WA.OR.CA {TRANSITION}

Saturday and Sunday we spent driving down Highway 101 along the Oregon and California Coast. We originally planned to fly home from Portland, but Jordan's Dad wanted us to drive a truck down from Florence for him. So, we rearranged our plans, and spent two days driving to California.

When I made these plans, I wanted us to spend some time hiking through the Redwoods...however, when we got to that point Henry was fast asleep in the back of the truck. So, we took some pictures out the window, and kept driving! Kinda a bummer, but, c'est la vie! I'm learning, that's "vacationing with a baby."

WA.OR.CA {LEG #2}

Friday was our last full day in Oregon, and we made sure to spend lots of time with the Bartlett's. This trip was Henry's first time meeting his Great Grandparents, and he took to them like flies to stink! :)

We loved spending time with the Bartlett's and on the beautiful Oregon Coast!

Friday evening we headed out to the North Jetty but weren't able to stay long because it was so windy and rainy!

WA.OR.CA {LEG #2}

Thursday we had another late start {I need to just accept the fact that vacations, for us, include sleeping in}. Jordan washed Grandma & Grandpa's Prius and cleaned out the inside of it; that really made them happy! While Jordan was cleaning the house, Great-Grandma Sue was keeping Henry happy sharing a graham cracker with him! He was in heaven!

Once we finally left the house, we headed up the Coast to Haceta Head Lighthouse. What a beautiful place! The trees along the coast were filled with nests and baby birds and while we stood and watched, we saw momma birds bringing back fish to feed the squawking babies! It was pretty cool to watch, but pretty stinky too!

After hiking to the lighthouse, we headed back down to the beach and Jordan took Henry on his first Agate hunting excursion. They must've found some good ones because Jordan had a pocket full when they were finished.

WA.OR.CA {LEG #2}

Wednesday we had the intention of taking Henry on a 3 mile hike to a lighthouse, however after driving up the Coast and passing so many beautiful beaches and realizing what a gorgeous day it was, we decided it would be a crime to not spend the day on the beach!

We got lucky when Jordan pulled into Picnic Beach. It was miles long, nearly deserted, and completely calm! Somehow, magically, there was no wind on the Oregon Coast! I didn't know that was possible!

Henry had his first experience with the ocean and sand, and he didn't like either! The water was too cold and the sand was just weird! But he loved when mommy held him and ran into and out of the water! He would just squeal with delight! What a perfect day!

WA.OR.CA {LEG #2}

We arrived in Oregon around 10:00, but didn't get out of the airport until after 12:00 because the rental car company was so backed up we had to wait FOREVER! Ridiculous!
We finally got on the road, after getting a free upgrade of course, and made the 3 hour drive to Florence. Jordan and I haven't been here since the summer before our wedding, nearly 5 years ago, and Henry had never met his Bartlett Great-Grandparents!
After spending Sunday evening getting settled, we woke Monday morning refreshed and ready for some fun in the Oregon sun!

Monday Jordan drove Grandma to the doctor in Eugene, so Henry and I hung out at Old Town Florence. We left there and drove to the North Jetty, but Henry fell asleep before we got there! All this excitement is really wearing him out!

Tuesday we got a late start, but ended up making our way up the Coast to Smelt Sands Beach Park...and what a treat when we got there! Two whales were playing out in the water and we got to watch them and look at the tide pools before heading home.

Wednesday started with a stop at Strawberry Hill where we got to watch a bunch of Sea Lions hunting for lunch in the ocean and soaking up the sun on the rocks. We kept pointing them out to Henry, but he was too busy looking at everything but the sea lions!

WA.OR.CA {LEG #1}

We had a wonderful excuse to take one last vacation before Jordan starts Pharmacy School and we become dirt poor college students...so we jumped on it!

We left Smithfield for SLC at 4:00 AM to catch our 7:15 AM flight! Note to self, Pay the extra $50 to get a later flight next time! We arrived in Washington around 8:30 AM and after stopping for breakfast, began our trek to the Olympic Peninsula. On the way, we stopped in Olympia looking for my Grandma Fortune's final resting place, only to discover, it wasn't so final! Apparently when my Grandpa moved to Utah, he took her ashes with him! After making that discovery, we continued on our way. The drive was BEAUTIFUL as the road hugged the Puget Sound nearly the entire time!

We arrived in Sequim {pronounced by the "locals" as "sKwim"} around 5:00, ate dinner at a cute 50's diner, and were ready for bed by 8:00! It had been a LONG day! The next morning we spent some time picking berries at one of the many local berry and lavender farms, and then headed over to the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge, home to the longest, natural sand spit in the world...5 1/2 miles! And at the end of the Spit is a beautiful lighthouse! As much as we would've liked to, we didn't have time to make the 11 mile roundtrip hike, so we just hung out at the beach for a while before we had to return to the hotel to get ready for the wedding.

That evening, we headed up to the "Hill above the Bay" for the wedding of one of Jordan's high school buddies. It was a BEAUTIFUL location and a beautiful wedding! We had alot of fun watching everyone enjoy the open bar, and really let loose! Unfortunately, we had to leave a bit earlier than everyone else because Henry had had it, and we had another EARLY flight to catch the next day to Portland!

We LOVED the Olympic Peninsula and are already talking about going back one day! It truly is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!

30, FLiRtY & Thriving!!!

Believe it, or not, I am now 30 years old! That's a TRIP!

Remember when you were in high school and imagining where your life would take you and what you would be doing at different stages of your life? Well, I never would've guessed that where I am now is where I would be! But, I think my life is AWESOME! I LOVE my husband! I LOVE my baby! I LOVE my family and friends! And I LOVE my Job (and I LOVE that I only have one week left)!

It's odd that I'm now OLD compared to not only the High School Kids but also the College crowds! In my normal, everyday life, I still feel "fresh out of high school", but get me around a group of high schoolers or on a college campus, and I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb! Weird!

To celebrate the conclusion of my third decade, Jordan and I went to a fancy dinner {thanks to the great deal we got on City Deals} and then had a homemade Costa Vida dinner the next day with the Alders and Fortunes. And a couple days after that, I met my Mom & sisters at the Cheesecake Factory for another birthday celebration!

It's kinda interesting how the older I get, the less important "Gifts" become on these occassions and the more I value the time I spend with those I LOVE! So, {although I'm THRILLED about the gifts I got} I REALLY enjoyed the time I got to spend getting together with family and friends to celebrate!

To quote the great Tim McGraw, "The next 30 years will be the Best years of my life! Raise a little family and hang out with my (husband)...Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears, and I'll do it better in my next 30 years!"