Team Steenblik

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Oregon 2021 - Day 3: Portland to Coos Bay

We were so happy to leave the heat of Portland. We got to the coast quickly and enjoyed that it was already a little cooler there. We wanted to show the kids the fun things that Tony and I found on our trip to the coast last year. We took them to Thor's Well and the surrounding attractions. Allie was a little nervous to go out too far on the rocks to see the water spout out, but she eventually settled down and enjoyed playing on the rocks. The other kids loved it the whole time. It was a beautiful day to explore the coast.

After we were all done we drove to Coos Bay. We stopped at Walmart before we checked into our cottage that way we didn't have to drive back to get our food for the week. After we got into our cottage we got all unpacked before walking down to the beach. The weather was perfect and the skies were clear. After exploring the beach we went back for some dinner and relaxation for the evening.

Oregon 2021 - Day 2: Boise to Portland

After breakfast and packing back into the car we headed towards Portland. We didn't have any traffic problems this day, so we were thankful for that. It was mostly just so hot. We wanted to see the waterfall that was right off the freeway as we got into Portland. They closed the entrance that we needed to get into the parking lot, so we had to drive way down the road and turn around. But we did finally get into the parking lot and found a spot.

We then walked over to the falls and enjoyed the views and slight mist we could feel off the water. They were selling some ice cream so we went to get some, but it was super expensive so we told the kids we would get them some ice cream when we went to Costco in Portland to get gas.

We then drove to the Costco that was by our hotel and they ended up not having ice cream available, so that was a major bummer. We then checked into our very large hotel (9 floors) and found out that their pool was open, but it was by reservation only and all the spots were already full for the day. WHAT! Another missed swimming opportunity. It was so hot in Portland, like 108 degrees and we really wanted to cool down. But, we couldn't.

Our room was on the top floor of the hotel and it was so hot in our room. Portland doesn't normally get that hot, so there air conditioning just wasn't keeping up. I probably should have asked if all the rooms were that hot, but I assumed they all were and didn't want to be a bother. So we suffered in our hot room all night. But they had a good breakfast the next morning so that helped the situation a little before we checked out.

Oregon 2021 - Day 1: SLC to Boise

We started our morning off with Tony taking my parents to the airport. He had to go into the Murray Cannery that morning and then he got my parents to the airport where they flew into Oregon. After he got back we were able to load up the van and then head out towards Boise.

We stopped and got some lunch in some random town and we were able to find a fun sit down restaurant to enjoy lunch. They had a green dinosaur outside the restaurant that they kids enjoyed checking out.

It was a good thing we had a good lunch because we ended up in a huge traffic jam because of an accident. We sat on the freeway for a long time without moving and then when we finally did, it was very slowly. It put us back about an hour but we were thankful that we were not in the accident and that we were only driving to Boise that day.

When we got to our hotel outside of Boise (in Caldwell) we found out that their pool was closed because of an incident earlier in the day but should be reopened the next day. We were pretty bummed because we love swimming and that's half the reason to go to a hotel. But we decided to go out to dinner instead. Tony found us a fun pizza place to go and enjoy. The restaurant was nice and the food was good.

On our way to the restaurant we saw a sign that said that the local college was having a baseball game that night. Tony looked into it and saw that they still had plenty of seats. The younger three kids didn't want to go to the game, so Tony took us back to the hotel before taking Tyler to the game. He said that they had a good time and enjoyed the game (and the crazy local drunks). So that was a fun unexpected activity that they were able to do, so I was happy about that. Me and the kids hung out in our cool hotel room. We had a huge bathtub that the girls enjoyed swimming in with their goggles and some swim toys. It was the next best thing to the pool. So over all the first day of our vacation was eventful and fun.

Allie and her Summer Silliness

There have been a few times lately that I will come home in the evening to sweet chalk art by Allie. They always say that she loves mom (sometimes Allie includes dad) and hearts. I love these sweet love notes and think it's pretty special that she leaves them for me. I am a lucky mama.

