Last Day in Portland: Multnomah Falls

I still have to work on making the video from our time in Portland last month, but I wanted to do one last post about our last day of the trip. We rented a car this day so that we could drive the 30 miles to see Multnomah Falls and also to make it easier to get to the airport later. I went out for my run while Justin went to get the car and when I got back we picked up some coffee and headed out. The drive was super nice and we could see snow on some of the mountains. It really was a pretty drive. Getting to the falls is super easy and completely free. We were kind of shocked you didn't have to pay to park or anything. Multnomah Falls is apparently the 2nd highest waterfall in the US and the most visited recreation site in the Pacific Northwest according to USDA Forest Service (here). I am so glad we went because it is really beautiful and so different from what we are used to (although I have been to Niagara Falls). A lot of people just walk up to the bridge, take a few pictures and then leave but we chose to do the 1.2 mile hike up to the top. It was 11 switchbacks and while it was by no means a difficult hike, I had just run 7 miles that morning so it got my lungs working. It was a bit chilly as well, especially for us Arizonans. The view looking down the waterfall from the top is pretty cool as well as the view of the Columbia River but at least while we were there, most people did not hike up to the top (lazy or cold maybe). If you visit the area I definitely think it is worth your time to stop by!

Pretty cool sight to drive up to.

Bridge is only a 5 minute walk up.

This hike was a little longer.

almost there!

Pretty crazy view!

Leaves...because we are from Arizona.

Until next time, Oregon!

Christmas at the Princess

Sunday night my sister invited us to tag along with her and visit Christmas at the Princess. We had never been before and I am so glad we went. First, it normally costs $30 to park to get in but we went on a value night which has half off parking, santa photos, and ice skate rentals. So we paid $15 to get in which is not bad at all. They have lots of lights around the resort and some fun characters as well including a princess that Everly wanted nothing to do with. The resort is decorated beautifully for Christmas. The train ride, carousel, and petting zoo are also free and they have a cute little "Enchanted Plaza." You can pay for a smores kit to use at one of the fire pits as well as ice skate rentals. They also have drinks available for purchase and a cute gift shop. I love this time of year and I love taking the kids to fun stuff like this. We will definitely be coming back again next year. If you get a chance to go they have two more value nights, tonight and next Monday.

  

I wanted to buy that smores pillow!

 

chunky chunk Mae

both boys rode on one camel!

Stale smores kit

Ev's face kills me.

Weekend in Review: Thanksgiving 2015

We had a great long Thanksgiving weekend. I got out early last Wednesday and then had the whole weekend off so that was super nice. It started off Thursday morning with a 5 mile run with my sisters and a friend and then we had breakfast after that. We spent most of the day looking through black Friday ads but we did take the kids to the park for a bit to burn off some energy. Dinner was super yummy and I inhaled it before I remember to take a picture. The next morning I got up super early so that I could meet my sisters and mom for black Friday shopping at 4:30 AM. We really like going then because all of the crazy black Friday crowds are either gone or not out yet. After shopping I enjoyed leftovers and did manage to get a picture of that! Come Friday night I was tired and opted to go to bed early. Saturday I got up early for a cold 9-mile run by myself. After that, I took Everly to go see the Good Dinosaur with my sister and mom. We were supposed to go on Thanksgiving but it was sold out. It was just okay. Maybe better for redbox? On my way home I took Everly to a park. We had a good morning. On Saturday night Justin made us some yummy soup at home after church. Sunday morning we got some shopping done and Justin took Everly to As You Wish for some pottery painting because they had free studio fees until 10AM. I also ended up getting in a mid-afternoon hike on Sunday while the girls were napping and Justin was watching football. It was so nice to be able to do that. With soccer and marathon training I don't get to do that much but we didn't have a game Sunday so it was awesome. Sunday night we went to Christmas at the Princess which was really cool and I will post about that later. What a great long weekend!

We run, so we can eat!

not bad!

getting breakfast ready

Kid table and park time

3 crazies

The spread!

Mae loved the parachute.

a little $10 present from my self and LEFTOVERS!

 

Saturday morning run and movie time!

perfect Sunday afternoon hike!