Oregon Vacation

Valerie and I went on a family visiting vacation to Oregon June 24 - July 1. The nearly-1,000 mile round trip went much better than expected with a 15-month old (but still not a heavenly road trip, as you can imagine!). However, the visiting with family was WONDERFUL & more than made up for any rough parts on the road. :)
Our first stop was to visit the Christensen's and meet their new baby girl! We stopped over for a long lunch and a wonderful break in the drive... here's Eva & Valerie.Meet baby Bette Marie... sweet little red-headed girl (takes after her mama!!)Anders & Valerie had fun playing in the backyard!We made it down to Grants Pass to visit my family...
Valerie LOVED swinging... she went swinging with Grandpa.She went swinging with Papa (her great-grandpa)And she went swinging with her cousins!!We enjoyed amazing weather and had a fun BBQ with family over the weekend!Valerie and my cousin's daughter Haley Jo drew with sidewalk chalk together. Haley is just a month older than Val!Valerie's favorite spot outside was sitting on the step... eating her apple. :)Watching a cartoon with the cousins!Valerie just LOVES dogs... and there are 5 at my parents' house! This is one of the newest additions - Sophia. She & Val adored each other."Talking" on the phone with Grandma's help! Another favorite activity was SWIMMING! She first swam in the big pool with Grandpa and the cousins... but she also played in the little pool by herself.

We ate loads of yummy meals... including ribs and corn on the cob. Valerie enjoyed it all! My nephew, Ethan, races dirt bikes. He moved up from novice to intermediate not too long ago and I got to see him race. It was so fun!Just chilling with Aunt Kim & cousin Lexi. :)On the way back home, we stopped in Salem to stay overnight. Valerie got to visit with her other grandparents... tickling with Grandma was most fun! (Along with "kicking" the soccer ball for her dog, Downy!). Thanks, everyone, for a wonderful visit! We miss you already!