Funny how the mention of something can bring such a mix of feelings. Seattle has always been a mix for me. Until now. I'm adopted. Most of you know this. Did you know I was born in Seattle? Yep, that right. New Sweeden Hospital. Seattle, Wa. It is a wonderful thing for me. Being adopted that is. I feel quite fortunate to have a wonderful family and a great set of parents not to mention how greatful I am for the way I have been raised with the knowledge of the gospel in my life and a strong testimony of who I am, why I'm here and what happens to me when I depart this fine existance. I have wondered a time or two of the different world I may have wandered if I had indeed been kept and raised in this city. Never having visited only gives to the imagination. I only tell you this because as odd as it may be, going to Seattle was in a sense like home for me. 
And the reason for going.. This is my brothers family, Love you guys! Thanks for a great time! Seattle really is a beautiful city! Congratulations Shalisa. I'm looking forward to you being closer to me this fall.
Things are really coming along at the store. Click here to find out what's new...
Well friends. Today I am going to tell you about our adventure to Oregon. A pretty little place called LeGrande. We traveled afar to see D'Andre (Todd's nephew) graduate from High School. We stayed in a cute little house outside of town that took us a long time to find but was worth the searching. It happened to be a tiny place called Haynes which I so oddly kept calling Hines for some reason. It is close to Baker City, Sumpter and Anthony Lakes.
This is Anthony Lakes. It is a very beautiful and downright chilly place. The lake is fed by all the snow that almost never fully disappears and is small enough to actually walk around in about 30 minutes. Which we all did. Even Meg.
This is D'Andre. He is a proud graduateof LeGrande High School. He is on his way to Ogden, Utah to play football at the University there. He's on scholorship because he is a born football player. Watch for him in the Pro's in a few years. Sohie is his younger sister. We think she's great too...Aside from going to Graduation (in the gym where it was God Aweful hot and extrememly stuffy and 3 hours long) just a side note...I went to the park with the kids..good move on my part eh? Anywhoo...Aside from the graduation, we spent most of our time just hanging out enjoying the peace and quiet. No cell phone service, no internet and no cable. I enjoyed this a great deal and spent many hoursa on the back porch reading.. Yes.. reading.. Nothing heavy and intimidating.. just novels with simple plots and anything not requiring brain power. LOVED IT!
One thing that we really enjoyed was taking an old fashioned train ride to Sumpter. In case you are wondering, Sumpter at one time was the largest Gold mining town in the West. The entire valley was dredged twice and hauled out more gold than any other mining company. Once the valley was turned upside down the second time people pulled out and now remains a summer tourist town. It is small quaint and has GREAT ice cream... but I digress.
My family really enjoyed the train ride on the Sumpter Valley Railroad. I quote..."Operating between the McEwen and the historic mining town of Sumpter, the steam-powered excursions of the narrow guage Sumpter Valley Railroad offer an enjoyable way for the whole family to spend the day." Indeed it was quite enjoyable.. We learned fun stories and lots of history. In the pictures above my children were waving their arms out the window of a fast moving passenger train... Luckily the conductor was really cool and not a mass of evil...
So after a week of beautiful Oregon and the relaxing vacation we traveled home and made it in less than 8 hours with kids all in one piece. I almost can't say that about my husband. He did most of the driving.
Stay tuned next time for a fieldtrip to Seattle which began a short 10 hours after my arrival from Oregon...This time with my mother..
