Oregon ~ 2011

Since it's almost 100 degrees outside, it's only fitting that I finally blog about our big Enright Family Vacation to Oregon in late February. It was far from 100 degrees there. In fact, Oregon was experiencing record lows and had just had a ton of snow a few days before we arrived. For the skiers in the family, that was exciting. For the nervous back-seat-drivers in the family, that was terrifying. :)

But the miracle of the trip was not only surviving the drive through the snow-filled mountain pass. But surviving six days together in the same house! :)

It was a great trip, and we are so thankful to my parents for helping to make this happen, so we could all be together to see some of our extended family and for our grandparents to meet for the first time their Texas great-grandchildren. Definitely some special memories.

But as you would expect on an Enright vacation, the trip started a little crazy. The picture just doesn't do justice to the sight of us checking in at the airport with 6 adults, 3 kids, 1 baby, 9 suitcases, skis, stroller, pack & play, and 4 car seats. What a sight.

But we made it on the flight. On the way there, we even got an extra seat for Will.

So when we landed, it was time to load up the 3 rental cars with the abundance of luggage. So what do you do when you have to wait in an airport with 3 small kids? You let them run all over the place, of course.

And then we were finally on the road. The drive from Portland to Bend was about two hours. But not just any two hours. Two hours through a mountain pass. I'm sure the locals are used to sights and roads like this. I believe my Facebook status that day was "grateful that not only did we survive driving through the pass, but that our marriage survived the process as well." :) Thank goodness, it is absolutely beautiful to look at. But that also just makes the driving even crazier.

We finally made it to our rental home for the week. Great deal on a great house. And the best deal of the trip...renting a highchair and exersaucer for Will. Genius!

Bright and early the next morning, there was some excitement brewing. It was time to ski! My Dad has always loved skiing, and he's really good at it. I have not shared that same love and much prefer water skiing over snow skiing. Traumatic experience in Ski School at 16 years old will do that to you. I'm sure he was glad I married someone who loves to go snow skiing any chance he can get.

So my Dad, Wade, Brad, and the three big kids headed off. Seriously, look at those smiles. Those are some excited kids!

The kids were at Ski School, so we went up to the mountain later that day to watch. Clearly I'm not a mountain girl. Not sure what I was thinking pushing the stroller in the snow.

But no surprise, Tate LOVED skiing. And no surprise, the feedback he received was to work more on slowing down to stop and not falling. He has in his head that going fast and diving on the ground (or snow) is hysterical. Both he & Mallory did well and seemed to catch on. Cutie Morgan may be more like her Aunt Kelly. :)

Two of the "serious skiers" a little higher up on the mountain.

While in Bend, we got to see my uncle and some of our cousins. All of them were so great with our kids. Wish we lived closer to get to see you all more!

The original 4.
And the main reason for the trip was to see my grandparents and introduce them to their great-grandchildren.

Our Will is named after both of my grandfathers. So it was super sweet to see the two Williams together. My grandfather's Alzheimers has progressed to the point that I know it had to be hard for him with all of us there. But a memory I will always be thankful for is seeing how his face would light up every time he was with Will.

My grandmother is recovering from a hip break in December. So one of the days everyone else was skiing, me, my mom, and Will took her to the grocery store. She used the electric grocery cart. You have to know the Higlin family to understand, but I seriously have not laughed that hard in a long time. Love you, Grandma Nat! :)

The Bankheads...pre-Baby Max.

The Strzineks.

The last full day we were there, the ski lifts were closed from a storm, so skiing was cancelled, which left lots of time for sledding.

And then it was time to head back home. There was a big snow storm the night before, so the pass seemed a little trickier.

And when you see this coming down the road.

You do this.

Bummed that I don't have any pictures from our last stop in Salem to see another part of the Higlin family...and another Will. Thanks Uncle Will & Aunt Patty for letting us invade your house!

It was such a fun trip with some wonderful memories. Thankful that my boys were able to meet their great grandparents. Thankful to be able to go and experience it all together.