actually didn’t spend much time in Portland but Zoey and I did spend a day at the Portland Zoo while Joe skateboarded.

We opted to leave Portland behind so we could have a few days up in the Olympic National Park in Northwestern Washington.  We just stocked up on hotdogs, hamburgers and salmon for some grilling action at the campsite.  Olympic has coastline, rainforest, and glaciered mountains all rolled into one – should be pretty spectacular.

Last night we camped in Battle Ground Lake State Park…..which was a lucky find because it may be the prettiest place we’ve camped so far.  Towering pines and a crater lake formed by and old volcano.  We had our first campfire and smores of the trip.  Can you believe it?  Zoey and Dad even got to do a little swimming in the lake.

And for those of you who know the Twilight series, we got to visit Belle’s house from the movie in St. Helens where Todd lives – he gave us the tour J.  Much of the film was shot there.

Thanks everyone for the comments we’re receiving!   We really appreciate everyone taking the time to read our blog.