The last three weeks of our lives have been crazy busy. Ben flew to Portland on August 20th for a training for work. Since the twins had just started school (another blog post in itself), the kids and I waited until August 24th to fly to Portland to start our visit. I have to admit: I was super anxious about tackling four days as a single parent, in the midst of starting school, having a parent night at the boys' school, and then traveling solo with the kids on a double layover flight. In reality, though, I think that it was more of a mental challenge than anything. Ben really encouraged me to look at each day and challenge on its own (instead of being anxious about the big picture) and I really began to learn that God's grace is sufficient for each moment. We made it through the school week, the awkward parent night, the 5:30 wake-up call and uber ride, international travel paperwork and check-in with four passports and visas, and through Josh spilling an entire hot chocolate while we were waiting for our first flight. God's grace and mercy were with us the entire time. 
Seth, Sam and Josh.
These are smiles of joy. First, because there are screens for the first leg of the trip. Second, is my smile (that you can't see), because the boys are sitting in three seats in a row, and I get to sit alone across the aisle.
We flew from Monterrey to LA, then LA to Seattle, then Seattle to Portland. It was very frustrating to fly over Portland, then have a 2 hour layover in Seattle. However, the Seattle airport is great and had a wonderful play structure for the kids.
The view from my window on the last leg couldn't be beat: we flew right next to the crater of Mount St. Helens. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place!
Holly had the sweet idea of Ellie surprising Josh at the airport. The reunion was pretty sweet.
This trip was a bit shorter in duration than our last visit. Also, Ben spent both weekends bow hunting in Eastern Oregon with his dad and brothers, and I drove down to my parents in Southern Oregon for a few days. That meant we really had only 7 nights at our home in Scappoose. Time felt short and each day had numerous visits or activities packed into it. In fact, the first 24 hours of being home is a perfect snapshot of the busyness of the whole two weeks: we flew into Portland at 8 pm, and then hosted Ben's work team for a luncheon at our home at noon the next day. Later that afternoon, Ben drove over to Maupin area with the twins for hunting.
The pictures from hunting are few and far between, but I'm thankful for what we have.
Seth shooting his bb gun
Ben bought some camo gear and boots for Seth and Sam, so they felt like real hunters. They actually went on some pretty long hunts with Ben and he even left them at a tree at dusk while he tried to sneak up on a buck. They are growing into little men.
Beautiful sunset with Mt. Hood in the background
Walking through the country with Deedo and Uncle Caleb
While Ben and the twins were gone, Josh and I had a couple quiet nights at home. Diane watched Josh for me so that I could have lunch with my sister and do some errands. I also got reacquainted with my beloved yard.
Check out this volunteer gourd plant that was taking over our fire pit area and raspberries. I didn't get much gardening done this trip, which was a bummer, but I was thankful to at least get my hands in the dirt a couple times.
Holly picked up the twins from hunting and drove over to our house with the girls for a sleep over. Ironically, it was extremely hot for Portland (100 degrees), but we made the most of it with a water fight and popsicles.
Diane came out to play with all the kids.
Water fight!
Sammy
The kids had so much fun.
Little Hailey wanted in on the fun too
That evening was perfect. The kids played and played in the yard as we watched the sun go down over the hills. The temperature quickly cooled down and I remembered how much I love crisp evenings in Scappoose.
Seth teaching Josh and Ellie how to play the "spin-around game." (It's pretty self explanatory)
Ellie watching and learning.
Free, blissful play
Josh and Ellie quickly caught on to the fun of twirling 'til you fall down.
This kid doesn't love life at all
I love this picture!
Not sure how this picture pose transpired
Crazy cousin train
The big kids taught little Hailey "ring-around-the-rosies." She loved it and wanted to do it again and again.
They all fall down!!
London Bridge was next
This place is like paradise for me.
My favorite sunset view of the canyon
The next day we played at the park before the heat came. This picture of Josh and Ellie cracks me up so much, as their nickname within the family is "Bonnie and Clyde." It looks like Ellie's driving the get-away car!
That afternoon we had another water fight with Holly's girls and our Hansen cousins.
Sam, Seth and Judah found a quick way to cool down
Seth
Ellie wasn't a big fan of being shot with water, but she did enjoy the wheel barrel "pool."
Josh teaching Ellie how to pick raspberries from our patch. We were so thankful that there were still some ripe and ready to eat!
Ben arrived home that evening in his borrowed vehicle for a couple days. We all laughed so hard to watch him crawl out of the "clown car."
That evening was another blissful time full of crisp air, sunsets and kids playing on the front lawn.
Duck, duck, goose.
Boys love to wrestle!
Red light, green light
Josh thought it was a great game
Who's going to win?
Ben was a hilarious red light, green light commander
Picture in front of my willow bush and perennial sunflowers.
Really Sam? Thanks for ruining the other boys' perfect smiles.
Teaching the Hansens the "cousin hug."
Such a sweet picture!
The next day was Miriam's birthday, so I met Katie and kids at a water park in Clackamas to celebrate. The kids had a blast!
(Look at Josh's expression)
Celebrating Miriam turning 11 and Josh turning 4 (in a few days).
August 29th also happens to be Jeff's birthday, so we went to their house for dinner and to celebrate his 67th birthday. He is such a wonderful husband, Father and Grandfather.
He is so loved!
Other sweet times in Scappoose included visiting with much-missed neighbors and friends, having our dog, Rosey, visit for four nights, an afternoon at the park with our old homeschool group, and simply playing in our much missed yard. Pictured below are the kids with beloved babysitter, Abby, in the creek behind her house, hunting for crawdads, and eating wild blackberries.
More posts of our trip to come including celebrating Josh's birthday and my trip with the kids to my parent's house in Lakeview.
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