The other day Allie asked me if she could watch a movie in the front room. I turned on the show and then she got out all of her stuff animals and dolls and had them all enjoy the movie with her. Then she decided she wanted to play her computer whilst she watched her movie. It was just way too cute not to take a picture of. I love that she still has a great imagination and uses it daily to play with her toys. She likes to make huge messes, but she is getting better about picking it up without too much drama. It is fun watching her grow and mature, but I am glad she still likes to do little girl things

Amy came for a visit, and we loved going to lunch together. She is a sweet and fun sister-in-law, and we always have a good time when we are together.

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Grandma Camp 2021

The three younger kids got to go to Grandma Camp this past weekend. My mom decided it was time to focus on the younger kids and not have the teenagers come. So, Josh and Teagan got to be the leaders this year.

The kids got to shoot guns, do bows and arrows, have a tea party, go on a long hike, row the boat in the pond, do a craft and much more. They all said they had a wonderful time.

Tony and Tyler went up to the cabin Saturday afternoon after Tyler's first baseball with Granger. It was a pickup style game that was going to be a double header, but they ended up just playing a long game until the other team ran out of pitchers. Tyler got to catch four innings and had two hits. So pretty good for his first game with the team.

Moving Julie to Auburn

Julie came to my house Friday morning with Kimball. Kimball got picked up by Papa G with my three younger kids and was taken up to the cabin for Grandma Camp. After we saw the kids off with Papa G then Julie and I said our good-byes to Tyler (who got the house to himself all day) and hit the road.

We gassed up and then went back to our house because I forgot my Fitbit and my swimsuit. After that we hit the road. I-80 all the way to Auburn!

We stopped a couple times to stretch our legs and use the bathroom. We stopped in Battle Mountain and met up with Margie, Lloyd, and Suzanne's family at Subway. They left that same morning to stay in Reno for the night before they went on to San Francisco. It was fun to chat with them on our journey and get a sandwich too.

We made it to Auburn without any problems (thanks to Josh's sweet prayer before we all left). Julie contacted her realtor and she said that we could come see Julie's new house. So, we visited with Wendy's family for a little while before we left to go check out Julie's house. It was so exciting to see where she's going to live and her new house. It has some amazing views, and it is a cute house, but outdated. They will have a lot of work to make the house how they want it. Good thing Boyd is super handy, and they will make it look amazing.

After we got back to Wendy's house, we had a tour around her vineyard. The grapes are looking really good and so are her other fruit trees. Then we had some super yummy pizza and cheese bread. It was probably some of the best cheese bread I have ever had, so good.

The next day we got up early and went for a four mile walk around Wendy's neighborhood. She has lots of hills, so it was a good workout.

After getting ready for the day, we then went to breakfast at Awful Annie's. Then we stopped at the farmer's market where Wendy got some beautiful flowers. It was small but fun.

We then stopped at Wendy and Julie's office. It looks so good, and they are all set for their ribbon cutting in a couple weeks.

We then dropped off the flowers at Wendy's house before going to downtown to do some shopping at the little shops. I didn't find anything that I wanted, but it was fun looking. We then stopped at Poor Choice for a charcuterie board for lunch. It is a fun thing to try with Wendy that I would never get for Tony and myself.

We then went back to Wendy's house for a swim and layout in the sun. It was very relaxing. After that we got dressed and went to dinner at El Tapatio. It was really good food and a fun environment.

The next morning Julie and I went to her new ward. She didn't want to go, but I encouraged her to go and check it out. She was able to talk to a bunch of ladies and I think now she feels better about the ward.

After we got changed and we all got some sandwiches and headed up to the mountains by a lake to have a picnic lunch. Then we went back to Wendy's for some more relaxation in the sun by the pool. Since it was Sunday, I didn't go into the pool, but I enjoyed relaxing in the shade by the pool. We ate some dinner and enjoyed the rest of the evening relaxing and chatting.

The next morning was Julie's first day at Veteran's United. It was exciting. She looked so cute and was excited. I went with Wendy to the office before Gabe picked me up to take me to the airport. The airport was really busy, but I was able to get through security without any problems. The flight was good, and my dad picked me up from the airport and took me home. It was a great trip, and I was glad I was able to go with Julie. We're going to miss the Sutherland's being so close, but we're excited for this next chapter in their lives.