stay-cation

that's when you can't afford to go somewhere, so you have a stay-cation instead of a va-cation....

we went for a boat trip a couple weeks ago with aunt sandi and uncle garry. we met them at the port and boated down past the 205 bridge to a little cafe on the water. docked the boat, got out and had lunch, and then boated back. it really did feel like we were in another place, not portland. it was the kids first time on a boat. and they LOVED it!


when we got to the 205 bridge, we stopped the boat and isaiah got to fish...although we failed to tell our fisherman uncle that isaiah was bringing his pole...so he just cast the line in with a weight. he was happy.


alaythia was our fearless one. even though she had never been on a boat, she climbed up on the side rail and hung on, face in the wind.


we docked the boat and ate lunch. alaythia was all to happy to watch the water. she hammed it up for all of us during lunch.


but perhaps the BEST part of the trip was when uncle garry let isaiah drive the boat. uncle garry is a paramedic and fireman. so i trust him...even though he sent me flying through the air one time on the boat...but he's grown up on the river and knows it very well. but giving my 3 year old the wheel, well that was pushing it for me. it wasn't like he just let isaiah pretend he was driving. he completely let him have control of the boat....teaching him to turn.....and then showing him where the accelerator was...and continuing to let him have it...i'll admit my heart was racing.

but poor aunt sandi had the perfect view...and i'll say, i've never heard aunt sandi scream the way she did. screaming at her beloved husband to stop him...matt caught a picture in the middle of the screaming.

when it was all over garry very calmly said, 'why where you going on like that?' as if we ride with 3 year old drivers every day.... don't worry aunt sandi, i was with you, screaming inside.

it was a fantastic day. and as with everything now, it was bittersweet as we think about leaving. we have loved so much getting to be near uncle garry and aunt sandi....

but as i do so well, i'll save those thoughts for another day.