There is much to say about our trip. It was so full, and impactful and fun. It was definitely our best family vacation. (Jonas took this picture of me and Caleb.)
It all began in Valencia. Our close friend Esther got married. Although it was a very hot day, everything was beautiful (especially the bride).
Me and my kids were in it. I was shocked that Jo made it down the isle, and with some help from Charis, he got flowers to the moms. We had a really good time reconnecting with old friends. Many good conversations were had, and lots of loud laughing. Just like being back in the dorms.
We spent a night in (the beautiful) Palmdale with some of our favorite people. The Brents are our twin family. Rochelle finally had a baby without me, and she is tiny and precious. (ahh, no pictures.) Our kids had a blast together as always. (This was the most modest picture I could find.)
From there we went to Caleb's brother's house in the Bay Area. Cousin Elijah has been blogged about before. My kids love him, and Lydia is awesome too. She has this amazing hair and these big blue eyes (see pics below). It wasn't too hard to say goodbye (after 2 days) because we knew we were coming back on the return trip.
Then onto the first night of camping with SD unschooling friends. It was beautiful site (near SF) with a cool little hike the kids did 3 or 4 times. Paxton turned 5 that day, and strangely, one of the friends we came with has the same birthday (same age too). So we celebrated with a pinata.
I love Oregon. Have for a while. Caleb and I have talked about moving there many times before. This trip was no different. I don't know if its ever meant to be, but I loved being there. The green, and the trees, and the openness are all nourishment to my soul. We had to forego the camping experience the second night when rainy weather was predicted. So we stayed in a hotel instead. That was a disappointment to me but not so much to Caleb. We finally arrived at our ultimate destination of Vancouver, Washington for the unschooling "Life is Good" conference. It couldn't have been a more kid-friendly, fun, inspiring weekend. There were endless activities for the kids, and lots of good seminars for the adults.
We called this the mushroom tree. They were all over town. I've never seen anything like it. 
Balloon swords. Charis got really good at tying them.
Face painting. I love this girl.
The hotel where the conference was, and where we stayed, was right on the river. So lovely. Please note the pirate ship in the background. It was actually used in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
We walked to coffee, farmer's market, dinner. Such a great location. We really got to know the town.
One of my favorite seminars was by Scott Noelle. I was very impacted by his encouragement to be more creative and less competitive with your kids. For instance, it doesn't have to be their needs vs. your needs. There are creative solutions that can allow all people's desires to be met (sometimes). This picture is evidence of Caleb putting this theory to practice. He wanted the kids to take a bath and they wanted to watch The Hobbit. As you see everyone got what they wanted. Im so glad we're doing this parenting thing together. 
Paxton was a permanent fixture in the game room. He loved playing the board games, and got super good at DDR. He was always the littlest one out there but he held his own. It was shocking and super duper cute.
Here he is practicing the moves even when he's not on the DDR pad.
Jonas was into the drum circle time.
This pic displays fairy wings, mermaid hair and t-shirt surgery all made by Charis at various fun shops. Other fun shops not pictured: acting improv, paper bag puppets, artist trading cards, beading fun, and cardbord box fort (which took up an entire room). 
I think my favorite night was the talent show evening. Charis had planned a hoolahoop demonstration. Nothing fancy, just an ability to never drop the thing. Really she's quite impressive. But I got a bit worried when I saw other's acts were more choreographed than hers. I started to get nervous for her - maybe we should have planned more of a routine. But Charis didn't seem phased (even after another hoolahoop routine done by other girls). She got up there totally confident and unaware that she "should" feel nervous. I loved her for it. And her show was fabulous, because it was totally her. 
After she got off the stage, Pax was bawling. He wanted to do a show too. When previously asked, he had said no. But now he desperately wanted to do karate. He has never taken any karate classes, and knows zero real moves. I was able to slip his name in and after a long wait he was called up. I really thought he would change his mind before being called, and then thought he would chicken out once the stage loomed in front of him. But he stood up there so cute, and threw out a few punches and kicks, and then left the stage. I was so proud of him. It couldn't have been better if he'd been a black belt. He totally proved me wrong, and I loved him for it.
Here they are in the car. On the long journey back from Washington. Lots of movies were watched. The Hobbit was viewed at least 8 times (for real).
Hagen cousins pyramid. We spent one more night and part of a day in the Bay Area. Again, very very fun. 
The end of the pyramid and the end of this very long post.
