4th of July!

Ok my fireworks picture leaves something to be desired. Tamara got the best pictures. I spent most of the time in the house while the fireworks where going off. Emma was not to fond of the loud boom that went with the pretty lights. You see the fireworks were shot off by just ordinary people like us. So foreign to those of us who live in Arizona. You can't buy or shoot off fireworks anywhere in Arizona that I know of. Well fireworks went off every night but on the 4th of July it was spectacular. Wow never seen anything like it. But here are some pics of the families. I don't know why I don't have one of the Swindlers by themselves. But they are in the group pic. Billy and JoAnne had not surprised us as of yet. But as you can see we had a wonderfully large group. What fun!

Another Tradition

Another tradition is that when we leave Tillamook we stop at the same Berry stand on our way home. We buy all types of berries. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, oh my! The next morning we always have blueberry pancakes, that my sweet husband gets up and makes without complaint. Yummy!!!!

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Here is a tradition that our family loves or sometimes hates! I am all about tradition so every time we are in Oregon we make the 45 minute drive to Tillamook to the Cheese Factory. We do the self guided tour and then we taste the samples of cheese and then we have the most delicious ice cream in the world! You can tell that my son-in-law was not as happy about being there! HaHa! But seriously I think he did have a great time! The picture of the whole family is another tradition. Every year we take a picture by a tree outside the factory. If you look closely you can see we have even another member of the family. Our own Pastor Josh and his family came up to visit and he popped up in the picture. What fun to have the Swindlers, Mattesons, Hallstroms and the Dunhams all in Oregon. This is a year to remember.

Same Rest Stop

We take a picture at this rest stop every year that we go to Oregon. And here we are 2007. A few more family members this year! Yeah!

On our way!

This is the tree that my best friend JoAnne always hugs when we stop at this rest stop in California. Unfortunately, Billy and JoAnne were not with us this year so Sam and BJ hugged the tree for JoAnne. And for those of you that are feeling bad that my best friend did not come with us, Billy and JoAnne and their son Cooper flew to Oregon and surprised us for a 5 day stay. Yeah! We were all so surprised and thrilled.

Ok, Ok

I know that I have not updated the blog in almost a month and I am so sorry. I have gotten some guff about that from our faithful friends who check on our family. So here are some pics from the last month. The majority will be off our vacation in Oregon. Our family's favorite place to vacation. It is cool and breezy and overcast off and on, something Arizona is not, well ok today maybe but those of you who live understand what I mean.

There are many pictures of our big family. I sure hope that you enjoy them. The first picture is of Emma in a backpack on her daddy's back on our way to the tide pools down the beach from the beach house. Enjoy our pictures and I am so thankful you guys keep up with us on this blog. You are all a blessing to me.

Happy 4th of July

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Here are a few pics from the 4th of July from Lincoln City, Oregon