Oregon Coast

Despite having my parents in Portland, it takes the Huntley clan having a family reunion inn Oregon to get us back there.  

We were actually on able to fly in for the weekend but any time at the beach is worth it in my opinion.

As a family we hiked in to a private little beach.  Brent, of course, was out hiking to find tide pools and I got to play with Harper.

The tide pools ended up being a bust but the beach turned out to be a cove, and it was a glorious!

Harper has no fear.  She would run into the water and would have swam away if I didn't stop her!

We did have to hike into the cove which was about 3/4 of a mile and once again presented itself with amazing scenery.  Las Vegas is kinda ruining me because a cactus is not a tree, or a bush or anything!

After we  got back from the cove we decided to go to beach.  

She is just the most fun.  All of her Huntley cousins as a lot older than her but man do they enjoy playing with her.

Harper loved Tylers new puppy.

She loved destroying any castle that uncle Jason and Grandma could create.

She is pretty much one of my two favorite daughters!

Brent just had to get in the water, but despite it being July, it is Oregon and the water was FREEZING! He made it all of ten seconds.

Harper always takes some time to warm up to Uncle Jason, but he pretty much wins her over and becomes her absolute favorite!

My mom got he this little chair and she loves love loves sitting in it!

Done with cameras.

Walking out to the water.  

She looks so excited.

Walking with  Dad

She is staring at Unlce Mikes kite that is flying high.

She just couldn't imagine it.

Overall, she was not thrilled with the water!

She was thrilled about playing with her dad.  I might be fun be he is like a constant amusement park.

This is the trail that led to the beach.  I think I was about twelve weeks pregnant here and I feel like I am huge!  Oh, I wish I had stayed this big.

Since we were in Oregon almost one year after we lost Josh, we did a family memorial for him.  I ws unable to go since Harper was asleep but Brent took some pictures.

I guess the beach police were unable to send lanterns up in the air. He was kind enough to let us finish the lanterns that were already lit.

I guess the lanterns took longer than expected to fill.

I think most everyone got to send one up.

I was sad that I didn't get to go but I thought it was important that Brent was able to be there with the entire family to celebrate such a wonderful young man.

Palm Springs

For the 4th of July we decided to go to Palm Springs with the Forsberg side of the family.  I am sad to say that we, as a family, have had better ideas because it was HOT HOT HOT!  The house we rented was super cool.  It had a little back house for the non-kid individuals to stay, a pool and a little putting green.  The problem?  The air conditioner was not up for the job of keeping us cool.  One top of being exhausted with morning sickness it was a long few days.

WE did get on respite that made the whole trip worth it.  It required a ride up the worlds largest ariel tram.  It was a 15 minute ride up to the top on a spinning car.    

Harper was a little scared (not really, she is one.  She had no idea we were hundreds of feet in the air), so I kept her close.

Although Palm Springs is all desert, the top of Mount San Jacinto yielded gorgeous landscape and much cooler, nicer weather.

On the top was a whole visitor center.  I would love to say everyone made the trek but it turned out to be only the girls (and Brent) who were up for the adventure.

There was a pathway that was about a mile long.  We had all the kids, who were around at that time, so we figured a mile was the perfect length.

We got some grassy meadows and some rocks outcrops.  

Brent enjoyed getting gorgeous pictures and I loved strolling behind, chatting and relaxing.

The boys enjoyed finding things to hit and climb on

Don't I have the most adorable nephews?!?!

Seriously the are too cute.

Do you see Hunter?  He doesn't even know he is little!  If his brothers can do it, so can he.

Austin is always in heaven when he is around his other boy cousins... He tolerates Harper.  He is so sweet with Harper, but she just isn't his favorite for the rough and tumble play.

It was a pretty perfect afternoon!  I miss green so much and to be in the midst of the so much beauty was just refreshing!

This is one of Harper's favorite games.  

I love her little hugs.  Even now I will take a hug from her whenever I can get it.

Palm springs was a bust in terms of location, but it was good seeing family, playing with my nephews, and getting to see some new places.

Grand Canyon Day Two

Day Two of the Grand Canyon started out with some more outstanding views.

And some really fun friends.

I was kinda surprised at how few railings there were.  It sure made having a walking and running 1 year old a lot more stressful.

Another gorgeous Brent photograph.

While Brent and James were off wandering, taking pictures, exploring and having fun sometimes I would just like to sit and enjoy being outside in nature.  Luckily, Erin was normally down to relax with me.  Granted she had a 4 month old who constantly needed breaks as well.

Did I mention I will be a widow by 30?

Harper enjoyed seeing and tasting all that the Grand Canyon had to offer, even when it wasn't much... Somethings don't impress her as much as others.

We also got to see a little bit of wild life.  Most of the wildlife was closer to the campsites, but it was surprising that they would make an appearance at all since it is so busy.

This is a picture that Brent went out and took during sunset.  He always goes out and tries to get amazing shots but the sky and sun never seems to cooperate.

I love this little girl, and this picture shows how fast she is growing up.  I don't like it...

Our little family. Which is weird because now we are missing another little girl!

I think a lot of people around us thought this was to dangerous to have a baby strapped to me... Little did they know I was actually carrying two little babies!

Apparently "risk taking" runs in the family.

I think Brent could have stayed out there all morning just relaxing and reflecting.

I wish Harper would at least remember this trip but she won't so I am glad we have some pictures of her all growing up!

It makes me sad to think I can barely hold her like this anymore and at some point she won't want me to!

I was most afraid that Harper would not have done well on the drive but she was so tired on the way back she slept the entire way and it was a delightful trip!  

Overall the Grand Canyon was gorgeous and I am glad I have been there but since it is not my favorite landscape I probably didn't enjoy it was much as others.