Beach Trip

So since Brent and I have been in Portland we have been so good about not spending money on food or other things (mainly because mom and dad have been so supportive), but we did decided that we needed a little break before I get no breaks for the rest of the summer. So we decided to head out for a day at Pacific City Oregon.

While there we found the rock that Ariel (from the Little Mermaid) sang on while day dreaming about her Prince.

WE also found this neat little cave. Man I look so tired and I didn't even realize it! Brent looks amazing as always!

All of these pictures were taken on my new camera, which Brent's Parents got me for graduation so this picture took us about 5 minutes to take because we were attempting to figure out the timer! It worked and I love this camera. It is amazing!

We got there just before the tidal pools were beginning to fill so we hurried and look around? How many Starfish can you find!?!?!?! They were all over the place and unlike seaside you can get really close to these guys without people yelling at you!

Brent posing on top of the rocks!

Next to all the tidal pools was this mountain bluff thingy with an Oasis looking thing on the top. I am pretty sure we weren't suppose to be up there but we climbed it anyway! Brent was such a better climber than I am. His legs get tired and I just don't breath well, but his legs can hold out til the top... my lungs just can't!

Look at this cool Panoramic setting that my camera has. I love how it works. You take one picture, and then line up the edge of the first picture to get the second frame, and do the same for the third. You can see the little Oasis Bluff we climbed to, it is the one closet to the Ocean!

Well ever since last summer I have wanted to play in the Ocean and I finally got to! The whole plan was to go boogie boarding but only had one board and Blair's short wetsuit. Well we went to the surf shop to get Brent a wet suit and a boogie board. The package for Brent was $25 dollars for a wetsuit, boots and the board for four hours... Well the lady was so worried about me she gave me a wet suit and boots for $5.00. She was so nice and I would highly recommend her if anyone is going to Pacific City any time soon! I was so mad because I couldn't wait to tell everyone about the great deal, but I never got a chance! Brent told EVERYONE before I even got a chance!

Well for anyone who placed bets I was by far the superior Boogie Boarder! It took me a couple tries to remember what I was doing and the waves weren't amazing but it was a lot of fun! It reminded me that I will always be a mermaid at heart and that I was really always intended to be in the water.

The best part is while I was heading back out after riding a wave I saw a seal (full grown) only 25 yards away from us! His head was just poking out of the water and he was looking around. I started freaking out and yelling to Brent to look but without his glasses and enough notice he missed him. Luckily Freddie made a second appearance and Brent got a good look!

We saw so many different animals from fish, Starfish, a seal, a rabbit, pelicans, hawks, and all sorts of other stuff! We finished out our day by eating at a little Dinner called Fat Freddies Diner. We thought it looked like a dive and would be inexpensive but a meal was $9.00 and a milkshake was $5.25! It was more expensive then we thought it really needed to be but it was good either way. I made sure to get some really good Clam Chowder which I think is a must whenever visiting the Coast!

Overall we had such a great time, and remember how much we really enjoy spending time together besides sitting at home after a long day at work! It was a nice refresher and all the pictures revealed how exhausted I looked so I have to start taking better care of myself!

Grand Floral Parade

Last Saturday was my first Saturday off since coming to Portland (which I am very grateful for the chance to actually work) Brent and I were excited to go watch Kalen perform in the Grand Floral Parade. After Dad wandered around Portland for a good twenty minutes or so we finally found a paring place only a few blocks away from the parade route. Here is Brent and I getting ready to make the hike to the parade.

Aren't we cute?!?!

Mom and Dad watching the Parade

The floats were not as impressive as I once remember them being but I did thing this is one of the more fun floats that I saw.

This is the One More Time around Band. Basically it is for people who did not want to give up their music after high school or college. Dad joked as they were coming around the corner that they always play one song, Louie Louie. well when they were coming around the bend they WERE NOT playing a Louie Louie. Dad looked heart broken, and as soon as we gave up the memory of an easier simpler time they struck up another cord and it was... you guessed it...
LOUIE LOUIE! It was awesome and fun to watch all the musicians dance around and play it up for the crowd.

I know some little girls dream about a horse drawn carriage but I am suggesting an alternative, a Llama drawn carriage. It was surprising how majestic the animals looked! One of them was named Dahli as in the Dahli Llama ( ha ha ha ha). They were very beautiful.

After the Llamas another beautiful creature came by. These horses were absolutely gorgeous! They were all black and had roses woven in their mains and tails! I made the comment that I think these horses are more beautiful then I was on my wedding day!

Then Oregon City began to represent! This is the OC Trolley! Brent was surprised to know that OC had a trolley at all! He wants to go ride it!

After the Trolley there came in the distance!!! THE OREGON CITY FLAG TEAM! Can you Find Kalen!??!
There she is in the back waving her flag all over the place! All of the other Flag teams wore awful outfits that were dated and had no personality! NOT THIS TEAM!! Their outfits had spunk and had make-up to match! They weren't really performing when they passed our spot so Mom made us chase her three blocks to make sure we caught at least one routine!

Overall it was a very fun way to spend Sunday morning! It just reminded me how much I love spending time with my Husband in non work and home related days! He is such a wonderful man and he is working so hard at his job, which makes me miss him at home a lot!

Stay tuned! Tomorrow is a blog about our day trip to the beach! It is going to be a lot of fun since we had an absolute blast at the beach!

Some Catching Up!

Well, today Brent and I took our first personal day since moving to Oregon and went to the beach... but you will have to wait to see that post because I am two posts behind! First I have to tell everyone about our Memorial Day! It was a ton of fun and I can't believe I have put off telling about it for this long!

Well, on Memorial (which was the day after my birthday dinner!) we all wanted to do something fun, but didn't want to drive very far. The solution? Heading to Kmart and purchasing food for a killer BBQ and a Badminton set. There was talk of a croquet set but I poo pooed that idea immediately. Here are the results:

Audrey and I quickly became the team to beat. Our technique was flawless, game plan unsinkable and overall teamwork was something only the gold medalists USA women's sand volleyball team know about!

Audrey was our designated server because her wicked birdie spike was only able to be returned if the opponent had stored blessings from above.

Kalen and Dad were our main opponents and they were not to be taken lightly. The solution was easy... a little bit of smack talk! I got in Kalen's head pretty good! I was walking around in there and touching EVERYTHING!!!! She simply could not handle it! They put up a good fight and we appreciate their good team spirit!

Ahhh... Do you see the eye of the tiger within me! I am preparing to strike! This is the moment right before miracles happen!

While we were playing some 'mitten mom was in diligently preparing an amazing macaroni salad! As always she out does herself! Doesn't her long hair look cute! I can't believe she is thing about cutting it! Stay strong momma bear!

Brent was also helping out with the cooking area! His burger cooking technique is so famed that mom and dad couldn't help but assign him the task! They turned out amazing! Well this is just one more reason I married him! Brent's vision is also fading a little so he is wearing his glasses more and more but that is OK because I really like the way they look!
It was such a fun day! A lot of great memories! Audrey and I were the most undefeated team although Toren and Brent may argue that they won a couple of times, but it is really of no concern! Brent and I did play mom and dad, which was really fun. The younger team was victorious, but I think the match was what was really so much fun!

Stay tuned because I will be doing 1 post a day for the next two days!