Multnomah Falls

Spencer and Natalie were married on August 22, 2014 in Portland, Oregon at an absolutely beautiful outdoor venue. There were flowers everywhere. They hung from pots on the arbor and around the vivid green grass. Swans floated in the ponds and butterflies were released as the couple kissed. It was so magical! I am so happy I was able to be there. 

Scott and my Aunt Hilary, and many others, watched the kids so I could be there for Spencer's special day. It was a blast to be on a mini vacation sans kids if I'm being honest. I felt so free! We were in Portland for just over 24 hours, but one thing I just had to do was go on a hike. Oregon has the most stunning trails. They are simply teeming with trees and foliage and pure gorgeousness. Seriously, why do I live in the desert? The mountains are where its at. 

My dad, Lina, Cardon and Ryder joined me on the hike to Multnomah Falls. It did not disappoint. Though it was all uphill. It was quite the workout. Lina gave up about 1/4 mile up. She sat on a bench and refused to budge. Dad ran ahead right after. The man is a beast and so in shape. So it was Cardon and I pretty much the whole time. He made it enjoyable and kept me going by singing, "Hi Ho! Hi Ho!" and making hilarious comments to the hikers we passed along the trail. 

It was amazing how high up we hiked. A little freaky. Dad was waiting for us at the top of the waterfall and we snapped a few photos. I could barely get myself to look over the edge of the waterfall. We were sooo high. It was a beautiful hike with my family and a great way to experience Portland. And Lina was waiting for us at the bottom :)

weekend in wilmington

the beach was calling our names, so we headed to wilmington, nc. something about little family vacations just make me feel so grown up. like, when checking in to our hotel i almost feel a sense of panic wondering where my parents are to get everything all settled. then i remember that scott and i are the parents now. we have a kid. we take family vacations. we're adults....when did that happen? 

our little fam of 3 went to the aquarium, lounged at the beach (where scott didn't put any sunscreen on his back...bad decision...and where jake got sunburned right under his lower eyelids so he looked like he had been punched in both eyes...sad but funny), walked around the adorable cobblestoned wilmington sidewalks where i bought a cream cheese funfetti cupcake that was life-changing, swam in the pool, and endured quite a few jakey-meltdowns at breakfast where the retaurant windows overlooked the pool and jake just wanted to get in that water dagnabbit! 

that smirk kills me <3 (one of the reasons i married this guy)

USS North Carolina

 i was feeling icky...i had a good reason...two actually.

mouse house//april 2013

After the Easter weekend, we headed to Mission Beach in San Diego to stay at Mouse House. Mouse House is where my dad lives for most of the week (due to work) and it is adorable. The cutest little one bedroom one bathroom beach apartment you've ever seen. I could totally live there. We were a bit squishy--all 6 of us in Mouse House--but we just thought of it as a big sleepover. We hung out at the beach, watched Galaxy Quest multiple times, walked on the boardwalk, ate at Anthony's, and just had fun fun fun. We can't wait to go back and try to squish 9 of us in there over the summer. (Probably not gonna happen.)

We also got to meet up with our old friends The Petersons! J + Sophie had a blast together. And Scott and I loved catching up with Steve and Jenn. We really wish we lived closer to them! Maybe one day. 

(dad was gagging watching j eat broccoli like a maniac. dad hates all green vegetables. haha.)

Goodbye Mouse House! Goodbye Beach! Goodbye Petersons! Goodbye Shark mural that was so cool!

philly//part two

J found Scott's Bolivian cowboy hat from his mission and played and played with it. He'd put it on then shake shake shake his head to get it off. Such a silly head.

J loved playing with his Horrocks cousins: Caleb, Chloe + Ellery....and with Uncle Shawn too! We are so glad we got to see them after so many years! And so grateful that they drove up from Delaware just to have dinner with us. (Mandy we missed you!!! Darn flu.) My mother-in-law Sheryl made a fantastic mini Thanksgiving feast complete with the traditional Garrison Fruit Salad. We ate and played and discussed favorite movies and shows (I wish we could have weekly Walking Dead parties with the Horrocks!) We miss the Horrocks and Grandma and Grandpa Garrison so much already. We love you all!

Goodbye Philly. I miss your cobblestone roads, cheeseteaks and adorable colonial homes. Til next time...til next time.