On our flight out to Colorado for a week. Flight left at 6am.

 James took a second nap.

 Then he woke up. The flight was less then half full, so it was nice to have plenty of elbow room.

 Stopped by Grandma Shary's house once we arrived.

Clara on the other hand was catching up on the sleep missed that morning.

She didn't want to wake up.

 Eventually she did and was really happy to see Grandma Shary.

 ESPECIALLY when she got a sucker.

 Visiting with cousins Rachael and Amanda at Uncle Troys and Aunt Stephanie's house.

 Playtime!!

 Hanging out with some more cousins, Mackenzie and Kelsey at Uncle Tony's and Aunt Bianca's house.

Clara loves her cousins.

And that one over there too.

 The gang is growing.

 Hanging out with mom and Clara in her cousins castle.

"Holy Grail? We already got one, you English Connnnnigits."

 Laughing with daddy.

 Clara loved playing with her cousins kitchen/blender/tea set.

 She made tea for everyone (with a blender that she really liked to use).

 Then she'd carry the tea kettle with pot holders and a cup to the one she was making tea for.

Our trip on the train on our way to our next destination, Oregon.

 Grandma Arlene and Nikki prepping for Noel's shindig.

Grandpa Nielsen having fun with Clara and James.

 Nikki cookin up something.

James and Grandpa watching Nikki cook.

 James enjoying hanging out with grandpa.

 Grandma Arlene's turn.

 Clara making sure James doesn't escape.

 Just finishing up breakfast.

 Swinging on Grandpa's and Grandma's swing in the front yard.

 It's a really neat swing just the right size for Clara. And it's got a nice long and smooth arc.

Nice and peaceful morning before heading out on some errands.

 Stopped by great grandpa and grandma's house. James started grabbing Great Grandpa's ears.

Four generations.

 Clara hugging her great grandma.

And another four generations.

 A cool family photo.

Aunti Noel saying hi to James.

 Clara loved Grandma Arlene's cats. She was learning to wait for them to come to her.

 Ok, so, the lesson didn't really take, and she thought that she was faster than the cats.

 One of the two cats would always come up to her.

 She thought it was cute how the cat laid down for her to pet it.

Taking a break on a rock.

After running errands with Aunt Noel and Uncle Mike we stopped by a local school to play on the playground to burn of some energy.

 Getting a push from Aunt Noel.

 Getting dizzy with mommy.

 Nice unusually bright sunny day.

One of the top 3 things Clara loves, slides/parks.

 This is new for her and she loved it.

Heading back to the van to go back to grandpa's and grandma's house.

 Getting a lift from Uncle "Muscles" Mike.

Clara was really excited to play on a slide in the house.

 James hanging out with Uncle Matt

 Clara getting up and close with some chickens at one of Nikki's friends house.

Carrrrreful...........slowwwwwwwly.

 Went with Grandma Arlene to Silver Falls, a VERY cool falls/hiking trail. Only we got there 1/2 before it closed so we didn't get to hike down and behind the falls. Definitely, next time.

 A very cool looking gift shop, but alas, it was closed.

Very, very cool waterfall.

Wish we had the roughly 2 hours to hike down.

 Really pretty area too.

 This map shows where the trails go and how long they take.

 Right at the head of the falls, and The Flash trying to get in the picture in time....nope, didn't make it. Should've wore the red tights. May have made it then.

 With Grandpa and Grandma, went to the Oregon Zoo. Very cool zoo.

Clara trying to get comfortable being this close to an oversize stuffed bear.

Oooooo, coooool. Look mommy, a door my size.

 In and out, in and out, in and out. She loved it!

 The xmas lights were a little difficult to see in the bright sunlight, but she still liked them.

 Heading into the zoo from the gates.

 Clara enjoying a statue of a little baby mountain goat on top of another statue of a full grown mountain goat.

Very cool architecture throughout the zoo.

Don't remember being this close to a couple of black bears.

Winding our way through the cool trails.

Really impressive covered bridge.

 A cool trail that led to the bald eagle exhibit.

 Cool pass-throughs by aquariums.

 Clara loves turtles.

 And penguins.

 Grandparents staying warm.

Heading to the big cat exhibits.

 I caught a little cat of my own. heehee

Stalking the elusive feline. 

 She like watching the otter swim around.

This exhibit is really cool because it was really deep. We were standing close to 15 or so feet below the surface of the water and it still went another 15 or so feet deeper.

A really big seal swam right by Clara.

 James staying warm with Grandpa.

 The Polar bears were impressive.

 A representation of how tall an adult black bear can stand.

 Enjoying the sun and warmth despite the chill in the air.

Clara was a real trooper.

 What do the pigs say, Clara?

 Another unique entrance/exhibit.

 Whoo hoo, a heated exhibit!

 There was a cute baby elephant that was being protected on all of it's four sides by full grown elephants. It was very impressive how they lived.

Ooooo, someone to grab. Hold........still.

 Gotcha!!

And....gotcha AGAIN!!

 mmmmm, hungry hungry hippos!!

When we showed up, an attendant was feeding them.

 Oh NO! Where's Daniel when we need him!!!

 Awww, sooooo cute! and the statues are alright, too.

 mush!! gettyup!!

Who's got your tongue??

 mmmmm.really glad that there's a strong piece of glass between you and I.

 Headed to the beach, and once again, beautiful weather.

 Clara was literally dancing and doing her own thing because we were at the beach.

 Do a little jig, do a dance....

 And then run, run, run with mommy.

 She was thinking, I'm sure, if she could make it into the water before we could grab her.

Luckily, mommy was wivc willing to get a little wet.

 It was a very pretty day for going to the beach.

 Clara just having soooo much fun.

 She loves to explore.

 Heading back to the car.

 Trying to keep James warm.

 The ride back home, leaving Portland at 6am. Uhg, what a long day.

 Trying to stay awake.

 Yep, Clara fell asleep as did James.

 Pretty sunrise.

Waiting in the first waiting room to get James an MRI. 

Focusing on the TV show.

Reaaaaally focusing.

 Ok, Clara, that should be enough TV.

 mmmm, tough negotiator.

 Getting a little tired waiting.

 He had to wear a hospital gown.

 Again, Clara watching her Daniel Tiger cartoon.

James unintentionally blocking Clara's view.

 There, now we can all see.

 heading to the cafeteria to burn of time.

She was able to peak through and see the courtyard below.

 Back in the waiting room.

 Not sure what Nikki is doing.

 Waiting for James go wake up from the sedation.

 The nurses giving Clara some extra attention and tried to teach her how to bow.

 And Clara trying to pick up the bowing part.

 The Dr is in.

 Clara helping put the tinsle on.

 Building snowmen.