RoadTrip Homeward - Houston to Portland

We've only shared this with a few and have kept our news offline for the past month. Mainly because it was a lot to process and a lot going on too. The second week of July Mike came home to tell me that he had been laid off. What news considering we moving to Houston in large part due to this job! So, we had to think fast, we weren't really settled in Houston. In fact, with the job gone and the disappointments with family we decided quickly that it was time to move on. We actually consider moving to several places but in the end decided that in the meantime we would move back to Portland for family support. We had an revelation - stuff doesn't matter and so we sold 2/3rds of it. Exciting!

We embarked on road trip #2 with the kids, this time moving back to Portland from Houston. We decided not to pull a trailer so we could enjoy a stress free drive. Driving 40 hours with 2 toddler already has enough work tied to it. And we had a blast - seriously made some great memories.

Both kids did pretty well in the car. We stopped only to fill up for gas and pick up food. Jack peed in the potty chair and we built a play areas/sleep spot in the back of the Armada.
Day 1: Houston to Oklahoma City.

Our first stop was Oklahoma City where we stayed a week with Gran. The kids went to the zoo, played outside a lot more than usual and got some of their energy out (which was just replenished in full by the next day of course). Great memories and good relaxing fun with Gran.

 Jack got new spiderman shoes, raincoat and umbrella which he calls his spiderman costume. I guess he is getting ready for the Portland winter of rain. But honestly he is obsessed with Spiderman now.
Day 2: Oklahoma City to Gainsville, NM


We drove through 12 hours of desert between Oklahoma City and Grants, Arizona. Deserted beauty.

We passed the largest cross in the US (19 stories tall) somewhere in Texas.

We stopped for lunch in Albuquerque NM for lunch as the Standard Diner where Guy Fieri filmed an episode of Diners, Drive In's and Dives - one of our favorite shows. And the food was good.

Day 3: Gainsville to Grand Canyon

Then it was off to the Grand Canyon where we got to experience one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. We felt the vertigo and also the panic of watching 2 toddlers walk the trails around the southern rim. What a view though. Absolutely breathtaking divine wonder.

 The sunset was unreal.

Jack with daddy asking" Daddy, what is this place?" Daddy would say "this is God's place"

Trails around the canyon was full of wild flowers and wild elk.

 

The campsite at the Grand Canyon was full of wild yet friendly elk. The kids could stand just 10 feet away and watch them quietly without them bolting away. What a sight after Jack had been talking about animals all the way into the park.

Although the kids didn't sleep in the tent, they sure had fun playing in it. They slept in the back of the Armada with a bed of feather blankets and pillows. Pretty sweet.

 We roasted marshmallows and tried making smores too. By the end of the night the kids were filthy dirty but had enjoyed the dirt, sticky gooey goodness of our treats and smelled like campfire.

Day 4: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

After our first great outdoor adventures we heading west along I-40 stopping at Hoover Dam. This was an amazing man made side and although our stop was brief we saw it. 

What a change between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas where we stopped overnight. We stayed at New York, New York and saw briefly some of the strip.

The only pictures I took were at the Bellagio where we went to the buffet (2nd best in Vegas). Ameile loved the entrance ceiling where glass flowers hung to welcome you in.

Not sure what to say about Vegas except that trunking around with 2 toddlers made us feel like the major minority. We actually got comments from people saying, I can't believe you brought your kids. To which we commented to each other that we COULD believe it. They are our lives - oh and by the way we are on a family road trip and are here for less than 24 hours! Ha. The city was a good quick stop. Don't see myself going back. Sorry if you like Vegas. 

Day 5: Las Vagas to McAurther- Burney Memorial Park, Northern California
We drove 7 hours through Death Valley - which was exactly that, dry, desserted 2 lane road. Blaa.
After driving through Volcanic National Park, Northern Californal, we stayed between there and Mt Shasta East side at McArthur Burney Falls in a small cabin. We had a campfire and enjoyed the stars.

In the morning (it was 42 degrees) and we hiked up a short trail to the Falls. They were the most spectacular falls I have seen. 1 large falls with dozens of small falls along a long stretch of cliff.

After almost 10 days on the road (including our stay in OK) we decided to call it quits and high tail it to Sandy Oregon to relax with my parents. Just in time to catch the tail end of summer we reached what I call a little slice of heaven on earth - KnollCrest Gardens.

