VACATION in the Summertime

Mid-June and our trip to Washington State! We typically head north about the 3rd week in June. This year it was the 2nd week, as Austin graduated from High School and we went for that. That also meant seeing all the grandkids within a week. Not all at the same time, but nevertheless, all 11 of them.

Here are Ryan, Jackson, and Hayden the day before we left.

Marian and the boys went with us in the motorhome and Jennie and Hayden followed along in her car. Those 3 little guys really were good travelers.

This picture is after several hours of travel, and you can see they are doing well. Naps and movies really helped them tolerate the trip.
Austin, just after walking up for his diploma. The ceremony was held at the Tacoma Dome.

Robert, Austin, and Vonda, after the ceremony.

Austin with his grandmothers
Grandma Wright on the left, Grandma Topham on the right.

Austin and Erinn, his girlfriend

Ryan is looking at an airplane, but look at where his and Grandpa's hands are. Also, check the next picture and consider familial traits vs Grandpa influence.

Austin with his graduation quilt.

Melissa with Hayden, Ryan and "Snoop"

Cody and Jackson with "Harley"

Stephanie and Hayden. Stephanie came home with Jennie, to tend Hayden again this summer.

Austin and Ryan on Chaz

Austin and Jackson

Austin and Hayden

Hayden, Ryan, and Jackson on Uncle Robert's Harley

Marian flew home and Jennie and Stephanie drove straight home. The girls had to be back to work. Ryan and Jackson stayed with us and we drove down the Oregon coast and into California before heading home.

Here are "the boys", waiting for the fire to die down enough to roast hotdogs. This is just outside Astoria, Oregon Ryan and Jackson at Fort Clatsop, the winter hom the for the Lewis and Clark trip when they found the west coast at the mouth of the Columbia River

This is the historic Yaquina Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon. This structure was only used for 3 years, as it was situated in the cove instead of on the point. 3 miles north of here is the Yaquina Head lighthouse.

On the beach with the Heceta Head Lighthouse in the background. The boys threw rocks into the water and washed the sand off their hands in the Pacific Ocean water. It was too cold to play in the water, though.

We got home late Saturday night. We had traveled about 2700 miles in just over a week. Sunday was Father's Day and we went to Dora's for dinner. Here are the "Dads" with their new hats. Paul S. and Jeff have #1 Dad and Paul T has #1 Grandpa. The kids decorated them with bright colored fabric markers.

And the 3 Musketeers, Maclay, Ryan, and Jackson eating brownies and icecream.

Back in Washington, Austin, Melissa, and Cody were rodeoing. Austin took 1st place in Bull Riding, and 3rd in Chute Dogging. No time in team roping and Bareback Broncs. Melissa did not place, but had good time in barrel racing, and Cody did not cover his Jr Bull. They have to ride 6 seconds to qualify and his time was 5.9 seconds. What a difference 1/10th of a second makes.

Paul's birthday was yesterday and Austin's is today. 18 years old, and still long and skinny!