Visit to OR 2009 - Time with Grandpa!

As most of you know from an earlier blog, I drove up to OR a couple weeks ago to visit the family.  The trip was mainly to spend time with my Grandpa.  A healthy 87-year old physically who still loves to tend his garden of dahlias.  I drove up from Southern California and picked him up in Medford.

Below, my grandpa enjoying the view on the backporch of his house in Medford.

Grandpa showing off his dahlias, his pride and joys.

Driving the rest of the way up to near Portland, my grandpa and I stayed at my sister's house.  Below are some family hangout pics.  Usually over food, because I forget the camera other times unless special occasions or trips, lol...

Going out to dinner with family: dad, sister Melinda, mom, Grandpa & I

My sister cooked us dinner at her house.

My daddy and I - you can see where I get my coloring from :)

My momma - who loves being a blonde now! She actually has dark hair like my sister :D

I also got to meet for the first time a distant relative - my grandpa's cousin's daughter Linda... I have no idea how that translate in relation to me, I always get confused with that stuff...

My grandpa and Linda

I also got to catch up for a little bit with my old private saxophone teacher Mr. Wimmer.  He's like a second grandpa and was good to see him!

Our next outing consisted of going to the beach my with grandpa and nephew Kyle.  Lots of fun at Newport beach in Oregon!

My grandpa got a "feather in his cap" ;)

Playing around with my 5'9" nephew (only 12!!) Kyle - got him in a headlock :D

We toured a lighthouse, which had a great view and rooms still set with all the decorations and belongings from the 1800s.  Supposedly it was haunted, nothing exciting ;)

We had lunch at this diner, where my nephew and Grandpa loved to be goofballs.  Kyle and His Great-Grandpa - the two comedians :D

We ended going to this little bay area that's by the infamous Moe's Restaurant.  Amazing food and one of my favorite places to go.  Saw a beautiful sunset and then had dinner with my old-friend Andy who I've known forever.

I was freezing by this time...

My nephew and grandpa "trying" to set upright the washed up tree...

Beautiful Oregon coast sunset

Wrapping the day up with delicious seafood!  Sorry, no food pictures D.Y.

Our next adventure was to the Portland Japanese Garden, very beautiful!

We ended our adventures exploring the beauty of Oregon by going to The Portland Rose Garden.  I absolutely love roses, so it was incredible to be there with TONS of roses inbloom.  I took lots of pictures, but I'll spare you and just show a couple :)

From the Rose Garden, there was a beautiful view of downtown Portland with Mt. St. Helens in the background.  My grandpa shows off the view ;)

I had a wonderful time and glad that I had the trip to treasure with my grandpa.  I hope you all enjoy your grandparents and how they enrich our lives with their love and support!