Weekend Trip to Otis

This past weekend we visited Emma's Birth Family in Otis, OR.  We actually got a hotel room in Lincoln City, but we spent our time in Otis.  We came down on Saturday, and headed over to visit. Kristen did not arrive until that evening, after work.  As soon as she arrived, we traveled into Lincoln City for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant - I believe it is La Hacienda.  Food was good, and we enjoyed the company.  It was Karl (Grandpa), Kim (Grandma), Kristen (Birth Mom) and Uncle KJ (who is 11).  We were glad to have this night with Kim, as Aunt Kelsey was past due, and was suppose to have the baby.  They were inducing the next day, so Kim had to leave to be there.

So the next morning, we got up and attended the Ward in Lincoln City for Sacrament Meeting.  It is always an interesting thing to visit another ward, and this one is especially different.  Being that Lincoln City is a Resort Town, the ward can have 100 to 500 people in Sacrament Meeting.  We have been there before when it was totally full.  This week, it was small.

After Sacrament, we drove up to the house in Otis.  Kim had already left, which ended up being a bummer.  Kelsey didn't progress in her labor until that evening, so Kim wasted her day at home in Keiser waiting for the call to come in.  We missed her.  We did however get to visit with Emma's paternal Grandmother, Grandma Mel.  She came down to spend the day.  This happened to be only three days before Emma's 4th Birthday, so there were presents.  Mel surprised Emma with a small electric car!  Wow.  Emma was a little scared of it there, but with enough time, she loved it.

Everyone had plans to leave that night or early the next morning, so Glenn and I decided to take a slow trip home Monday through Tillamook.  Glenn and Emma had never been to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, so it was a must stop for lunch. We took the tour, had nummy cheese samples, and got some good food.  Of course, while you are there, you must try the ice cream.  Emma insisted on Strawberry, as that is her favorite (this was actually her first time having strawberry, but it is pink, so must be best!).  We had a fun trip back, and enjoyed our weekend.

Grandpa Wicks

Grandpa Norman Wicks - 89 years young

 Last month Grandpa Wicks gave us a scare.  He had pneumonia that lasted for a few weeks.  Thank goodness for Glenn's cousins Cindy and Kevin who take care of Grandpa.  Cindy had him move in with her for the illness, and it was pretty scary.

So after Grandfather got better, Glenn wanted to go down and see him.  Cindy, Kevin and Ardel had talked Grandpa into moving into a residential home, and giving it a try.  We were going to go down last weekend, but they were moving then and suggested this week would be better.

Aunt Diana and her husband

 So we called Jeff, and asked him if he wanted to travel down to Roseburg with us to visit for the day.  And in the way of happy accidents, our visit coinsided with Glenn's cousin's youngest daughter being baptized, and both Aunt Diana and Aunt Lori being in Roseburg.  So we were able to visit with a large group of family that we do not get to see often enough.

Emma and Cousin Emily

 After the baptism, Kevin and Rachel hosted a BBQ at Cindy's house for family and friends.  We were thrilled to be included, and have this opportunity to see everyone.  We also discovered that there is a big celebration planned for September to celebrate Grand Father's 90th birthday.  So, we will get to see everyone again then.

Glenn's cousin Cindy - all children love this woman

Aunt Lori and Grandpa

Jeff, Glenn Emma and Myself

Happy Birthday Chris

 This time of year is very busy with Birthday's in my family.  Mom's is in January, Pirate Cousin in February, and my older brother Chris, Emma and Army Man all in March.  It makes for lots of family gatherings close together.

So tonight we had dinner together to celebrate My Big Brother.  I won't mention how old he is because that would be admitting that I am old! But we did have an adventure finding a place for dinner.  We asked Chris where he wanted to go, and he decided he wanted to try the Macaroni Grill, as he had never been.  So me being worried about getting a table on a Friday night from a group of 10 decided to call and see if we could get a reservation. In trying to do this, I discovered that the restaurant had pulled out of Oregon.

 Following this discovery, I called My mother, who was planning this outing.  She  said she was sure it was still open by Clackamas, and that she and Dad would be over there that afternoon and would check.  She called back later to say it was open when they drove by.

So fast forward a few house, we all arrive at the restaurant, and it is closed.  There are lights on inside, but there are no people, tables or chairs! So here are 10 people in 4 cars at 7pm on a Friday night trying to figure out where to go next!

 So the next suggestion was Gustov's.  We all drive over there (just across the freeway) and have a very difficult time parking.  Someone went in and checked, and we were told they could not accommodate us for over an hour, if at all.
So, once again we all drive over together, this time to Kaiser across the street to discuss.  The Birthday Boy gets on his phone, and finds us a seating at The Old Spaghetti Factory, back across the freeway.  They had about a 30 minute wait, but that is not bad for our size group on a Friday Night.

 So we finally had dinner, and had a great time.  Emma loved sitting with Grandma and her cousins.  Pirate Cousin loved playing photographer with his new camera, and Army Man enjoyed dodging the camera.  So a typical night out with the Cawood Clan.