Love is in the Air

As Summer creeps to an end, those crisp, cool breezes begin to make their entrance. I have been feeling those gentle breezes lately. They ever so slightly blow my hair off of my neck and seem to caress me with cool kisses. I love it. It calms me, relaxes me, and makes me think of some of my favorite places and moments. And then I feel loved.

In the evenings its starting to get chilly enough to warrant a baggy sweater. And I have plenty of those! I love snuggling up in an overly large hoodie. Again it makes me feel loved. 

The stars seem to shine brighter this time of year. As I see a "shooting star" blaze across the night sky, I think to myself how lucky I am to have witnessed it.  Meteor showers have a special place in my heart. And they too make me feel loved.

I feel so lucky to feel as loved as I do. To know who loves me and how they love me. And despite how painful the fall has been in the past, I am glad that that pain has been over run by the simplicity and happiness that love provides.  I do indeed feel loved.

Four Score and Two Months ago

We went to Oregon just after Seattle. I realize I am writing this quite a while after our trip, but things have been pretty busy for me and for some reason my drive to write has been unusually low.  I apologize for my Tardiness.

Oregon is where I grew up. My family lived both in Beaverton and North Albany. Later in life my father moved us away. And as the years speed by quickly, one by one all my siblings have been migrating back to Oregon. I am now the last of 7 kids here in Utah.  So Oregon will become a standard trip for me and my family.

This year we stayed with Cam and Shan in Hillsboro. Sage and Ashton got to stay with Cam and his Family, and me, the hubby and the little ones crashed at Shanny's. Seems like I have so many memories in Hillsboro... and it seems as though there will be more to come. While we were there we visited Fort Vancouver,  hung out with family, went berry picking, witnessed little Clark's Baby blessing, visited the beach, and celebrated the Fourth of July. Here are some pictures and my random remarks on such pictures.

At the entrance to Fort Vancouver. We barely made it in time to quickly walk through the place. We only had about a half hour.

Fort Vancouver is right next to an airport. Both Ryker and Curtis were looking up at the planes more than the fort itself!

Jace made special friends with the blacksmith by asking him 100 questions!

One of the towers at the Fort. The Fort was primarily used for trade.

Little Clark was quite fussy the first night we were there. Curtis, the baby whisperer, was able to calm it. He has always had a way with babies. It makes him a great baby daddy.

We all went berry picking for an afternoon. This is my sister Shan, her husband Dan, and their baby Clark!

Ryker ate most everything he picked. I remember doing the same thing when I was young.

A few hours later we had accumulated more than $70 worth of berries! Karren made pies.

This is my birthday breakfast provided by my beautiful sister Shannon. Its blueberry Cheesecake (I LOVE cheesecake), chocolate milk and baguette. The french eat bread and hot chocolate milk nearly every morning. Its now my favorite breakfast:) I'm simple.

My birthday cupcakes. Unfortunately I was not feeling well at all by the end of the day and did not eat one. I had Curtis blow them out in case I was viral.

Parade 4th of July Morning.

A dead fish Ashton found at Cannon Beach.

This was Ryker's first time ever on an oceanic beach. At first he cried because he did not like the cold water. Eventually he got used to it and stopped fussing enough to enjoy it a little.

Ashton being as sensitive as he is did NOT like the cold water but ventured out into it anyway after being prompted to do so by his Dad.

Jace enjoyed playing in the sand with Ryker.

Cute kids and a beautiful beach. Lucky shot too! It was fairly crowded but somehow Curtis got this undisturbed beauty of a photo.

Sage was not deterred by the cold at all! She loved every second of that beach and water. She LOVES the ocean like her mama. Pay no attention to the crack Ashton is making :)

We loved being with Family in Oregon.  Sage and Ashton LOVE their cousins there and it was good for me to see my brothers and sister.