Weekend in Newport

Earlier this month, Ryan and I spent a relaxing weekend at the Oregon coast.

On Saturday strolled along the bay at Newport, watched sea lions at play, relaxed with wine and a fire, dined on as much delicious seafood as we could get our hands on, caught and cooked our own crab and made crab cakes, and binge-watched one of our favorite comedies in anticipation of its new season.

 
 

 

 

 

Sunday we started the day out with breakfast by the fire.

 

Later we visited a historical lighthouse, checked out some tidepools, walked along the beach, and stopped for more fresh seafood and sweet saltwater taffy on the way back to Portland.  

 

 

There will definitely be more beach trip this summer!

Ryan is an EMT!

For the last few months Ryan has immersed himself in school.  He's lived and breathed medical terms, flashcards, quizzes and tests during his accelerated EMT program.  Well the hard work, long hours, loss of sleep, and bike rides to school finally paid off.  

Ryan passed both his written and practical exam with flying colors, and he's now officially an EMT!

Honey, I'm so proud of you for working towards your goal and can't wait to be by your side during the next step.  

Now let's head to Black Butte Ranch for the week to celebrate!

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It's Officially Summer: A To-Do List

Events I'm planning for my favorite season, in no particular order....

Get Ryan certified as an EMT! 

Visit the Oregon coast again and go clamming

  Finally finish this book and see the movie 
Make it to my family's annual camping trip at the beach for the first time since 2009 

  Return to the best beer festival ever on the Portland waterfront
Visit the beautiful town of Hood River

Try this ice cream shop that has been all the rage in Portland since we've lived abroad
Make this and these when the weather warms up

Celebrate a college friend and his lovely wife-to-be at their Greek wedding 
Go wine tasting in the Willamette Valley
Attend a concert on the lawn at Edgefield

Spend a week at Black Butte Ranch, my happy place
Turn 29 and celebrate with my family and friends 

Visit local farmer's markets as much as possible for fresh fruits and veggies

Pickle some of those veggies with Ryan and make homemade jam with my mom  

Take a jet boat tour on the river 

 

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Portland Gardens: Japanese & Rhododendron

We were blessed with some unseasonably beautiful weather last month.

I left Ryan alone with his studies and visited some of Portland's beautiful gardens with my parents.  

 {Japanese Gardens}

 

  {Rhododendron Garden}

It's getting to be my favorite time of year in the pacific northwest, where the skies are clear and the rain gives us a break for a couple of months.  This allows plenty of time for long walks, picnics, boat rides, and weekend getaways.  I'm currently compiling my summer to-do list and am planning local excursions and events to make up for the summers we were away in Asia.  

It feels really good to be home.

The Month of May, a Belated Recap

Japanese Garden with my parents

Delicious brunch here

Sunday night sturgeon fishing with my love
 

Cocktails with my college bestie

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden with mom 

Frozen yogurt at our favorite place

  
 Zoo trip with a college girlfriend and her sweet girl

Mother's Day

Eugene weekend with Ryan's family for his sister's dance recital
 

Celebrating one of my best friends from college at her law school graduation