pnw

From January 10 – January 19, Josh and I had the pleasure of venturing back to our homeland in the pacific northwest. It was refreshing to both body and spirit – escaping -40 degree temperatures and warming the soul with loved ones. One challenge, though, is that it’s always tough to figure out how to split and invest time. We have so many people we love in Oregon! Although sometimes I get worked up about spending too little/too much time doing a certain thing, with some reflection, I think we struck a good balance…though I never feel that I’ve had enough time with my family. I’m always greedy for more! My heart longs to be back in the northwest. I know it is different. Time passes, people grow and going home will never be quite the same as it was when I was in high school. But I love it there. Maybe I romanticize it – I probably do. But when it’s all said and done (aka we’re done with the military) I still hope that we find our way back to OR/WA. Who knows? Maybe we’ll fall in love with another place in the US, but for now I still feel that I have a heart made for the pacific northwest.

Now onto the happenings of our visit: We were able to celebrate with my nana for her birthday, a do a little pre-celebration for mom’s big 4-0 birthday as well (today, January 23rd is her actual bday. Haps to the b, ma!). We had the chance to see friends in Silverton and in Portland, and visit family up and down I5. I got to binge watch Haven with my mom (don’t judge. it is a weird ass show, but it is addicting). I cuddled with mom’s new dog and I don’t even like dogs! But I think my heart melted a little. I got to see most of my cousins, which is always a treat. We drank all our favorite wines and brews. I learned a new crochet stitch from Grandma Mary Lou Hammer. We ate lots, and LOTS of good food. We enjoyed the foggy, damp air, gladly giving up the snow and ice. we golfed and shuffleboarded til our wee little hearts’ content.

We feel undeservedly blessed to have such amazing family and friends, and to be able to travel and see our loves ones. Thank you for always welcoming us home to my favorite corner of the U.S.!

Hangin with the fam for nana’s birthday party

Uncle Deano and Shelly

Getting ready to play Bean Boozled

German chocolate cake for our German Nana!

the cutest.

Bean Boozled. Rochelle begged for days to play this game! She even made a sign up sheet for the family to sign up to play…and then signed all of our names onto it for us.

You spin a wheel and the arrow lands on a color of jelly bean. You must eat that color jelly bean. The thing is that each color jelly bean, though identical, is one of two flavors. For instance, if you get the green jelly bean it will either taste like lime or lawn clippings. Black is black licorice or skunk spray.

clearly CC got a nasty one here.

outside the St Paul’s where we got married! First time back together at the church since 2011.

After many years of swearing off pets, my mom got a DOG. His name is Mork. He is precious.

Wine tasting with Doug and Lori!

At Methven Vineyard.

At Boon’s Treasury in Salem, Oregon. Doug got us the McMenamin’s passport!

Applebees with Grandma and Grandpa Hammer. Thanks to Andrew and Emily Hammer for dinner since they gave the giftcard! 🙂

J with his lovely grandparents.

cajun tots and tomato basil soup with gnocchis at the Roseburg station McMenamin’s

Doing the photo challenge at Roseburg station to earn our stamp and get our t shirt as the prize!

My cousin’s sweet 3 year old daughter, BraeLynn. She is so funny – just like her dad!

Papa, me, Grams, Jordan and Braelynn

Saying our See You Laters to Poppy!

The girls are back in town. aka at the McMenamin’s Power Station at Edgefield.

Ruby ale and cajun tots make our hearts sing.

shuffleboard time.

Dan and Janie! Girls against guys for shuffleboard – go lil’ girts! Yes, I meant girts.

squirrel.

Hittin the course with mama heidi and nana. Got mom a 40 a fabulous martini glass – get your birthday on, mom!

Feeling under pressure with the camera out.

When I told Josh to stop taking pictures of me and that it made me too nervous to putt, this is the photo he took.

nan is in the pic with us 🙂

Josh golfed too, just for the record. and he won despite the fact he played photographer all day, too.

pipes.

waiting for lunch – garden dungeon burgers for all the girls!

Sad that they’re leaving to go back to Silverton – such a good day with the girls + j

love these women.

toad on a bunny. welcome to Edgefield art.

Chris Boyd would greet all who came to the nursing home (edgefield was a poor farm, then a nursing home, now a brewery/winery/distillery/hotel/golf course/aka adult disneyland)

one drunk bachelor. Companions put him into some pink camo duck dynasty jammies and were having everyone sign him.

Filled up my passport page for edgefield! Had to get a stamp at various locations/bars around edgefield and do a photo challenge (see photo of Chris Boyd). Got maself a snazzy McMenamin’s bottle opener/key chain.

some vids from the Bean Boozled Challenge: