Off to the Coast!

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Not to brag, but I've been to more gorgeous beaches in Asia and Mexico than I can count.  

The temperature is warm, the sand is milky white, and the aquamarine water is transparent.

Although the beaches on the Oregon coast are none of those things, it holds a special place in my heart.   

 The sand is brown, the water is mucky and it's usually freezing...

 But it's wonderful.

I visited the coast every spring break with my parents growing up, and have taken numerous trips there with Ryan and our friends.

The two of us are off to Newport this weekend for our first vacation together since March.  
(Hey, that's a long time for us!)

We're looking forward to....
-sunshine in the forecast!
-the drive on this scenic highway

-crabbing from our cozy resort on the bay
-sleeping in

-lunch or dinner here
-visiting the (potentially haunted) lighthouse from the photo above

-walks on the beach
-window shopping in town 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

New Jersey Family Time

After saying goodbye to Cozumel in early March, Ryan and I headed to the east coast to see my sister and her family in suburban New Jersey.  Being away in Korea meant we had missed their recent trips to Oregon.  I hadn't seen the twins since the summer they were born and Ryan hadn't met them at all.  He also hadn't seen my older niece and nephew since our wedding in 2009.  They have continued to grow into little people, keeping everyone entertained with their humorous antics.  

We were looong overdue for visit.

Snow greeted us our first morning there, a stark contrast to the sunny warm weather we'd left behind in Cozumel.  
 
  

Our weekend with the fam was split between time at home...

a trip to a neighborhood park...

 
 
   


and an outing to the zoo.

Between playing ball with Leo, coloring with Harry and Lucy and "getting my hair done" by Ellie, those kids kept us busy all week.  It's so much fun to see their little personalities emerging and evolving. 

During our time there, we were also treated to a fabulous dinner out in New York City with my sister and her wife, where we ate, drank, and were merry.  


 

These two both recently turned 40, so there was obviously celebrating to be done. 

  
"Full" doesn't really begin to describe my feeling at the end of that meal.

So much fun.

Until next time, New Jersey.

Nothing and Everything

Our future, the next steps, what we'll be doing in three months...

Ryan's mom calls it "hot jello."

We don't know where we'll be, or what we'll be doing by the end of summer.

There are a variety of possibilities, scenarios and outcomes.  

At the moment, we're working towards our goals and dreams, planning for the next steps of our lives.

Is it scary, uncomfortable and stressful? 

 Simply, YES. 

But like all the tricky unknowns life has thrown us, it will end up being great.

After all, anything is possible.

(Belated) April Snapshots

 

+Girls Weekend at Rockaway Beach with a stop off at the Cheese Factory for my favorite ice cream of all time

 
+Lots of fresh salmon (caught by the husband!)

 
 +Birthday bowling

+Cocktail party

+Daddy's birthday brunch
 

+Newborn goslings here on the river

+Date night in our neighborhood here and here

Happy Mother's Day

To the woman I love, admire, respect and appreciate more than anyone in this world.

 

 

 I also wish a special day to my moms in law, sister and sister in law, and all the other moms and soon to be moms.

My heart goes out to those coping with losing a mom, or struggling to become one today.

To all of you, Happy Mother's Day!