Surprise Trip

We had a secret trip planned over the weekend for the kiddos. It was fun listening to them guess where they thought we were going. Guesses included: Disneyland, a baseball game, camping, the mountains, on a boat... Cory took the day off and we loaded up in the car...3D movies and all!

After a long drive, we walked through the gates and what is that sign?!

OH- We're at the Portland Zoo!!!! Yay!

Going on a train ride around the zoo....All Aboard!!!

After the zoo, we went out for dinner to a great little brewery by our hotel called BJ's. I would highly recommend it. Plus, we were starving!

Callie couldn't believe they had ribs on the kid's menu! Yum!!

After dinner, we checked into our hotel which had a pool and a fitness center. We all enjoyed the pool and hot tub.

I was being a good girl and did a training run at the fitness center. After a long day of walking the zoo, I didn't get my full 2 miles in and ended up only going 1.5 miles. I was still happy I managed to get something in while on vacation. I'm usually a slacker!

The next morning, we got up and went to a restaurant just for Parker...Slappycakes! It's a make-your-own pancake sorta place and it was worth the wait!

The kids opted for buttermilk pancakes with bananas and chocolate chips. The bring your toppings separately so you can enjoy however you like to make your cakes. There is a grill right at you table that the staff turns on. You each get your own flipper too!

Some of us were more excited than others...

After a quick call to update the Granparents, we were on the road to our next destination...

SEASIDE!

There was a beach volleyball tournament going on in the main part of the beach.

We went to the Aquarium and met this guy...

The kids got to touch all kinds of little creatures..

We went to the arcade where Callie was on a winning streak...

We headed back to the beach to play the rest of the day away...

We made it home late, but it was so fun! Putting my toes in the hot sand felt so nice and hearing the Ocean again was awesome. The kids were bummed we didn't stay on the beach longer, so next time we will have to get a hotel at the beach. They are already asking to go on another "surprise trip".