Cycling through Sunday

Felt excited to steal a little excercise in with these monkeys...

We packed up the bikes and headed out on the Burke-Gilman Trail.

Do I not have the best view in the world?  Also, felt very talented taking a picture WHILE riding my bike!

Check out her dismount... Dad was jealous and had to one up her...

Good thing the helmet didn't have to save any heads...

Not a bad way to spend my Sunday!

Love Oregon Coast the Most

My brother is so amazingly blessed!  He has this beautiful red-headed daughter... (with a beautiful red-headed wife)

these two crazy little look-a-likes...and he lives on the OREGON COAST.

 Some people are the luckiest.  Guess I am one of them though because we got to go and visit and share in his blessings.  Grampa Bruno, Grandpa and Grandma came all the way from Arizona and we hung out all weekend. 

Saw a whale right around here in Depoe Bay.  Definitely a recommended go-to spot!

We took Aida both nights and she was just the sweetest little pumpkin.   We all just loved having her hang with us!

 Since it was the last weekend before school starts we decided to take Highway 101 all the way up the coast.   Our first stop.. Pacific City. 

I could have stopped here and maybe never left.

 Tillamook Cheese Factory was one stop. Super crowded but there is something about factories that is so fascinating to me!!  Then we saw some Paddle Boats in Seaside and had to pull over to climb in.  Not as easy as it looks - but we paddled our hearts out.   

 The whole trip took about 10 hours. 5 hours over the normal time.  But we bonded and made memories and that is what matters, right?

It has been a year since our move from Arizona.  I can't convey how happy I am that we made the move.  There has been no moment ever of regret.  Sometimes you just got to jump in and go for it!!

P.S.  Some people are just "too cool" for life vests.  But I wasn't going to chance it.  Willing to be the lame adult on the river in a life vest. 

Viva Las Vegas

When I think of Vegas, I think of this very Handsome Man...alone!

But this trip was to celebrate Jarett and Kris's 10 year Anniversary and we brought the whole crew.  They LOVED every minute of it (except for the crowds and waiting in line!)  We all bought cute new dresses and enjoyed getting all pretty. 

The primping didn't stop there.  We celebrated in the President's suite of the MGM Grand Hotel and the girls enjoyed all the mirrors and beatifying themselves.  

 Even Miss Lilly tried to get in on the action with the cousins. 

 These two crazies thought the whole things was for them.  Sparkling Cider, riding elevators, beautiful clothes - all up their DIVA alley. 

 And to be together again?  What could be more perfect?

 FINALLY, I was able to get this man all to myself when the adults went out.  Nothing better then being on his arm.  I would let him lead me anywhere!

 Anywhere is actually where we went.  We walked and walked and walked.  I clocked over 8 miles in one day.  The girls never complained.  I guess there was just too much to see.  

 The last day was a little emotional.  We loved the trip and are so glad we made it.  Even if just for a Madee hug!

The ONP

Couple of pictures from our trip to the Olympic National Park. 

It looks like a picture out of a movie... (Twilight anyone?)  Not sure if my snapshots do it justice though.  

On our way to the Sol Duc Hot Springs.  

  

Carissa seems to find the closest downed tree and climb to the end of it at every opportunity.  

One stop was in front of a HUGE Sitka Spruce true. This one is said to be over 500 years old.  We were imagining the centuries of people that may have walked by.

The Hoh Rainforest was another destination.  Love the moss growing over the old phone booth.  Crazy but it rains over 241 inches in the rainforest a year.  To put that in perspective, Phoenix gets about 7" a year and Seattle gets 32".  The day we were there it was so sunny we got sunburned. 

(I continue to believe strongly God has a great sense of humor!)

Grandma turned six-two on this trip.  Happy we could share the day with her. 

We could just end here... forever.  

The sea stacks on Second Beach in La Push, WA.  

Beyond blessed to live in this glorious state!!

Thanksgiving on the Coast

Lucky, Lucky Us! 

We got to visit Nick and Megan and Aida, and Anderson, and Greyson in Lincoln City, OR for Thanksgiving.  Can I just tell you that the house just stares at the ocean?  You can be in the kitchen.. Ocean.  You can be walking down the stairs...Ocean.  You can be taking out the trash...Ocean. 

 

Here we are on Day 1:

It's really easy with Anderson.  You just grab a stick and go.  He rocked his red skinny jeans on the beach and we played and played.

 Carissa was adamant she "hated" the beach. Then we walked down and she ran and chased Aida.

 

You wouldn't know it after 20 seconds.  The love was back.

 

Dad + Carissa

(Check out the background waves!  I did not photoshop that in!)

 

Where was Audrey?  In the water, of course!  On Thanksgiving, on the Oregon Coast, my daughter swam in the Pacific Ocean. 

 

This is what happened after the Turkey, and the running, and the swimming. 

 

 

Here we are on Day 2:

Back on the Beach in Linoln City at Devil's Punch Bowl.



 

We climbed and explored.  It was a little slippery and Audrey was grossed out by the tidepools.  She was even more surprised when I told her it was the ocean floor she was standing on yesterday.  Ignorance just might be bliss!

 

Here we are Day 3:

Couldn't get enough of the beach.  This time searching for hidden blown glass along the coastline.  Greyson almost smiled for me!

 It was a great November and we achieved some great successes with Justin's work.  We are firmly finding a home here in the Pacific Northwest and it feels great.  Audrey had some stomach issues resolved and I got some new clients.  We are so thankful and blessed.

 

Looking forward to our next adventure with this crew!!

 

 

Pumpkin Pickin' and more

 

Going to the pumpkin patch is one of the many things I was looking forward to moving back up here.  There is nothing better then a hayride, hot apple cider, and picking out your own pumpkin. 

 This year we went to Bob's Corn which boasts an amazing corn maze.  Last year we attempted a farm maze at Tolmachoff Farms and it was an experience we will never forget.  We didn't wear the right clothes and were very, very unprepared when we stepped into the maze.  Long story short we had to find an employee to guide us out after an hour of searching for an exit. 

This year we saw the corn maze and then looked away.  The experience is still raw...

The farm this year had 4 acres of pumpkins that we could choose from; some straight off the vine. 

 Not only did we get pumpkins but we scored two ENORMOUS zucchini squash for $1 each! 

 No pressure there to use every last inch of those vegetables.  I made butternut squash soup, 4 loaves of zucchini bread, froze 4 cups of shredded zucchini and then made roasted squash just last night. 

 

This is how much I had left after I made all 4 of the breads. 

Feeling Culinary...