Oregon (and CA): The Redwoods

Our favorite part about the whole trip (besides attending Tommy and Doris' wedding) was going to the Redwoods in northern California. The house that we stayed at was actually in Northern Carlifornia really close to the redwood grove we went to. It was amazing seeing trees this large. Walking through the forest I felt like we were in some woodland fairy tale (either that or else ewoks from Star Wars were going to jump out at any moment). One thing that surprised me was how much cooler it was in the forest. We would stop at places where the sunlight came through the canopy just to warm up in the light.

One thing that I really enjoyed on this trip was seeing Jenna walk hand in hand with her cousin Molly. They were so cute together. I have been waiting for these two to get old enough to really play together and they finally were old enough on this trip.

Some of the beautiful scenery...

And here we have James with his whip. James was so funny walking around with this tree branch. I wish I had recorded him cracking up everytime he swatted at Uncle Tommy and Uncle Tommy jumped up like he had been hit. Don't you wish you could bottle up children's laughter and keep it nearby to listen to whenever you wanted. (I guess we can do that with videos, but if I could I would keep a bottle of children's laughter in my pocket.)

Grandpa and Grandma... they're the ones that started all this. Now look at us 25 in the family and counting.

We had to get a picture of Grandpa and Grandma and most of their grandkids (Molly was taking a stroll farther down the path and Olivia was bundled up asleep in her stroller.)

Mom and Dad and the kids.

"Wendy head-tilt" time. The funny thing about this picture is that everyone, but Wendy, is tilting their head!

Andra up high!

And now it's Wendy's turn... although, I think it looks more like they're trying to throw her.

Family photo op. We look like dwarves next to this big tree. It was the largest tree in this area of the Redwoods.

My little snug-a-bug.

I wish this picture was clear because I like this picture of Jenna with her Daddy.

And last, but not least, our friend the banana slug. We couldn't leave him out, now could we?!

Okay, so these pics of the redwoods remind me of the two redwood saplings that the housekeeper of the home we stayed at brought us (and then we forgot to take home, oops!) I claim temporary insanity when I said we would take the trees. I thought it would be fun to have a couple redwoods to grow at home, all until the woman said that they like cool, moist places, which our part of Arizona definitely is not! Whatever happened to them? Does anyone know?