Avenue of the Giants

GIGANTIC, that doesn't even describe the size of these Redwood trees. The Redwoods in California were amazing! We couldn't even capture it on camera, it is difficult to describe.

We enjoyed seeing the biggest trees in the world. We also loved spending time together while we hiked into the forrest and up on giants that had fallen. The Redwood is a absoultely beautiful place. We were so glad we got a change to see these trees!

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

One of the things on our "to see and do list" was to go to a lighthouse. We took the tour of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse close to Newport, Oregon. We hiked up to the top and saw the innard workings of a lighthouse. It was very interesting and we learned how the light is reflected to shoot out across the ocean to let the boats know where they are in the bay.

The lighthouses are 40 miles apart and we saw several of them on our trip.

Seafood on the pier and the Chowder Bowl

Fresh seafood, just can't beat that. We ate at a great restaurant called Bay 869, fresh fish and crab. So yummy!

We also went to the Chowder Bowl. The Chowder Bowl has been a tradition in my family for many years. Grandpa and Grandma Croft always went there when they were on the coast and took our famiy out for a bowl of chowder. I have to admit it was the best I have had! Jim, Bryce and dad also know how to prove they are full of it!

Oregon Coast and Beach

The beach at Newport and Waldport was just beautiful. We stayed all together at a house that was just across the highway from the beach. We went hunting for shells and sand dollars the first morning we were there. Luckily for us it was good weather and didn't rain very much. We got some sand to take back with us. The first night at the coast we ate at an amazing Mexican Restaurant. Stahli ordered the fish! We were all in awe and he ate it all!

FAMILY VACAY

We went on a family vacation this year and visited Black Butte in Oregon. We stayed at Dean Croft's cabin, my mom's brother. We enjoyed playing ball in the backyard and swinging on the log swing on the back deck. We went swimming at the pool. The Ipsons, Heather and Brandon and their boys came to swim and visit. They recently moved to Oregon and we had a good visit. It was a really nice time and we enjoyed staying there. Bikes were so fun for Ben and the cousins to ride. Luckily they all lived!

Childhood memories

This summer we had our Westcott family reunion in Oregon. On the way to our first stop we visited a little town in the south eastern corner of Oregon, Vale. We used to live in Vale, Oregon. I believe we would have stayed there and been alumni of Vale High School were it not for Grandma Gerd. My dad's mother was sick and had a heart attack, dad wanted to go live by grandma and help her. My Dad was the shop teacher at the high school in Vale. He also coached track and wrestling. So we moved the summer after I completed first grade. We moved to Monticello.

The steps of a farm house that we lived in near Bully Creek Reservoir. I split my knee open jumping from these steps into a plastic swimming pool. Still have the scar!

The back yard of our first house with my dad's fence! He must have done an awesome job it is still there thirty five years later!

Looking across the street from our first house to the church, the park was to the left in this picture.

My dad in the back of the high school where the wood shop and mechanics shop was. It was pretty interesting...so much smaller than I remember!

The LDS chruch in Vale, Oregon. Most vivid memory was eating cat food from a wagon in the little park next to the church. The little park is no longer there. Cat food isn't so tasty!

First house we lived in in town. We had a garage and it was green at the time. The fence my dad built is still there in the back yard. Looks pretty good!

Vale High School, where we spent a lot of time with our dad!

Our second house in town. I remember walking those side walks, trick or treating, riding my bike in the neighborhood.

The farm house! I remember riding the bus to school, being out at the mailbox and seeing the bus coming down the road. Yelling for Todd to get out there, the bus arriving and having to ride it bymyself. Being scared but I made it to school! Todd juming off the haystack and breaking this back, then being in a body cast for forever! Somehow we all made it...miss that place! I loved visiting and reliving old memories.

My Saturday Clown

Benjamin likes to dress up and wear weird things. Saturday mornings he likes to have the house to himself as his parents sleep. We wake up wondering what Ben has been up to! I love Ben, he makes me laugh! Such a clown sometimes...who wears a tiara, sunglasses, with polar express pajamas, holding a gun and blowing a new year's party favor?