The trip started in Portland with us and Robin and Rylee for three days. We explored the downtown area, went to Voodoo Doughnuts (several times), Saturday Market, Oregon Zoo, and lots of eating. The weather was in the 70's/low 80's the entire time so we got some sunbathing in down by the river also. Ren and three of her four children flew in on Sunday night, our third day there. On Monday morning we rented two vans and headed over to Tillamook Cheese Factory and then on to Cannon Beach, ending at Seaside.
We then went to Manning to visit Grandma Bidwell and my Aunt Carol and Uncle Ed. We celebrated Ren's 40th birthday there and explored Grandma's 45 acres and played with Carol and Ed's dogs. It was odd being there without Grandpa around anymore (he passed away a few months ago).
After Grandma's we headed up to Vancouver for the Life Is Good Unschooling Conference where we had the time of our lives. Ren and Kev both had talks there, Amy Steinberg did a concert, there was a barefoot boogie dance, and lots of other fun activities. We met lots of wonderful, joyful people!! 425 unschoolers!! It's always so refreshing to be around so many people who share the same philosophies and desire to live joyful, respectful, trusting relationships with their children. There was so much JOY just swirling around us for five days.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention......................When we were at Grandma's we were all sitting around talking and Jared says, "I wish I could go back to Alaska with you." And I replied, "You wanna?" The boy asks, "Really?" Next thing you know we are booking his ticket and he is now in Alaska with us! We get to have him for the entire summer, so exciting! Unfortunately, the last two days since we've been home it's been raining so we haven't gotten out to do anything yet but him and Tristan seem quite happy to be playing the XBox. We are going to take the motorhome up to Fairbanks in a couple weeks so that's something to look forward to. We have all kinds of things planned. I hope the weather cooperates:)
Here are some pictures of the highlights:
Creative marketing!
Tristan attempts the doughnut challenge- didn't quite make it but had fun trying.
Ren's 40th.
Family picture at Grandma's with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Ed. Jalen didn't want to be in the picture so we snapped him as he was walking away.....
He'd just had enough for the day.
My aunt and uncle's boston terriers got plenty of attention!
Hiking Gram's property.
Posing at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
Cannon Beach.
Happy, lively, joyful people and energy at the Life is Good Unschooling Conference.
Amy Steinberg concert. This was the highlight of the trip for me!
Partying at the Amy Steinberg concert.
Amy cuddles. With Ren, Diana, and me!
Kev's talk at the conference. He did very well.
Ya think they are a little pooped out. 12 WONDERFUL days later!
9 comments:
There is nothing like the Pacific Northwest. I feel so lucky that I get to live here.
Cannon Beach is my favorite! We were just talking about taking a day trip...hopefully soon.
Glad you all had so much fun!
425 unschoolers? Wow! Thank you for sharing some of your experiences. I love following your adventures, and was sad to not be able to make it to the conference. The concert part must have been AMAZING!!!
Great post!
It was awesome meeting you and your beautiful family! And you didn't even mention your yoga funshop--which saved me and my tense neck--Thank you so much!!!
I'm so glad I could help Renee! It was great to meet you and your family. Hard to be back home- it's such a let down after days of being surrounded by such lovely people:)
Maybe next year Andrea! We are planning on driving the motorhome down for the conference next year and then maybe traveling for a month or so. We will probably leave the motorhome down south and fly back up. It will get more use down there than it will way up here in Alaska.
it was so cool to finally meet you all! glad you made it home safely. :O) yes, the conference and concert rocked!!
The whole trip was awesome...tired, cranky moments and ALL!!:) I miss everyone already but glad to be home with my bees and garden too.
Give J a big hug for us, the house seems strangely empty.
Looks like you had an amazing time, and it's so exciting for you that you have Jared visiting! Too fun!
What great photos! It was so nice to meet you at the conference and I really enjoyed your son's talk. Listening to you and Ren talk about the cocooning stage was very helpful for me. Thanks a bunch. :)
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