4th of July with the Steele's

This 4th of July we were in Oregon visiting family, Connor loved the fireworks last year he cried the entire time and this year he was smiling and laughing, I do have to say that all holidays have been more fun being able to watch and enjoy them with ConnorConnor doing his first sparklerConnor and Brooke watching the fireworks

And of course Connor had to do a sparkler without help from mom and dad

Parade

On the morning to the 4th of July we went to the local Hood River Parade, I can't say it was the best parade I have ever seen but it was fun to take Connor to his first parade. After the parade we left Hood River and headed to Hubbard to visit my Uncle Dennis, Aunt Deann, and cousins Kyleigh, Scott, and Brooke. We had such a great time in Hood River and at the Beach. Gary and Nancy thankyou so much for such a wonderful vacation

Lost Lake

On Sunday afternoon my grandparents took us for a nice walk around Lost Lake, I don't think I can find words to describe the beauty and serenity of this Lake
Connor wanted to take us for a boat rideThis was such fun and beautiful walk with family next time we visit Oregon we will have to go camping!

St. Paul Rodeo

While we were in Oregon I wanted to take Connor to the rodeo, I remember as a kid going every year with my family so this is something I wanted to be able to share now that I have my own familyConnor wanted to this kids roller coaster I thought that he would be scared we couldn't ride it with him but we were wrong Connor loved it he laughed and smiled and waved at us the entire ride, it was such a joy to watch him ride but it also makes me a little bit sad that his is getting so bigand of course we had to take a ride on the horses and of course you can't go to a rodeo and not have a deep fried corndog and fries, Connor loved every minute of it especially the food

Portland Temple

One of the things we really wanted to do while we were in Oregon was go through a session at the Portland Temple. Luckily my parents came to Oregon for the weekend to join us on our vacation, so they so kindly watched Connor while Donovan and I went to the temple. The Portland temple is the first temple I remember going through for an open house as a little girl. I have always wanted to go back and attend a session in this beautiful temple. I am so grateful to have an eternal marriage and a worthy priesthood holder as my husband and the head of our household who can accompany me into the house of the Lord. Sometimes the journey can be a little rough and bumpy but I am so grateful to have the gospel in our home, and to be able to walk with Connor outside the temple and teach him about eternal families.

Newport Aquarium

While we were in Newport we went to the Aquarium

Connor waving hello from the giant turtle

Newport Beach, Oregon

This year for vacation we decided to go to Oregon (were I grew up) and visit family. Our first stop was to Hood River to visit Gary and Nancy, and after a quick nap we headed to Newport Beach to spend the next couple of days in a Condo on the Beach. This was the view from our Balcony. I love the Oregon Coast I have so many wonderful memories spending time at the coast with my family. It was such an awesome experience to be able to take Connor and Donovan to the coast and create memories with our own child. Enjoying the cold water of the Oregon CoastConnor was scared of the ocean at first, I don't know if it was the freezing cold water or the crashing of the waves, but after a while he enjoyed running from the waves and playing in the wet sand Connor helping us look for starfish on the rocks
The next morning we went for a walk along the beach, it is so beautiful to walk along the beach and watch the waves Connor enjoying the sand between his toesConnor loves rides from his DaddyThe second day at the coast was a little cold, but that did not stop us from going out and enjoying time in the sandWe had such a blast at the Coast and thank you again to Grandpa and Grandma Steele for a wonderful trip to the beach