Northhead Lighthouse

There is something so beautiful about lighthouses. Such a big part of the Oregon Coast. I remember coming here with my cousins when we were little. There were yellow flowers everywhere and it was so chilly, I wore a blanket around with me. We were able to climb to the top, back then, admire the glass and the view of the waves. Years later, I'm bringing my husband along and he is apart of my family. Life is grand.

This picture was right after Jared pretended the umbrella was a baseball bat and the top part flew off of the cliff. :) Ooops! Oregonians don't use umbrellas, anyway!

My cousin, Austin, who just returned from a 2 year mission. This picture showcases how different he is now, in a good way. He's fantastic and I love him.

Jeremy, who will be 17 next month. I can't believe that. (Isn't he so photogenic?)

This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. I love my three boys. They are the world to me.

S'mores on the beach

I don't think there's anything like laughing around a campfire on the beach, with family. We listened to my Aunt's (failed) attempt at a scary story, had good conversations, and ate delcious s'mores. Bliss.

 

Multnomah Falls

On our way to the coast, we had to stop by Multnomah Falls (just outside of Portland). I had gone with friends five years ago but, no one in my family had ever seen it. I love closing my eyes, feeling the mist from the falls, and opening them again to see this.. It's one of the most majestic things I've ever seen. I long for it again, right now, on this Monday morning. I suppose the pictures will have to do.

I had a wonderful weekend. I hope you did too!



I won't back down

Check out this timeline..

Friday, June 24th 11:00 PM - Pick up Jared from work and start our roadtrip to Oregon
Saturday, June 25th - Thursday, June 30th - Oregon.. :)
Friday, July 1st 4:00 AM - Arrive home & straight to bed.
Saturday, July 2nd - July 3rd - Camping!
Monday, July 4th 3:00 AM - Arrive home, shower, & straight to bed.

26 hours of driving, 5 states, 1 waterfall, 2 lighthouses, 2 Burgerville shakes, 2 Candyman ice cream cones, family time, 3 games of Upwords, 3 campfires, 10,000 mosiqutos, fourwheeling, 32 fishies, and 2 very sleepy Toblers.

These past 11 days have been quite something! I have much to edit, much to blog, and much to do. There is fun to still be had.. now dear ShayLee is visiting. :)

For the 4th, Jared and I planned on going swimming at Seven Peaks. We got into our swimming suits and put on some sunscreen but, when we walked outside there was no sunshine to be seen. So, we went back inside, put on our pajamas, and watched sitcoms on the couch. It was just what we needed.

Jared later went to work (bless him and bless holiday pay) and I went to watch fireworks with the girls..

I am obsessed with the Instagram App. It's true.

p.s. blog title explanation: I heard Tom Petty while filling up my car, it made me instantly happy, and I decided it was today's anthem. Plus, what's more American than listening to Tom Petty?

yellow brick road

We are picking out a new color for my "Oregon bathroom" today. (Quite the theme, isn't it?) Right now, it's a disturbingly bright yellow color titled, Yellow Brick Road. Jared picked it because he liked the name. Never again. Boring name and all, we will be picking something not so bright..

I can't wait to show you the "after" pictures. It might be months in the future but, someday my Oregon bathroom will be complete! :)

daydream believer

I recently received a card from my aunt Joleen, who lives in (my beloved) Oregon. She says the weather right now is wonderful, just like it was the February I came out 7 or 8 years ago. I went alone to spend time with my Grandma and Joleen. We stayed in a room with the view of the beach right out of our window. We had crab cocktails and fudge and went sight seeing everyday.

The Oregon cravings are starting and I am daydreaming about June.. My cousin, Austin will be home from his mission and the whole family will be together in my favorite place.. :) Here are some pictures of Jared and I swinging on the beach last year:

We love you

This is my family.

I love them, so much.
In Oregon, I started this project for my (dear, sweet) cousin Austin. He is serving an LDS mission in Santa Rosa, California. I hope this brings a smile on his face when I send this to him next week. He comes home in 9 months! :) I've already planned out balloons and signs and pictures for his airport homecoming.. Ah, can't wait!

