*** A Weekend of Firsts ***

This past weekend our family had the pleasure of visiting close friends who just moved to Oregon recently. This was our first trip down to see them. And we had so much fun! We were planning on all driving down after Keith got off work on Friday night but thru a series of events the girls and I ended up taking the train down on Thursday afternoon!

This was the first time we had ever been on a train before and it went amazingly well. It was a great experience and we will definitely do it again. It's quite a different way to travel. Instead of being stressed and anxious you can just relax and enjoy the ride. Plus, we were able to bring tons more luggage than we would if we were going on a plane. And that's always a bonus where us girls are concerned.

The girls brought Barbies, My Little Ponies and Strawberry Shortcake dolls and had a blast spreading out and "playing". (I'm chuckling to myself right now because I know that those three toys are as foreign to Jane Anne as her boys' Legos, Playmobil characters and other action figures are to me!)

Jane Anne picked us up at the train station in Albany which is about 15 minutes from their new home in Lebanon. We had a great weekend just hanging out, shopping, drinking coffee, getting pedicures and celebrating David's 4th birthday.

Before heading home on Monday, the girls and Keith and I drove over to Toledo, which is just outside of Newport, to visit my closest friend from Ecola. Kristi and I have been friends for 15 years. She was my maid-of-honor at my wedding. She was with me when I met Keith. Now between the two of us, we have six kids. Of course, she bears the brunt of that "weight", since I only have two. This was the first time we saw their newest home and also the first time we were able to meet their daughter Annabelle. She is almost two years old and they adopted her from Korea. She is the sweetest little thing. (I'm so bummed that I didn't think to get out my camera and snap a few pictures.) It was great to see their family even if it was for a short little visit.

We had a great weekend with lots of "firsts"!