Weekend in Portland

Saturday morning Chase and I were sitting around thinking that we had two free days with no commitments and that it would be a great time to take a family road trip. We considered both Seattle and Portland but settled on Portland with no real plan of what we would do when we got down there, only a few possibilities. The kids were excited because they knew I packed pajamas which meant we must be going to a hotel! So right after lunch we packed up the kids and headed south. Now for those of you who know me or my monsters you know we do not travel well. I was a bit apprehensive about the the 2ish hour drive. My kids did fabulous! Jax dozed and the kids drew pictures and we didn't even have to stop for a bathroom break! We got to Portland around three and figured we should find a hotel and then make a plan. Looking back now I realize we should have researched and made a reservation because the first 5 hotels we stopped at either were booked or had no pool... So we ended up in a much swankier hotel than I have ever stayed in, and we payed the price for it too. The kids thought it was great! There was a big pool and tall beds perfect for jumping!
After we checked in the hotel we headed to Lloyd Center which was just a few minutes away from our hotel.I didn't like it at all. Ok, let me re-phrase that. I love that mall and I really really want to go back! (Without my kids). I had some Mommy anxiety which I almost never get, but that mall was too croweded and I didn't feel like I could keep track of everyone... We had dinner, played in the arcade and watched the ice skaters then headed back to the hotel. The kids loved playing in the pool before bed and even Jax loved splashing around! After swimming we tucked everyone one in and the kidlets slept great! Daddy? Not so much. He ended up making a 3AM run to a store for headache medicine.
Sunday morning we got up freakishly early as we always manage to do. Jax had a nap at 7:15 AM and so I took the kids back to swim. By 9 AM we were loaded up and headed to OMSI. The kids (and our) favorite part was the laser light show. I will never forget holding Jax so he could watch and feeling his still little body and catching glimpses of his sweet face in the dark, His eyes wide and alert.He was mesmorized, to him it was pure magic! He laid so still for the entire 30 minute show, Just staring upwords. Austin and Ellie loved it too! We had the entire place to ourselves, so the kids ended laying on the carpet staring up at the light show!
The rest of the museum was fun but a little above my kids head. They did have fun tinkering with the exhibits and there was a special room for kids six and under that they spent a good deal of time in. Austin and Ellie expecially loved the sand area.
Jax seemed to enjoy the infant area.
The kids all spent the entire drive back sleeping and Chase and I spent the entire drive back trying not to. We had a great weekend building memories and I have new appritation for small town life where I feel safe to let me children out of arms reach. I loved this pic of Jax and Daddy!