To the West

5:20 a.m. came early Friday morning August 6th.  I wanted to get up early to go on a walk before we left on our trip to Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  I got up, and at 5:45 I was on my walk with my brother.  It was cold!  On our walk, we saw the sun rising over the hills.  It was a beautiful sunrise!

It took until about 7:10 until we left on our trip.  We headed towards Idaho.  My dad was a pastor there for 9 years.  I lived there until I was three.  My family has kept in touch with a few people in Idaho.  One of those is a family we stayed with.  On Saturday, our friends that we stayed with put together a very nice Open House for us where people came to say "Hi" and visit with us (well, mostly my parents).  That night, we had dinner with another family.

We pulled out of our friends' driveway Sunday morning, and headed towards Oregon.  We arrived my aunt and uncle's house in Oregon that afternoon.  My almost-95-year old Grandma was there when we arrived, and had dinner with us.  

On Monday, I got to see my fabulous friend Karissa.  We had a fun time!  That evening, my family went with my aunt and uncle to a concert.

Our Concert Performer

Cute...

On Tuesday, we went camping!  When we lived in Oregon, our church put together a family camp each year and we would go.  So, in some ways, it was like going to Family Camp again, but there were a lot less people.  We went camping with four other families.  Altogether, there were sixteen kids.  My family has known these families for about 10 years.

We stayed Tuesday and Wednesday night.  We camped near Ft. Stevens and the Ocean.  On Tuesday night, the older kids went to one of the batteries, and from there five of us went to the beach to see the sunset.  It was a beautiful sunset!  That night, we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores.

Wednesday was gray all day, and in the morning, it was misty.  We went to Ft. Stevens, and the Ocean that day.  Even though it was gray, it was still great to see the Ocean.  By the way, for those of you who have never been to the Oregon Coast, it is truly that - the Coast.  It's often cold and gray, and the water is FREEZING!  It's still pretty though, in it's own way.  That night, the older boys went to one of the batteries near the campsite, and after they got back we sang songs around the campfire.

We left the camp ground Thursday as the sun finally came out!  Our family drove to Seaside, and stopped for some shopping, then we came back to my aunt and uncle's house.  That night, my mom and aunt went to a jewelry party, and the rest of us went to dinner with my grandma, and after my dad brought her home, we went to a movie in the park.  I was SO tired that night!

On Friday, my dad, D.J. and uncle went on the hike that one of my aunts died on a year ago.  While they were gone, my mom and I did a few things.

Yesterday was Saturday.  My mom and I met some friends for dessert yesterday afternoon.  It was good to have time to visit with them. :)

My family went to our old church this morning, and this afternoon, my aunt drove D.J., Mom and me up here to Washington.  We are staying with my aunt and uncle who came last July with my Grandpa.  My mom's cousin here in Washington is having open heart surgery on Tuesday, so if you think of it, please say a prayer for him on Tuesday.  My dad and uncle from Oregon are now in Idaho on their way to our home.

Here is one more picture from our trip to the Coast:

Sunset through the Peter Iredale Wreck

We have had a fun week!  Thanks for reading!  I know it was a lot in one post!

"And I wish all the people I love the most, could gather in one place

And know each other and love each other well." ~ Sara Groves, From the song "Every Minute"