Keeping it real with Tulips and Two Kids

Let me tell you why this photo will make the Professor and I laugh for the rest of our lives.

This was taken last weekend at our annual trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival,

(I can say annual after two years right?)

Anyway, it was a long, beautiful, hysterical, frustrating, warm, sun filled, tulip filled trip.

Brooke woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Melted down three times before we left,

Once on the car ride over,

and I can't count the number of times at the little festival.

She refused to eat anything but ice cream,

wear shoes,

and took off running so many times, it was like running sprints in PE.

We were those parents the ones everyone else looks at like, "What is wrong with your child? Why would you bring your delusional child here and ruin our beautiful, peaceful day?"

And then the moment came when we finally found a non-judging neighbor to take a family picture in front of the beautiful flowers, and suddenly screaming to get free of Ben's arms became "Cheese!" all smiles and warm.

Jocelyn who had been really fantastic all day, bumped into Ben's face seconds before the picture and left him seeing stars and her hiding her head in my lap.

At this point, laughter seemed the only option.

The further we get away from the day, the more of the good I remember, and there were lots of good; lots of fun pictures.

However, I had to comment about this one first, because we still look at this picture and crack up.

It has begun!

We are building a house.

For months we have been planning and picking things out, changing our minds and then changing them again.

Covering my walls with paint samples.

Researching tile, fireplaces, chandeliers, bathtubs...

It has been a lot, like a whole lot.

It is going to look like this

So far it has just been a dream, something thing that we think about and plan for and think, "Man won't it be nice when we can have more then three people over and not feel squished?"

Yesterday, it became real.


Back in November

Today!

I will keep you posted because I am crazy excited!

~Thankful~ Day 10

Today I am thankful for bridges.

There are dozens of beautiful bridges out here because of all the rivers. Each one is so interesting and architectural. It's one of my favorites things out here.

This was from our windy day at the light house just north of Florence.. Which now that I think about it I never really blogged about. Maybe tomorrow. ;) I really love this little coastal town, it reminds me of Morro Bay and Cambria in California. This bridge is off the 101 (which is weird because I grew up right off the 101 and this is the same 101 just 17 hours north). Anyway it is amazing and right next to the enchanting lighthouse with a adorable bed and breakfast. Which the professor and I could use a weekend away at. Babysitters anyone?

pumpkins at the orchard

Last Saturday we got out of the house and headed west to the local orchard.

For balloons and straw labyrinths.

Pumpkins galore.

Honey sticks, homemade microwave popcorn, jams and jellies.

Apples, Pears, and fall veggies.

Big girl pony tails and stripy tights.

Oh, We heard a rumor of free cobbler and ice cream.

It was true.

It was delicious.

Till next year...

Well maybe sooner...

I am already out of apples.

And I could really use some more cobbler.

photo of the week 47

Saw this driving home and had to stop and take a picture.

Old man, I love you.

picking flowers

... in a little spot of land that seems rather... "neighborly"

Saying hello to the friendly roofer.

Sharing treasures.

Telling secrets.

looks like a nice street to live on

love

Can you see it?

I can see it.

photo of the week 42

Miss Brooks and the Professor stepped into the shot.

I am so very glad they did.

photo of the week 41

An observatory made of lava rocks in the Willamette National Forest.

It was amazing!

It was a one little stop on our drive out west.

the salt in the air

Today was a short but much need trip to the beach.

It was cold and foggy but oh so wonderful.

It's good to have the ocean on the right side again.

Brooke was endlessly fascinated by the birds...

while Jocelyn galloped through the water

(soooo her father's daughter)

It was good... very good.

early morning photo booth and other stuff

I just love Miss Brooks face in these pictures

Please don't judge my lack of make up or hair styling

it was 6:30 in the morning on the west coast

(the kids had some difficulties adjusting to the time difference)

so we went out for doughnuts at our new favorite place (in Oregon)

this trip was followed by driving around the neighborhoods looking for a place to live

(and where not to live)

Did I mention the wild turkeys that roam freely and get into brawls with the neighborhood cats?

photo of the week 34

I am truly excited about the wild flowers in Oregon

I am kicking myself for not sticking my kids in a field and snapping away but honestly the idea of putting them back in the car one more time was too exhausting.

Besides there will be much more time for that next month.

Can you believe I am moving in a month?

When did that happen???

voodoo doughnuts

Growing up in Los Osos we had the most delicious bakery and doughnut shop in the world. Since then no doughnut place has come close.

Until now.

enter VooDoo Doughnut

they have two in Portland

and one in Eugene

I probably look like a square in there

but I think this will be a regular Saturday morning stop.

When you come visit, we'll take you there.

Thanks to Jason for the tip,

and yes the bacon maple bar is out of this world.

new sensations

While riding the metro (choo choo train) in Portland Jocelyn's finger discovered her nose.

Let's just say our reaction turned it into her new favorite game.

hello people of the west

We made it.

The little ones flew like champs.

You would never know they were on the plane.

... well maybe a few times.

We only had one casualty, (Brooke's sippy, gratefully she and Joce shared)

Ben and I even got to watch the movie, which was really good.

I had a suitcase full of treats, and still have some leftover for the rest of the week.

it included:

7 different kinds of snacks (costco has my back)

stickers

our favorite aden+aians blankets

Foofa

Brooke's special Kitty

mini cars

coloring pages with magic markers (that only work on the pages)

Barf bag puppet show

baby wipes

and finally,

when all else fails

Toy Story on the laptop.

Were now in the beautiful city of Portland in a swanky hotel for Ben's conference before we head out to Eugene to find a new home.

good grief

All day the professor and I have felt like this.

... which is totally crazy, we have a million things to be thankful for.

Sometimes it's easier to see the bad ones.

Tomorrow is a new day.

A day that will start in Maryland and end in Oregon.

...which is exciting

...very exciting.

We are looking for a new place to a call our own.

So far everyone we have spoken to has had nothing but wonderful things to say about it.

I am just nervous about the plane ride (two littles ones are coming with us)

Wish us Luck!

and if you are lucky we will bring you back a doughnut from here.

or at least eat one in your honor.