Cake Making Class and Fourth of July

So this summer we were in Portland. We lived with my mom and dad (thank you mommy and daddy for being so amazing this whole summer by the way!). Toren and Audrey are also living in Oregon City and so we were nice and close. Well my mom thought this would be a good opportunity to for she Audrey and myself to bond over a cake making class! It was four classes long and we are really enjoyed it! Although I am absolutely terrible! Here is my beautiful cake... There is a poll... I want you to guess what these little things are suppose to be! So I was suppose to waitress at Shari's on the fourth but I got off really early and was able to come home and celebrate with Toren, Audrey, Brent, Blair and Kalen! We had a lot of fun partying since Mom and Dad were up in Pullman with The Potato.

Baxter really enjoyed the fireworks! We always thought he would be really scared but nope, he was all about the action!

Brent and I celebrating the fourth with my favorite part!!! SPARKLERS!!! (yes that is a piccolo Pete bomb in Brent's hand!)Toren getting ready to blow a bomb. We did it in the back yard because there were a bunch of small kids in the front yard.

Isn't he attractive? Just had to remind you I am married to a hot hot man, although we really need to find a shirt that matches those shorts!

We made a lot of fun memories this summer. I am really grateful to have such a fun family and especially that Audrey is apart of it! We had fun in the cake making class. It was the most fun though when it came to the last class and since none of us really liked the teacher we all individually chose to skip and watch so you think you can dance at home! Oh fun nights!

Beach Trip

So we have a lot of catching up to do. Our camera broke mid summer and then we weren't able to get it repaired until just recently. but now that we have it back I have photo's or this summer that we have some explaining to do.

The house we stayed at had a ping-pong table that was amazing! I was terrible and Blake, Toren and Dad ran the table. I remember being terrible but my commentary was stingily accurate and hilarious! ASK ANYONE WHO WAS THERE AND THEY WILL TELL YOU MY HUMOR WAS UNFORGETTABLE! My mom here is not prepared for my intense ping pong abilities!
After a victorious play I choose to use a combination of gloating and smack talking all in one!

While walking the pear we found this sign... sounds like this guy was a major people pleaser... the other funny thing is this sign was at the opening of and vacant lot!

The development where the beach house was located at had some undeveloped area. After Brent found these wild deer he had to show me, so our bike ride led us to this point! We were within 10 feet of a wild deer! It was pretty neat!

This is my mom with Frisbee, Baxter and Braden on a walk, were were waving from the area of the deer!So what was the reason of this beach trip? BRADEN! All the Forsberg Clan needs as an excuse to go on vaca is one cute little boy! I wonder how quickly we will all get work off once there are two little boys calling our names! Blake is so patient with his little boy!

So I like the stupid smut magazines, it is a definite trial of mine but looking at my sister I can't help but this movie star. Seriously how does she manage to be gorgeous, thin and pregnant all in one? Well Maren by the time you see me at Christmas I plan to be 15 pounds lighter which means I will be smaller than you! Granted you will have a baby inside of you but we will pretend that doesn't matter ;)

Here are the crazy people attempting to boogie board (one of my favorite things) in the freezing cold. Brent eventually braved the cold, but I never did, it was to cold for my blood!

This was a great trip and I can't wait to do it again! Next summer it is with the Huntley side though! I love my cute nieces and nephews!

I know I know....

Ok I know I have been absolutely terrible at keeping a record of what we have been doing this summer, so I thought I would give you the reader digest version of this summer.

1.) Brent began working with Robert Kerr (A man from my home ward who just opened his own firm). I was so impressed with Robert because he really went out of his way to get Brent started on the right path. Well he set Brent up to interview at another law firm in West Linn, which was started by two men in our stake. Well they liked him so much that they gave him a job! He has been really enjoying it and is really considering going back next year to work with them again after considering all of his options of course!

2.) I am still working with the Oregon City Parks and Recreation department. My camp is going well and I have a great co-worker named Jason. He is really chill and helps me not get to stressed when things get super crazy. At this point the weeks are flying by pretty fast and I cannot believe that I only have two more weeks left. Note to self bottle rockets are an awesome craft. I am also working at Shari’s and although the 13 hour days get really hard but I am still enjoying the job a lot and am really sad to be leaving!

3.) So far Brent has got to have a lot of fun. He found out that his family was at the coast and took off for the weekend to go spend time with them. He was so excited because he got to drive his brother’s big truck all around the sand. He also went on a camping trip with Toren and his scout troop. What more is there to life then telling jokes around a fire? Well I have no idea… and I decided not to ask Brent.

4.) Well you bet I didn’t let Brent have all the fun! We went to the beach with my family and had a great time in Rockaway. We went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and played in the ice cold ocean for a while! I couldn’t believe how much fun little Braden has gotten but he still isn’t my biggest fan… yet. On Saturday Brent went on a bike ride and found three deer that were so friendly. We were able to just relax close to them and get within 10 feet of them! It was very exciting.

Well sad to say that our summer is already coming to an end. We have our plans in place for moving back and are excited for the move but are going to miss everyone we have worked with this summer.

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!

Birthday Dinner Day

So we did it... we moved back to oregon city. Brent is working in the Kerr law offices and I am working for the school district and at the Shari's in West Linn. We are both having a great time. I thought I would really struggle with waitressing but I am finding that I am a born natural, although I have had my fair share of screw ups! We have been super busy and haven't had a lot of time for really fun jobs, but this weekend we did have time for some great relaxing family time!

As many of you know it is my birthday this wednesday May 27 and I am turning the big 22. Well if you are home my mom cooks you a birthday dinner and a cake (all of your choice) . Well I didn't really care what we had for dinner but I knew I wanted the wonderful double chocolate cake with whip cream and rasberries (YUM YUM!!!). We ended up have sausage, egg cassarole and berry crepes, all of which were amazing! After everyone took a nap and ate some cake we went for a sunday evening walk down at the Oregon City promenade.

We found a grassy knoll up at the top of the hill, and baxter and frisbee had a ton of fun running around.

Brent found a snake and Kalen was daring enough to pick it up... She thinks it peed on her!

At the end of the hike we ended up at the John Mcloughlin house and I decided to ride the random canon that is in the bake yard!

Through out the Hike everyone was showing the love!
Toren and Audrey with little Bax showing off his better side...

Brent and I showing our love while experience the beauty of nature...

And Mom and Dad showed there love... more than anyone wanted to see!

It was a really fun and relaxing day! Brent had a lot of fun taking pictures of the falls and of the fam! What a good Birthday Dinner Day! Stay tuned because I have pictures of our memorial day fun and soon there will be pictures of my fun Brithday!