Our Trip up north

Noelle and I ditched school for a week.

We took off with my mom and dad and had and

incredible time just the four of us.

It was an amazing vacation!

We didn't have a time line. We woke up when we wanted to.

Just took our time looking around the towns on our way up the coast.

We played on the beach and went for walks.

We checked out different tide pools.

"Just hanging out with Grandpa was super cool"

"Grandpa got a room that looked right out on the ocean."

(View from our room )

"Mom and I went down on the beach and wrote a

note for Grandma and Grandpa"

Some of the creatures we found in the tide pools

We looked around at some of the tourist shops

You better watch out dad. I think Noelle's got

a thing for tall dark and handsome.

Maybe at times we had fun

Being just a little goofy

We went down to the docks and walked around and looked at

some of the boats. While we were looking around...

...we were serenaded by the sea lions.

(They were quite boisterous)

Arf! Arf! Arf!

below are some seals we saw lounging on some rocks

Visiting a local light house.

We were able to climb inside and had a tour guide tell us about the

life of a light house keeper. We learned about how the keeper

had to lug up the oil to keep the wick burning and

learned about all the duties they had to do to keep

the light house maintained. It was quite a job to have to do

day in and day out.

Oregon Aquarium

Along our way up the coast we stopped at the Oregon Aquarium ...
... and took a little trip under the sea.

Jelly Fish

Very fascinating creatures. Very beautiful yet deadly.

Petting the stingrays and sharks.

I was surprised at how soft they were.

Portland Zoo & OMSI museum

We went up to Portland visited the Zoo which

was a lot of fun.

While at the zoo we went inside an aviary and had a

cup full of nectar to feed them. Noelle held out her hand

and a few swooped in for the goodies.

This one on top of her head started biting her braid
and nibbling on her ear.

Grandpa came in for the rescue and just in time

( the bird did a little doo doo )

Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my!

VISITING THE OMSI MUSEUM

They had so many amazing things to see. It was incredible.

One two three blast off

Noelle and grandma getting ready for take off.

We also saw "Extreme Sports" in the IMAX theatre.
The theatre inside is shaped like the

inside of a golf ball so you feel like you are almost there

AWESOME!

Uncle Mark's

While we were there we visited my brother Mark &

his family. They just moved up to Washington just

north of Portland. ( and much closer than South Dakota)
We had a great time!

Uncle Mark & Noelle

Eating Pizza

On Friday we stayed up late with Yannick and watched

some Japanese anime. Yannick even gave Noelle her very

own Bleach Memories of Nobody. She was very ecstatic.

She is a big Bleach fan and it was fun to listen to the cousins

talk about their favorite characters or favorite episodes.

p.s. Yannkick

Did you see the new Bleach Faded to Black that just came out?

While we were there we there Noelle & Allyssa Rae hung

out and played soccer. Allyssa Rae also styled Noelle's hair.

1st day of Kindergarten

Nikki was so excited to start school with the big kids this year.

Mrs. Anderson (her teacher) has another Delepine in her class.

She has had most of them in her class at one point or

another. She is a great teacher.

Getting ready to get on the bus and head for home.

1st Day of seminary

Wake up ! Time for seminary. Class starts at 5:45AM

This year the youth are studying The Book of Mormon.
I don't think Kyle is thrilled to get up so early but he

is a good sport about it. After seminary he goes to

school for early bird weight training with the rest of the

football players. I am really proud of him. I don't know

if I would be that dedicated without even complaining.

This year they will be studying Heleman
which is one of Kyle's all time favorite scripture heroes
Choose the Right