Eugene.

So, today we went down to Eugene just to do some exploring to see what was there. Kyle had been there previously, but it was a first time for me and the kids. The drive down was really nice and easy, and when we got there we went to the mall. This is a big thing for us, now, because the only mall that is close is in Albany, and it is ridiculously tiny. Doesn't even have a play area for my boys. So, to say the least, the boys thought it was really cool that this mall did have a play area. Payton kept yelling, "Awesome," in his cute little Payton way, and Gracen just ran around like a boy on a mission. lol. They both loved it. We ate lunch at this random chinese place in the mall, and the chicken was amazing! It was a realy basic place, but the food was great. Both of the boys tried to use chopsticks, but undoubtadly did not work in the end. Gracen gave up trying after about two minutes, but Payton is a little more stubborn than that. He tried to actually eat with them for about two minutes, and then just decided to hold the "sticks," as he calls them, while he was eating with his hands. Which is hard to do with rice. lol... So, being good parents we tried to switch the sticks for a fork, which he would have nothing to do with. He cried, so we gave the sticks back. After a while, one of them fell on the floor, so I quickly hid the other set that Gracen gave up, and after a few minutes he started using the fork. Good Times!!! Anyway, after lunch we walked around the mall a little more, then decided to find the 5th Street Market which is downtown. We found a park on the way there, and stopped and let the boys play for a while. We also passed by Eugene First Church of the Nazarene, which was interesting. Nazarene's are everywhere! Eventually Gracen had to poop, so we had to leave to try and find a restroom. We stopped by the church to see if it was open because Kyle insisted, but I figured it wouldn't be, and it wasn't, so we went to find the market. Once we found it, we took Gracen potty, then explored the market. There was some amazingly beautiful art there, jewelry, toy stores, and things. It was really nice, and just had such a culture about it. It was really cool. Anyway, after that we came home, and just chilled out cuz that is what Kyle wanted to do. I spend all week in the house, and he spends all week really busy, and so we both want to do the opposite of each other. Which stinks, but we compromise. Anyway, tomorrow is church and I plan on trying to go to bed early. I am singing tomorrow, so I need some rest. ttyl, Val