I was so glad that we still had 3 weeks of summer left after we got home from our vacations. Last year, after we got back from England, we had one or two days until the girls went back to school. This summer was much nicer. We were able to get school supplies and school clothes BEFORE school started--that was nice! We had a fun time, but unfortuneatly, Garrett was gone for 10 of those days on a business trip in China and Hong Kong. We missed him a lot, but still went out and had some fun!
Here's some pictures from a few of our activities:
1) Building a Fort
The girls made a fort up in the playroom and kept it up for a few days. It was fabulous--they played in there non-stop and used their imagination in all sorts of ways. It was a hotel and a restaurant and a store...such fun. It reminded me of when my brother and sisters used to play in the summer. Our favorite things to play were school and office. Half the fun was setting everything up just right. We also used to build forts all the time. I love it when they play like this!
The Fort
4 cuties hanging out in the fort 
Pretending to be asleep 
Reading books
2) Oregon International Air Show
We were able to go to the Air show this year (minus Garrett). We missed it last year and we really love going. In the past, we usually went to Intel's Jones Farm campus and sat on the hill to watch the airshow. Then Intel decided they didn't like people on their property, I guess. Then we moved over to Griffen Oaks Park to watch it. So, that's where we headed this year. We packed a picnic lunch, brought a blanket, and our radio to hear the commentary. On the way over, it POURED rain! That was a bummer because now we had no where to sit, since we didn't bring any chairs. Luckily we found some benches available, and ate our lunch and watched a few planes. By the time we finished lunch, it started raining again. We brought rain jackets and an umbrella, so we watched it in the rain for awhile, but Paige and Bella didn't like that. So we loaded up in the car. I was really waiting for the Thunderbirds, because they are my favorite! So, while we were waiting...I thought we'd drive over to Costco because I had some pictures to pick up. So on the way over (we had to pass the Hillsboro airport--where the air show was) an F-18 (I think), flew over our heads--scared us to death because it was SO LOUD! It was so awesome, though. So we parked in the Costco parking lot and got out and watched. It was the perfect place to watch (even though you're not supposed to park there just to watch the show). I felt since I did some shopping there, that it would be okay! :) We hung out there and watched until the Thunderbirds were done. So fun! I left Bella and Paige in the car, since it was so loud--they both didn't like the noise, but Lyd and Maggie got out and watched with me.
Our picnic lunch
US AirForce Thunderbirds 
Maggie and Lydia enjoying the Air Show
3) Seaside
I decided to take the girls to the beach, because the weather was supposed to be really nice and pretty hot here, so I figured it would be nice at the beach. I kept checking the weather and they said that it was supposed to be about 70 degrees and sunny. So we went for it. By the time we got there--about 3ish, I think, the temperature was only 63 degrees. We stayed for a couple of hours and the first hour wasn't too cold, but the second hour--Paige and I were a little cold. Maggie and Lydia didn't care what the weather was like. They had a blast playing in the cold water and playing in the sand. It was a fun to be there though.
Sand angels
Maggie--straight from the 70's :) Cute!
4) Oregon State Fair
We've never actually been to the State Fair before, we usually go to the Washington County Fair. But, we missed it this year. So, we went to the State Fair down in Salem. It was fun. The girls love seeing the animals, but their their favorites are the rides. It's so RIDICULOUS how much it costs to ride these rides--OUTRAGEOUS even. Yet, we always pay an arm and a leg so that our kids can have some fun at the fair. They really do have a great time--I guess that's what counts.
Paige milking a cow
Lydia saddling a pony
The girls petting the animals
Bella loving the babies
Admiring the cows
They loved the miniature horses
I thought this was a cute picture of all my "wanna-be" cowgirls watching the real rodeo cowgirls
Lydia and I on the Ferris Wheel
At the rodeo (although it didn't compare to the rodeo in Ogden, it was still fun)
Garrett and Lydia on a "spinning ride". Lydia loves these!
Me and Maggie on a ride like the Conquistador at Six Flags Arlington. It was her first time on a ride like this--she really liked it.
Merry-go-round
Look at those smiles!
Braving the Tiger Roller Coaster
Not sure why this one is so blurry
On that ride that goes across the whole park5) Camping
Since we hadn't done a lot of camping over the summer, we wanted to go for Labor Day Weekend. We went down past Lincoln City a bit at a place called Chinook Bend RV Park. It was nice--somewhere we've never gone before. The forecast was calling for rain and cold weather all weekend long, so we were prepared to not go out a lot, but brought rainboots and rain jackets just in case. It ended up being a pretty nice weekend with not as much rain and definitely not as chilly.
"Shades" on the drive down
Pancake breakfast with fresh peaches
Going on a little hike
Our campground
We had to stop and watch the horses
Garrett's invention to keep Bella from falling out of her bed. This is her first time sleeping in the back bunks with the other girls. We were afraid that she was going to fall over the railing when she woke up in the morning, so Garrett used this old hammock that he made and fashioned a cover over the bed. She didn't like it at first (who would?), but that's where she slept all weekend long.
Checking out the beach in Lincoln City
Bella wasn't happy
Garrett racing his car on the sand
Maggie "lost her balance" and fell in the water. Inevitably my kids ALWAYS end up wet at the beach--even when they are fully dressed! :)
Bella practicing her fishing techniques
