Katie Takes Oregon, Part I.

We got up the next day and immediately set out for Donut Country. It was very exciting to see that the driveway was all wet, and not because someone had their lawn sprinkler set wrong.

We had a nice time at Donut Country.

They specialize in Donuts.

Erica liked her donut.

And Betsy liked her donut.

And Anna and Jonathan washed their donuts down with some milk.

Katie was not impressed by the donuts.

We parted ways outside so that I didn't have to sit in the van any more than absolutely necessary. I had a very nice walk through the rain over to Jonathan's pre-school.

Having dropped the kids off we set out for Target. Erica seemed happy to have the backseat to herself... and her ginormous car seat.

Erica really enjoyed looking at clothes to give to her new friend, Levanon.

There is a law in Oregon requiring every business to sell wine. This one had a funny label:

And we wondered for what occasion this wine was appropriate:

We dropped off the van and walked over to pick up the kids from day care. It started raining again on the way over.

So I got another lovely walk through the rain.

The sun came out just in time for us to go back inside.

Then we went to the library. We parked by the river. They have a river, right there in the middle of town. I found that a little odd, since where I come from we keep our rivers tucked away in maps and in different states and in history books.


We had another nice walk.


After the library we all had some down time.

And some quality time at home that evening.





The next morning was a lazy one. Well, after I threw up my breakfast. Because nothing goes with severe leg pain quite like vomiting.

Eric is pretty popular these days.

Jonathan sure did like Katie.

That afternoon Betsy fulfilled a month-long quest to find eyelet.

And we passed an interesting sports field.

Then we went for a walk in the park.



Oregon also has scenic overlooks scattered everywhere.


Anna and Jonathan found a lookout with a "really good view."



There was much child petting all week long.

Is there anything better than a perfect teeter-totter buddy?

Katie enjoyed the park.

Maybe not as much as Jonathan.





I didn't hate the park. Which was pretty much the best I could say about any part of the trip. Because I was pretty miserable. Because of the sciatica.

It was all worth it to see Anna have so much fun with her cousins, though.

I walked with Jeanette over to the wonderful little grocery store which I love. It did not cheer me up. Turns out they had to declare bankruptcy. Recessions are stupid.

That evening everyone took turns looking at Katie during the big game.



We had fun cheering on the 'Cats.

Katie celebrated halftime with a good thumb-suck.


And Anna finished another chapter book.

It was a good two days.