Summer brings change for the Jacobs

You might have wondered where I've been? Well, on a amazing adventure of change, discovery & transition. But it's good because no matter what, I'm not alone. God is so good. 

We've spent the summer both enjoying the sun and hiding from it. But the news is that after almost 11 months in Houston, Texas, we are coming back to Portland. September arrival date. 

Blessings of Motherhood

For my mothers day gift we took some summer family photos in bright sunny Herman Park, Houston. The most treasured gifts in my life are my precious children and the joy of being a mom and a wife.

Sometimes I can hardly believe that I am a mom. 

Amelie (22 months) is such a darling girl. She doesn't resemble a baby anymore but a little (toddler) girl. She is talking a lot, gives lots of kisses and is sometimes a real snuggle bug. Her hair is getting really long and has gotten much lighter. She dances everytime a song comes on at the end of almost every song she hears she will cheer…yeah. 

 Jack (3 yrs) is "my boy". He is talking like crazy and is starting to communicate whole thoughts instead of just words and broken sentences. He isn't too fond of getting is pictures taken but loves to sing for the camera so he can watch himself afterwards. He is still animal crazy. Practically everything he talks about is animal related. He will actually act like an animal when he is being shy at the park with bigger kids. (smile…) 

Green Thumb & Garden Visitor

I love to garden. I always have loved plants and watching them grow. 

This year I figured I would do a garden with the kids. We planted all our garden from seed in little greenhouses on the front patio and lovingly cared for them in the early spring.

About 6 weeks ago we planted them in the ground and in pots in our backyard.

Now the little plants at the top of the first pictures are getting really big and ready to produce some tomatoes this summer. 

Every morning when it is sunny and breezy the kids and I will walk out to check on the garden and water all the plants. Jack will kneel down and talk about the plants as if they were his friends. We talk about the little flowers and how they will turn into things we can eat like cucumbers and watermelons. Jack will throw his head back laughing in delight and say Yeah, we will eat them!

My basil is FINALLY doing well - in Houston? With enough water they have exploded and they seems to really thrive in the sun. I've always grown basil and found it to be a fussy plant to grow. :)

We really soon we will be eating capri salad & fresh pesto and it will all be worth it.

squash, pumpkins, watermelons, brussel spouts and cucumbers 

* We get ants like crazy here so I am always trying to keep them off my plants, bother…

Lots of herbs

I wish you could spell these flowers. It's like a breath of Hawaii.

Whoever lived in this house had the wonderful idea of planting fruit trees. We have figs growing!

And limes... 

And lemons.

We also have many slithery friends like this little lizard who can right to our window for a visit. Can you spot him in this photo with Jack? Well, Jack was squealing with delight talking to the lizard and asking what was he doing?

We see lizards often and Jack will always be the one to point them out. It's like he has a 6th sense for animals. One night we were walking through the kitchen and it was pitch dark outside. Jack stopped and said look a lizard and sure enough he was perched on the window screen.

Recent Adventures

The past few weeks have been busy here in Houston and we've told Jack a lot when he is going somewhere new that it is an adventure. He likes that.


Mike took Jack to his first major league baseball game at Minute Maid Stadium to watch the Astros. All he talked about for the next few days was soda and popcorn and the guy who hit the ball.

Daddy Date.

Our next adventure was Austin Texas where we tagged along with dad for a work trip. We loved the vibe in Austin and the food scene reminded us of Portland. He ate at the carts that were strangely situated behind old "Hawthorn" like houses along the downtown scene. Jack's first cart experience was a success.

We showed up on Congress St. after a long walk to experience a huge classic car parade. It could not have been better timing. Home Slice pizza was delicious and cheap and the mexican joint across the street had great margaritas.

Our view from Mike's bro's new pad was great for us, a little scary for the kids. We were reminded why traveling with kids can be so challenging (small spaces + breakables + no toys = no fun for kids or parents. Thankfully, we took lots of walks instead of vegging.

Rural Texas is charming and the drive between Austin and Houston is one to be enjoyed. Nothing but small 1 horse towns, tons of wild flowers and wide open space. 

EASTER

I am late on posting photos from Easter Sunday but better late than never? Easter afternoon with the cousins.

Hunting for Easter Eggs

We had to point out the eggs to Amelie at first but once she caught on she was on a roll.

Decorating Easter Eggs.