(cousin Jeremy, me, aunt Deanne, grandma Bev, Mommy, Mister, Daddy, uncle Jon, aunt Joleen)

Oregon Happy List

-driving to Oregon
-watching the sunrise in Idaho
-finally seeing my Oregon trees
-Jared letting me drive for 130 miles. Haha.
-showing up at my grandma’s & Jo’s early
-eating my favorite chicken taco salad at the Logger
-being recognized by the waitress at the Logger (is that sad or not?)
-talking with Grandma & Jo Jo
-surprising my Mom & Dad. We told them we were going to leave at 6 AM but instead, we left at 1:00 AM and beat them to my Grandma’s! They were so shocked!
-our gorgeous condo! It was amazing..
-sandcastle competition on Cannon Beach
-shopping in Seaside
-the best chicken strips I’ve ever tasted
-a new beautiful painting of Astoria
-almost starting a fire in the bathroom
-going to church in Seaside
-racing dad on the dock

-going on top of the Space Needle
-an amazing view of Seattle while eating lunch
-seeing Pike’s Place Market
-taking a Ferry on the Puget Sound
-meeting Kristie and Devin for dinner
-playing tag in slippery socks with my dad around the condo
-listening to Grandma’s stories
-a character drawing at the Seaside Mall
-talking about our religion with the artist who drew our picture
-swinging on the beach
-walking on the Promenade
-Deanne arriving in Seaside
-seeing movies with Jared
-going to Ecola with Mom, Deanne, and Joleen
-taking a little hike with Deanne
-ECOLA State Park! It’s my favorite thing about Oregon
-laughing and talking with the girls
-playing games
-winning Upwords
-shaved ice with Deanne
-the beach
-laughing hysterically with Deanne
-surprising Jared and taking him on a breakfast picnic in Ecola
-taking jumping pictures on Indian Beach
-driving through the trees in Ecola while listening to Kelly Sweet
-having the whole family together on the last night (minus Aust & Jerm)
-a comforting hug
-Pign’ Pancake before leaving town
-goodbye hugs
-one last look at the ocean
-reading "The Last Song"

Oh, how I miss Oregon. I'm still trying to recruit friends and family to move there with us! ;) I've gotten two couples so far. Any other takers?? ;)

I love Ecola

Hello, Internet..

Remember me? I feel like I have abandoned this blog of mine..

A few random thoughts:
-I have no pictures to post because I am waaaay behind on editing. Way.
-I have had the best June and (maybe) soon I will post some pictures.
-I miss Oregon more than I can say. Really, I long for it and although I've always loved Oregon, I've never felt the sadness I felt leaving this time. I even cried as we drove away from the beach and.. I think I want to move there.
-To convince Jared to move to Oregon, I will have to convince our families and our friends to come with us. Who's with me??!
-Utah has become too hot for my liking and I am now excited for Fall.
-Fall will bring me many babies and, I like them.


-I miss Oregon.

2005

I have started a (big) project. This project requires me to gladly go through all of my digital photos (2004-2010). I am having so much fun reminising and remembering so many beautiful and/or hilarious moments. I plan on sharing my favorites but for now, this one:

These photos were taken while walking around downtown Seaside, Oregon. I was 17 and with my family on our yearly vacation to the coast. I saw this cute woman, with her adorable yellow hat and had to take a picture of her.

p.s. I'm organizing and cleaning out my hard-drive, and I have already deleted over 2,000 photos. (I'm only half way through 05..) Wish me luck!

Days like this..

-lunch with my mom & auntie dee dee

-laughing about funny times

-talking about past memories of their childhood, and mine

(can you believe they had a pet bobcat while growing up?!)

-planning our summer vacation to the beautiful coast

-cracking up in the bathroom with my mom at applebees

-helping my mom pick out new glasses at sam's club

days like this...

make me so happy

Happy List: Oregon Addition

-The famous chicken taco salad from The Logger
-Sunsets and swings on the beach
-Deanne's Johnny Cash impersonation
-Kristie's arrival and spending time together
-Laughing hysterically about my grandmother sounding like Darth Vadar as she slept
-Playing games
-Deanne throwing a bottle of root beer at Kristie and then not remembering the next day
-Taking Kristie's Bridals
-Finding the most gorgeous house in Cannon Beach
-Jared talking his way out of paying to get into Ecola Park, thanks to Kristie's wedding dress
-Getting an early start to a wonderful day
-Cheese samples and ice cream scoops at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
-Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway on a perfect day
-The Newport Aquarium.. Amazing
-My white skirt
-Sea lion caves in Florence
-The most beautiful sunset while driving back up the coast
-Going to Long Beach for the most famous fudge
-Holding hand on the beach
-Spending a nice warm day on the beach allll dayy loonnggg. Archadia & Ecola Beach are so beautiful
-Finally winning a game of Upwords
-Antique shopping
-An adorable baby fawn on the side of the highway
-Getting a (little) tan in Oregon
-Exploring the mountains with Jared
-One last chicken taco salad
-Burgerville's strawberry shake

(I am aware of how I ridiculously love Oregon.)

People Watching

Are you guilty of this too? I loved people watching on our vacation.

Doesn't this look like a family picnic you'd love to attend?

This family had (five) Great Danes!

I think they're very cute.

I miss the sunsets

My Grandmother

Beach Day